NYS Gaming Facility Location Board Approves Three Remaining NYC Casino Projects

NEW YORK—The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board unanimously approved this morning the three remaining project applicants for full casino licensure.

At its meeting at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan, the Location Board approved by a 5-0 vote the proposals by Hard Rock Metropolitan Park at Willets Point, Queens, Resorts World New York City at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens and the Bally's Bronx project in the Throggs Neck section of the borough. According to Gaming Commission estimates, the three projects total nearly $11 billion in new capital investment.

The Bally’s Bronx project is projected to involve a $2.3-billion investment; the Resorts World New York City development is expected to be a $3.3-billion project, while the Hard Rock Metropolitan Park proposal calls for $5.3 billion in investment if approved by the Gaming Commission.

In total, there were eight applicants for casino licensure. However, in September the respective project Community Advisory Committees rejected the proposals of the Manhattan-based Freedom Plaza, the Avenir and Caesars Palace Times Square and The Coney in Brooklyn.

The three casino license proposals will now be reviewed by the full New York State Gaming Commission, which is expected to vote on the projects before year-end. At press time a meeting date for the Gaming Commission had not been posted on its website.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement after the Gaming Facility Location Boards’ vote, stating: “From the moment that three downstate casino licenses were authorized in the 2022 State Budget, I have been clear: any approved project must provide real benefits to its community and have sustainable economic plans. I am grateful to Chair (Vicki) Been and the Gaming Facility Location Board for their careful review of the applications according to these high standards. The three projects approved today promise to unlock billions in funding for the MTA and create tens of thousands of jobs. It is critical that they keep those promises. I look forward to the Gaming Commission’s review of the Board’s recommendations in the weeks ahead.”

Westchester County’s hopes to land more than $2 billion in casino gaming investment were dashed on Oct. 14 when MGM Yonkers Inc. announced it was withdrawing its application for a full commercial casino license at its Empire City property in Yonkers. MGM Empire City was one of four applicants to be considered by the Gaming Facility Location Board at the time and later the State Gaming Commission for up to three full commercial casino gaming licenses to be awarded by year’s end. MGM Empire Casino in Yonkers won a unanimous 5-0 vote on Sept. 25 from its Community Advisory Committee.

In its statement announcing its withdrawal from full casino license consideration, MGM Resorts did address its position on operating the electronic gaming facility going forward, stating: “We know our decision will impact many individuals; we remain committed to operating the property in its current format and believe it will continue to enjoy success serving customers in Yonkers and the surrounding communities.”

However, supporters of the MGM Empire City Casino plan in testimony before its Community Advisory Committee in late September, stated that if not approved for a full casino license, the future of MGM Empire City would be in serious question since it would be competing with as many as three full casino gaming facilities in nearby Queens and the Bronx.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano released a statement earlier today in response to the Gaming Facility Location Board vote, stating: “I am deeply disappointed in New York’s decision to move forward with the award of three casino licenses, all within New York City. But the decision has been made and now my focus is singular: protecting our city’s number one taxpayer and largest employer. I am asking the governor and the state to recognize the new realities before us and work collaboratively with Yonkers and MGM on a meaningful plan to strengthen this facility. We need to expand its potential, transforming it into a true entertainment destination. Failure is not an option for our residents, our workforce or our city’s future.”