Advisory Committees Formed for New York Casino Licensing
Posted on: July 8, 2025, 06:36h.
Last updated on: July 8, 2025, 06:41h.
- Board members could hold considerable sway on downstate casino bids
- Committees will vote on the New York City-area casino pitches later this summer
Community advisory boards that could determine the fate of the eight bids vying for three New York City-area casino permits have been formed.
State officials announced the news Monday, indicating that 47 people will be members of the various community advisory committees (CACs). The boards are tasked with reporting recommendations to New York Gaming Facilities Location Board (GFLB). As the state previously promised, the Community Advisory Committees were formed soon after the June 27 deadline for bidders to submit applications.
For each application submitted, a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will be created to review the application, gauge local support, and ultimately issue a finding determining whether there is adequate support for the proposed project. This affirmative finding is a requirement for the application to be considered by the GFLB,” according to the GFLB website.
Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) each get to appoint CAC members with other appointees courtesy of borough presidents, city council members and members of the state Assembly and Senate. Borough presidents can appoint themselves and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso has done just that.
Other Details on New York CACs
The “plumbing” on the CACs is straight-forward. At their first meetings, committees will elect a chairperson. Then they will commence with soliciting and reviewing public comments.
On that note, each CAC must hold a minimum of two public meetings to give locals adequate opportunity to make their voices. That’s likely to comply with New York open meeting laws and it’s highly possible those hearings will be vibrant and well-attended because New Yorkers have plenty to say about the various downstate casino bids.
“Ultimately, each CAC must hold a vote — with a two-thirds threshold — to establish public support approving or disapproving the application,” according to the GFLB. “The GFLB will consider only applications that are approved by a two-thirds threshold of the applicable CAC.”
The CACs must wrap up their voting process by the end of September and the matter will then be advanced to the GFLB, but the final decisions on the winning licensees rests with the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), which is expected to make those calls by the end of 2025.
Other CAC Odds and Ends
As noted above, borough presidents can appoint themselves to CACs and it’ likely some will serve on two committees. That will be the case with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (D) because Resorts World New York and Steve Cohen/Hard Rock International are vying for licenses there.
It’s possible the Manhattan borough president will also serve on multiple CACs because there are two bids for casino licenses there.
MGM Resorts International’s Empire City Casino, which like Resorts World New York is seeking approval to convert to a Las Vegas-style casino, doesn’t have to worry about board members serving on multiple CACs it’s located in Yonkers, Westchester County. That’s not one of the five boroughs and it’s the only one of the eight proposals located outside New York City.
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