New York state nears downstate casino decisions as Mamdani questions expansion
New York state is expected to issue final approvals for downstate casino bids by the end of 2025, before mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes office on 1 January 2026. Mamdani has said he is generally opposed to the casino plan, but acknowledged that the state controls the licensing process; city officials appoint one member to each bid’s six-member Community Advisory Committee.
Operators must secure state approval and a two-thirds vote from the relevant Community Advisory Committee to advance.