State gaming board unanimously recommends licenses for Bronx and Queens casino developments worth billions in investment
Gaming Board Advances Historic Casino Expansion
In a unanimous decision that could reshape New York City’s entertainment landscape, the state Gaming Facility Location Board on December 1, 2025, recommended licenses for three major casino projects: two in Queens and one in the Bronx. The recommendations now proceed to the New York State Gaming Commission for final approval, expected by December 31, 2025. This marks a pivotal moment in a process that began over a decade ago when voters approved a constitutional amendment opening the door to casino gambling across New York State.
The Metropolitan Park Project: Steve Cohen’s $8 Billion Vision
The most ambitious proposal comes from New York Mets owner and billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen, partnering with Hard Rock International. The Metropolitan Park development would transform 50 acres of parking lots surrounding Citi Field in Queens into a massive entertainment complex. According to project specifications, the development would feature a casino with 286,208 square feet of gaming space, a 2,300-room hotel with approximately 39 percent suites, a 5,600-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, multiple restaurants and bars, a Hard Rock Cafe, a “Taste of Queens” food hall showcasing local vendors, retail space including a Rock Shop, and 25 acres of new public park space. The total investment, including the license fee, would exceed $8 billion. Cohen’s team has pledged to create 23,000 union jobs, with priority hiring for local residents. The project promises $1.75 billion in community investments, including infrastructure improvements, income-restricted housing (450 units in Corona if the license is approved), enhanced accessibility at the Mets-Willets Point 7 train station, improved roadways and cycling paths, and a $163 million community impact fund providing grants to local Queens nonprofits. Karl Rickett, spokesperson for Metropolitan Park, celebrated the board’s decision: “Following a fair, transparent and rigorous process, the Gaming Facility Location Board has validated the positive economic impact this project will have with billions of dollars in tax revenue, 23,000 union jobs, and over $1 billion in community benefits.” The development has faced obstacles, particularly regarding its location on what is technically state parkland. State Senator Jessica Ramos, now a mayoral candidate, initially refused to introduce the necessary “parkland alienation” bill in Albany, citing constituent opposition. However, project supporters noted that any senator could theoretically introduce such legislation. The project also faced a lawsuit from the United States Tennis Association, operators of the nearby Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, regarding event exclusivity clauses in their lease. That issue was resolved when New York City signed a lease agreement with Metropolitan Park on November 17, incorporating language addressing the USTA’s concerns.
Bally’s Bronx: Golf and Gaming at Ferry Point
Bally’s Corporation received approval for its $4 billion integrated casino resort at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx. The development would include a casino with 500,000 square feet of gaming space, featuring 3,500 slot machines and 250 table games, a 23-story hotel with 507 rooms, a 2,000-seat event center, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, 100,000 square feet of restaurants, bars and retail shops, spa facilities, and dedicated entertainment venues. The project carries particular significance due to its connection to President Donald Trump. The Rhode Island-based company purchased the rights to operate the public 18-hole Ferry Point golf course from the Trump Organization in 2023, with a contractual obligation to pay an additional $115 million if it secured a casino license. This means Trump stands to benefit financially from the casino approval. Lauren Westerfield, Bally’s spokesperson, emphasized community collaboration: “Our team has worked closely with community leaders, union partners, and local stakeholders to build a project that delivers real jobs, lasting economic benefits, and a world-class entertainment destination for the Bronx.” The board highlighted the development’s promise of public safety investments, transit improvements, and integration of recreational facilities alongside gaming operations.
Resorts World: Expanding an Existing Presence
The Malaysia-based Genting Group’s Resorts World New York City proposal would expand its existing slots parlor at the Aqueduct Race Track near John F. Kennedy International Airport. The company plans to invest more than $5 billion to transform what is currently a “racino” (offering only slot machines and video lottery terminals) into a full-fledged casino with traditional table games such as blackjack and poker. The expansion would add hotel accommodations, enhanced dining options, expanded entertainment venues, retail and shopping space, and upgraded amenities throughout the facility. Resorts World already has an established presence in Queens and has built relationships with the surrounding community, positioning this as an expansion rather than a completely new development. The facility currently operates under restricted gaming options but would gain the ability to offer the full spectrum of casino games with the new license.
The Selection Process: From Eight to Three
The path to these recommendations was highly competitive and politically charged. The process began with eight casino proposals across the New York City metropolitan area. Each application underwent review by local Community Advisory Committees, panels established to evaluate local support and community impact. Four proposals were rejected by these committees, including notably ambitious plans: a Jay-Z-backed Caesars Palace in Times Square, two other resort proposals in central Manhattan, and a Brooklyn development. These failures demonstrated the significant role community opposition played in shaping the final outcome. In a surprise move, MGM Resorts abruptly withdrew its application in October 2025 for the Empire City Casino expansion at Yonkers Raceway. The company cited changed “competitive and economic assumptions” underpinning their plans. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano called on Governor Kathy Hochul to investigate the sudden withdrawal, raising questions about behind-the-scenes pressures or negotiations.
Community Opposition and Concerns
Despite advancing, all three projects have faced community pushback. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the CUNY Graduate Center during Monday’s announcement. Anti-casino activists chanted “Shame on you!” as they were escorted from the meeting. Jack Hu, a protester against Metropolitan Park, argued the casino would treat vulnerable local residents as “cash cows” and create problem gambling issues. Sarah Ahn from the Flushing Workers Center criticized the process as “corrupt” and said community members felt “disenfranchised” by the Community Advisory Committee proceedings. A coalition opposing the Metropolitan Park casino released a statement: “Governor Hochul’s Gaming Commission is giving the green light for Steve Cohen to squeeze hard earned wages from our immigrant communities at a time when affordability is the key issue in our city. This casino will tear apart families, create gambling addiction, and increase crime and displacement.” These concerns reflect broader debates about casino development, particularly in diverse urban communities. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, research shows casinos can have mixed economic impacts, creating jobs and tax revenue while potentially increasing problem gambling rates, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Board’s Response to Gambling Addiction Concerns
Board chair Vicki Been addressed these concerns directly during Monday’s proceedings. She stated the board was “very concerned” about problem gambling in its assessment of each applicant and engaged in “high-level discussion” with each proposal about intervention strategies. “We pressed them about exactly what they would do and we urge the Gaming Commission to try to move New York in the direction where there is more active intervention, not just making information available about resources for problem gamblers,” Been explained. Each approved project has committed to funding problem gambling prevention programs, though critics argue these measures are insufficient given the scale of the developments and their location in densely populated, economically diverse neighborhoods.
Economic Impact and State Budget Implications
The gambling revenues from these facilities are already factored into New York State’s budget calculations, creating financial pressure for timely approval. The state authorized licensing of up to three casinos in the New York City area after voters approved a referendum in 2013. Since then, four full casinos with table games have opened in New York, but all are located upstate, miles from Manhattan. The state also operates nine gambling halls offering slot machines and other electronic gambling machines, but no live table games. The downstate expansion represents an attempt to capture gambling revenues currently flowing to casinos in neighboring states. According to the New York State Gaming Commission, casinos in Connecticut and New Jersey have long attracted New York City residents, resulting in lost tax revenue for New York State. Gaming Facility Location Board members listed extensive community benefits promised by each proposal: public safety investments, public transit and roadway improvements, job creation with union representation, community benefit funds, parkland creation and enhancement, infrastructure modernization, and local business partnerships. Board chair Been emphasized: “Each project proposes to deliver substantial community benefits, including infrastructure and transit improvements, local business partnerships and significant commitments to responsible gaming practices.”
What Happens Next
The Gaming Commission now conducts final reviews before issuing licenses by year’s end. This review will examine financial viability, regulatory compliance, community benefit agreements, responsible gaming programs, employment plans and commitments, and environmental impact assessments. Once licenses are issued, developers will need to secure additional permits, finalize financing arrangements, complete environmental reviews, and begin construction. Project timelines vary, but developers have indicated construction could begin as early as 2026, with openings potentially occurring between 2028 and 2030. The developments face ongoing challenges, including potential legal challenges from opposition groups, community organizing against the projects, infrastructure strain concerns (particularly transit capacity), competition between the three venues, and economic conditions affecting construction and financing. For Queens, the approval of two major casino projects in close proximity raises questions about market saturation and whether both facilities can succeed simultaneously. The Resorts World expansion and Metropolitan Park development will target similar customer bases, potentially affecting projected revenues and returns on investment.
Broader Implications for New York City
These casino approvals represent the most significant expansion of legalized gambling in New York City’s history. The developments will transform neighborhoods, create thousands of jobs, and generate substantial tax revenue. They also mark a philosophical shift in how New York approaches economic development, embracing gaming as a legitimate driver of tourism and entertainment. According to research from the American Gaming Association, integrated casino resorts can serve as economic anchors for urban areas, creating permanent jobs and attracting visitors who spend money beyond the gaming floor. However, critics note that casino-led development strategies have produced mixed results in other cities, sometimes failing to deliver promised community benefits or creating negative social impacts that offset economic gains. As New York moves forward with these projects, the state faces a critical test: Can it successfully integrate large-scale casino operations into diverse urban neighborhoods while protecting vulnerable populations, delivering promised community benefits, and ensuring developments enhance rather than harm the surrounding areas? The answers will emerge over the coming years as these projects move from approval to construction to operation, providing lessons for other cities considering similar expansions. For more information on responsible gaming resources, visit the New York Council on Problem Gambling.
