New York Gaming Board Recommends 3 NYC Casino Licenses

NYC Casino License Recommendations

• 🎲 The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has unanimously approved licenses for three major casino projects in New York City.
• 📍 The recommended sites include one in the Bronx and two in Queens, one of which is adjacent to City Field.

Proposed Casino Projects

• 🏟️ Hard Rock Metropolitan Park is proposed for Willets Point in Queens, a site that has faced past development opposition.
• ⚾ Mets owner Steve Cohen is partnering with Hard Rock International for the Queens proposal.
• 🐎 Resorts World New York City, currently operating a racino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Southeast Queens, is set to expand into a full casino.
• 🏇 Bies is proposing to build a casino hotel in the Bronx.

Economic Promises and Opposition

• 💰 The three operators claim these projects will generate $2.5 billion in annual tax revenue and create 15,000 permanent jobs.
• 💸 Governor Hochul stated the projects promise to unlock billions in funding for the MTA and create tens of thousands of jobs.
• ⚠️ Opponents express concerns, with some calling the casino proposal racist and arguing that seniors are exploited by casino operators.
• 📉 The state board's own estimates project approximately $7 billion in taxes over a 10-year period, which they still consider significant.

Next Steps

• 📜 The State's Gaming Commission is expected to vote on these recommendations by the end of the month.
• 🤝 The Bies proposal includes a $115 million payment to the Trump Organization for its remaining interest in the Bronx site.