Jay-Z on Times Square casino bid and what he loves about NYC

Jay-Z, the Grammy Award-winning rap artist and record producer, made known his love for New York City with his now iconic song, “Empire State of Mind.” As an entrepreneur, he’s also shown he’s got an appetite for investing in the town of his birthplace, most notably as co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets. 

Now, his entertainment company Roc Nation, partnered with developer SL Green and Caesars, is bidding on one of three available downstate casino licenses slated for New York City. The proposal would have the casino open at 1515 Broadway, right smack in the heart of Times Square. 

The proposal goes before its second Community Advisory Committee hearing Thursday. In a written interview, Jay-Z discusses why his casino would benefit the area, how he plans to address pushback from unions, landlords, trade organizations and businesses, and what he hates and likes most about the five boroughs. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You are known for your Grammy Award-winning music, your record producing, entrepreneurship, work as a media executive, philanthropy and activism. You’ve invested in New York before, including as a co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets. How did you decide that you now want to expand into the casino business?
New York City is the entertainment capital of the world, so the idea of a world class casino here makes perfect sense. I’ve always looked at opportunities that can shift culture while uplifting communities, and Caesars Palace Times Square is exactly that. Partnering with Caesars and SL Green – two organizations that understand real partnership and long-term community investment – gave us the chance to build something bigger than gaming. For me, it’s an extension of culture, an extension of the energy and action that makes New York the city it is.

Describe what you want to do in Times Square and why you think the area makes sense for a casino venue.
Times Square is the heartbeat of New York – a place where millions of people come every year to see Broadway shows, shop, celebrate the new year, and experience the city’s unmatched energy. Our vision is to build a destination that not only attracts visitors but also gives New Yorkers a place they’re proud to enjoy. A casino here doesn’t compete with Times Square – it complements it. We’re creating a hub that draws even more people into the neighborhood, generating new energy, new business, and new opportunities for everyone.

Why does this project make more sense than competing projects (like the Coney Island casino or the United Nations casino)?
Our plan is the only one that transforms an existing building into a project that creates massive opportunity without displacing the neighborhood. With limited space inside – no retail and just one theater – visitors will naturally flow into surrounding Broadway shows, restaurants, and shops. Add to that the unmatched access to mass transit and the global recognition of Times Square, and it’s clear this is the venue that makes the most sense for New York City.

Your proposal has met resistance from the No Times Square Casino coalition, organized by the Broadway League representing theater owners and producers. How do you turn this pushback around and what do you say to people who think it will be bad for Broadway?
There is only one Broadway, and we respect that. This project isn’t about taking away from Broadway – it’s about strengthening it. Casino visitors will buy tickets, fill seats, book dinners before shows, and keep hotels in the area full. The things Broadway needs – more ticket sales, added security, cleaner streets, and jobs that support workers between shows – are what this project will make possible. We’re making real investments that benefit everyone who calls Times Square home.

How do you make a project like this beneficial to Black and working-class communities that have historically been impacted by gambling and gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is a serious issue that isn’t unique to Black or working-class communities. We’re committed to providing resources for everyone. Caesars Palace has one of the most comprehensive responsible gaming programs, and their long-standing record is a major reason why they are our partner. 

The project brings positive, lasting benefits through meaningful partnerships and investments: from supporting cultural institutions like the Civil Rights Museum to uplifting local theaters such as Town Hall and Sony Hall. Our goal is to create opportunity and ensure this project delivers real value to the communities that need it most.

You’ve been active in the past on subjects like public health and criminal justice issues. What issues are you focused on now, and what do you make of the current criminal justice reform debate?
Criminal justice reform will always be a top priority for me. Through REFORM, we’ve made real progress in transforming probation and parole. There’s something fundamentally broken in a system where you can go back to prison for something as small as a U-turn. That’s why REFORM continues to push for bipartisan, common-sense legislation—because parole and probation shouldn’t be political. They should be about fairness, opportunity, and giving people a real chance to rebuild their lives.  

Speaking of politics, do you still hope to see the Rap on Trial bill eventually become law?
Rap is poetry, it’s storytelling, it’s art. Art should be a safe space for expression.

You’re a business owner in New York, what are the biggest challenges you face doing business here?
New York is the greatest city in the world, but it’s also one of the toughest and most competitive. Taxes and rising costs are a concern in every city. But as the song goes, “If you can build here, you can build anywhere.” 

Crime and affordability have forced a number of New Yorkers to leave the city. As a born and raised New Yorker, how have you seen the city change?
It’s always unfortunate when we can’t keep our homegrown people – the very ones who built this city with their hard work, energy, and love. My hope is that as New York continues to change, we hold on to the best parts of what makes this city special, while improving the areas that don’t work for all New Yorkers.

There are so many ways to complain about New York City – the rats, the trash, tourists... What’s your biggest pet peeve about the five boroughs?
I am an avid reader. I would love to see more support for the libraries, music and arts classes and afterschool programs. I hope we don’t lose sight that libraries and schools are essential institutions that are the center of communities.

What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
The attitude, the culture, the energy. You walk down any block in any borough; Brooklyn or Harlem or Queens and you feel that spirit. You can’t replicate New York anywhere else.

Do you have any other exciting projects on the horizon planned for New York?
We’re working on 40/40, Roc Nation is headquartered in New York and continues to grow and of course Caesars Palace Times Square. 

It’s been more than a decade since Barclays Center opened, how do you feel about the success of that project and its impact on Brooklyn?
Those opening nights were unforgettable – I performed eight shows to launch Barclays Center. To see an arena rise in my own borough, right across the street from where I used to live at 560 State Street, was a dream come true. Barclays Center brought concerts, basketball, jobs, and new energy to Brooklyn. I believe that much like Barclays Center, this casino project will do far more good for the City. I love New York and only want the best for the place that made me who I am.