Lynnae is a journalist covering the intersection of technology, culture, and gambling. She has more than five years of experience as a writer and editor, with bylines at SlashGear and MakeUseOf. On the iGaming side,...
Read Full BioAs expected, the New York State Gaming Commission voted unanimously today to approve gaming facility licenses for the three finalists in the long-running downstate casino licensing process: Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park in Queens, and Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The vote comes exactly two weeks after the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board recommended the three casinos for licensure. The awarding of the licenses marks the end of a period of heated debate and mixed reactions from political leaders and community groups.
The tension was on display as the vote was announced, with chants of “Shame on you, Hochul must go” and “This is not over, we’ll see you in court” briefly interrupting the proceedings. One opponent could also be heard shouting that the approvals amounted to “stealing from poor people to make billionaires money.”
While some remain opposed to the casinos moving forward, under state law, the Gaming Commission’s decision is final and represents the last administrative step in the downstate casino licensing process.
Commission Vote Concludes Selection Process
After the vote, Brian O’Dwyer, chair of the New York State Gaming Commission, congratulated the three approved operators and emphasized the impact the projects would have on economic development and job creation in the city.
“To all three who have been granted this conditional license, congratulations on behalf of the state of New York,” O’Dwyer said. “We look forward to seeing the jobs, economic development, infrastructure, and gaming revenue come to fruition.”
He also highlighted the creation of union jobs in New York City.
“For myself, as a long-time lawyer for labor unions in this city, I’m looking forward to the creation of hundreds, if not thousands, of good union jobs in Queens and in the Bronx,” he said.
O’Dwyer went on to say that the newly licensed operators face an “important charge ahead of them” and a “great responsibility,” adding that the commission takes its role in holding their “feet to the fire very seriously.” He pointed out that the commission will hear from the operators regularly and receive quarterly updates from the monitor to ensure their compliance with the commitments made to the communities. The monitoring will be ongoing for the next five years.
O’Dwyer reiterated that commissioners would be watching closely as the projects unfold and that licensees would be expected to operate in “strict accordance” with the terms of their approvals.
With conditional licensure complete, the developers are now free to proceed with financing and construction planning and are expected to comply with the reporting and regulatory requirements outlined during the commission meeting.
