New York’s long-running process to determine who will receive the highly anticipated downstate casino licenses is about to reach its conclusion. After years of competing pitches, shifting political dynamics, and a field once packed with more than a dozen hopefuls, only three bids remain. The state’s Gaming Facility Location Board will meet on Monday to announce which proposals, if any, will be granted the coveted licenses.

Evaluation Process Reaches Its Final Stage

The five-member board will convene at 10 a.m. at the CUNY Graduate Center’s Proshansky Auditorium to unveil its decisions. While the law authorizes up to three licenses across New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, the board is not obligated to award all — or any — of them. Still, the review criteria heavily emphasize economic activity and business development, which account for 70% of each score. The remaining factors include local impact, workforce development, and diversity planning, each weighted at 10%.

Once the board announces its selections, the New York State Gaming Commission will take over the final licensing step. The commission will verify that chosen applicants meet the required financial and ethical standards before issuing formal approval. If all three licenses move forward, each operator will owe a $500 million fee to the state.

The competitive landscape has tightened significantly. Several high-profile proposals were eliminated earlier in the process after failing to gain support from their local Community Advisory Committees. Others, including MGM Empire City, withdrew despite reaching the later stages, citing unfavorable economic conditions. What remains is a trio of major contenders backed by prominent companies and investors.

According to Spectrum News NY1, Resorts World New York City, already operating a large video lottery terminal venue at Aqueduct Racetrack, is proposing a $5.5 billion expansion to convert its Queens property into a full casino with table games. Its parent company, Genting, also offered a $600 million upfront licensing payment — an amount that exceeds the basic statutory fee.

Meanwhile, at Willets Point, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock have partnered on an $8 billion vision labeled Metropolitan Park. Their plan would reshape the area surrounding Citi Field into a resort destination featuring gaming, hospitality, a food hall, and significant public space investments.

The third proposal comes from Bally’s, which aims to transform a site near the Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx into a $4 billion casino complex. Their bid includes a financial arrangement under which The Trump Organization would receive $115 million, a condition tied to Bally’s 2023 acquisition of the golf course lease.

Revenue Expectations and Public Considerations

Each of the remaining proposals presents sizable tax projections. Resorts World leads with a projection of $1.7 billion annually, supported by higher tax rate commitments on slot and table game revenue. The Metropolitan Park proposal expects to contribute $850 million each year, while Bally’s estimates around $350 million.

These figures matter not only for state planning but also for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The MTA’s 2026–2029 budget already anticipates $1.5 billion in license payments, assuming all three licenses are issued. That expectation has led some stakeholders to believe the board will feel compelled to approve the maximum number.

Board members—Vicki Been, Greg Reimers, Marion Phillips III, Cindy Estrada, and Terryl Brown—recently toured all three sites as they finalized their evaluations. Their visit marks the final step in a selection process that began after a statewide referendum in 2013 authorized casino expansion, with the downstate market delayed by a decade-long moratorium later adjusted in the 2022 state budget.

The end of this prolonged and contentious competition is now in sight. By Monday, New York will know whether it is moving forward with one, two, three, or none of the downstate casino projects that have dominated local debate and lobbying efforts for years.