New York's $1.5B casino licensing race enters final stretch with four contenders
New York's casino licensing process has entered its final stages after the Metropolitan Park proposal became the fourth and last project to secure local approval. The Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) will now assess the remaining bids, with recommendations due by the end of 2025. Up to three licenses could bring the state $1.5 billion in fees alone.
The GFLB, now fully staffed after Cindy Estrada's appointment, will evaluate the four surviving applicants: Bally's Bronx, MGM Empire City, Resorts World New York City, and Metropolitan Park. Each bidder must submit updated financial plans, including tax rate proposals, by October 15.
The board will judge applications based on four key factors: economic impact (70%), local siting effects (10%), workforce development (10%), and diversity (10%). None of the contenders operate existing casinos near their proposed sites. Recommendations will go to the Gaming Commission by December 1, with final licensing decisions expected by December 31. Each license carries a $500 million fee, offering a potential revenue boost as New York faces a $34.3 billion budget gap through 2029. Four earlier applicants failed to gain community support, leaving only these four projects in contention for the three available licenses.
The selected casinos will help address New York's financial shortfall while creating jobs and local investment. With the GFLB's review underway, the final licensing decisions will shape the state's gaming industry for years to come.
