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Read Full BioNew York’s years-long battle over downstate casino licenses took a major step forward on Monday as the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board recommended Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World New York City for licensure, advancing the multibillion-dollar proposals to the New York State Gaming Commission, which will make a final decision later this month.
The board met at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, where it issued its final recommendations. All board members were present for the announcement: Chair Vicki L. Been, Terryl Brown, Cindy Estrada, Marion Phillips III, and Greg Reimers.
“The board has determined that awarding all three licenses best advances the state’s long-term economic, fiscal, and community objectives,” Been said, explaining the rationale behind the board’s decision. Chants of “shame on you” erupted from opponents in the room as the board announced its decision, briefly interrupting the proceedings.
Today’s recommendations mark the culmination of a grueling process that saw an initial field of 11 contenders (eight submitted formal applications) compete for a place as one of New York’s authorized casino operators.
The process was set in motion after voters approved a 2013 constitutional amendment allowing up to seven commercial casinos statewide, including as many as three in the New York City region. Four licenses have already been awarded in upstate New York under the 2013 amendment, and now the New York City region is getting its turn.
Race Ends With Three Recommendations
The three projects the Gaming Facility Location Board recommended for approval emerged from a crowded field of eight applicants. Each of the three finalists represents a different approach to casino development in New York City:
Bally’s at Ferry Point (Bronx): This $4 billion casino and hotel would be built on the site of the former Trump-run golf course. Bally’s estimates that more than 9 million visitors would come per year, and it would bring 4,000 permanent jobs to the city. If it is ultimately awarded a license, Bally’s has promised to pay $115 million to the Trump Organization.
Hard Rock/Steve Cohen’s Metropolitan Park (Queens): The plan for this $8 billion resort and casino would be located adjacent to Citi Field. The location would allow it to tap into a growing sports-and-entertainment corridor that includes the Mets’ ballpark, the tennis center, and a planned soccer stadium. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards expressed confidence ahead of today’s meeting and predicted that the casino would turn the borough into a “global entertainment hub.”
Resorts World New York City (Queens): The proposed casino site, located at the Aqueduct Racetrack venue, is already the state’s largest electronic gaming facility. Due to its existing infrastructure, executives have said that they could roll out table games within months, forecasting thousands of permanent jobs and over $1 billion in annual tax revenue.
Going into the meeting, there was no guarantee that the three finalists still standing would be awarded the downstate casino license, as the board was under no obligation to recommend any of the proposals to the state’s Gaming Commission.
Board member Reimers laid out the financial case for selecting all three proposals, saying, “Each proposal presents a strong competitive positioning based on brand strength, amenities, and facility design. Using conservative assumptions, the board’s consultants projected incremental annual gaming tax revenue of nearly $1 billion in 2036, totaling approximately $7 billion between 2027 and 2036, plus $1.5 billion in licensing fees.”
He went on to say: “Additional state and local taxes, property, sales, hotel occupancy, and others are projected to generate approximately $5.9 billion. Problem gambling programs are projected to receive approximately $10.7 million annually. No alternative scenarios produce comparable revenue or fiscal benefits.”
The board’s vote sends all three proposals to the state’s Gaming Commission, setting up a decisive final review later this month.
What Happens Next in New York’s Casino Process
With the three picks finalized, the state’s Gaming Commission now moves to formalize the recommendations. Historically, the Commission has followed the board’s recommendations and is expected to do exactly that by the end of this month.
Once approved, the operators will still need to secure final construction permits and complete project-level agreements before breaking ground. Still, today’s vote represents the most ambitious expansion of casino gambling in New York City’s history.
It positions Hard Rock’s Metropolitan Park, Resorts World New York City, and Bally’s at Ferry Point at the center of the city’s next wave of large-scale commercial development.
