American entrepreneur and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang has proposed building a casino property on Governors Island in New York Harbor in an attempt to create jobs and generate revenue for the city.
Governors Island is a 172-acre spot in New York Harbor and is situated between Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the state of New Jersey. A ferry would bring in visitors to the casino, and while on the island they could visit the different restaurants or Fort Jay, which is a historical landmark.
Yang spoke about the casino on the Breakfast Club radio show, noting: "That casino would generate so much money it would be bananas. If the city could get that in place and harness some of that - that would be one of the engines of recovery."
Unfortunately for Yang, the current deed agreement in place for Governors Harbor forbids a casino development from being built on the land. In order for Yang's plan to come to fruition, that would have to be amended by the state of New York and the federal government.
This doesn't appear likely, as Governors Island Trust Board Chairperson Alicia Glen said, "The current plans for Governors Island are focused on developing a mixed-use campus that will provide educational, commercial and hospitality offerings centered on the theme of climate change and sustainability. In addition to the fact that it is prohibited by the deed, there is no scenario under which a casino would fit into the current or future plans for Governors Island."
Comments
With several game providers offering their games in the US, is land-based casinos still a big thing? Is that something people are looking forward to? I'm curious since for me building a new casino isn't anything particularly exciting as if I play, I play online.
Actually, a lot of people don't have access to regulated online betting here, and the older population does enjoy going to the resorts. I think you're right though, the future is online and there'll be a point of diminishing returns for land casinos unless they find a real way to innovate.
blck