New York City Mayoral Candidates Express Little Appetite for Casinos
Posted on: October 23, 2025, 07:32h.
Last updated on: October 23, 2025, 10:11h.
- The final New York City mayoral debate was held on Wednesday night
- The three remaining candidates expressed their views on casinos in the five boroughs
The final New York City mayoral debate ahead of the November 4 election was held Wednesday night at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Long Island City, Queens. The 90-minute event marked the final time the three remaining candidates could try and differentiate their candidacy from the others and win over those few remaining undecided voters.
Political analysts generally viewed the night as successful for front-runner Zohran Mamdani (D), who remained calm and stayed on message amid a slew of attacks from his challengers. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and perennial Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, the executive officer of the Guardian Angels, fared well, too, with each having their moments.
The debate was feisty at times and included many memorable one-liners and zingers. Cuomo told Mamdani he’s “never run anything, managed anything, or had a real job.” Mamdani responded that Cuomo is “a desperate man” because the only thing he’s ever cared about is “power.” Sliwa said Mamdani’s accomplishments “could fit on a cocktail napkin,” while Cuomo’s “failures could fill a public school library.”
While the evening was certainly entertaining, political pundits don’t believe the debate moved the needle much one way or another. Online prediction markets give Mamdani a more than 90% chance of winning next month. Cuomo is at just 8% and Sliwa is less than 1%. Polls generally have Mamdani with a double-digit lead over Cuomo.
Candidates on Casinos
Many topics were covered on Wednesday night, from crime and schooling to how fast e-bikes and e-scooters should be allowed to travel on city streets. The economy was also discussed, with the topic of casinos being raised by Katie Honan of The City.
Honan asked the candidates if they support having a casino in the five boroughs, and if they had a favorite among the three remaining bids — Bally’s Bronx, Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World New York City.
Sliwa said he doesn’t have a favorite and would only allow casinos to go where “the community wants it.”
I’m personally skeptical of casinos, but voters did choose to bring them to New York City, and unlike Andrew Cuomo and Donald Trump, I don’t view the law as just a suggestion,” Mamdani answered. Pressed about whether he prefers one bid over another, Mamdani said, “No, I don’t have favorites of casinos.”
Cuomo, who was governor when the state legislature passed the 2013 casino bill after voters passed a statewide ballot referendum to amend the New York Constitution to allow four upstate and three downstate casinos, gave a lengthier answer.
I have not reviewed the [casino] proposals,” Cuomo said. “I did not vote to bring casinos to New York City. I did casinos in upstate New York as economic development measures. I had no part in these three casinos.”
Cuomo said the downstate licensing and bidding process has “been highly problematic.”
Next Mayor Has Little Say
The next mayor of NYC won’t have any influence on the outcome of the downstate casino bidding, should the process play out as scheduled. The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is to render its winners by December 1, with the concessions granted by the end of the year.
The next mayor of New York City won’t be sworn in until Jan. 1, 2026.
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