Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, announced on Wednesday that he will not leverage his role to hinder casino projects in the city, despite his ongoing opposition to extensive gambling operations.

The assemblyman from Queens, who previously labeled gambling as “haram” and voiced doubts about casinos backed by large corporations, told reporters he would honor the decision made by state voters who approved downstate gambling expansion over ten years ago.

“I’ve been transparent about my personal reservations, yet I also recognize that this is the law,” Mamdani stated. “The locations and decisions regarding which casinos will open are matters that fall under state jurisdiction.”

This declaration was made during a rally with the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, a union that endorsed Mamdani after his primary election victory and is a strong proponent of the casino initiatives.

While standing with the union’s leaders, Mamdani emphasized his commitment to supporting workers, asserting that unionized casinos would offer reliable employment. “I’m thrilled to be here with the union as it continues to advocate for workers to sustain themselves through their earned wages,” he noted.

Union president Rich Maroko commented that the group has engaged extensively with every elected official and candidate, expressing confidence in their robust support base to realize these job-generating projects.

The state is anticipated to finalize the process for awarding up to three downstate casino licenses before the new mayor assumes office in January. There are currently eight multibillion-dollar proposals from applicants across the city, including potential sites in Times Square, Coney Island, near the United Nations, and at Citi Field in Queens. Developers must first gain approval from a six-member community advisory board, followed by a decisive state ruling later this year.

Mayor Eric Adams

Mamdani’s position aligns him more closely with his general election opponents. Mayor Eric Adams, running for a second term as an independent, has been one of the most vocal supporters of casino expansion.

Recently, he advanced Bally’s $4 billion project in the Bronx by overriding a City Council’s rejection of a zoning amendment, citing local backing and the necessity for a fair bidding process. Former governor Andrew M. Cuomo, also running as an independent, was instrumental in promoting the constitutional amendment that legalized casinos statewide.

In contrast, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has taken a divergent stance, warning that “casinos can lead to crime, increased traffic, higher housing costs, and negatively impact small businesses,” insisting that local communities should have the ultimate authority, not politicians or developers.

Opposition groups have voiced their disappointment in Mamdani’s recent decision. Sarah Ahn, representing the Flushing Workers Center, which has criticized Mets owner Steve Cohen’s casino plans in Queens, described Mamdani’s decision as “a disappointment, as many support Zohran Mamdani because he differentiates himself from Cuomo and Adams.” She urged him to prioritize affordable housing instead.

Andrew Sokolof Díaz, a tenant organizer from Jackson Heights, laid greater blame on Cuomo and Adams yet added that “overall, the community desires our representatives to take a firmer stand against billionaire casino proposals.”

The state is set to announce the casino licenses by year’s end, with selected operators required to pay substantial fees.