The landscape of downstate New York may soon undergo substantial changes with the introduction of three new casino facilities. The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board recently set a new bid deadline of June 27, 2025, for these highly anticipated projects. This decision, however, faces potential challenges with a bill currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature.
The bill, authored by Senator Joe Addabbo and known as S9673A, mandates an earlier bid submission deadline of August 31, 2024. If signed into law, this legislation would override the facility location board’s timeline, imposing a tighter schedule on the bidders. The bill successfully passed through both the house and senate in early June, highlighting the political momentum behind the accelerated timeline.
Concerns from the Facility Location Board
The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has expressed concerns about the ambitious timeline dictated by the bill. The board stressed that bids cannot be reviewed until all ‘entitlements and zoning’ are approved. “Politicians may want a quicker deadline, but that would be impractical,” said Vicki Been, reflecting a sentiment prevalent among the board members.
Environmental impact studies and necessary zoning changes are significant preconditions that must be met before any bid can be reviewed. The Bally’s Bronx proposal and Steve Cohen’s Queens proposal currently require rezoning from their parkland designations to accommodate casino facilities, adding another layer of complexity.
Proposals and Bidders
The competition to develop these casino facilities is fierce, with 11 bidders vying to establish casinos in prime New York locations, ranging from Times Square to Brooklyn. These proposals include not only casino facilities but also resorts, housing units, and neighborhood improvements.
Notable proposals include Avenir by Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming in Manhattan, Bally’s Links at Ferry Point by Bally’s Corporation in The Bronx, and Caesars Palace Times Square by Caesars Entertainment, SL Green, and Roc Nation in Manhattan. Other high-profile proposals feature the Coney Project spearheaded by Thor Equities, Legends Entertainment, and the Chickasaw Nation in Brooklyn, and Metropolitan Park by Steven Cohen and Hard Rock International in Queens.
“The hope would be that our reasoning will be helpful to the governor,” Vicki Been added, emphasizing the board’s belief that the current deadline is more feasible given the extensive approval processes involved.
Ongoing Developments and Future Implications
During their meeting on Thursday, the board members acknowledged the potential conflict between their decision and the stipulations of S9673A. Despite this, they remain optimistic that obtaining bids by the new deadline will not impede the ultimate goal of issuing licenses by the end of 2025.
The final outcome of this legislative and administrative process will have far-reaching implications for the entertainment and economic landscape of downstate New York. Bringing gaming and broader development projects into some of the state's most iconic areas could reshape these communities and stimulate significant economic growth.
As New York waits for Governor Hochul's decision on S9673A, the debate continues on the most practical and beneficial path forward for these casino projects. All eyes are on the upcoming alignment of political and procedural elements that will ultimately define the future of gaming and development in downstate New York.