Roc Nation, an entertainment agency owned and founded by rapper Jay-Z, teamed up with Caesars Palace and SL Green Realty to host a free event for Times Square locals, with a view to increasing their chances of winning a New York City casino bid. The eight-hour free buffet was held at The Purple Tongue in Hell’s Kitchen and included a quick pitch about the benefits a casino would bring to the area.
Roc Nation signed a deal with Caesars Entertainment and SL Green Realty in December last year. In May, its Brooklynite founder wrote an open letter to New York about how the proposed casino location and plan would “enhance the lives of everyday New Yorkers” as well as attract even more tourists to NYC.
The rapper may have 99 problems, but he is hopeful a bid ain’t one, as he and his partners aim to gain the necessary support of both locals and city officials. Only three casino licenses will be granted and the process is still very much ongoing with contenders like Bally’s, Sands, Mohegan, Wynn, New York Mets Owner Steven Cohen, and the two ‘racinos’ in Queens and Yonkers all in competition.
According to local reports, however, the event was a “complete surprise” to the President of the Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association, which is made up of 3,000 members. The Broadway League has also previously opposed the idea of having a casino in Times Square.
Aleta LaFargue, New York City judicial delegate and former candidate for city council, said, “Our concerns are about over-congestion. Our concern is about crime. And just the fact that I think it's really a predatory business."
Rapper Fat Joe was present for a meet-and-greet during the buffet, and also encouraged attendees to sign a letter of support for the casino proposal.
He said, “When you have black and brown ownership, then you are going to have a reflection of you. The true diverse New York City is gonna be in the casino representing you and in the community."
