New York Moves Three Downstate Casino Plans Into Final Approval Stage

New York’s push to expand commercial gambling in the downstate region has taken a major step forward, with state officials advancing three casino proposals backed by Hard Rock, Resorts World, and Bally’s. After years of public debate, legislative hurdles, and community reviews, the projects are now positioned to enter the licensing phase, the last major checkpoint before construction begins.

The selections followed a lengthy evaluation by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which assessed each proposal on economic value, local impact, design scope, and operational readiness. With the finalists now identified, the focus shifts to the New York State Gaming Commission, which must issue the licences before any ground can be broken.

The Momentum Behind New York’s Gambling Growth

The decision to move forward with three major gaming developments comes at a moment when New York is increasingly relying on gambling revenue to fund large public programs, including future MTA support. Backers of the projects argue that new casinos will deliver thousands of union jobs, attract visitors, and generate billions in taxes over the next decade.

Opponents aren’t convinced. Some question whether new casinos will genuinely stimulate growth or simply siphon spending from other parts of the local economy. Concerns about traffic, neighbourhood disruption, and problem gambling remain central issues in the communities closest to the proposed sites.

Still, the appetite for gambling in New York is unmistakable. NewYork’s online sports betting market continues to break national records, and interest in online casinos is climbing as neighbouring states expand digital gaming. Officials believe the new properties will capitalise on this momentum and create steady, long-term revenue streams.

Community Commitments and Development Goals

All three proposals lean heavily on community investment, workforce development, and long-term economic benefits, core factors that helped them advance in the selection process.

Metropolitan Park (Hard Rock, Queens)

The Queens project centres on a large redevelopment around Citi Field, replacing sections of the existing parking lot with a modern entertainment district, green spaces, a Hard Rock casino, and hospitality venues. The plan includes a new transit connection and a strong focus on hiring from nearby neighbourhoods.

Resorts World Expansion (Aqueduct Racetrack)

Already operating as one of the city’s busiest gambling venues, Resorts World is aiming to transition from a racino to a full casino. Because the facility is already built, the company expects to complete construction faster than its competitors and deliver substantial tax revenue within its first years of full operation.

Bally’s Bronx (Ferry Point) 

Bally’s is proposing a large integrated resort near its Ferry Point golf course. The package includes thousands of construction and permanent union jobs, a new hotel, event facilities and an estimated hundreds of millions in community benefits. Improvements to nearby parkland and public spaces are also part of the commitment.

Why These Three Proposals Advanced

The downstate licence race was crowded at the outset but thinned gradually as community advisory committees rejected several bids, and MGM abruptly exited the race late in the process. The three surviving proposals demonstrated the financial scale, community integration plans, and long-term stability required to operate in a market as dense and competitive as New York City.

State consultants indicated that both Hard Rock and Resorts World could operate successfully in proximity, thanks to their established brands and experience with large-scale gaming: Bally’s gained momentum through its labour commitments, infrastructure plans, and alignment with existing Bronx commercial corridors.

Expected Opening Dates and Approval Timeline

If licensing proceeds as expected, the three projects will not open at the same time:

• Resorts World is positioned to launch first, potentially in 2026, as it expands its current facility.
• Hard Rock Queens and Bally’s Bronx are both large ground-up builds and are tracking toward 2030 openings.

Before construction starts, each operator must pay a US$500 million licence fee, and the Gaming Commission must grant final approval. A decision is expected by the end of December, although additional zoning and regulatory steps may still extend the timeline.

Billions in Projected Revenue for New York

Economic modelling from state consultants suggests that the three casinos could generate roughly US$7 billion in combined gaming tax revenue during their first decade. Additional income from licensing fees, tourism, hospitality, and surrounding development will play a significant role in supporting state and city initiatives.

New York has already factored future casino income into long-term budgeting, particularly for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which increases pressure to keep the projects on schedule.

Support, Pushback, and Environmental Concerns

While unions, business groups, and several local officials have praised the decision, not all public reaction has been positive. Some residents in Queens and the Bronx worry about congestion, rising costs of living, and the potential for increased gambling harm. Environmental advocates have also raised concerns about the impact of large-scale developments on waterways and stormwater systems.

The state maintains that the review process incorporated extensive public engagement, site evaluation,s and economic stress testing to assess how the casinos might perform under varying market conditions.

A Turning Point for Downstate Gaming

If approved, these three developments will mark the most significant gaming expansion in New York’s history, placing casino resorts directly in the country’s most densely populated urban centre. With strong brands, deep financial backing, and high public visibility, Hard Rock, Resorts World, and Bally’s are preparing for projects that could reshape major parts of Queens and the Bronx for decades.

The next few months will determine whether New York’s long-planned vision for a downstate casino sector finally becomes a reality.