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New York City is set to welcome its first Vegas-style casinos after a key state panel approved three major gambling proposals on Monday. The selected sites include locations adjacent to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, and a Bronx golf course with financial ties to former President Donald Trump.
The New York State Gaming Commission is expected to formally issue the licenses before year’s end, with gambling revenues already factored into the state budget. Governor Kathy Hochul praised the decision, highlighting the potential for billions in funding for the state’s transit system and significant job creation.
Among the approved proposals is Bally’s $4 billion plan to build a casino at the Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx. The deal could significantly benefit Trump, as Bally’s purchased the city-owned golf course’s operating rights from the Trump Organization in 2023 with a promise to pay an additional $115 million if it secured a casino license.
In Queens, billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen has proposed an $8.1 billion Hard Rock casino on a Citi Field parking lot. The ambitious development would extend beyond gambling to include a performance venue, hotel, and retail and shopping spaces, creating a comprehensive entertainment district.
The third approved proposal comes from Resorts World, which plans to invest more than $5 billion to expand its existing slots parlor at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens into a full-fledged casino. Located near John F. Kennedy International Airport, the upgraded facility would add hotel accommodations, dining options, and entertainment venues.
Vicki Been, chair of New York Gaming Facility Location Board, expressed confidence that New York City’s market could easily sustain three casinos in close proximity. The board cited the region’s dense and affluent population, combined with high tourism, as creating one of the nation’s most robust gaming markets. Their analysis suggests nearby residents will form the core of repeat visitors, supplemented by domestic and international travelers.
Using conservative projections, the board’s consultants estimate the casinos will generate approximately $7 billion in gambling revenues for New York State from 2027 to 2036. Additionally, the state stands to collect $1.5 billion in licensing fees and nearly $6 billion in related local taxes. The development plans also include investments in public safety and improvements to public transit and roadway infrastructure.
The board noted that while the proposals feature “ambitious” opening timelines, actual implementation may vary. Resorts World aims to open some facilities at Aqueduct by March, while the Citi Field and Ferry Point golf course developments target 2030 for completion.
The decision was not without opposition. Anti-casino protesters disrupted the meeting in midtown Manhattan, chanting “Shame on you!” as they were escorted out. Jack Hu, an organizer with the protest group, expressed concern that casino operators view older adults and workers merely as “cash cows.” He warned that the casinos would disproportionately impact the city’s Asian American communities, which are heavily concentrated in Queens.
“They bus our seniors to casinos, and they give them meal and gambling vouchers in the hopes that they’ll stay long enough to lose their entire Social Security check,” Hu said after the meeting.
The path to casino approval in New York City has been lengthy and competitive. Voters initially approved a referendum in 2013 that opened the door to casino gambling statewide. Since then, four full casinos with table games have opened across upstate New York, while nine gambling halls offering slot machines and electronic gaming have operated without live table games.
The competition for New York City licenses began with approximately eight proposals, but several high-profile plans failed to secure approval from local advisory boards. Notable rejections included a Jay-Z-backed plan for a Caesars Palace in Times Square and two other proposed resorts in central Manhattan. In October, MGM unexpectedly withdrew from consideration, citing changed “competitive and economic assumptions” for its planned expansion of the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway.
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12 Comments
Interesting to see New York opening up to more casino development. It will be curious to see how this impacts the local economy and tourism. I wonder if there are any concerns about problem gambling or impacts on surrounding communities.
New York seems eager to tap into the revenue potential of casinos, but I hope they carefully weigh the social impacts and implement strong regulations. Responsible gambling programs will be crucial.
The Mets and Trump golf course casino proposals seem quite ambitious. I’d be interested to learn more about the potential economic benefits as well as any community considerations or concerns.
While casinos can provide economic benefits, I hope New York is also closely considering potential downsides like problem gambling, traffic, and effects on nearby businesses. A balanced approach is important.
Casinos can provide revenue for states, but there are often complex tradeoffs to weigh. I hope New York has thoroughly evaluated the social and economic impacts before approving these projects.
Good point. Responsible development and safeguards will be key to ensure these casinos benefit the state without causing undue harm.
New York seems to be embracing casino expansion, but I hope they are taking a careful, evidence-based approach to regulation and oversight. The impacts on local communities should be thoroughly assessed.
The Citi Field and Bronx golf course locations are quite prominent. I’m curious to see how well these large-scale casino developments will integrate with the surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure.
Agreed. Careful planning and community engagement will be key to ensure these projects are beneficial and not disruptive to local residents.
It’s interesting that the Trump-linked golf course casino is one of the approved projects. I wonder if there are any lingering concerns or controversies around that particular site.
Yes, the Trump connection could raise some eyebrows. Transparency around the evaluation process and any potential conflicts of interest will be important.
It will be interesting to see how these new casinos shape the entertainment and tourism landscape in New York. Responsible development that benefits the state and local communities should be the top priority.