The unanimous decision was made by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which oversees the state’s ongoing commercial casino licensing process.
However, it goes against the August 31, 2024 deadline stipulated in Senator Joseph Addabbo’s bill S9673A, which passed the US House and Senate earlier this month.
Entity thinks the deadline is too short
The Gaming Facility Location Board stated that it considered the deadline to be too tight and in conflict with the bill.
Board member Stuart Rabinowitz said the August deadline was too short because it would “put some potential candidates under a lot of pressure, which would favor some.”
Meanwhile, the June 2025 deadline was considered far enough away for applicants to be prepared. But at the same time, it is early for the board to thoroughly analyze requests before the approval deadline of December 31, 2025.
However, proposal S9673A is still awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul‘s signature. The legislature approved the proposal, and if signed, the August deadline will remain in effect.
Newly appointed Gaming Facility Location Board Chair Vicki Been stated that the board does not need to wait for Hochul before voting on its own deadline. She added that “the hope is that our reasoning will also be convincing to the governor.”
Three New York casino licenses
The state asked operators to compete for one of three possible licenses available to build land-based casinos. The location would be in or around New York City itself. However, the process has been ongoing for several years.
Currently, 11 proposals have been presented by operators such as:
- Bally’s
- Caesars Entertainment
- MGM Resorts
- Hard Rock
- Las Vegas Sands
- Mohegan
The locations of these casinos will be throughout the state. Addabbo’s bill provides a deadline of March 31, 2026 for issuing licenses.
Thus, casinos are expected to generate revenue of up to $3 billion for New York, whether through taxes or license payments.
