New York State Gaming Commission Approves Three Casino Licenses for NYC Development

The New York State Gaming Commission voted Monday to approve gaming facility licenses for three casino development projects across New York City, marking the final stage of a competitive selection process that began earlier this year.

The approved properties include Bally’s Casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park adjacent to Citi Field in Flushing, Queens, and an expansion of the existing Resorts World facility at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. The seven-member Gaming Commission granted approval during a meeting held at Darrell Farrell Riverbank State Park.

Approved Casino Projects

Bally’s Bronx casino development will include nearly 4,000 slot machines and live table games, a 507-room hotel, an event center, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and clubhouse. The property will be located at Ferry Point.

Metropolitan Park, developed by Hard Rock International in partnership with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, plans to transform parking areas surrounding Citi Field. The project includes thousands of slot machines, hundreds of table games, a 5,600-seat entertainment venue, two hotel towers totaling 1,000 rooms, and more than 15 local restaurants. The development also includes plans for community green space.

Resorts World at Aqueduct Racetrack will expand its existing casino operations with the addition of live table games and over 4,600 slot machines. The property will also add a new hotel and a 7,000-seat event center.

Political Response and Community Reaction

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards supported the approval of Metropolitan Park and Resorts World in a statement released following the vote.

“From the first blueprints to the final vote, the pocket aces that are Metropolitan Park and Resorts World have both embodied what it means to be community-centered, with each offering unparalleled neighborhood benefits packages that will strengthen our physical and societal infrastructure”

Richards said.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani previously stated his intention to work with unions on the projects, saying:

“I look forward to the prospect of working with unions to ensure that every job that’s created is actually a union job”

The approval faced opposition from community groups. Following the vote, organizations opposed to the casino developments called for Governor Kathy Hochul’s resignation, stating:

“Hochul has shown her true allegiance to billionaires and corporations by approving these casinos”

Selection Process

Eight casino applications were initially under consideration when the review process began earlier this year. Four applications were rejected during the local approval stage with Community Advisory Committees, while MGM Resorts withdrew its Yonkers application before the Gaming Facility Locations Board could complete its review.

The Gaming Facility Locations Board advanced the three approved applicants to the Gaming Commission for final licensing decisions earlier this month.

Economic and Labor Impact

All three casino projects are expected to employ thousands of union workers from across New York City during construction. The developments represent significant private investment in New York City’s entertainment and hospitality infrastructure.

The approval grants the operators commercial gaming licenses, allowing them to proceed with construction and development plans for their respective properties.

Source: WPIX New York