Downstate Casino Gaming Applications Due on Friday

ALBANY—The sweepstakes for up to three downstate casinos begins in earnest on Friday when applications are due to be submitted to the New York State Gaming Commission. While at one time there were more than 10 proposals floated for major casinos in the New York metro region, several projects have been abandoned of late.

The two existing casino properties that are expected to file applications for full licensure are Resorts World New York City in Queens, NY and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Yonkers, NY. The application fee due on Friday is $1 million. If granted a license, the licensing fee is $500 million and requires at least a $500 million investment. In the case of Resorts World New York City and Empire City Casino, both involve multi-billion-dollar upgrades.

Community Advisory Committees (CACs) will form immediately thereafter and commence their statutory work on each application. Applicants must complete all entitlement processes (land-use/zoning, State Environmental Quality Review Act, etc.) before Sept. 30, 2025. CACs must vote on their respective project by Sept. 30, 2025. Those applicants approved by their CAC will then submit supplemental application material—including a proposed tax rate—to the Gaming Facility Location Board for evaluation and consideration.

Other candidates expected to file applications for a casino license include New York Mets owner Steve Cohen for his massive proposal adjacent to Citi Field in Flushing, Queens and Silverstein Properties for its proposed casino project on Manhattan’s West Side.

Silverstein announced today (June 26) it will expand its collaboration with Metro Loft Developers – the city’s most prolific office to residential developer – to develop more than 2,000 apartments, including more than 500 permanently affordable homes, through conversions, should its “The Avenir” casino bid be awarded a casino license. The partnership is currently evaluating potential conversion sites and will prioritize projects on Manhattan’s West Side, where Community Board 4 and the area’s local elected officials have identified mixed-income housing production as a top priority for the area.

“We are grateful to our local elected officials and Community Board leaders for prioritizing neighborhood housing in this process,” said Tal Kerret, President of Silverstein Properties. “Amid a citywide housing shortage, these conversions will create new homes for over 2,000 families.”

The Gaming Facility Location Board expects to make decisions by Dec. 1, 2025, followed by commission licensure by Dec. 31, 2025.

In connection with the casino location process, on June 20 the New York State Gaming Commission issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant to provide gaming advisory services for the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (Board), which is overseeing the siting and evaluation process for up to three commercial casinos in the state.

The RFP seeks a consultant to: provide financial advisory services to the Board, including analysis of submitted applications; provide analysis of the revenue impact of each applicant’s proposed gaming facility on existing facilities and potential new facilities and produce summaries and comparisons of aspects of the applications. Proposals are due on July 25.