The landscape of downstate New York is on the cusp of a transformative shift with the prospective introduction of three new casino facilities. The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has recently made a significant decision by setting a new bid deadline for these casinos to June 27, 2025. However, a bill, currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature, proposes an earlier deadline of August 31, 2024. This legislation, authored by Senator Joe Addabbo and known as S9673A, could override the board's decision and expedite the process for casino bidders.
The bill, which successfully passed through both the house and senate in early June, has been met with some resistance from the facility location board. The board has voiced concerns about the ambitious timeline dictated by the bill, emphasizing that bids cannot be reviewed until all “entitlements and zoning” are approved. Vicki Been, a key figure in the discussions, highlighted the board's stance, noting, “Politicians may want a quicker deadline, but that would be impractical.”
Environmental impact studies and necessary zoning changes are critical prerequisites before any bid can be reviewed. This adds another layer of complexity to the bidding process. For example, proposals such as Bally’s Bronx project and Steve Cohen’s Queens endeavor currently require rezoning from their parkland designations to accommodate casino facilities.
A Competitive Field
There is no shortage of contenders in the race to develop these new casinos. Eleven bidders are vying for prime locations, from Times Square to Brooklyn. These proposals are not just about casinos; they encompass a broader vision of resorts, housing units, and neighborhood improvements, blending commercial and tribal operators. Among the distinguished proposals are:
- Avenir: Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming in Manhattan.
- Bally’s Links at Ferry Point: Bally’s Corporation in The Bronx.
- Caesars Palace Times Square: Caesars Entertainment, SL Green, and Roc Nation in Manhattan.
- Coney Project: Thor Equities, Legends Entertainment, the Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings in Brooklyn.
- Freedom Plaza: Soloviev Group and Mohegan Gaming in Manhattan.
- Metropolitan Park: Steven Cohen and Hard Rock International in Queens.
- MGM Empire City: MGM Resorts International in Yonkers.
- Resorts World New York City: Genting Group in Queens.
- Sands New York: Las Vegas Sands in Nassau County, Long Island.
- Saks Fifth Avenue: Hudson’s Bay Company, with the operator to be determined, in Manhattan.
- Wynn New York City: Related Companies, Oxford Properties Group, and Wynn Resorts in Manhattan.
Challenges and Optimism
The facility location board recognized the potential conflict between their set deadline and the stipulations of S9673A during their recent meeting. The board's perspective is clear: “Because bids cannot be reviewed until all ‘entitlements and zoning’ are approved, the board views the current deadline as unreasonable.” Despite this, the board remains optimistic that obtaining bids by the new deadline will not impede the overarching goal of issuing licenses by the end of 2025. Vicki Been added, “The hope would be that our reasoning will be helpful to the governor.”
The introduction of these casino facilities could significantly reshape the entertainment and economic landscape of downstate New York, injecting gaming and broader development projects into some of the state’s most iconic areas. As the deadline debates ensue and proposals are meticulously reviewed, the region braces for what could be a major evolution in its recreational and economic offerings.