Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioThe downstate New York casino license process has entered a new phase. The last remaining bids, Resorts World New York City, Bally’s Bronx, and Steve Cohen’s Hard Rock-backed Metropolitan Park, each submitted supplemental applications to the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board on October 15, just a day after MGM Resorts decided to withdraw from contention.
The supplemental applications expand on the original proposals by outlining detailed financial commitments, community benefits, and revenue projections under multiple licensing scenarios. They are also the first formal test on the applicants’ financial readiness and ability to deliver on their promises.
State law authorizes the New York State Gaming Commission to award up to three downstate New York casino licenses. But the law does not require the Commission to issue all three, as Chairman Brian O’Dwyer has pointed out.
The regulator expects to name the winning bidders by the end of the year.
Resorts World Outlines $7.5 Billion Proposal
Resorts World New York City, operated by Genting, submitted a plan totaling $7.5 billion. That includes $5.5 billion for development and $2 billion in community benefits.
According to the company’s submission, it anticipates that the project will generate $18.8 billion in state and local tax revenue over the next decade. It will also create approximately 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. The developer also includes a $600 million license fee, exceeding the state minimum by $100 million.
Genting stated that it could complete the first construction phase by June 2026. That makes it the fastest operational timeline among the remaining contenders.
Bally’s Bronx Application
Bally’s, which plans a $4 billion resort casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx, on the former Trump Links golf-course site, did not publicly release revenue or tax information.
Public filings show it submitted updated sections on Zoning Compliance and Land Use Approvals, Financial Modeling, Market and Revenue Studies, Local Impact Mitigation, and Workforce and Diversity Plans.
Bally’s supplement also includes local hiring goals, MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) targets, and environmental mitigation commitments. It estimates thousands of construction and permanent jobs, alongside investments in transportation access, flood resilience, and open-space improvements.
Metropolitan Park Application
The $8 billion Metropolitan Park proposal, backed by Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, includes detailed filings on capital investment, zoning compliance, local impact mitigation, sustainability, and workforce development.
According to the zoning and legislative filings, the project has cleared most major land-use hurdles. The Metropolitan Park documents outline extensive transportation upgrades, community programming, economic-impact studies, MWBE participation goals, and environmental design standards, such as LEED certification.
Addabbo Calls for Faster Awards
State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, has called for the Gaming Commission to accelerate the licensing timeline.
Addabbo has previously argued that delays cost the state hundreds of millions in potential annual revenue. He has said the Commission should move forward and award the three available licenses to the current applicants. This is not the Senator’s first call to speed up the process. He did so in 2023 and sponsored legislation to that effect.
His push also carries another motive: Addabbo is the leading sponsor of New York’s online casino (iGaming) efforts. He has introduced unsuccessful bills in each of the last few years.
Some reasons for the lack of progress on that front include lawmakers and Gov. Hochul’s office indicating they won’t entertain the idea until the casino licenses are sorted out.
Addabbo’s most recent bill, SB 2614, would legalize online casino and poker play at a 30.5 percent tax rate. Earlier versions stalled in committee, but he has signaled plans to renew the effort in the next session. If the downstate licenses are finalized as planned, Addabbo may have stronger momentum to advance his iGaming proposal in 2026.
MGM’s Surprise Last Minute Withdrawal
Just a day before the three candidates submitted the supplemental documents, the fourth contender, MGM Resorts International, withdrew its application to convert its Empire City racino in Yonkers into a full casino. MGM cited “shifting economic assumptions” and changes to expected license duration in its decision to exit.
However, local politicians suggested there was political pressure. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins criticized the move. They called for transparency about the decision-making process.
They raised questions whether the Trump administration or the president himself could’ve pressured MGM. That’s because Trump stands to gain $115 million if Bally’s receives a license as part of the land-purchase deal in 2023.
