New York is approaching one of its most consequential gaming decisions in years as the New York Gaming Facility Location Board convenes on Dec. 1, 2025, to recommend up to three downstate casino licenses before the year’s end. According to the board’s official agenda, the special meeting is expected to determine which applicants advance to the licensing stage and how quickly the state can unlock new revenue streams for the 2025 budget cycle.
At stake are multi-hundred-million-dollar licensing fees, required matching capital investments, and long-term tax revenue that lawmakers have already informally factored into state budget planning. As the political pressure mounts for the next phase of New York’s gaming expansion, the meeting marks a pivotal point in the licensing process, which has stretched beyond initial projections.
The Three NYC Finalists
After years of proposals, withdrawals, shifting political support, and community debates, the field has narrowed to three major New York City contenders:
- Resorts World New York City casino expansion at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens
- Hard Rock Metropolitan Park Citi Field casino in Queens
- Bally’s Bronx casino project at Ferry Point
Other projects have unfortunately fallen away due to land-use conflicts, financing issues, and community pushback. The spotlight now rests fully on these three remaining contenders, each offering a distinct vision of what a future New York casino license could deliver.
Resorts World Queens: Racino to Full Casino
The proposal from Resorts World calls for the transformation of its long-operating Racino into a full-scale casino offering live table games. With a fully expanded hotel, plus an upgraded dining and entertainment section on top of its existing customer base, Resorts World can certainly deliver higher tax revenue, new job opportunities, and a fast revamp of any applicants.
The company highlights its current status as one of the highest tax-contributing gaming properties in the country. Supporters claim that awarding a Queens casino license decision to a proven operator offers the smoothest pathway to unlocking tens of millions in additional annual tax dollars, especially relevant in the backdrop of the ongoing New York casino tax rate debate.
Hard Rock at Citi Field: The Metropolitan Park Vision
Hard Rock’s proposal is backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen, with the vision of Metropolitan Park. This is a resort and entertainment district built on the parking lots surrounding Citi Field. This multibillion-dollar concept includes a great entertainment sector that features a casino, live music venues, restaurants, and landscaped public spaces. By doing this, it will also bring a broad redevelopment strategy for the surrounding neighborhood.
On the other hand, it does face some Citi Field casino opposition from several Queens residents and advocacy groups. They now argue that the project could increase traffic, change the local land use patterns, and shift the character of the area around the ballpark.
Besides these challenges, the project still has a strong backing from labor unions, business coalitions, and supporters. This is because they view it as a transformative investment for New York’s tourism economy and a major competitor for one of the coveted downstate casino licenses.
Bally’s Bronx: Ferry Point Opportunity
The Bally’s Bronx casino project proposes a casino, luxury hotel, and entertainment complex adjacent to the Ferry Point golf course. Bally’s has already cleared significant zoning hurdles, positioning it as one of the more straightforward builds from a regulatory standpoint.
The company has big plans to convert the areas into a year-round resort destination. This will have major benefits and lead to job creation, local investment, and community partnerships. However, Bally’s must also navigate additional financial obligations tied to the former golf course’s management and redevelopment agreements. Overall, Bronx is a known flagship entertainment hub and is a meaningful part of New York’s growing gaming sector.
Criteria, Community Input, and What Happens Next
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board evaluates casino proposals based on several criteria, including the following:
- Economic impact
- Projected revenue
- Job creation
- Long-term workforce sustainability
- Site viability
- Land-use compatibility
- Diversity
- Inclusion commitments
- Community benefits
- Local advisory assessments
Community Advisory Committees have already issued preliminary feedback, shaping the board’s understanding of neighborhood support, which is an essential consideration for any New York casino license approval.
The Last Say
The meeting tol be held on the 1st of December will produce formal recommendations that will then move to the New York State Gaming Commission meeting schedule for final suitability reviews. Officials have committed to issuing final licensing decisions by Dec. 31, 2025, allowing construction preparations to begin in early 2026. Opening dates for any approved casinos will depend on the project scale and permitting timelines, but will probably fall between 2026 and 2028.
Shuffle casino