Meeting held to inform Brooklyn residents about casino licenses ahead of 'The Coney' proposal
Developers have faced challenges given the fact that there are only three downstate licenses, and nearly triple the contenders hoping to get it.
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Brooklyn residents came together on Wednesday night to learn more about the process that could bring a proposed casino to the Coney Island boardwalk during a community board meeting.
The meeting gave residents an update as to what steps have been taken and what is the actual process in being granted a casino license in New York City.
Developers have faced challenges given the fact that there are only three downstate licenses, and nearly triple the contenders hoping to get it.
Residents spoke out during the hearing, citing issues such as drugs, homelessness, robberies, and crime increasing as a result of a casino being built in the neighborhood.
Marvin Beard, a Brooklyn native, told News 12 how he thinks these decisions should be made.
“I believe they should give it to the right people who are going to run at the right way and of course honesty is the best policy," said Beard. "So, I leave that up to the board and those that vote.“
A representative from the NYS Gambling Commission was present at the meeting. He says that the gambled money from The Coney will go towards public schools, mass transit, local governments, and even gambling treatment - but residents are wary to trust developers to live up to that promise.
"I think they really needs to be a real line by line breakdown so people know exactly what they’re getting and then again enforcement to make sure they actually get it," said one attendee of the meeting.
