New York's Gaming Facility Location Board has four downstate casino proposals to consider after Hard Rock's Metropolitan Park bid won unanimous community advisory committee approval. The board will award three licences; the remaining bids are Bally's Bronx, MGM Empire City and Resorts World NYC.
The board's selection will determine which three proposals can receive downstate casino licences.
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Eight developers are seeking three downstate New York casino licences, with several bids drawing support from public figures. Jay-Z and Rev. Al Sharpton back Caesars Palace Times Square, while Nas supports Resorts World New York City in Queens; the developers have until 30 September to secure required entitlements and zoning approvals, and the location board is scheduled to select three winners by 1 December.
New York gambling regulators set 27 June 2025 as the deadline for applications for three downstate casino licences, with eight contenders remaining, according to the report. Successful applicants are expected to be announced by year-end and must commit at least $1 billion, including a $500 million licence fee and a minimum $500 million investment.
Maybank Investment Bank analyst Samuel Yin said all three remaining bidders for downstate New York casino licences were virtually assured of approval, with Genting Malaysia’s Resorts World New York City proposal the strongest. Genting Malaysia has said it could open a permanent casino in June 2026 if awarded a licence; the analyst also advised shareholders to reject Genting Bhd’s MYR2.35-per-share takeover offer.
Resorts World New York City, Bally’s Bronx and Steve Cohen’s Metropolitan Park submitted supplemental applications for downstate New York casino licences on 15 October, according to the report. The Gaming Facility Location Board expects the state to name winning bidders by year-end, and state law allows up to three licences. Resorts World outlined a $7.5 billion proposal, while the other bids were valued at $4 billion and $8 billion.
New York’s Gaming Facility Location Board is reviewing three applications for downstate casino licences and is working towards submitting its recommendations to the New York State Gaming Commission by 1 December. The commission will decide the licensing outcomes after receiving the recommendations; the applicants are Bally’s, Resorts World NYC and Metropolitan Park.