Roc Nation’s Times Square Casino Plan Moves Closer to Reality

Advertisement

Roc Nation, led by JAY-Z and CEO Desiree Perez, is closer than ever to making its proposed Times Square casino a reality. Partnering with Caesars Palace and SL Green, the group has spent the past five years working to secure one of three new gaming licenses in New York. If approved, the $5.4 billion project would transform 1515 Broadway into a premier gaming and entertainment destination.

In a unique move, Roc Nation is giving everyday New Yorkers the chance to invest through a partnership with Cadre—allowing community members to put in as little as $500 to be part of the project.

The bid also comes with major community investments:

• $250 million over 10 years dedicated to neighborhood improvements.
• A comprehensive safety plan, crafted by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, with over $83 million for patrols and AI-powered cameras.
• Millions for childcare services, student and medical debt relief, and rental assistance for Broadway workers.
• $15 million for a new Civil Rights museum led by Rev. Al Sharpton, plus millions more for arts, historic theaters of color, and youth programs.

Perez stressed that Roc Nation isn’t just investing in a casino—it’s investing in New Yorkers. “Everything that we do, we give back,” she said, highlighting that the project has community benefits built in from the start.

The state is expected to decide on the licenses later this month. If Roc Nation’s bid is successful, the Times Square casino could open in as little as four years, with a portion of its revenue dedicated to the West Side Community Fund to support local residents.