Published on: September 23, 2025, 03:22h.
Updated on: September 22, 2025, 03:23h.
- The countdown for the three downstate casino licenses ends officially on December 1
- MGM, Genting, and Hard Rock are currently leading the pack
The anticipation surrounding the coveted downstate New York casino licenses seems to be reaching its conclusion. The three prospective winners have been anticipated by Casino.org’s Todd Shriber and myself, who have been analyzing the bids for months.
Recently, the Community Advisory Committees (CAC) for Caesars Palace Times Square, The Avenir in Hell’s Kitchen, and Freedom Plaza in Midtown East all voted 4-2 to oppose the advancement of these multi-billion-dollar projects. The New York Gaming Facility Location Board, tasked with awarding the three coveted downstate gaming licenses before December 1, can only entertain bids with a three-fifths majority support from their respective CACs.
While five applicants still remain, only four are projected to receive CAC support: MGM Empire City in Yonkers, Resorts World New York City at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Brooklyn, and Metropolitan Park at Willets Point in Queens. A fourth bid by Bally’s Bronx may also secure CAC backing, although it faces significant scrutiny.
Throughout this process, Empire City and Resorts World have consistently been regarded as frontrunners in the downstate casino race. Experts from the gaming industry have long speculated that MGM Resorts and Malaysia-based Genting will secure a license for slots, live dealer table games, and retail sports betting due to their long-term community investments.
Coney Island’s Prospects Dim
The Coney project, backed by Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation’s Global Gaming Solutions, and Legends, aims to transform the Brooklyn boardwalk into a year-round destination, promising job creation and community investment. However, it has encountered strong opposition locally.
Brooklyn Community Board 13, which only holds advisory authority, has officially opposed the $3 billion casino project. Although the CAC for The Coney is set to vote on September 29, three committee members have already indicated their intent to vote against it.
The CAC Chair, Justin Brannon, a city council member representing Brooklyn, is also against the proposal.
Coney Island must remain the People’s Playground. A space where hard work, resilience, and enjoyment for everyday New Yorkers take precedence over profit. Therefore, I cannot support the Coney Island casino,” Brannan stated.
State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-Kings, Richmond counties) will also vote against the project.
“Since the commencement of the New York State Gaming Commission’s casino licensing process, I have observed the opposition concerning The Coney’s application. After engaging in multiple community hearings to gather feedback, I have decided to vote in opposition,” she stated.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized The Coney proposal as “deeply unimpressive and unresponsive to the aspirations and heritage of the Coney Island community.”
Metropolitan Park Update
The Hard Rock and Steve Cohen’s proposal near Citi Field, home to the MLB New York Mets, has consistently been regarded as a formidable application. Its chances improved following the withdrawal of Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts from the NYC casino scene, coupled with unfavorable CAC votes for Caesars, The Avenir, and Freedom Plaza.
The Metropolitan Park CAC is expected to register at least one opposition vote from state Senator Jessica Ramos (D-Queens). However, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assemblymember Larinda Hooks (D-Queens), and New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya have all publicly expressed their support.
For the Hard Rock/Cohen project to progress to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, it will require one additional endorsement, either from appointees of Governor Kathy Hochul or NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Designees from both have previously voted in favor of the dismissed projects and are expected to back the remaining applications.
Bally’s Bronx Challenges
Community opposition in the Bronx remains strong against Bally’s Corp.’s plan to create an integrated resort casino at the Ferry Point Golf Links, which the company manages for the city. The Bronx Community Board 10 has voiced their disapproval of the Bally’s Bronx bid, and back in July, the NYC Council rejected a necessary zoning change to facilitate the casino’s operation.
The Bally’s Bronx initiative was notably revived by NYC Mayor Eric Adams, a controversial figure whose critics claim his veto of the council’s rejection was made to curry favor with the Trump administration. Adams argues that the Bronx deserves the same consideration as other boroughs.
Should Bally’s obtain a downstate casino license, the Trump Organization would gain $115 million, a provision incorporated in the lease sale of the golf course to Bally’s in 2023.
City Councilmember Kristy Marmorato (R-Northeast Bronx) is likely to oppose the Bally’s Bronx bid. Conversely, Senate member Nathalia Fernandez (D-Bronx), Assemblymember Michael Benedetto (D-Throggs Neck), and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson have voiced support for the proposal.
With the support of both Adams and Hochul, Bally’s Bronx appears to have a path to secure four affirmative votes; however, given the New York City Council’s reservations about permitting a casino on city-owned parkland and ongoing concerns over Bally’s financial stability, it is anticipated that the Gaming Facility Location Board will favor the Hard Rock proposal.