New York Board Back Three Casino Projects for Final Approval
New York’s Gaming Facility Location Board has cleared the way for three casino projects, unanimously voting to advance them to the state’s Gaming Commission for final approval.
The recommendations are the penultimate step in a years-long process to award three full casino licenses in Queens and the Bronx.
The Gaming Commission is expected to rule by the end of the month and has already begun background and suitability reviews on the applicants.
Inside the Three Winning Proposals
Resorts World New York City plans to convert its existing video lottery facility in Queens into a full-scale casino with table games and expanded amenities.
The plan includes thousands of jobs, new public spaces, and what it describes as broader economic growth for the borough’s southeast, along with a $2 billion pledge of community benefits.
Another project in Queens, the Metropolitan Park proposal, would transform about 50 acres of parking lots next to Citi Field into a casino and entertainment district.
The joint venture between Hard Rock International and Mets owner Steve Cohen plans a gaming facility integrated with hotel, food, retail, and open space. The backers have put the total investment at around $8 billion, with a 1,000-room hotel and 5,600-seat entertainment venue.
Across the East River, the Bally’s Bronx plan centers on an integrated resort at Ferry Point, partly on the golf course the company acquired from the Trump Organization in 2023.
The scheme includes casino space alongside a hotel, events venue, and continued golf operations. If the company secures a license, it’s required to pay a reported $115 million to the Trump Organization under the terms of the previous deal.
Developers of the projects have committed to large-scale hiring during both construction and operation, with all three operators pledging a focus on local recruitment.
Vicki Been, chair of the Gaming Facility Location Board, explained why all three proposals moved forward.
We ask our consultants to be very, very conservative. And even with that very, very conservative look, they believed that the New York market is strong enough, is plenty strong to give the three casino licenses.
The three projects are forecast to provide the city with large upfront fees and billions more in tax revenue.
What Happens Next
The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) has the final say on licensing. Commissioners will review each operator’s financial strength, ability to run a casino responsibly, and capacity to meet their community and investment commitments.
The governing body outlined its role in a public statement:
A New York gaming license is a privilege – and this Commission will ensure those entities fortunate enough to be selected for licensure meet New York’s rigorous standards.
Winning bidders must pay a $500 million license fee, make at least $500 million in local investment, and post a deposit of 5% to 10% of total project costs with the state.
Location Board projections estimate $7 billion in gaming tax revenue between 2027 and 2036 from the three projects.
It also forecasts a further $5.9 billion in other taxes, including hotel and sales taxes, with most of the proceeds split between the State Education Department and the MTA. The state has already built some of that income into transport planning.
Local business groups have welcomed the prospect of the casino proposals.
The head of the Queens Chamber of Commerce said that the projects could deliver a notable lift for nearby retailers and service businesses through construction spending and new visitor traffic.
