New York Casino Licensing Process Update

Note: This article has been updated to clarify the misinformation regarding the potential delay in the award process for casino licensing in downstate NY, which was previously thought to be pushed back until January 2026.

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• New York casino licenses for the downstate region are to be issued before the year’s end.
• A false report surfaced this week that a delay was possible.
• Eight casino bids are currently vying for one of the three available licenses.

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More than a decade after the establishment of coveted downstate casino licenses for New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester County, the time has come to award these permits. With the end of a 10-year moratorium on issuing these licenses now behind us, it appears likely that the three permits will be awarded within the year, despite recent speculation that delays could arise.

This week, a disclosure outlined that state Senator Joseph Addabbo (D), a long-time advocate for gaming in New York, had reportedly mentioned possible delays until 2026 for the licenses in an interview with an online gaming affiliate. However, subsequent confirmation from Addabbo’s office found the initial report to be inaccurate.

The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is still on track to announce the winners for these licenses by December 1, 2025, with the full awards to be finalised by December 31, provided that each successful candidate pays a substantial fee of $500 million to the state. When quizzed on the timelines, a state representative confirmed this target by stating, “Yes, the Board is still on track for December 1.”

Before the five-member Gaming Facility Location Board can cast votes for the winning bids, each proposal is required to gain approval from a two-thirds majority from its respective Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Each of the eight CACs must complete their voting on the casino proposals by September 30.

Currently, there are eight contenders for the licenses, including:

• The Avenir (11th Ave & 41st St., Manhattan)
• Bally’s Bronx (Ferry Point, Bronx)
• Caesars Palace Times Square (1515 Broadway, Manhattan)
• The Coney (Coney Island, Brooklyn)
• Freedom Plaza (686 1st Ave., Manhattan)
• MGM Empire City (Empire City Casino, Yonkers)
• Metropolitan Park (Willets Point, Queens)
• Resorts World New York City (Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens)

This process arises from New York’s 2013 gambling legislation, which permitted the launch of four upstate casinos alongside three downstate licenses. This legislative move not only aimed to attract investments but also to invigorate the economic landscape of the state by allowing commercial slot machines and live dealer games exclusively in the upstate region for a decade as a means to bolster economic activity. Notably, the moratorium on downstate licenses concluded in February 2023.

State Licensing Timeline

The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board recently updated their website, which now outlines the eight bids received. The Board continues to uphold its intent to decide on the licenses by December 1, 2025, followed by the final licensing process by December 31, 2025.

In the midst of these developments, it is essential for interested stakeholders and the community to keep up to date with this evolving landscape of gaming licenses in New York. For anyone keen on learning more about the intricacies of gaming legislation or current projects, resources are available for deeper insights.

Summary: The New York Casino Licensing process is advancing as scheduled, with eight bids for three available licenses. Recent misinformation regarding delays has been clarified. Decisions are expected before the year concludes, marking a significant advancement in the state’s gaming landscape.