On December 1st, the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board unanimously recommended issuing licenses to three projects that are currently applying for permits. The three projects are the “Metropolitan Park” next to Citi Field, Resorts World NYC in South Queens, and Bally’s in the Bronx. The Gaming Facility Location Board believes that all three development projects have the potential to significantly boost employment and stimulate the local economy, with an estimated creation of billions in tax revenue.
The Gaming Facility Location Board pointed out that despite concerns about gambling addiction and community impacts, the overall public benefits, including tax revenue and job creation, outweigh the risks. Consultants hired by the board estimated that the three casinos would generate nearly $13 billion in state revenue over the next decade (2027–2036), including around $7 billion in gaming taxes and approximately $6 billion in hotel and property taxes; some of the revenue will be used to subsidize the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and education expenses.
On December 1st, the Gaming Facility Location Board held a voting meeting at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center in Manhattan. Chair Vicki Been stated that over the past few months, multiple groups of consultants were commissioned to conduct market modeling analyses and concluded that even under “extremely conservative” assumptions, taking into account factors such as out-of-state visitors, local consumers, competition impacts, and online gambling effects, New York City has a large enough market to support these three large casinos.
Been emphasized that their recommendations were made after extensive analysis, but the final decision rests with the New York State Gaming Commission, which can either accept or reject them. “The New York State Gaming Commission is definitely not a rubber stamp,” Been said, noting that the subsequent review will involve examining corporate conduct, financial structures, and regulatory compliance, potentially including scrutinizing past controversies of the developers.
Karl Rickett, a spokesperson for the “Metropolitan Park” project, released a statement following the meeting’s outcome: “Through a fair, transparent, and rigorous review process, the Gaming Facility Location Board has confirmed the project’s positive economic benefits, including billions in tax revenue, 23,000 union job opportunities, and over $1 billion in community investments. We look forward to the Commission’s further review.”
Governor Hochul issued a statement after the Gaming Facility Location Board announced its decision, thanking the board for their “thorough review.” The three recommended proposals are expected to provide billions of dollars in funding for the MTA and create tens of thousands of job positions.
The Gaming Facility Location Board’s decision marks a crucial step in the year-long review process, but the issuance of licenses ultimately awaits the decision of the New York State Gaming Commission by December 31st. If the licenses are successfully issued, each of the three operators will immediately pay a $500 million casino licensing fee, providing much-needed short-term financial support to the state.
During Monday’s meeting, opponents shouted “shameful,” briefly interrupting the proceedings. Chair Vicki Been, during a post-meeting media briefing, stated that opposition voices are common in large-scale land developments, and that environmental impact assessments have evaluated housing affordability, traffic pressures, and community displacement effects, with the results indicating that the risks are “manageable.”
The Flushing Workers Center released a statement criticizing the Gaming Facility Location Board’s recommendation for the “Metropolitan Park” casino project, arguing that it will exacerbate gambling addiction issues and lead to increased crime rates and risks of displacement. They emphasized that the tax revenue obtained by the government will come at a greater social cost borne by the most vulnerable populations.
“The Flushing and Corona communities are expected to hold a protest on December 14th, condemning the decision of the Gaming Facility Location Board and urging Governor Hochul to veto the casino project.” The Flushing Workers Center’s statement urged Governor Hochul to demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of the people by withdrawing the related projects.