New York Casino Proposals Deadline is Here: What We Know About the Contenders

The application deadline for the highly coveted downstate New York casino licenses is finally here, and eight contenders are in the running for three licenses, each vying to transform the region’s gaming and community landscape.

Authorized in 2022 by the state Legislature and initiated with a Request for Applications in January 2023, the licensing process has endured multiple delays. That includes zoning approvals, Community Advisory Committee sign-offs, and extensive rounds of bidder questions.

After multiple extensions, state gambling regulators ultimately set the deadline to June 27, 2025.

Winners are expected to be announced by the end of the year. They must commit at least $1 billion ($500 million for the license fee plus a minimum investment of $500 million), although all proposals significantly surpass this amount.

While there were around a dozen hopefuls in 2024, four have dropped out. They include Wynn Resorts, Sands Las Vegas, retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, and developer Vornado Realty Trust.

That leaves eight contenders:

• The Avenir
• Caesars Times Square
• Freedom Plaza
• Bally’s Bronx Casino
• Metropolitan Park
• MGM Empire City
• Resorts World New York City
• The Coney

Below is a comprehensive overview of each of the eight applicants, including their plans, backers, and community responses.

Manhattan Contenders

The Avenir

• Developer/Operator: Silverstein Properties (Larry Silverstein’s firm, known for World Trade Center redevelopment) and Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment (operator of Parx Casino in PA).
• Location: 11th Ave in Manhattan, just north of the Javits Convention Center and west of Hudson Yards.

The Avenir will be a 1.7 million-square-foot project comprising two towers, one likely to be residential and the other a casino and hotel.

It will include 600,000 sq ft of gaming space, occupying eight floors and a 1,000-room luxury Hyatt’s Destination hotel. Additionally, it will feature a 1,000-seat concert hall, retail, dining, and public spaces in a “community gallery” along 11th Avenue.

The project will include 100 affordable-housing units, a factor that’s becoming critical for the Manhattan projects. The partners estimate that The Avenir will create 4,000 union construction jobs and 5,000 permanent jobs.

Real estate mogul Larry Silverstein is among the most politically connected people in New York, which could help the project’s cause.

Also, there’s some support in locating a casino close to the Javits Convention Center. Additionally, some individuals who prefer a Manhattan casino might opt for a West Side location over sites like Times Square.

The Avenir faces headwinds as various West Side community organizations and local politicians’ opposition led to Wynn Resorts withdrawing its bid for Hudson Yards.

Elected officials, including State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assembly Member Tony Simone, and Council Member Erik Bottcher, have previously expressed hesitation or opposition to a casino in this area.

Caesars Times Square

• Developer/Operator: SL Green Realty (NYC’s largest commercial landlord) in partnership with Caesars Entertainment and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
• Location: 1515 Broadway, Times Square – a SL Green-owned building in the heart of Times Square.

The $4 billion proposal by SL Green, Caesars, and Roc Nation will create a casino right at the heart of Times Square. It will include 2 million sq ft of the 53-story existing building to support a gaming facility, hotel, restaurants, and parking. The Minskoff Theatre will also be renovated.

The project includes eight stories of gaming floor totaling around 380,000 sq ft and a 1,100-room hotel.

The developers are selling the project as an economic booster to the area. They estimate that it will result in 10 million additional visitors. That would generate $800 million in annual retail spending and $105 million in theater ticket sales. The Caesars Palace Times Square partners predict that the project will create 7,000 permanent and 3,000 construction union jobs.

The project faces a sharp division between support and opposition. The developers claim over 200 businesses and organizations support it, including Wyndham CEO Geoff Ballotti.

Recently, it received backing from civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton and Ryan Williams, founder of the real estate investment platform Cedre.

The opposition is substantial, too. It includes the Broadway League, IATSE, Sardi’s, The Shubert Organization, block associations, and State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal. They claim the casino will raise crime, gambling addiction, and destroy the theater district.

Freedom Plaza

• Developer/Operator: Soloviev Group partnered with Mohegan Gaming (operator of Mohegan Sun casino)
• Location: Midtown East Manhattan, spanning East 38th to 41st St.

Freedom Plaza is a $11.1 billion development, making this Manhattan bid one of the most ambitious from the eight contenders. Plans for the 6.3-acre project will include a 295,000 sq ft casino and a 1,251-room hotel. Additionally, the development will feature a 56,000 sq ft meeting and conference center and a 41,000 sq ft wellness center.

It will also include a nearly 5-acre park and 1,049 apartments, 513 of which will be affordable housing units.

The partners estimate that Freedom Plaza will create 17,000 full-time and part-time construction and permanent jobs (around 8,000 permanent jobs). Additionally, they claim it will support nearly 40,000 jobs overall throughout the economy. Furthermore, the developers estimate Freedom Plaza will generate $3.2 billion in annual economic output.

A recent poll by Tulchin Research shows that nearly two-thirds of Manhattan residents support the project. The affordable housing units primarily drove that. Additional support comes from a coalition of 22 NYC faith leaders, 32BJ SEIU (a union representing building service workers), and the Hotel Trades Council (a hospitality union).

However, some local organizations and lawmakers are against Freedom Plaza. A 2023 Murray Hill Association survey revealed concerns over traffic, proximity to the United Nations headquarters, and the potential for a casino to be a suitable fit for the area.

State Sen. Liz Krueger (who represents the area in the State Senate) and Assembly Member Harvey Epstein are against the project, while other local officials have shown no support.

Outer-Borough Bids

Bally’s Bronx Casino

• Developer/Operator: Bally’s Corporation
• Location: Ferry Point Park, Bronx, at the former Trump Golf Links site.

Bally’s Corporation plans to build a 3.1 million sq ft complex on the site of the former Trump Golf Links, which it bought from the Trump Organization in 2023.

The project includes 560,000 sq ft of gaming and food and beverage space, a 500-room hotel, a 2,000-person event center, and a 40,000 sq ft golf clubhouse. It will also include a police substation.

Bally’s estimates the cost to be around $4 billion, which it claims is the largest private investment in the Bronx’s history. The company also proposed a “community investment package” of $625 million (the biggest among the eight bids). The funding would go towards community benefits.

However, questions remain whether Bally’s can finance the project. Critics and analysts have raised concerns about the company’s debt-to-asset ratio and its ambitious expansion plans. Still, if selected, Bally’s estimates the complex will create around 1,500 full-time construction jobs and 3,500 permanent jobs.

Bally’s has gotten support from most Democratic leaders in the Bronx. Also, some labor unions have lobbied in favor of the bid. Recently, New York Mayor Eric Adams helped Bally’s bid to advance past the Council vote by issuing a home-rule message.

Opponents of the bid include Councilwoman Kristy Marmarato, a Republican, whose district consists of the potential casino site. Others opposed to it include the local Bronx Community Board 10 and many residents of Throggs Neck and Whitestone. The two communities are located on opposite sides of the bridge in Queens.

Metropolitan Park

• Developer/Operator: NY Mets owner Steve Cohen, in partnership with Hard Rock International.
• Location: Willets Point, Corona, Queens – adjacent to Citi Field.

The $8 billion project will include approximately a 3.7 million sq ft complex, consisting of a 350,000 sq ft casino, a 2,300-room Hard Rock Hotel, a 5,600-seat music hall, and 150,000 sq ft convention space. It will also have a large food hall, nightlife venues, 25 acres of parkland, and community athletic fields.

The partners project over 20,000 union construction jobs and around 15,000 permanent jobs, ranking it among the highest job creators from the bids.

Cohen has actively worked on local outreach efforts and support coalitions in the past few years. His massive plan to revamp the area has gained him support.

Last year, six Queens Community Boards endorsed the project, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards also provided conditional approval for the plan. Cohen is also a major sponsor of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

There’s limited opposition to the bid. State Sen. Jessica Ramos was initially opposed to it due to concerns about the loss of parkland and its community impact. She has since softened her stance, but a counter-poll led by her indicated that some residents still oppose the project.

The Coney

• Developer/Operator: A consortium led by Thor Equities.
• Location: Coney Island, Brooklyn – at the heart of the amusement district

The $3 billion project features a 1.4 million-square-foot complex located in the heart of the amusement district, near the historic Wonder Wheel and Cyclone rides.

The development will encompass approximately 430,000 sq ft of gaming space and a 500-room hotel. Additionally, the development will feature a 130,000 sq ft convention center, a 2,500-person event space, retail and food hall areas, and rooftop open spaces.

The developers pitch the project as a year-round destination that will boost the area, which is heavily dependent on the summer season and has a high unemployment rate. They estimate that The Coney will generate 4,500 union construction jobs and 4,000 permanent union jobs.

Additionally, the project is expected to generate $200 million in community trust for local area improvements.

Developers claim to have gathered 10,000 letters of support from residents, including 1,000 from tenants in public housing in the area. Other proponents include the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and various union leaders. Former Brooklyn Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr. also backs it, but he’s likely a paid advocate now.

Opponents, including the Central Amusement (Luna Park) and the Coney Island History Project, warned that the casino would damage the historic amusement district. Others opposed to it include Community Board 13, which voted against the land use changes, and Coney Island USA, the organization that runs the sideshow and museum in the area.

Racino Expansions

MGM Empire City

• Developer/Operator: MGM Resorts International, owner of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway.
• Location: Yonkers (a northern suburb of NYC), at the existing Empire City racetrack and casino property.

MGM Empire City will be an expansion of the current Empire City racino in Yonkers. Its owner proposes a $2.3 billion transformation, which will include an expansion of over 800,000 square feet.

The casino floor will comprise 192,500 sq ft of renovated space and 183,000 sq ft of new construction. Additionally, a new 9,500-square-foot BetMGM sportsbook lounge will be available.

MGM will also add a 5,000-seat venue, along with numerous restaurants and bars. Notably, there’s no hotel included in the current plan.
The company estimates the project will create 2,500 construction jobs and around 2,000 additional permanent jobs.

MGM Empire City is considered a frontrunner for one of the licenses by many. That’s because it will require fewer resources to convert to a full-scale casino, and the property already generates tax revenue.

Additionally, it has a large base of support with minimal opposition. Yonkers city officials, including Mayor Mike Spano, support the bid.
Business and civic groups, including the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Westchester, and local nonprofits, have all endorsed MGM’s plans.

Meanwhile, opposition is minimal. Raised concerns from local organizations, such as Southeast Yonkers, include traffic and infrastructure issues.

Resorts World New York City

• Developer/Operator: Genting Group – existing owner and operator of Resorts World NYC at Aqueduct Racetrack.
• Location: Ozone Park, Queens (Aqueduct Racetrack property).

Resorts World New York City is the second racino, which many believe gives it an advantage and makes it a frontrunner. The project, which includes the conversion to a full-scale casino, will involve a $5 billion investment.

The investment includes the addition of 2 million sq ft of new development. It will feature a 350,000 sq ft casino floor and a 1,600-room Crockfords luxury hotel. Additionally, the development will feature a 7,000-seat entertainment arena, 350,000 sq ft of conference space, and approximately 30 new dining and nightlife venues.

Genting would also create the “Aqueduct Park”, a community proposal aimed at spurring an additional $5 billion in investment for housing (including 3,000 Workforce House units), 50 acres of parklands, improved public transportation, and community initiatives.

Genting estimates the expansion will create 5,000 union construction jobs and 5,000 permanent resort jobs.

Notably, Resorts World New York has broad political support. That includes US Rep. Gregor Meeks, State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering committee and longtime iGaming champion), State Sen. Leroy Comrie, multiple Assembly Members, Council Member Nantasha Williams, and the Queens Borough President, Donovan Richards.

Unlike some competitors, there’s no significant opposition to the project.