Two state legislators say it’s time to roll the dice on awarding casino licenses in the New York City area, and are backing a bill that would speed up the now-much-criticized timeline.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) and Rep. Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon), near the end of the state Legislature, will require the gaming commission to submit bids by July 31 of this year. We are promoting the submission of the bill. Three casino licenses will be approved by March 31 next year.
The state Gaming Commission recently announced that casino licenses will not be granted until Dec. 31, 2025, drawing criticism from Sands casino executives who want to open a gaming facility at the Nassau Coliseum hub in Uniondale, L.L. caused.
Some industry officials say a longer timeline would benefit bidders facing political resistance and ongoing zoning and land-use issues.
Those bidders include Mets owner Steve Cohen, who wants to build an $8 billion casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field in Queens, and Hudson Yards in Manhattan. Included are Associated Companies/Caesars, which is proposing a $12 billion casino and office tower complex. .
Meanwhile, officials said the proposed earlier deadline would increase the chances that existing slot shops, such as Resorts World at Aqueduct Racetrack and MGM Empire City at Yonkers Racetrack, would obtain licenses.
Both companies already have facilities and only need to expand to offer live card table games.
Mr. Addabbo and Mr. Pretlow insist they are not trying to give anyone preferential treatment.
They said they just want to accelerate the timeline that would create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in additional revenue for the state.
“It takes too much time. There are inefficiencies,” Addabbo said. The area is adjacent to Genting’s Resorts World Slot Parlor in Aqueduct, Queens.
“We have to move. At least 5,000 jobs are on hold,” he said.
Each bidder would pay at least $500 million in upfront license fees to the state.
Paul noted that the language of the measure would give winning bidders two years to resolve land use and other legal issues, but the locally appointed siting committee would Whether the challenged bid will be recommended to the Gaming Commission is an open question.
For example, Cohen would need to get the state Legislature to approve a bill that would rezone the vacant land around Citi Field from parkland to commercial use for the proposed casino.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), who represents the Willets Point area where the casino will be built, has declined, at least for now, to introduce the bill or support the project.
“I’ve been trying to move this process along,” said Pretrow, whose district is near Yonkers racinos. “It’s taking too long. We’re leaving his $2 billion on the table.
“Why do you keep doing this forever? We’re spinning our wheels here.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who oversees the Gaming Commission, was noncommittal on whether she would speed up the casino licensing process.
“Governor Hochul will consider all bills passed by both houses of Congress,” a spokesperson told the Post.
The governor is up for re-election in 2026.
Other casino plans include the SL Green/Caesars/Roc Nation bid in Times Square, Bally’s at Ferry Point in the Bronx, Silverstein Properties in Hell’s Kitchen, and So Equity Consortium Gaming along the Coney Island Boardwalk. Includes a complex of facilities.
