According to a new poll commissioned by the No Times Square Casino Coalition, 71% of registered voters who live in and around Times Square oppose opening a casino in the area. Respondents were most concerned about the potential for worsening traffic congestion, increasing crime and making the area less pleasant to live and work.
The overwhelming opposition cut across all major demographic groups, with particularly strong objections among women and seniors. Strikingly, less than one in ten voters (9%) in the area think Times Square is the best location for a casino in New York City.
The multi-modal poll was conducted by Tulchin Research between April 22 and 24 and surveyed 400 registered voters who live in and around Midtown Manhattan. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percentage points. Read the poll summary here.
The No Times Square Casino Coalition is a grassroots campaign of 22 community institutions, businesses, non-profits, tenant associations and other stakeholders united in their opposition to a casino in Times Square.
“The neighborhood has spoken. Too often, people forget that in addition to being a major global destination, the Theater District and surrounding neighborhood are a real community. The people living in this neighborhood overwhelmingly believe a casino would create massive problems, erode their quality of life, and set back the progress making this a safe, welcoming place for families,” said Jeff Daniel, Chief Strategy Officer of The Shubert Organization, a coalition member.
“People too often forget that thousands of New Yorkers live in and around Times Square. As a non-profit that serves seniors and other vulnerable people who live in this neighborhood, we’re worried. Casinos can exploit and endanger communities like ours. In this poll, you’re seeing the voices of ordinary people reflected in this debate for the first time—and they don’t want a casino preying on their neighbors,” said Mark Jennings, Executive Director of ProjectFIND, another member of the coalition.
Poll Takeaways:
- Overwhelming Opposition: 71% of voters who live in and around Times Square oppose the opening of a casino in the area, including more than half (59%) who “strongly oppose” doing so.
- Women and Seniors are the Most Opposed: 77% of women and 81% of voters 55 and over oppose opening a Times Square casino.
- Not the Location of Choice: Only 9% of area voters believed that Times Square was the best location in New York City for a casino.
- Traffic Congestion: 81% of respondents are concerned a casino in Times Square would worsen traffic in an already congested area, including 62% who are “very concerned.”
- Crime: 80% of respondents are concerned a casino in Times Square would attract more crime to the area, including 61% who are “very concerned.”
- Quality of Life: 80% of respondents are concerned a casino in Times Square would make the area less pleasant for those who live and work there, including 60% who are “very concerned.”
- Skepticism about Drones: In response to safety concerns, developers of the proposed casino in Times Square have announced plans to deploy surveillance drones. Significantly more voters indicate drones would make them feel less safe (35%) compared to only 20% who felt it would enhance their sense of safety.
When given the opportunity to explain what the casino would mean to their neighborhood in their own words, responses included:
- “People will get sucked into the casino to the detriment of small businesses. It took years to clean 42nd Street up. Let’s not go back.” (Woman, Age 18-29)
- “I cannot understand how local government could dare consider opening a casino in Times Square of all places, a location that has gone through a lot to get safer, cleaner, and more of a tourist destination.” (Woman, Age 30-39)
- “It will become a less family friendly neighborhood.” (Man, Age 65+)
No Times Square Casino Coalition members include:
- 54 Below
- American Bus Association
- Audience Rewards
- Bar Centrale
- Broadway Cares-Equity Fights Aids
- Chekpeds
- Encore Community Services
- Hell’s Kitchen Block Alliance
- Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association
- Joe Allen
- Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association
- National Organization for Women (NOW)
- Orso
- Project FIND
- Sardi’s
- Times Square Church
- The Ali Forney Center
- The Broadway League
- The Shubert Organization
- The Voice of Student Youth & Travel
- The West 47th/48th Street Block Association
- Westside Neighborhood Alliance
About Tulchin Research:
Tulchin Research is an award-winning polling and strategic consulting firm that was recently named national Pollster of the Year® by their peers in the political consulting industry. They are leading pollsters in the state of New York having advised the campaigns of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and have been recognized in City & State’s Top 75 and Power Player lists. Tulchin Research also has extensive experience conducting research on casinos and gaming across the country.
Detailed poll results here
