The process for selecting three casino projects and the operators behind them has moved at a glacial pace, therefore, it was no surprise that legislators voted to impose a strict deadline to make those selections and get those projects off the ground.
Bill to Expedite Passes
State Senator Joe Addabbo has been the driving force behind gaming and gambling in New York and he was also the sponsor of SB 9673A, a bill designed to impose a deadline on choosing which three downstate casino proposals will be chosen. The bill was overwhelmingly embraced by both chambers with the Senate approving it, 51-4, while the Assembly also voted in favor, 51-9, which means it now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature before it is signed into law.
Assuming the governor does sign the bill, applications for the casino projects will be open until August 31st and the New York Gaming Facility Location Board must make its recommendations by December 31, 2025. The final deadline to approve and issue licenses will occur on March 31, 2026. Even with the new bill expediting the process, Addabbo initially sought a more aggressive timeframe but extended it to the current dates so that it would satisfy his colleagues who may not have voted in the affirmative had the deadlines not changed.
Fighting the Power
One of the major reasons for the delay and why Addabbo’s political victory was so significant is that the Gaming Commission was waiting for the City Council to approve a land use change, which would be necessary for any casino to be built in the five boroughs. But it was Addabbo who, along with gaming titan Resorts World who resides in his district, wanted to jumpstart the process instead of waiting for the Council to act.
“I think the word frustrating just doesn’t capture my emotions,” said Addabbo Jr. before his latest gambit was successful.
The Gaming Board had released a statement before Addabbo’s bill was approved, defending the process, and addressing the obstacles that had hampered it. “The Board is cognizant of the many factors relating to the zoning requirement, including New York City’s proposed text amendment relating to gaming facilities and of the many zoning-related questions posed by applicants during the first two rounds of questions. The updated timeline, expected to be finalized soon, will consider these and other factors.”
Uncertainty Among Bidders
One person who represents one of the bidders seeking to win approval gave his perspective on the condition they remain anonymous so as not to jeopardize his company’s chances of being awarded one of the three downstate licenses.
“Anybody who tells you that they know when these responses are going to happen, and what the timeline is going to be for this process entirely, is just lying because that’s a complete unknown,” the source was quoted as saying.
One primary reason why Addabbo and his colleague, Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow, have been championing the cause for a much more rapid timeline for the issuance of casino licenses is that two of the three bidders reside in their districts. MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers and Queens’ Resorts World New York City are two of the leading contenders to win two of the three casino licenses and both are positioned to open within months of receiving the green light.
