New York Casino Operator’s License Applicants Finalized As Window Closes

The seemingly endless window for New York casino operator’s licenses expired last Friday, leaving the New York State Gaming Commission with three important choices to make.

Gov. Kathy Hochul previously said that three operators could expect to be licensed before the end of the year. A horde of potential suitors showed interest in obtaining a license, but only eight groups made it to the finish line with their applications.

New York is already the nation’s leader in sports betting and figures to become a huge player in casino gaming once its three capital city properties are launched. Here’s a look at the people and plans that have been presented.

The Avenir

Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment are behind this $7 billion proposal. Plans call for a 1,000-room hotel and 92,000-square-foot casino complex on the west side of Manhattan complete with a food hall, an entertainment venue, conference and meeting spaces, a spa, and an outdoor pool. The development team also promised to hire Metro Loft to convert empty office space into more than 2,000 apartments.

Bally’s New York Casino

Bally’s $4 billion hotel and casino proposal would cover 16 acres of parking lot space at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. Plans call for a 500,000-square-foot gaming space with 3,500 gaming machines, 250 table games, a 2,000-seat event center, and a 500-room hotel. Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim previously claimed that his company’s application was being impeded due to alleged ties to President Donald Trump, though that issue was resolved.

Caesars Palace Times Square

A collaboration between Caesars Entertainment, SL Green Realty, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation led to plans for a $5.4 billion proposal. On top of a massive gaming facility at 1515 Broadway, the group would build nearly 1,000 rooms in a five-star hotel, three “destination” restaurants, a wellness retreat, nightclubs, and entertainment options. Local residents would also be allowed to invest $500 into the project, while Jay-Z pledged $250 million in investment to Hell’s Kitchen.

The Coney

Thor Equities, the Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and Legends proposed a $3.4 billion project that would place a 1.4 million-square-foot complex along three blocks on Surf Avenue in Coney Island. Plans call for a 500-room hotel, a 2,400-seat entertainment venue, 92,000 square feet of meeting space, and an acre of public parkland. Developers also promised to create a $200 million trust fund if the casino is approved. 

Freedom Plaza

The Soloviev Group and Mohegan are seeking a license for their $11.1 billion proposal that would include more than 1,000 residential units, five acres of public parkland, a food market, daycare, a museum, two hotels, and tons of gaming space. The proposed three-block, 6.7-acre venue along the east side of Manhattan is already known as Freedom Plaza and is owned by The Soloviev Group. The project is the largest in estimated investment and would create up to 17,000 union jobs.

Metropolitan Park

This $8 billion proposal from New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International would reframe 50 acres of parking lots around the Mets’ Citi Field into a shimmering complex. Plans call for 25 acres of public parkland, athletic fields, playgrounds, and a Hard Rock hotel and casino with a 5,650-seat venue. The project has long been viewed as one of the favorites to land one of three licenses, though that is speculation.

MGM Empire City

MGM Resorts International aims to land a license for its $2.3 billion proposal that would renovate and expand Empire City Casino in Yonkers. Plans call for a new 5,000-seat entertainment venue and meeting space, three full restaurants, and updates to all current food and drink locations. MGM also committed “significant investments” to Yonkers’ public infrastructures, including roads, water lines, and traffic technology.

Resorts World New York City

Genting Group, with the help of famous rapper Nas, is hoping to land a license for its $5.5 billion project in Jamaica, Queens. The 5.6 million-square-foot proposal indicates plans for a resort with 500,000 square feet of gaming space, 6,000 slot machines, 800 table games, 2,000 hotel rooms, and a 7,000-seat entertainment venue. Developers would also create more than 7,000 parking spaces, 30 food and drink locations, meeting spaces, and more than 10 acres of greenery.