The Gaming Facility Location Board, statutorily tasked with selecting up to three commercial casinos to generate revenue for the MTA, public schools and local governments, selected three projects for submission to the Gaming Commission for licensure consideration.

The Board determined that awarding all three licenses best advances the State’s long-term economic, fiscal, and community objectives. Accordingly, the Board selected

• Bally’s Bronx
• Hard Rock Metropolitan Park
• Resorts World New York City

 The Board applied and weighed the statutory criteria, which fall into four categories:

 Economic Activity & Business Development Factors at 70 percent,

• Local Impact Siting Factors at 10 percent,
• Workforce Enhancement Factors at 10 percent, and
• Diversity Framework Factors at 10 percent.

No single factor was determinative.

The downstate market is among the strongest in the nation, supported by population density, income levels, and tourism. The sizable population within a two-hour drive will support sustained visitation, supplemented by domestic and international travelers.

Each proposal presents strong competitive positioning based on brand strength, amenities, and facility design.

Using conservative assumptions, the Board’s consultants project incremental annual gaming tax revenue of nearly $1 billion in 2036—totaling approximately $7 billion between 2027 and 2036—plus $1.5 billion in licensing fees.

Additional state and local taxes—property, sales, hotel occupancy, and others—are projected to generate approximately $5.9 billion over 10 years. Problem gambling programs are projected to receive approximately $10.7 million annually.

No alternative scenario produced comparable revenue or fiscal benefits.

Each project proposes to deliver substantial community benefits, including infrastructure and transit improvements, local business partnerships, and significant commitments to community-based organizations.

Applicants made ambitious commitments to workforce diversity, community investment, and local, unionized hiring. The Board emphasizes the need for applicants to fully deliver on those commitments.

The Board had concerns about some commitments, and has laid out those concerns, along with more information about its determinations, in a formal selection document.

The Selection Document is available here.

Background

In 2012, an amendment to the New York State Constitution was proposed to authorize up to seven casino facilities statewide. Following the required constitutional process - passage by two successively elected Legislatures and approval by public referendum - the amendment was approved.

The enabling legislation directed that the first four gaming facilities be located in upstate regions, primarily to address economic distress in rural counties and provide funding for education. That competitive siting process was overseen by a prior Gaming Facility Location Board.

In 2022, the Legislature established a new siting process for the remaining three licenses. While similar to the earlier process, this framework included significant new prerequisites:

• Applicants were required to obtain approval from a Community Advisory Committee; and
• Applicants had to secure all necessary zoning and land-use authorizations before the Board could consider the application.

In January 2023, this Board issued a Request for Applications for commercial casino licenses. Throughout 2023 and 2024, this Board responded to hundreds of applicant inquires. In June 2025, the Board received eight applications for new casino developments or expansions of existing video lottery gaming facilities.

In July, Community Advisory Committees were convened for each proposed project. Committees held multiple public hearings, reviewed written public comments, and voted on whether each application had sufficient community support. A two-thirds affirmative vote was required to allow an application to proceed.

Four Applicants - Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, MGM Yonkers, and Resorts World New York City – received approval from their respective Committees and submitted evidence of zoning compliance, and completion of environmental review.

The four remaining applicants were required to file additional materials by October 14th. Three submitted the required supplemental documents; MGM Empire City subsequently withdrew its application.