New York’s prolonged process to allocate the eagerly awaited downstate casino licenses is nearing its end. After years of competitive proposals, changing political landscapes, and a field once crowded with contenders, only three bids remain. The state’s Gaming Facility Location Board is set to meet on Monday to reveal which proposals, if any, will be awarded the prized licenses.
Final Stage of the Evaluation Process
The five-member board will gather at 10 a.m. at the CUNY Graduate Center’s Proshansky Auditorium to announce its decisions. Although the law allows for up to three licenses across New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, the board is not required to distribute all or any of them. The evaluation criteria focus heavily on economic activity and business development, which make up 70% of each score. Other factors include local impact, workforce development, and diversity planning, each contributing 10%.
After the board reveals its choices, the New York State Gaming Commission will handle the final licensing phase. The commission will ensure that selected applicants meet the necessary financial and ethical criteria before granting formal approval. If all three licenses proceed, each operator must pay a $500 million fee to the state.
The competitive environment has significantly narrowed. Several prominent proposals were dismissed earlier in the process after failing to gain backing from their local Community Advisory Committees. Others, like MGM Empire City, withdrew despite advancing to later stages, citing unfavorable economic conditions. The remaining contenders are supported by major companies and investors.
According to Spectrum News NY1, Resorts World New York City, already running a large video lottery terminal venue at Aqueduct Racetrack, proposes a $5.5 billion expansion to transform its Queens location into a full casino with table games. Its parent company, Genting, also offered a $600 million upfront licensing payment, exceeding the basic statutory fee.
Meanwhile, at Willets Point, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock have teamed up on an $8 billion venture known as Metropolitan Park. Their plan aims to redevelop the area around Citi Field into a resort destination featuring gaming, hospitality, a food hall, and significant public space investments.
The third proposal is from Bally’s, which plans to convert a site near the Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx into a $4 billion casino complex. Their bid includes a financial arrangement in which The Trump Organization would receive $115 million, a condition linked to Bally’s 2023 acquisition of the golf course lease.
Revenue Projections and Public Considerations
Each of the remaining proposals offers substantial tax projections. Resorts World leads with an estimated $1.7 billion annually, supported by higher tax rate commitments on slot and table game revenue. The Metropolitan Park proposal anticipates contributing $850 million each year, while Bally’s estimates around $350 million.
These figures are important not only for state planning but also for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The MTA’s 2026–2029 budget already expects $1.5 billion in license payments, assuming all three licenses are granted. This expectation has led some stakeholders to believe the board will feel compelled to approve the maximum number.
Board members—Vicki Been, Greg Reimers, Marion Phillips III, Cindy Estrada, and Terryl Brown—recently visited all three sites as they completed their evaluations. Their visit is the final step in a selection process that began after a statewide referendum in 2013 authorized casino expansion, with the downstate market delayed by a decade-long moratorium later adjusted in the 2022 state budget.
The conclusion of this lengthy and contentious competition is now in sight. By Monday, New York will learn whether it is proceeding with one, two, three, or none of the downstate casino projects that have been a focal point of local debate and lobbying efforts for years.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com