Three New York Casino Bids Advance to Final Review

New York’s three remaining downstate casino applicants will move to the final stage of state consideration, with a licensing decision expected by 31 December, the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) announced Monday. Bally’s Bronx, Metropolitan Park and Resorts World New York City were unanimously recommended for advancement.

The finalists emerged from an initial field of 11 proposals, narrowed repeatedly over the past year as several bidders withdrew or failed to progress. The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) will now determine whether to award up to three licences, each carrying a minimum fee of $500 million. The GFLB’s meeting was brief and procedural. Chair Vicki Been said in prepared remarks that awarding all three licences “best advances the state’s long-term economic, fiscal and community objectives.” The board has been meeting privately each week since early October.

The decision comes despite earlier questions about market overlap, particularly between the Metropolitan Park and Resorts World proposals, both located in Queens. The board provided no detailed public discussion of potential cannibalisation, leaving that analysis to the commission’s next phase of review. Public reaction at the meeting was volatile. Attendees confronted board members with chants of “Shame on you!” for several minutes before security removed them. It was unclear which aspect of the decision prompted the protest.

 

Final Downstate Casino Applicants — GFLB Recommendations

Applicant	Location	Board-Listed Investment	Applicant Total Cost	Projected Opening
Bally’s Bronx	Bronx	$2.3 billion	$4.0 billion	2030
Metropolitan Park	Queens	$5.3 billion	$8.0 billion	2030
Resorts World NYC	Queens	$3.3 billion	$7.5 billion	Mar 2026 (projected)

 

Revenue Claims and Cost Discrepancies

Once order was restored, board member Greg Reimers said no alternative licensing combination matched the “revenue or fiscal benefits” provided by approving all three bidders. He said each proposal includes infrastructure upgrades, transit improvements, local business partnerships and commitments to community organisations.

The investment figures released Monday were lower than applicants’ earlier full-cost projections, which included licence fees and community benefits. The GFLB estimated Bally’s capital investment at $2.3 billion, Metropolitan Park at $5.3 billion and Resorts World at $3.3 billion. Developers praised the board’s action but acknowledged the remaining hurdle. Genting New York president Robert DeSalvio said Resorts World’s advancement “represents more than 15 years of work to generate jobs, revenue and opportunities.” Bally’s said it was “grateful for the board’s confidence,” while Metropolitan Park representatives emphasised estimated gains including 23,000 union jobs and more than $1 billion in community benefits.

Bally’s and Metropolitan Park project 2030 openings. Resorts World, which already operates a video lottery facility in Queens, aims to convert and expand its site on an accelerated timeline. Its latest estimate advances its opening from July 2026 to March 2026, though the board called all timelines “ambitious.”

 

A New Board Under Pressure

The five-member GFLB became a focal point this autumn after rapid formation. Four members were appointed in 2025, most recently on 30 September. None have gaming industry backgrounds. Been said the board relied heavily on outside consultants for financial and market modeling. Analysts disputed several revenue assumptions submitted by applicants, she said, so the board’s projections are based solely on consultant models. The panel estimates that the three projects could generate $7 billion in gaming taxes and $5.9 billion in other taxes from 2027 to 2036.

The market assessment was performed by Tailored Hospitality Advisors with support from multiple specialist firms. The rationale document described the downstate gaming market as “among the nation’s strongest,” citing population density, high incomes and tourism levels. Applicant suitability, including integrity reviews, will be handled solely by the NYSGC. Commission chair Brian O’Dwyer has pledged a rigorous vetting process.

 

Timeline Risks Ahead

Despite recommending all three projects, the board flagged risks associated with construction and permitting. Resorts World’s 2026 target may “underestimate regulatory and construction complexities,” while the 2030 timelines for Bally’s and Metropolitan Park could face delays due to project scale and urban constraints.

Been rejected suggestions that the GFLB’s recommendation guarantees commission approval. Asked whether the commission is likely to align with the board’s conclusion, she said only: “I am not a betting person.”