With the 30 September deadline nearing, the race for three downstate casino licenses in New York has intensified significantly. A pivotal moment occurred on Monday, marked by several significant developments throughout the city.
Highlighting this were public hearings for top contenders, Freedom Plaza in Manhattan and Resorts World NYC in Queens, along with a private amendment session for Bally’s Bronx. Each of the eight proposals competing for a license requires a two-thirds majority vote from their respective community advisory committees (CACs) to progress to the state-level selection process.
For the majority of city-focused bids, four out of six committee members’ approval is necessary, whereas MGM Empire City’s proposal in Yonkers requires the approval of four out of five members.
The Freedom Plaza project, spearheaded by the Soloviev Group in collaboration with Mohegan Gaming, garnered significant attention during its second public hearing at Scandinavia House. The proposed $11 billion venture includes a casino, two hotel towers, residential units, and a Museum of Democracy, strategically located near the United Nations headquarters.
Mohegan’s Chief Strategy Officer, Nelson Parker, addressed attendees prior to the public comment period, highlighting that recent internal polling indicated support for the project had grown from 61% in December 2024 to 66% in September 2025. He underscored that awareness and enthusiasm surrounding the project had increased significantly over this period.
Empire City Casino in Yonkers
However, Parker also addressed the main point of contention: the casino aspect. While many community members voiced strong support for the project’s non-gaming features during the first hearing in late August, opposition to the casino persists.
Parker asserted that the comprehensive benefits package, inclusive of ambitious infrastructure and public amenities, would not have been viable “without the gaming facility license.”
Supporters came out in droves, including several dozen Mohegan Sun employees who traveled from Connecticut via party bus, alongside union members and advocates. The proposal is expected to create 25,000 full- and part-time construction jobs, leading among all eight propositions.
Former state assemblyman and consultant Jerry Kremer expressed his support, stating: “I believe this proposal will boost the community, elevate real estate values, and generate new green spaces, benefiting the community, far more effectively than other pending proposals.”
Rendering of Freedom Plaza
Not all attendees were persuaded. Local community members voiced concerns that a casino would be a disturbance and unsuitable for such a densely populated area.
One participant, Linda, voiced her views by stating, “I appreciate the Mohegan Sun employees and Soloviev staff sharing their success stories, and may it continue. But this does not justify placing a casino in the heart of a city and comparing it with one established in … Connecticut, which is far more rural.”
At this point, there’s no vote scheduled for Freedom Plaza, nor have any further hearings been announced. Conversely, at Queens Borough Hall, the second public hearing for Resorts World NYC witnessed widespread community support and zero opposition.
The facility had previously received unanimous acclaim from community organizations and nonprofits during its initial hearing in August. Kevin Jones, Chief Legal and Strategy Officer for Resorts World, reiterated the bid’s key strengths: an established location, existing zoning and labor agreements, and swift readiness for expansion.
Rendering of Avenir
If the bid succeeds, the site will transition from its current video lottery terminal (VLT) model to a full-scale commercial casino, supporting a proposed $5.5 billion phased expansion.
The proposal also received endorsements from elected officials, including State Senator Joe Addabbo, who remarked, “Resorts World has always been supportive of our community. So this is not a gamble for this CAC to endorse; it’s a proven asset in Ozone Park, a proven asset for our city, and a proven asset for our state.”
Earlier on the same day, the Bally’s Bronx CAC met privately to propose a range of amendments to its casino bid, marking the first time any CAC has formally introduced modifications.
The proposed amendments encompassed nine categories, including commitments to local hiring, traffic reduction measures, parkland conservation, environmental standards, and the creation of a community-led benefit fund. The committee allotted Bally’s until 5 p.m. on 19 September to respond.
If the company fails to respond by that date, the amendments will be deemed rejected. Bally’s has opted not to comment on the situation. The choice to propose amendments rather than moving directly to a vote signals that the committee may still be uncertain.
Elsewhere in the city, the Caesars Times Square and Avenir proposals are set for CAC votes on Wednesday morning. According to current regulations, CACs must conduct a minimum of two hearings per project, with the flexibility to hold more.