New York state of licensing: Jay-Z pens open letter in favor of Caesars bid

Roc Nation writes an open letter to the State of New York in support of Caesars Palace Times Square.

Roc Nation, a record label and talent management agency founded by Brooklyn-born rapper Jay-Z, has published an open letter to the State of New York in support of Caesars Entertainment during its bid for a New York City Casino license.

Caesars Palace Times Square, the proposed venue, is one of many potential properties competing for one of only three licenses. Caesars Entertainment has partnered with SL Green on the project.

Roc Nation’s open letter, beginning “Dear New York,” sets out the agency’s case for why a casino, particularly in Times Square, would be a boon to the “concrete jungle where dreams are made.”

Any casino to receive one of the coveted licenses will have to pass approval from local committees, as well as regulatory bodies of the state.

The letter comments, “The winning group must have a track record of turning words into deeds – of putting New York City and its residents first – people of all races, religions, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and socio-economic statuses. New Yorkers in every corner of every borough – all of us.”

The letter also points toward Times Square’s history of being the entertainment center of New York City, which Roc Nation would like to uphold by connecting the famed area with a gaming and entertainment facility like Caesars Palace.

The letter continues, “Our proposal lays out an innovative plan that will not only draw additional tourists to our city but will also enhance the lives of everyday New Yorkers.”

It also highlights specific areas which will benefit from the project, going beyond the backing of local businesses, to also include supporting mass transit, sanitation, security and Broadway theater staff.

Gaming America’s May/June issue will feature an in-depth look at the casino license bids, including comments from CEO Michael Hershman of the competing Soloviev Group.

Stephanie Feeley

Visit Profile

Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.