New York State Gaming Commission Awards Final Approval to Three NYC Casinos

^{New York’s holiday gift arrived early: three Vegas-style casinos are on the way following Monday’s Gaming Commission meeting. (Photo: Christopher Robbins on X)}

The New York State Gaming Commission approved three downstate casino licenses on Monday afternoon, marking the final step for the three projects which made it to the end of the multi-year process.

Resorts World New York City and Metropolitan Park – both located in Queens – were joined by Bally’s Bronx in earning the maximum of three available licenses in the New York City metropolitan area.

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Independent Monitoring Agreement Required to Receive Licenses

Both Resorts World and Bally’s were awarded 15-year licenses from the Gaming Commission, while Metropolitan Park received a 20-year license. The lengths of the licenses were based on the financial commitments made by the developers.

Technically, the licenses aren’t yet in the hands of the developers. Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer said that the licenses were contingent on the developers of each project signing a monitoring agreement with an independent, third-party monitor. Each independent monitor must be approved by the Gaming Commission to make sure the projects don’t deviate from state standards.

“We will hear from you regularly,” O’Dwyer said during Monday’s meeting at the Robert F. Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Riverside State Park in Harlem. “We will ask the monitor to report on a quarterly basis to us as to how you have complied with the many wonderful promises that you have made to our communities over the next five years.”

The announcement was welcomed by those behind the successful casino projects. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, who is developing Metropolitan Park with Hard Rock International in the parking lots adjacent to Citi Field, touted the more than $1.75 billion in community benefits and infrastructure the project would bring to the area.

“Since the day I bought the team, the community and Mets fans have made it clear to me that we can and should do better with the area around the ballpark,” Cohen said. “Now, we are going to be able to deliver the sports and entertainment district that our fans have been asking for.”

Resorts World Could Open Full Casino by Spring 2026

The first of the casinos to open is expected to be Resorts World New York City. Genting already operates a racino with electronic games at Aqueduct Racetrack and believes it can have table games and expand operations by March.

“We look forward to opening within months as New York City’s first full commercial casino,” Genting Americas East President Robert DeSalvio said in a statement.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also released a statement praising the licensing process, despite being interrupted by protestors calling for her resignation for supporting the casinos.

“Each of the projects made significant commitments to their communities and to New York State, and the Gaming Commission was clear that they will hold these projects accountable,” Hochul said in her statement. “That is what New Yorkers expect and what they deserve.”

While 11 projects were initially vying for three licenses designated for New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island, only eight made it to the Community Advisory Committee stage. Four more were eliminated by local votes. 

MGM later withdrew its bid to turn Empire City at Yonkers Raceway into a full casino, citing changes in licensing regulations. That left only three bidders for three available licenses, all of which were awarded unanimously by the Gaming Facility Location Board on Dec. 1.