After months of casino corporations pushing their plans and proposals, the New York Gaming Facility Location Board on Monday approved three downstate casino licenses.
The board announced approvals for:
- Bally’s plan at Ferry Point in the Bronx
- Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposal for a casino adjacent to Citi Field in Queens
- Resort World’s expansion to a full-scale casino at the Aqueduct Racetrack in the Bronx
The approvals followed on-site visits of the board’s five members in November. The projects are expected to officially receive gaming licenses when the New York State Gaming Commission meets later this month. The bids were the last three remaining after MGM Resorts dropped out of the bidding in October. Once granted licenses from the state commission, each bidder must also pay a $500 million license fee.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said the casinos will bring in billions of dollars in state revenue to help fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also create thousands of jobs. All three projects are expected to begin construction in 2026 and open by 2030.
Citi Field Project Includes Hard Rock Casino
The Metropolitan Park project would include a Hard Rock casino, a 25-acre public park, shopping, restaurants, bike paths, and more on a 50-acre parking lot adjacent to the stadium.
Those involved with Metropolitan Park said the project would be a major boost to the area’s economy.
“After years of community engagement and support, Metropolitan Park is one step closer to becoming a reality,” Metropolitan Park spokesman Karl Rickett said.
“Following a fair, transparent and rigorous process, the Gaming Facility Location Board has validated the positive economic impact this project will have, with billions of dollars in tax revenue, 23,000 union jobs, and over $1 billion in community benefits.”
Trump Benefits From Bally’s Approval
Bally’s plan calls for a casino adjacent to the Ferry Point golf course.
The waterfront property will feature a 500,000-square-foot casino, 500-room hotel, spa, meeting space, a 2,000-seat event center, shopping options, and more.
President Donald Trump formally owned the golf course. The gaming company must pay $115 million to the Trump Organization once it receives a gaming license.
Largest Gaming Venue In The U.S.
Genting Group’s $5.5 billion expansion of Resorts World would increase the gaming floor to approximately 500,000 square feet. Consequently, the revamped Resorts World NYC becomes the largest gaming venue in the country.
The casino will house 6,000 slots and 800 live table games.
Other amenities include 350,000 square feet of meeting, conference, and entertainment space. Additionally, there will be 10 acres of publicly accessible green space with parks, trails, and running paths.
Opposition To Projects Continues
A considerable number of New Yorkers were unhappy with the expanded gambling plan. Some bidders received considerable pushback, and some of that criticism continued after the board made its announcement on Monday.
“Every single person on Governor Kathy Hochul’s gaming facility locator board has cemented their legacy today, a predatory state-sponsored racket that steals money from an Asian immigrant working-class community and gives that money to a billionaire that’s already worth $20 billion and owns a $1 billion private art collection,” opponent Jack Hu told WABC.
“Our seniors and working people have long been dehumanized by casino operators, treated as cash cows to milk for money.”
