New York’s long-running competition for up to three downstate casino licenses tightened this week as the remaining contenders—Resorts World New York City (Genting Group), Bally’s Corporation, and the Steve Cohen/Hard Rock partnership—filed supplemental applications with the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board. The filings arrived alongside a major twist: MGM Resorts International withdrew its plan to convert Empire City Casino in Yonkers into a full casino, reshaping the field at a late stage in the process.

New Proposals Outline Billions in Investment

Genting’s Resorts World New York City in Queens detailed a sweeping transformation from a slots-and-electronic-gaming venue to a full casino resort. The company reiterated a capital plan of $5.5 billion for the site and $2 billion in community benefits, pitching the bid as the one projected to generate the highest gross gaming revenue and casino taxes among applicants. Resorts World previously floated a July 2026 opening and is now targeting an even earlier debut, stating it “would be ready to open June 29.”

Bally’s advanced its Bronx concept near its golf course, portraying the scheme as a civic anchor. The proposal aims to “transform an underutilized corner of the Bronx into a vibrant and lasting economic engine, a hub for tourism, and a destination landmark for generations.” The Providence-based operator framed the $4 billion resort as a regional draw that would “serve as a ‘place-maker’ for the Bronx” and broaden visits from Long Island, Connecticut, Westchester and Northern New Jersey well beyond gaming to “dine, shop, and stay in the Bronx.”

Meanwhile, the Hard Rock Metropolitan Park plan, backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen, emphasized scale and civic improvements. With a planned investment of $8.1 billion, the bid asserts it “will easily generate the most gaming revenue, job creation, and overall economic development for the State.” The plan highlights proximity to Citi Field, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and NYCFC’s future stadium.

MGM’s exit immediately reduced the live applications to three and sparked scrutiny in Yonkers, where Empire City had been viewed as a frontrunner for one of the licenses. As The Wall Street Journal reports, the company explained the decision by saying, “Since submitting our application in June, the competitive and economic assumptions underpinning our application have shifted, altering our return expectations on the proposed $2.3 billion investment.”

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, who had championed MGM’s plan as a key to local revitalization, said he was blindsided. “I got a call of the rumor that they might not be putting their paperwork in… and I said, ‘there’s no way that’s true.’” He later learned the news from the company’s press release and accused MGM of betrayal, calling the decision “flabbergasting.”

Spano has since urged Governor Kathy Hochul to investigate the circumstances surrounding MGM’s withdrawal, suggesting political influences may have interfered. “Now, let’s follow the money and let’s see what’s going on here,” he said, alleging that the move may have benefited competitors like Bally’s, which has an agreement with the Trump Organization to build on the former Trump Links golf course site in the Bronx.

According to CBS News Governor Hochul acknowledged Spano’s frustration but dismissed the idea of wrongdoing. “I share the mayor’s disappointment that this did not continue, but I, at this time, am not aware of any reason to launch an investigation,” she said.

The Trump Organization issued a forceful denial of any involvement, calling the mayor’s claims “completely false, irresponsible and pure speculation.” It reiterated MGM’s stated reasoning, emphasizing that “the decision to withdraw its bid was due to… a ‘shift’ in the ‘competitive and economic assumptions’ underpinning their application — including the fact that the state had reduced the length of the proposed license from 30 to 15 years.”

Despite reassurances, public concern persists in Yonkers, where some fear MGM may scale back or eventually close its Empire City facility once new casinos open in New York City. MGM said it remains committed to operating the property but has declined to guarantee its future beyond the short term.

Resorts World Leads with Job Creation and Tax Revenue

Resorts World’s supplemental application outlined its vision for a massive redevelopment that would turn its South Ozone Park property into a 5.6 million-square-foot integrated resort. The project includes a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, 2,000 hotel rooms, 30+ dining outlets, and over 7,000 parking spaces.

The company estimates the new facility will generate $11 billion in gross gaming revenue during the first five years, contributing roughly $5 billion in casino taxes by 2031. Resorts World also pledged $600 million for its license fee, exceeding state requirements, and $2 billion in community investments, bringing its total planned spending to $7.5 billion.

The operator says the expansion will create 5,000 permanent jobs and 5,000 union construction roles, with more than half of the new hires drawn from Queens. A broader economic analysis predicts over 100,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East, emphasized the bid’s immediate readiness, stating, “No other project will come online faster, generate more financial impact, create more jobs or send more revenue to the state’s education fund, the MTA and local communities than Resorts World New York City.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards echoed that sentiment: “The jobs, economic opportunity, and amenities in this proposal will change families for generations to come, faster and at a larger scale than anyone else.”

With MGM’s exit, the remaining three contenders—Resorts World New York City, Bally’s Bronx, and Hard Rock Metropolitan Park—now advance in a narrowed field. The New York State Gaming Commission will determine whether one, two, or all three receive licenses by year’s end.