Gambling is not only inconsistent with our Torah values, but also highly addictive, often destructively so.
Ellen Gellar Kamaras
In early May, the NYC Planning Commission voted to approve the controversial proposal for the 1.3 million square foot casino and entertainment complex in Coney Island, “The Coney.” It would extend over three blocks along Surf Avenue, with a casino, hotel, convention center, retail stores, and more.
The application headed to the NYC Council for a public hearing and final vote.
The Fight Is Not Over
On June 30, the NYC Council approved a rezoning that would allow Thor Equities to build the massive Coney. The results were 36-11 in favor of the project, with four abstentions. The plan involves demapping part of Bowery Street [demapping means to remove a section of a street, taking it off street maps and replacing it with something else such as a park or housing] and purchasing air rights above existing streets and buildings, allowing for three high-rise towers and two pedestrian bridges.
The demapping would jeopardize the safety of the millions of Coney Island summer visitors and destroy the existing businesses surrounding the casino complex. It would also impede emergency access to the Boardwalk, beach and amusement park and would have negative consequences to the nearby public school, disability parking, and wheelchair accessibility to the Boardwalk and the beach.
Despite NYC Council’s approval, The Coney, must still overcome a greater obstacle: Acquiring one of only three downstate casino licenses from the NYS Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB).
There is tough competition and a lengthy approval process: Eight applicants including Thor Equities (“The Coney”) are vying for these three licenses. Final proposals were due to the Board June 27th with votes expected in September and a final decision set for December 1st.
Strong Opposition
“Thousands of opponents have formed coalitions to fight the plan in the borough’s iconic amusement district.”
Ronald Stewart, a lifelong Coney Islander, was recently interviewed: “If you’re inside a casino, you’re not coming out to help the businesses on Mermaid Avenue, which are mom-and-pop businesses.”
The Coney Islanders Against the Casino was formed by Kouichi Shirayanagi, a Coney Island dad. “A casino will bring extra crime, extra traffic, it will block our views of the amusement district.”
The community responses to “The Coney” have varied. In January 2025, Brooklyn’s Community Board 13 voted against the land use change, 24 to 11.
Opponents argue that the casino will only benefit the developers and investors, change the characteristics of the iconic Coney Island, cause many harmful consequences to residents, children and families, local businesses and visitors, increase traffic, crime, and drugs, and intensify the gambling addiction crisis.
Advocates
The Coney’s advocates contend that it will improve the quality of life for residents by offering needed economic prospects of new jobs and revitalization, to a neighborhood that has grappled with seasonal ebbs and flows.
Community Advisory Committee
For each application, a local Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed to hold public hearings and to issue a formal finding of how much community support the proposed casino has.
At least two-thirds of the committee members must approve the project before state regulators begin evaluating the application.
If a CAC’s determination shows support is lacking, the application will not be forwarded to the GFLB for its review and issuance of a license.
Proposed Community Trust Fund
Before the January 9th CB 13 hearing, The Coney Consortium announced that they would create a $200 million community trust fund to support the area provided “The Coney” is approved. A board of local stakeholders would oversee the trust and funds allocation, e.g., using the funds for boardwalk enhancements and neighborhood safety.
Adam Rinn, Artistic Director of Coney Island USA, which organizes the Mermaid Parade and sideshows, is skeptical about this fund. He claims that he has not been approached by the Consortium to discuss the fund and the expected expenditures.
Public Involvement/Community Disapproval
Included in CB 13 is our own precious community.
Although the CB 13’s vote was only advisory and was specifically regarding the project’s land use, its majority vote hints that a vote on the casino application could produce a similar outcome. Public approval can significantly influence who receives the three NYS gaming licenses.
In the June Community issue, Victor Cohen aptly articulated our community’s opposition to “The Coney” – “Easy access to a casino would … lure many – particularly youngsters – to try gambling. Gambling is not only inconsistent with our Torah values, but [is] also highly addictive, often destructively so.”