How Zohran Mamdani Serving as New York City Mayor Will Impact Downstate Casinos

Posted on: November 5, 2025, 01:05h. 

Last updated on: November 5, 2025, 01:46h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • New York City’s next mayor won’t interfere with the issuing of casino licenses
  • Zohran Mamdani has no say in where the casinos will operate 

As expected, Zohran Mamdani cruised to become the next mayor of New York City during the November 4 election.

Zohran Mamdani New York City casinos
Zohran Mamdani, now mayor-elect of New York City, casts his ballot on Nov. 4, 2025. Mamdani doesn’t support casinos coming to NYC, but says he’ll respect the state law being realized. (Image: X)

The Uganda-born, self-described Democratic socialist has pledged to deliver New Yorkers with free or low-cost groceries and free bus transportation. Mamdani is also committed to raising taxes on NYC’s wealthiest residents, though he’ll need the State Legislature’s support for that to happen.

Mamdani takes over governance of the city’s $2.6 trillion economy. While his opponents worry his socialist priorities will cause a further exodus of the wealthy, the mayor-elect says he’ll usher in more affordable housing, introduce rent freezes, offer no-cost childcare, and raise the minimum wage to $30 by 2030.

Mamdani’s four-year tenure will also likely see the arrival of the first downstate New York casinos. 

Mamdani’s Impact on Casinos

By next month, the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) is expected to render which of the three remaining bids will win licensure to operate Las Vegas-like slot machines, live-dealer table games, and sports betting. The state board can grant all three proposals licenses, as New York’s casino law allows for up to three full-scale casinos in New York City, Long Island, or Westchester County.

The GFLB fielded three qualified bids with Community Advisory Committee (CAC) backing. They are Bally’s Bronx, a $4 billion scheme at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point, Hard Rock and Steve Cohen’s $8 billion pitch at the billionaire’s Citi Field Ballpark, and Resorts World’s $5.5 billion overhaul of its lottery racino, RW New York City, in Queens.

Mayor Eric Adams played a role in the downstate casino process, as he had a designated seat on each casino CAC for bids inside the five boroughs. Adams’ delegates voted in favor of each presentation.

Since Mamdani won’t take office until January 1, he has no say in the casino process, nor will he be able to interfere with the granting of licenses. However, he could play a role if the Gaming Facility Location Board opts only to grant one or two licenses this year.

Should a subsequent bidding round be opened in the coming years, assuming a license remains unawarded, Mamdani could use his CAC power to keep further gambling at bay. Mamdani has said he’s no fan of casinos. 

Mamdani’s Casino Opposition 

Mamdani, a Muslim, doesn’t embrace casinos or gambling as good public policy. He will, however, respect the law.

I’ve been open about my personal skepticism, and yet I also know this is the law,” Mamdani said in August.

At last month’s mayoral debate, Mamdani doubled down on that position.

I’m personally skeptical of casinos, but voters did choose to bring them to New York City, and unlike Donald Trump, I don’t view the law as just a suggestion,” Mamdani said. Pressed about whether he prefers one bid over another, Mamdani said, “No, I don’t have favorites of casinos.”

Mamdani’s Islam forbids gambling and labels the practice as a “grave sin” and an “abomination of Satan’s handiwork.”