Four Remaining Casino Licenses Up for Grabs Following Metropolitan Park Approval in New York City

Four casino bids remain for downstate New York’s three available licenses
MGM, Genting, and Hard Rock are the favorites
Bally’s is the underdog

Initially, determining which three of the four remaining bids would be awarded casino licenses in downstate New York seemed a daunting task for the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB). Fortunately, the board now only needs to eliminate one proposal from the bidding process, which features some of the largest and most influential gaming operators globally.

The initial field of more than a dozen project proposals was narrowed down to eight valid bids when the state’s Request for Applications (RFA) period transpired on June 27, 2025.

Prominent companies such as Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts dropped out of the bidding process prior to the deadline due to concerns over iGaming and local opposition. The eight gaming entities that submitted their RFA applications included:

MGM Resorts
Genting Group
Bally’s Corp.
Hard Rock
Caesars Entertainment
Mohegan
Saratoga Casino Holdings
Rush Street Gaming

Each bid’s community advisory committee (CAC) has been assessing the proposals to decide which should progress to the final consideration stage before the GFLB, effectively halving the number of contenders.

Fourth Bid Approved

This week brought decisions from the CACs regarding Bally’s Bronx and The Coney, located in Brooklyn.

The proposal by Bally’s, which received backing from NYC Mayor Eric Adams, was approved following a close 4-2 vote, meeting the necessary three-fifths majority. Conversely, the CAC voted against the revitalisation project for The Coney area, also by 4-2.

Prior votes had already passed for both MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens, while proposals for The Avenir in Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Palace Times Square, and Freedom Plaza in Midtown East were terminated.

The final vote was on Metropolitan Park, resting on the hard work by Hard Rock’s partnership with New York Mets owner and billionaire Steve Cohen. Expectedly, the development received a unanimous 6-0 vote, granting it a place on the state GFLB’s consideration list.

This decision was particularly positive for Cohen after his Mets missed the MLB playoffs despite boasting a notably high payroll.

Nickel-and-diming their proposal, Cohen and Hard Rock have planned an impressive $8 billion investment aimed at transforming Willets Point into a casino resort destination, featuring a 25-acre public park, sport facilities, and affordable housing units.

Can Bally’s Compete?

By most experts’ assessments, including voices from Casino.org newsroom, the GFLB’s task is largely completed. The frontrunners — MGM and Resorts World — seem poised for success. With Sands, Wynn, and Caesars having withdrawn from contention, the third license is likely to go to Metropolitan Park.

Although Cohen’s influence in Albany and financial stamina are significant advantages for his bid, Bally’s may struggle given its recent financial woes and overleveraged status due to ongoing projects across Chicago and Las Vegas.

The New York GFLB is expected to announce the three winning bids by December 1, 2025.

In conclusion, with lobbying clout and substantial proposals on the table, the NYC casino landscape is on the cusp of major developments. Watching closely will inform on how this competition will unfurl, drawing attention from gaming enthusiasts across Australia and beyond.