It is loud. It is salty. It is a place where you can get a Nathan’s Famous hot dog and then immediately regret your life choices on the Cyclone. But for the last couple of years, the conversation around the "People's Playground" hasn't been about the roller coasters. It has been about the money. Specifically, the massive, multi-billion-dollar push for a casino in Coney Island.
If you walk down the Boardwalk today, you won’t see any slot machines. Not yet. What you see is a community divided by a high-stakes poker game being played in Albany and City Hall. This isn't just another real estate deal; it is a fundamental argument over what Brooklyn should look like in the next decade.
The Players Behind the "The Coney"
Let’s get the facts straight about who is actually trying to build this thing. This isn't just one guy with a dream. It is a massive consortium called The Coney. The heavy hitters include Saratoga Casino Holdings, Global Gaming Solutions (which is the gaming arm of the Chickasaw Nation), Legends, and Thor Equities.
Thor Equities, led by Joe Sitt, has been buying up land in Coney Island for decades. They’ve long wanted to turn this patch of South Brooklyn into a year-round destination. Right now, Coney Island basically "shuts down" in the winter. The rides stop. The crowds thin out. The developers argue that a casino is the only way to stop the neighborhood from being a seasonal ghost town.
But they aren't the only ones in the race. New York State is only handing out three downstate casino licenses. "The Coney" is competing against literal giants. You’ve got Steve Cohen (the Mets owner) trying to put a casino next to Citi Field in Queens. You’ve got Related Companies trying to drop one in Hudson Yards. You’ve got Jay-Z and SL Green eyeing Times Square.
In that crowd, Coney Island is the underdog.
Why a Casino in Coney Island is Such a Messy Topic
Honestly, it depends on who you ask. If you talk to some of the local business owners, they see dollar signs. A casino means foot traffic in February. It means jobs. The developers are promising thousands of permanent positions and a massive boost to the local economy.
But then you talk to the residents. The people who live in the high-rises along Surf Avenue. They are worried about traffic. They are worried about crime. They are worried that the "soul" of Coney Island—that gritty, weird, wonderful charm—will be paved over by a sterile, glass-and-steel gambling hall.
The local community board, Community Board 13, has been pretty vocal. In 2023, they voted overwhelmingly against a resolution supporting the casino. It wasn't even close. They cited concerns about gambling addiction and the fact that the neighborhood's infrastructure—the trains, the sewers, the narrow streets—is already screaming for help.
The F train is already a nightmare on a Saturday in July. Imagine adding 10,000 more people trying to get to a poker tournament.
The Design: It’s Not Just a Floor Full of Slots
The proposal for the casino in Coney Island isn't just a dark room with flashing lights. The renderings show a glassy, modern complex that looks a bit like a cruise ship docked on the shore.
It would include:
- A luxury hotel.
- A massive convention center.
- Dozens of new restaurants and bars.
- Public green space on the roof.
The idea is to create an "entertainment district." The developers keep saying they want to complement the existing attractions, not replace them. They want the person who spends the day at the New York Aquarium to spend the evening at a high-end steakhouse inside the casino.
But there’s a catch. New York’s gaming laws are strict. To win one of those three licenses, the developers have to prove "community support." This is where things get sticky. While the Community Board said no, a group called Brooklyn for Better has been holding rallies in favor of the project. They point to the high unemployment rates in the area and argue that a $3 billion investment is too good to pass up.
The 2026 Timeline and the Albany Hurdle
We are currently in a waiting game. The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has been slow. Like, really slow.
The process involves two main hurdles. First, the project needs to pass a local community advisory committee (CAC). This committee is made up of representatives appointed by the Governor, the Mayor, and local elected officials like the Borough President and the State Senator. If they don't give the green light, the project is dead in the water.
Second, the state has to weigh the economic impact. How much tax revenue will a casino in Coney Island generate compared to one in Times Square?
Most experts believe the state won't even make a final decision until late 2025 or early 2026. There are zoning issues to clear up. There are environmental impact studies that need to be finished. It is a bureaucratic marathon.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Project
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the casino will "take over" the Boardwalk.
Technically, the proposed site is between West 12th and West 15th Streets, mostly on private land owned by Thor Equities. It wouldn't tear down the Wonder Wheel or the Cyclone. Those are protected landmarks. The casino would sit across the street from the beach, replacing some of the vacant lots and smaller storefronts that have struggled for years.
Another myth? That it’s a "sure thing." Far from it.
The competition in Queens and Manhattan is fierce. Those sites have more direct access to tourists and wealthier commuters. Coney Island has the nostalgia, but it’s a long trek on the subway from Midtown.
The Economic Nuance
We have to talk about the jobs. The developers claim the project will create 4,000 permanent jobs. These are union jobs—dealers, hotel staff, security, chefs. For a neighborhood where the poverty rate is significantly higher than the city average, that is a massive carrot to dangle.
But critics like State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton have to walk a fine line. They want the investment, but they don’t want to sell out their constituents. There’s a fear that these "local" jobs will eventually go to people commuting from outside the borough, while the locals are left with higher rents and more congestion.
Actionable Insights for New Yorkers and Visitors
If you're following the saga of the casino in Coney Island, there are a few things you should actually do to stay informed or prepare for the shift.
1. Watch the CAC Meetings
The Community Advisory Committee meetings are where the real drama happens. These are public. If you want to know if the project has a chance, watch how these appointees vote. If the local State Senator or Assembly Member signals a "no," the casino is likely finished.
2. Check the Zoning Updates
New York City is currently working on "City of Yes" zoning changes. Some of these changes are designed to make it easier for casinos to exist in commercial zones without having to jump through a thousand extra hoops. Keep an eye on the Department of City Planning's bulletins.
3. Support the "Old" Coney Island Now
Whether the casino happens or not, the small businesses on the Boardwalk—places like Ruby's Old Tyme Bar & Grill or Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano—are the reason the neighborhood is iconic. They are independent and they are vulnerable. If a casino arrives, the "rent" for the whole neighborhood goes up. Support the local spots while they are still there.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Sign Will Be Back 10 Minutes Actually Works (and When it Fails)
4. Follow the Gaming Commission
The New York State Gaming Commission website is where the "RFA" (Request for Applications) documents live. You can actually read the full proposals from "The Coney" team. It includes their plans for traffic mitigation and how they intend to handle "problem gambling" in the community.
Coney Island has always been a place of reinvention. It went from a high-society seaside resort in the 1800s to a crumbling "Nickel Empire" in the mid-20th century, and then back to a revitalized tourist hub. A casino would be the biggest change since the 1920s. Whether that change is a jackpot or a bust depends entirely on which side of the Boardwalk you’re standing on.
For now, the only thing we know for sure is that the stakes have never been higher for Brooklyn’s most famous backyard.
Next Steps for Residents:
- Attend the next Community Board 13 meeting to voice concerns or support.
- Review the New York State Gaming Commission's "Downstate Casino" portal for updated maps of the proposed site.
- Contact your local Council Member to ask about the specific infrastructure improvements (sewers and transit) promised by the developers.