Published on: November 29, 2025, at 10:04 AM.
Updated on: November 29, 2025, at 10:04 AM.
- Results for downstate New York casino licenses will be revealed on December 1
- Three bids are in contention for the three available licenses, but there’s no obligation for the Board to grant all three approvals
After an extended wait spanning over ten years, the recipients of the highly sought-after downstate New York casino licenses will be disclosed on Monday, December 1, 2025. There could potentially be up to three winners, or possibly none.
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board will convene an open meeting on Monday morning starting at 10 AM at Proshansky Auditorium, CUNY Graduate Center on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Following a quick review of minutes from its November session, this five-member board is slated to announce the winners for three gaming licenses available for NYC, Long Island, and Westchester County, as authorized by the state’s 2013 New York Gaming Economic Development Act.
The Board’s analysis considers economic development as the primary factor at 70%, followed by 10% each for local impact siting, workforce improvement, and diversity initiatives. A comprehensive outline of these categories is available on the Board’s website.
Although the Board has the authority to grant licenses for slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports gambling to three applicants, there is no mandate requiring that any licenses be awarded.
Bids for New York Casinos
Currently, only three proposals remain after Community Advisory Committees voted against several bids, including The Coney in Brooklyn, Freedom Plaza and Caesars Palace Times Square in Manhattan, and The Avenir in Manhattan. MGM Empire City has withdrawn its bid, citing unfavorable economic conditions.
Remaining contenders are the parent company of Resorts World, Genting, Hard Rock International along with billionaire Steve Cohen, and Bally’s Corp.
- Resorts World New York City, which currently operates as a racino with video lottery terminals and electronic table games, has proposed a $5.5 billion renovation of its Queens facility at Aqueduct Racetrack near JFK International Airport. Genting has enhanced its proposal with a $600 million upfront licensing fee, which is $100 million more than the statutory requirement of $500 million.
- Located around six miles north, Cohen, owner of the New York Mets and Citi Field Ballpark, has partnered with Hard Rock to suggest an $8 billion casino resort at Willets Point.
- Approximately 3.5 miles north of Willets Point, across the East River, Bally’s has put forward a $4 billion plan to create a gaming destination at Ferry Point Park, where it manages the Bally’s Golf Links on behalf of the city.
If Bally’s secures the license, The Trump Organization benefits as well, receiving $115 million as stipulated in the agreement when Trump sold the golf course lease to Bally’s for $60 million in 2023.
Diversity on the Casino Board
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board consists of individuals from New York with expertise in finance, urban planning, economics, commercial real estate, and executive leadership. The volunteer Board is chaired by Vicki Been, who holds the title of Judge Edward Weinfeld Professor of Law at New York University School of Law and is also affiliated with NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Cindy Estrada, who was appointed recently in late September, is a small business owner and serves as the executive director of the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Terryl Brown acts as the vice president and general counsel for Pace University, while Marion Phillips III is the senior vice president for community development and DEI at US News & World Report.
Additionally, Greg Reimers is a retired executive from JPMorgan Chase and The Bank of New York.