All Bets Are On: New York City's Three Casino Bids Move Closer To The Finish Line
Source: Squarespace/ Unsplash
Behind The High Stakes Race
New York City's high-stakes race for three downstate commercial casino licenses reached a critical juncture in December 2025, with the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board unanimously approving the final three proposals.
The elimination of all three Manhattan casino bids—including the Jay-Z-backed Caesars Palace proposal in Times Square, the Avenir project near Hudson Yards, and the final Freedom Plaza bid near the United Nations—is highly notable because it shifts billions in potential investment and tax revenue away from the most congested and tourist-dense borough to the outer boroughs of Queens and the Bronx that would be able to accommodate the influx of work more efficiently.
All bids were rejected by their respective six-member Community Advisory Committees (CACs), with local elected officials' appointees consistently voting against them due to overwhelming community opposition citing concerns over worsening traffic congestion, public safety, and the negative impact on the character of neighborhoods like Broadway's theater district, proving that even massive economic promises were insufficient to override strong local political resistance.
The three winning bids, which now head to the New York State Gaming Commission for final review, promise to unlock billions in tax revenue for the MTA and public education, along with tens of thousands of union jobs.
The Final Three Contenders
The three projects that received the board's recommendation are:
Resorts World New York City (Queens)
Location: Aqueduct Racetrack, Jamaica, Queens
Proposal: This bid, backed by Genting, is an expansion of an existing "racino" (racetrack with electronic gaming machines) into a full-scale commercial casino with table games and a Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Timeline: Resorts World is considered the frontrunner and claims it can expand operations in as little as 90 days, offering the fastest path to generating significant state revenue.
Metropolitan Park (Queens)
Location: Willets Point, near Citi Field, Queens
Proposal: Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International are behind this ambitious plan to transform the 50-acre Citi Field parking lot into a sprawling entertainment complex. It includes a casino, a Hard Rock Hotel, new shops and restaurants, and a significant 25-acre public park with community athletics facilities.
Investment: The proposal includes a $5.3 billion capital investment and over $1 billion in community benefits.
Bally's Bronx
Location: Ferry Point Park, Throggs Neck, The Bronx
Proposal: Bally's Corporation plans to build a $4 billion casino resort, including a hotel and entertainment center, partially on the site of the Bally's Links golf course (formerly the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point).
Noteworthy: The project has faced local opposition but secured a path forward following intervention from Mayor Eric Adams. The deal includes a reported $115 million payout to the Trump Organization upon securing the license.
📉 Bids that Didn't Make the Cut
The initial interest in the three downstate licenses was fierce, with major proposals in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Yonkers. However, strong local opposition and strategic shifts narrowed the field:
Manhattan: Several high-profile bids, including projects near Times Square (Caesars Palace), Hudson Yards, and the far West Side, were derailed after failing to secure the necessary approval from their respective Community Advisory Committees (CACs).
Brooklyn: The proposed "The Coney" casino in Coney Island also failed to gain CAC approval.
Yonkers: MGM Resorts surprisingly withdrew its application for its existing Empire City Casino (a racino) in Yonkers, which was widely considered a lock for one of the licenses due to its existing infrastructure and popularity. This withdrawal effectively opened the door for Bally's Bronx to become one of the final three.
⚖️ The Road Ahead: Final Review
The Gaming Facility Location Board's recommendation is a major milestone, but it is not the final step. The three approved applicants must now complete the necessary environmental reviews, and the New York State Gaming Commission must confirm that all statutory and regulatory requirements have been met.
The bids are expected to generate approximately $7 billion in tax revenue by 2036. Governor Kathy Hochul has emphasized that the projects must deliver on their promises of economic benefit and sustainable development.
Final license decisions are anticipated by the end of December 2025, setting the stage for the most significant expansion of commercial gaming in New York State history.
