The Coney’s Promise of Community Funding Fails to Win Over Local Committee

Written By Dan Holmes on January 21, 2025
a wide shot of Coney Island in New York

The promise by the developers of the proposed Coney Island Casino to donate $200 million to community projects failed to generate support from the local Community Board.

A committee working for Brooklyn Community Board 13 rejected a bid from the project developers on January 15. That decision could sink The Coney as a possible casino in this popular tourist area.

As PlayNY reported earlier this month, Thor Equities and its partners pledged $200 million to a community trust if the group receives a gaming license to build a casino in Coney Island. However, opposition from the community board makes it much less likely that Thor’s proposal will be one of those selected by the Gaming Facility Location Board.

In a statement last week, Brooklyn Community Board 13 committee member Angela Kravtchenko commented on the situation:

“We don’t need more traffic, more gambling, more crime.”

Next week it’s expected that the full community board will discuss and possibly vote on The Coney casino project.

Early efforts appeared promising

The disappointing news for Thor Equities comes after the project was initially supported by a large swath of the community. In 2023, in excess of 10,000 citizens signed a petition signaling their support for a casino in Coney Island. The committee and Brooklyn board are not bound by that show of faith. Clearly members of the advisory committee were unhappy with ramifications of a possible casino here. But not everyone is pessimistic.

According to reports from the New York Post, the refusal from the committee does not mean the project is doomed. A Thor Equities spokesperson was quoted in the article:

“We remain encouraged by the increasing number of community members and stakeholders who are supportive of the historic investment The Coney is prepared to make into the Coney Island community.”

A casino in one of the New York boroughs may be difficult to achieve. Earlier in January, members of the Manhattan Community Board 4 denied a request for a zoning change that could have helped pave the way for a $12 billion casino at Hudson Yards. That gaming venue would be owned in part and operated by Wynn Resorts.

New York plans to grant as many as three licenses for casino gaming in and around the city of New York in 2025. The Thor Equities plan is to build its casino on Surf Avenue from West 12th to West 15th streets. The complex would have a 500-room hotel, convention center, and entertainment stage.

Photo by Lichtwolke/Shutterstock
Dan Holmes Avatar
Written by
Dan Holmes

Dan Holmes is a freelance writer for PlayNY. An author of three books about sports, he previously worked for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball. Dan enjoys writing, running and lemon bars. He lives near Lake Michigan with his daughters and usually has an orange cream soda nearby.

View all posts by Dan Holmes
Privacy Policy
Newsletter Sign Up
Fill in the data to get the latest news from PlayNY
You are already subscribed to our newsletter. Want to update your preferences data?
Your data was sent and sign up for PlayNY newsletter confirmed
View Offers