The New York Gaming Facility Location Board unanimously approved all three remaining bids for downstate casino licenses in a public meeting on Monday, held at the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan. The board endorsed Bally’s Corporation for a new resort in the Bronx, Genting Group’s Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct, and the Metropolitan Park project near Citi Field, spearheaded by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen in collaboration with Hard Rock. These recommendations will be forwarded to the New York State Gaming Commission, which is anticipated to provide final approval by December 31.

This decision concludes a protracted competitive process initiated after state lawmakers authorized three full casino licenses for New York City’s metropolitan area in the 2022 budget. With this vote on Monday, the downstate competition is effectively concluded: one project has been selected in the Bronx and two in Queens, promoted by Bally’s, Genting, and Cohen’s Metropolitan Park initiative, pushing aside rival proposals from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Yonkers. Local and state officials indicate these developments are projected to yield billions in investments, create tens of thousands of jobs, and provide sustainable funding for public transportation and education.

Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her approval of the decision, emphasizing that each project must provide significant and lasting benefits for both its community and the entire state.According to Vicki Been, the chair of the board, the panel concluded that moving forward with all three finalists aligns best with New York’s economic and social goals, following extensive financial reviews, community hearings, and site inspections.

As per the agreement with lawmakers, each selected bidder will pay a significant upfront licensing fee – reported to be $500 million per project, totaling $1.5 billion – along with ongoing taxes linked to gaming revenues. A large portion of these funds is designated for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, with additional allocations expected for schools and other public services.

Strategic Bronx Development: Bally’s at Ferry Point

Among the most scrutinized approvals is Bally’s proposal to establish a full-scale casino resort at the city-owned Ferry Point golf course, situated by the East River and the Whitestone Bridge. This initiative aims to transform part of the former Trump-branded golf area into an all-inclusive destination, encompassing gaming, lodging, dining options, entertainment venues, and landscaped public spaces. Under this agreement, Bally’s Corporation, headquartered in Rhode Island, would mark its expansion into New York City with its first comprehensive casino facility.

A critical aspect of this project involves resolving earlier agreements related to the Trump Organization. Reports from New York sources suggest that Bally’s has consented to pay an additional sum of up to $115 million as part of the contractual rights transfer at the location, contingent upon the advancement of the casino license. This payment, along with several billion dollars earmarked for capital expenditures, underscores the firm’s commitment to establishing the Bronx as a central hub for gaming and entertainment.

Supporters of the Ferry Point initiative advocate that it will serve as a cornerstone for a significant job creation and infrastructure development project in one of the city’s least affluent boroughs, anticipating thousands of union roles during both construction and operations. However, critics, including local activists, have voiced concerns regarding traffic congestion, environmental effects, and the wider societal implications of situating a large casino complex on waterfront property. These discussions are expected to persist as the project undergoes detailed city-level land-use, zoning, and permitting assessments.

Queens’ Pillar: Resorts World’s Casino TransformationThe second license recommendation endorses the conversion of Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens from a video lottery terminal “racino” into a full Class III casino. The operator, part of Malaysia-based Genting Group, has managed the site for over ten years and asserts its capacity to convert and expand efficiently once a full license is secured.

After Monday’s vote, company representatives described the board’s decision as the culmination of over fifteen years dedicated to generating employment and tax revenue in south Queens. Resorts World’s latest initiative envisions multi-billion-dollar investments in live table gaming, hotel enhancements, upgraded entertainment facilities, and a broader range of dining and retail offerings, while retaining existing racing operations at Aqueduct. The operator has indicated that it may roll out key features of the enhanced casino within months of receiving final approval, significantly bolstering contributions to the MTA and public education funds in the near future.

Given that the resort is already operational and employs a considerable local workforce, advocates contend that its upgrade offers a relatively swift path to increased tax revenue and job creation, in comparison to constructing a new property from the ground up. The project has generally received more support than opposition during preliminary advisory phases, although local officials have emphasized the necessity for continued vigilance regarding responsible gambling practices and traffic management as the property expands.

Vision for Citi Field: Metropolitan Park in QueensThe third winning bid involves the Metropolitan Park project, a large mixed-use casino and entertainment complex planned for parking areas adjacent to Citi Field in Queens. Led by Mets owner and hedge fund manager Steve Cohen in collaboration with Hard Rock, the proposal seeks to transform a significant stretch of currently underutilized land around Flushing Bay into a destination resort featuring a casino, hotel, live performance venue, and various dining and retail options. The endeavor, expected to cost billions of dollars, positions Cohen and Hard Rock alongside Bally’s and Genting in securing one of the three sought-after downstate licenses.

Proponents of Metropolitan Park portray it as a unique opportunity to reshape the waterfront landscape, enhance accessibility, and generate year-round economic activity beyond just baseball season. The community benefit package included in the bid boasts commitments for union jobs, local hiring, environmental improvements, and over one billion dollars in promised community investments, according to figures showcased by project representatives post-vote. Supporters in Queens’ government describe the initiative as pivotal to the borough’s evolution into a prominent entertainment and tourism center.

In contrast, several resident groups and activists remain cautious, expressing concerns about potential traffic issues, gambling-related harms, and the long-term balance between private development and communal spaces. These apprehensions surfaced during the advisory committee stage and are likely to be revisited as the project encounters city council oversight and state environmental reviews.

A New Competitive Landscape in the Northeast

Collectively, the three approved projects signify a transformative shift in the casino competition landscape across the northeastern United States. Historically, New York City has depended on limited electronic gaming at racinos and on tribal and commercial casinos located hours away from Manhattan, with Atlantic City and properties in Connecticut and Pennsylvania being the primary regional attractions. Following the completion of Resorts World’s full upgrade and the openings of the Bronx and Citi Field resorts, New York will host a trio of full-fledged casino destinations within its metropolitan area, led by Bally’s, Genting, and Cohen’s Metropolitan Park partnership.