New York Casino Bids Approved, Bally’s, Hard Rock, and Resorts World Move Forward
Posted on: December 1, 2025, 11:42h.
Last updated on: December 1, 2025, 12:22h.
- Three downstate New York casinos have been approved
- Bally’s, Hard Rock, and Resorts World will run the New York casinos
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board has recommended that the three remaining applicants for the three downstate casino licenses be approved.
On Monday morning, the state board approved the bids for Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park in Queens, and Resorts World New York City in Queens. The three were the last bids standing from a pool that began in June with eight applicants.
The candidates were whittled down during the Community Advisory Committee review, and MGM Resorts withdrew its application in Yonkers.
New York lawmakers authorized three downstate casino licenses in 2013. The bill came with a 10-year moratorium on the state granting the concessions to allow four upstate New York casinos to open without downstate competition. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) thanked the Gaming Facility Location Board for its time and review. The five members are unpaid.
From the moment that three downstate casino licenses were authorized in the 2022 State Budget, I have been clear: any approved project must provide real benefits to its community and have sustainable economic plans. I am grateful to the Gaming Facility Location Board for their careful review of the applications according to these high standards,” Hochul said.
“The three projects approved today promise to unlock billions in funding for the MTA and create tens of thousands of jobs. It is critical that they keep those promises. I look forward to the Gaming Commission’s review of the Board’s recommendations in the weeks ahead,” the governor continued.
New York Casinos
Bally’s Corporation has proposed a $4 billion investment at Ferry Point Park, where the company manages the Bally’s Golf Links on the city’s behalf. The bid includes a 500K-square-foot casino with 3,500 slot machines, 250 live-dealer table games, and a sportsbook. The resort is to include 500 hotel rooms, an array of dining venues, a 2,000-person event center, and parking for 4,660 vehicles.
Hard Rock and billionaire Steve Cohen have pitched an $8 billion project at Willets Point next to Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets. Called Metropolitan Park, the development is to include a 300K-square-foot casino with 5,000 slot machines and 375 table games, plus a sportsbook. The resort plan includes 1,000 hotel rooms and suites, almost 100K square feet of convention space, and a theater with seating for 5,650 people.
At Resorts World, currently a racino that can only offer video lottery terminals and electronic table games, the plan is to invest $5.5 billion to transform the racetrack into a Las Vegas-like destination. The project includes a 500K-square-foot casino with 6,000 slots and a staggering 800 table games. A hotel with almost 2,000 rooms, 30 restaurants and bars, and a multipurpose arena are among the resort amenities.
Next Steps
With the Gaming Facility Location Board’s recommendations, the New York State Gaming Commission will review the projects and conduct suitability checks on the companies and key executives behind each.
The state gaming regulator is expected to formally issue the casino licenses before the year’s end.
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