Resorts World NYC Moves to State License Review

Resorts World New York City secured a critical endorsement Thursday, as its designated community advisory committee (CAC) in Queens advanced the project with a unanimous 6-0 vote. The approval positions the racino as a leading contender for one of up to three downstate casino licenses to be issued by the New York State Gaming Commission by year’s end.

The committee’s recommendation sends the bid to the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), an independent panel tasked with reviewing applications and making licensure recommendations. That process will run through December 1, with the Gaming Commission expected to decide by December 31.

 

Project	CAC Vote	Next Phase	Launch Timeline	Tax Commitment
Resorts World NYC	6-0 Unanimous Approval	State GFLB Review	July 2026	$1B+ annually

 

An Early Favorite Advances

Resorts World has long been considered a frontrunner. The facility, which has operated video lottery terminals in Queens since 2011, has generated billions in tax revenue for New York State. As an existing property, it also offers the fastest turnaround of any applicant, projecting a July 2026 casino launch should it secure a license. Fellow racino MGM Empire City in Yonkers, with similar advantages, also advanced Thursday with unanimous committee support. The two approvals stand in contrast to the fate of three Manhattan casino proposals, all rejected at the community advisory stage.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who serves on the CAC, emphasized local support during the vote. “Sorry Jay-Z, we win again,” he quipped, referring to the rapper’s high-profile but unsuccessful backing of Caesars Times Square. Before entering the GFLB phase, Resorts World must submit a $1 million application fee. The four-member board—chaired by NYU law professor Vicki Been—will weigh applicants based on four criteria: economic activity and business development (70%), local impact (10%), workforce enhancement (10%), and diversity (10%).

Revenue projections and their implications for the state budget will be a central consideration. Applicants are free to negotiate their own tax rates, so long as they exceed a minimum of 25% on slot revenue and 10% on other gaming. Resorts World has pledged annual tax payments of at least $1 billion, potentially easing concerns over fiscal impact. With three Manhattan bids already eliminated, the field of competitors is shrinking. Two projects—Bally’s Bronx and Metropolitan Park, backed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen—remain in contention. A third, The Coney in Brooklyn, faces an uphill battle after several CAC members publicly declared their intent to oppose it.

The concentration of bids in Queens raises a strategic question for regulators: whether to award two of three licenses to the same borough. While three licenses are authorized, state officials have signaled that fewer may be awarded if proposals fall short of economic or community benchmarks.

 

Resorts World NYC’s unanimous community approval positions it as a frontrunner for a downstate New York casino license, with a projected July 2026 launch and $1 billion-plus annual tax contributions.

 

Outlook

The CAC approvals for Resorts World and MGM Empire City were widely expected, given their operational track records, community support, and projected revenue streams. Their advancement now sharpens the focus on whether a third license will be awarded—and, if so, whether it will go to another New York City borough or remain in Queens.

The GFLB’s review, due by December 1, is set to shape not only the casino landscape but also the economic footprint of New York’s gaming industry for years to come.