New York Casino Bidding Heading Into Political Debates

NEW YORK – July 10, 2025 — With the application deadline for three downstate New York casino licenses now passed, the focus shifts to a new phase of scrutiny — one dominated by local politics, zoning laws, and a newly formed slate of community advisory committees (CACs).

The New York State Gaming Commission confirmed this week that all eight final casino proposals have been assigned CACs, which will serve as gatekeepers in evaluating community support — a binding requirement for any bid to move forward. The committees, composed of six members each (except for MGM Empire City's five-member group), must vote by September 30, the same day all zoning and environmental reviews must be finalized. A two-thirds majority is required for a bid to pass.

These CACs, made up of a mix of political insiders, community leaders, and government officials, were appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul and local elected officials. Some officials opted to appoint themselves; most designated external representatives. According to the commission, the CACs are tasked with “reviewing the application, gauging local support, and ultimately issuing a finding determining whether there is adequate support.”

 

Meetings, Lobbying, and Deadlines

CACs are currently determining their meeting schedules. While there is no fixed number of meetings required before a vote, each CAC must elect a chair at its first gathering. These meetings are expected to become focal points of community lobbying as supporters and opponents attempt to sway opinion.

Among the eight bids, two are widely considered frontrunners: MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World NYC in Queens. Both operate existing racinos — casino-style gaming facilities that already house video lottery terminals — positioning them to scale quickly if awarded full licenses.

Their CACs include a mix of state government appointees and local leaders. Notable figures on MGM’s panel include Maria Fernandez from the Governor’s Office and Larry Wilson of the Port Authority. Resorts World NYC’s committee features Queens political heavyweights such as State Senator James Sanders Jr., Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer-Amato, and Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

Three bids remain active in Manhattan following Wynn Resorts’ withdrawal from its $12 billion Hudson Yards proposal in May. The remaining proposals include:

• Caesars Times Square, backed by SL Green and Roc Nation
• The Avenir, proposed by Silverstein Properties
• Freedom Plaza, led by the Soloviev Group

Each CAC in Manhattan comprises a diverse array of policy advisors, community board members, and political aides. Several names appear on multiple panels, such as Richard Gottfried, a retired state assembly member, and Matthew Tighe, a chief of staff in the State Assembly. This overlap reflects the tight political networks in Manhattan but also raises questions about how nuanced the distinctions between bids may become in practice.

Outer Borough Bids Face Hurdles

• The remaining three bids are scattered across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens:
• Bally’s New York, located at the former Trump Golf Links in the Bronx
• The Coney, backed by Thor Equities in Coney Island

Metropolitan Park, a proposed Queens project from Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International

While Bally’s received a last-minute push from Mayor Eric Adams to ease zoning restrictions, Metropolitan Park’s path has been more contentious. State Senator Jessica Ramos, who represents the district, refused to appoint a CAC member due to her opposition. That seat remains unfilled.

Cohen’s team circumvented Ramos’ block by enlisting Senator John Liu, whose overlapping district allowed him to sponsor the required rezoning bill before the state legislature adjourned in June.

 

Politics in Play

The politics behind these appointments hint at the complexity of the coming months. Each CAC vote requires four out of six members to approve (or three of five in MGM’s case), meaning that a single swing vote can decide the fate of billion-dollar projects.

Public meetings will offer transparency but also invite organized pressure campaigns. These could include unions, neighborhood associations, and real estate developers — each with a stake in the social and economic implications of a new casino. The commission has not indicated how it will address the unfilled CAC seat for Metropolitan Park, nor has it set dates for the advisory committees’ first meetings.

 

The committees will review the application, gauge local support, and ultimately issue a finding determining whether there is adequate support.

 

Conclusion

As New York’s multibillion-dollar downstate casino competition enters its final stages, the spotlight now turns to CACs — little-known panels with outsized influence. With firm deadlines and local politics at play, their upcoming decisions will be pivotal in reshaping the gaming landscape across the city.