New York State Gaming Commission Approves Downstate Casino Licenses For All Three Finalists

• The New York State Gaming Commission has approved three conditional gaming licenses for three downstate casino projects
• Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park at Willets Point, and Resorts World New York City in Queens were awarded licenses
• Construction on all three projects will likely begin in 2026

The New York State Gaming Commission today awarded three conditional gaming licenses for three downstate New York casino projects, putting an end to a regulatory process that began in 2023.

The New York State Gaming Commission approved all three finalists, Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park at Willets Point, and Resorts World New York City in Queens, for conditional gaming licenses.

“To all three who have been granted this conditional license, congratulations on behalf of the State of New York. We look forward to seeing the jobs, economic development, infrastructure, and gaming revenues come to fruition,” Chairman Brian O’Dwyer said after the vote.

Three Finalists Awarded Three Licenses

The New York State Gaming Commission unanimously approved all three casino projects for conditional licenses. All three projects were approved on the condition that they execute a monitoring agreement with an independent third party acceptable to the commission for five years upon on the date of the license.

“We will ask the monitor to report on a quarterly basis to us as to how you have complied with the many wonderful promises you have made to tour communities over the next five year. You can be assured that each one of these commissioners takes their responsibility seriously to the communities, and to the state, to assure that you are operating in strict accordance with the license we have given you,” O’Dwyer said.

Resorts World will construct a $5.5 billion, 5.6 million-square-foot casino in Queens; Bally’s Bronx will construct a $4 billion, 3 million-square-foot facility in the Bronx; and Metropolitan Park, a partnership between Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, will construct an $8 billion casino and open space project on 50-acres of an asphalt parking lot at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

“You all have a difficult and important charge ahead of you, along with a great responsibility. You can be assured that this commission takes its responsibility to keep your feet to the fire with great respect. We will hear from you regularly,” O’Dwyer said.

After the vote for the Citi Field project, a small group of protestors interrupted the decision for several moments before being escorted from the facility.

Construction on the three casino projects will begin in 2026.

Multi-Year Path to Arrive at This Moment

New York State Gaming Commission received eight applications for downstate casino licenses from 2023 through 2024. The original applicants were as follows:

• Bally’s Bronx
• Hard Rock Metropolitan Park
• Resorts World New York City
• MGM Empire City
• Caesars Palace Times Square
• Freedom Plaza
• The Avenir
• The Coney

MGM Empire City, which many believed to be a frontrunner for a casino license, unexpectedly withdrew its license bid in October.

The company announced it would no longer pursue its Empire City Casino renovation and expansion project, noting that since it submitted its application in June “the competitive and economic assumptions underpinning our application have shifted, altering our return expectations on the proposed $2.3 billion investment.”

MGM Resorts proposed to renovate and expand the Empire City Casino in Yonkers was the first project unanimously approved by the Community Advisory Council. MGM planned to add 183 live dealer games and a 5,000-seat venue for concerts and shows at the facility. MGM Resorts purchased the property in 2019 and had planned to begin construction and renovations within months if it was awarded a license. The facility currently offers horse racing, slots, and video gaming to the public.