New York state lawmakers Sen. Joseph Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow have submitted a bill, which aims to expedite the process of awarding casino licenses in the New York City area. 

New Bill Proposes Earlier Deadline for NYC Casino Licenses to Boost State Revenue

The proposal stipulates that all casino license bids must be submitted by July 31, 2024. The bill also requires the New York State Gaming Commission to approve three licenses by March 31, 2025. As a comparison, according to the current schedule, licenses have to be awarded by December 31, 2025. 

Addabbo and Pretlow submitted the new bill as they consider the current timetable inefficient, reported The New York Post. They further added that it is delaying economic benefits for the state and believe that speeding up the licensing can generate billions of dollars in additional revenue for the state.

Addabbo noted that the prolonged timeline is holding up about 5,000 jobs and that a streamlined process needs to be implemented. The bill’s goal is not to benefit particular bidders but to eradicate the inefficiencies in the current system.

Some industry sources think that the current system is advantageous for those of the bidders who are facing political and zoning challenges. 

For example, Mets owner Steve Cohen, who proposed a $8 billion casino near Citi Field in Queens, and the Related Companies, proposing a $12 billion casino and office tower complex in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, are some of the projects that are dealing with such hurdles.

However, the accelerated timeline that Addabbo and Pretlow are proposing could benefit existing slot parlors like Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM Empire City at Yonkers. To get a license, all these entities need to do is expand their facilities to include live card games.

New Legislation Proposes $500M Upfront Fee for NYC Casino Licenses

As per the new legislation proposal, every bidder that gets a license must pay an upfront license fee of at least $500 million. The bill also allows two years to resolve any legal or land-use issues.

However, there are some significant challenges. For example, Cohen’s project needs state legislative approval to redesignate parkland around Citi Field for commercial use. However, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the area, has not yet backed this approval.

Assemblyman Pretlow, whose district includes the Yonkers racino, has expressed his frustration over the slow pace of the process. He noted that New York state is potentially forfeiting $2 billion in revenue.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who oversees the gaming commission, has stated that she will review all legislation, which has been passed by both houses but has not made any statement either in support or against the accelerated casino licensing process. 

In addition to Cohen’s and Related Companies’ bids, other proposed casino projects in New York City include developments by SL Green/Caesars/Roc Nation in Times Square, Bally’s in The Bronx, Silverstein Properties in Hell’s Kitchen, and the Thor Equity consortium along the Coney Island boardwalk.

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New York State previously announced its plans to introduce three new downstate casino licenses. One of those licenses is expected to be awarded for New York City and there are plenty of leading gaming operators and developers who have already shown interest. Overall, there are nine bids for a casino license for the Big Apple.

Earlier this week, city lawmakers approved important changes to the regulations, paving the way for the development of one casino. On Thursday, the New York City Council voted and approved a text amendment that would “allow applicants, with a proposed gaming site in the city, to be considered by committees of local officials established by the State’s casino licensing process.”

The City Council greenlighted the Gaming Facility Text Amendment which makes changes to New York’s zoning. Previously, casinos were not permitted within the Big Apple’s zoning, but the change seeks to address this conflict while still ensuring that local communities can help decide whether or not a casino is established in their area.

Operators interested in casino licenses must first secure approval from the local Community Advisory Committees (CACs), which will review submissions made before June 30, 2025. According to the City Council, after CACs approval and a Gaming Facility Location Board recommendation, one of those bids would be able to secure one of the three casino licenses announced by the New York State Gaming Commission.

“Currently, casinos are not permitted uses within New York City’s zoning. This text amendment would resolve this zoning conflict, while maintaining communities’ decision-making authority on casino licenses within the State’s application process, which first requires approval by local Community Advisory Committees (CACs),“

reads a statement from the New York City Council

Casino Opponents Raise Concerns

Although the voting of the zoning change text passed, it wasn’t without opposition. A majority of 35 council members supported the change while 15 members voted against it.

The City Council confirmed that the sites that would be considered for a casino would be “limited to high-density commercial and manufacturing areas.” This was precisely one concern for Kalman Yeger, one of the council members who voted against the zoning text change. Quoted by amNewYork, he revealed: “Casinos are bad, but they’re even worse in our residential neighborhoods.” Moreover, Yeger said: “They’re worse just blocks away from our schools, from our kids, from family lives. And no amount of revenue is worth destroying neighborhoods in the city. So that a lot of people can make some money…It’s bad policy.”

Despite the progress, there’s plenty of time before the potential approval of a casino license in New York.

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In a significant pushback against New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ ambitious plan to expedite casino approvals in New York City, Community Board 4‘s land use committee unanimously rejected the proposed amendment on December 13. 

Community boards, such as CB4 representing Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea, play a crucial role in ULURP, offering advisory opinions on land use plans. Delores Rubin, an outspoken board member, expressed criticism toward the city officials, stating that they had been shaming city planning for relinquishing all responsibilities to the state. She underscored the significance of community input in the decision-making process, reported The City, a non-profit digital news organization.

Hell’s Kitchen resident David Korman echoed these sentiments, condemning the proposed amendment during a video conference, asserting that ULURP was designed to democratize the planning process. Korman argued that the amendment would exclude both the community and city planning professionals from the decision-making table.

The Planning Department justifies the removal of ULURP for casino proposals, citing the duplication of the state’s review process. Under the proposed changes, each casino proposal would be subject to scrutiny by a newly established Community Advisory Committee (CAC). This committee, composed of six members, including the Mayor, Governor, borough president, and local state representatives, aims to conduct public meetings and approve casino applications before reaching the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board.

City Planning spokesperson Casey Berkovitz defended the amendment, stating it is a more effective utilization of time and resources within the city. The goal is to create a level playing field for New York City applicants to compete with proposals elsewhere in the state, according to Dan Garodnick, director of the city planning agency.

However, concerns about the potential impact of gaming facilities on local communities have surfaced. Critics argue that the amendment may allow for large hotels without city planning oversight and could be detrimental to neighborhoods.

Despite these concerns, Mayor Adams, supported by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, emphasized the economic opportunities associated with casinos, citing a potential annual revenue of $5.3 billion. 

While approximately a dozen casino proposals are in the pipeline, only nine are specific to New York City, including locations in Midtown Manhattan, Coney Island, The Bronx, and Queens. Notably, some proposals, like the one near Citi Field, may still require state legislature approval due to parkland considerations.

The fate of the amendment now rests with the City Planning Commission, where questions about its potential drawbacks and the necessity of ULURP for certain cases have already been raised. If approved, the proposal will proceed to the City Council and Mayor Adams for final consideration.

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Mohegan Gaming isn’t specifically named in the PDF brochure, only a reference to an “opportunity to partner with a casino partner who shares our vision, commitment to excellence and who is best suited to operate such a groundbreaking endeavor for the City of New York.”

However, according to an article in the New York Times, Mohegan Gaming is partnering with the long-time owner of nearly 7 acres in Midtown, New York to build and operate a casino to be built underground with a park and giant Ferris wheel on top. Amenities would include a hotel, residential and retail areas, and four acres of green space, which group founder Stefan Quinn Soloviev has dubbed Freedom Plaza.

Manhattan Waterfront Underground Casino

Soloviev purchased the 6.5-acre waterfront plot from Consolidated Edison in 2000 for $600 million.

The location is near the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The plot of land is the largest contiguous piece of undeveloped property in Manhattan. Approvals have already purportedly been given for 2.75M sq ft of mixed use development. The company has owned the plot “shovel-ready” for over 15 years, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.

The company mentions that the East River Entertainment District addition would extend the current East River Waterfront Renewal project, adding to the existing waterfront parks, bike lanes, pedestrian seating, and basketball courts along the two-mile-long Esplanade.

Soloviev Group CEO, Michael Hershman said that the project was “beyond a casino”.

As currently imagined, the project would feature a raised podium & public park with retail and amenities. The company explained that a layered plan would maximize the available space while cutting down on towers, and would result in more open space for the community.

Illustrations of the concept are labeled as “approved buildable plans” and show a narrow band of lowest-level underground parking topped by casino, restaurant, and retail space spanning the entire width of the property.

Open Spaces Everywhere

Atop is a domed park and recreation area with several residential towers – one version holds a commercial tower at one end – another shows a new museum for New York City at the other end – the “world’s first museum dedicated to the celebration of freedom and democracy.”

More detailed architectural art shows a massive Ferris Wheel centered on top of the park’s central “dome”.

If current architectural drawings are predictive of the final plot, open spaces would not be confined to ground level or rooftops – some of the mirrored glass towers that could have a hotel, residential, or commercial spaces inside, have sections of a level and entire floors open to the elements with greenery and grass.

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) announced a Request for Application for three full-scale Las Vegas-style casino licenses first written into law after a 2013 voter referendum. Mohegan is one of the last to announce plans with the only other highly anticipated announcer being Hard Rock International – but that announcement may never come. The company has played its cards close to its chest with a possible venue only a few miles away at Meadowlands in New Jersey.

CEO and President of Mohegan Gaming, Ray Pineault said: “Mohegan is known for the wide array of extraordinary experiences and exceptional service we provide our guests – but it is truly our culture, values, and commitment to our community that set us apart as an organization.

“Our rich Mohegan heritage provides the foundation for how we operate our business and guides our commitment to our employees, our approach to guest services, and our relationship with partners and the communities in which we operate and serve. We look forward to infusing our “Spirit of Aquai,” our guiding philosophy, into New York State.”

Mohegan Gaming is no stranger to large or unique projects. One of its largest endeavors to date has been INSPIRE Integrated Resort Co., Ltd. Korea. Mohegan INSPIRE is building the largest resort in Northeast Asia. It’s located at Incheon International Airport in Yeongjong-do. The project will be completed in 4 phases through 2046.

Phase One is under construction and features 3 five-star hotels (approximately 1,200 rooms), an arena with 15,000 seats (multipurpose performance hall), an indoor water park, convention facilities, a foreigner-only casino, a digital street, and an outdoor family park.

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