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You think New York football fans have it rough right now (the Giants and Jets are a combined 0-3)? That’s nothing compared to the casinos vying for a New York betting license.
In case you’re unaware, the state is giving out three licenses in New York City. While legal betting for casinos is a thing in Upstate New York, it’s not available in the Big Apple. Not yet, at least.
As of this month, there were eight casino proposals alive. A final decision isn’t expected until December, but in the meantime, each proposal needs approval from its respective community advisory committee. Say you’re in Manhattan, well, you need to convince local members to create a casino before the state can decide for itself.
Here’s your update on how those community advisory councils (CACs) votes are going. Some proposals have been shot down completely, some approved, and others remain in limbo. You’re going to want to keep reading to get the latest news on the casino showdown.
Manhattan Goes 0-3
You would think Manhattan would be THE place to put up a casino, right? Billions of tourism dollars flow through the borough every year — all to see Times Square, Central Park, and maybe, just maybe, get action at a brand-new casino.
Well, the latter is a pipe dream now. You see, three major bids involved Manhattan — Caesars Times Square, The Avenir (pitched in Midtown), and Freedom Plaza, a massive $11 billion plan across from the United Nations. In less than a week, all three proposals were dead. CACs voted 2-4 against every single project. Each vote was over in about 10 minutes. All the years of planning, community “engagement,” and lobbying didn’t mean a thing once the ballots were cast.
Developers tried last-minute concessions, too (Hail Marys in NFL betting terms). Caesars offered community funds and jobs. Avenir pitched affordable housing. Freedom Plaza even promised to go all-in on 100% affordable housing, over a thousand units worth. None of it worked.
For the biggest borough of all New York City, it was a stunning outcome. Not just that each failed, but how quickly they did too.
Brooklyn’s Lone Bid Is On Life Support
If Manhattan’s collapse looked ugly, Brooklyn’s is shaping up to be even uglier. The borough only has one project in the running: “The Coney.” Thor Equities and partners pitched a $3.4 billion transformation of Coney Island into a year-round destination.
On paper, it sounded big and ambitious, quintessential New York. A casino, hotel, entertainment venues, restaurants, and mixed-use development. The type of project that could theoretically revive Coney Island beyond just being a summer attraction. But the pitch fell flat almost immediately.
Both CAC hearings were disasters. Residents shouted down the project, police had to step in, and the overall atmosphere was hostile (true New York style). Locals didn’t see The Coney as revitalization — they saw it as an invasion. More tourists, more problems. By the time hearings wrapped, the project was barely alive.
Two CAC members — Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton — announced they’ll vote no. Another member had been opposed from the start. That’s three hard no’s out of six members, which mathematically kills the bid. Four yes votes are required to advance, and The Coney won’t even come close. So it’s not officially finished, but a miracle would be needed here.
Are Any Bids Left Standing?
With Manhattan and Brooklyn gone, the race has been halved. Four options remain — all in the Queens and the Bronx — for three licenses. Here’s who’s left:
- Resorts World NYC, Queens
- MGM Empire City, Yonkers
- Bally’s Bronx, Bronx
- Metropolitan Park, Queens
MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers has momentum. The property has been running video slots for nearly two decades, and experts say it pulls in more revenue than some Las Vegas casinos. This week, its CAC voted unanimously in favor of a full license. That clears the way for MGM to expand with 183 table games, 14 restaurants, and a 5,000-seat entertainment venue.
Resorts World in Queens is also in a strong position. It already operates in Jamaica with video lottery terminals, and its CAC is expected to vote yes soon. Like Empire City, Resorts World offers stability and proven success, something brand-new projects can’t match.
That leaves a smaller pool of long shots: Bally’s Bronx, which still hasn’t had its CAC vote, and Metropolitan Park in Queens, which is facing mixed community reaction. Both remain technically alive, but the path looks much tougher now that the heavyweights are tightening their grip.
The picture is becoming clear: MGM in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens are frontrunners for two of the three licenses. The last spot is still up for grabs, but with half the field already eliminated, it’s coin-toss toss for each.
So that’s the New York casino battle in a nutshell. A lot can happen in a week’s time, and we saw that with half the bids dying a painful death over the past few days. Be sure to check back with us though, cause it ain’t over til it’s over. Anything can still happen before bids are awarded in a few month’s time.
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