Deadline Looms for NYC Casino License Contenders

Dave Grendzynski

Casino Writer

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Updated:

Oct 14, 2025, 12:13 PM EDT

Updated:

Oct 14, 2025, 12:13 PM EDT

Deadline Looms for NYC Casino License Contenders article feature image

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There are four surviving bidders for the downstate New York City-area casino licenses facing a 4 p.m. deadline today to submit crucial tax and financial information to state regulators.

The tax rates are part of a "blind bidding" process where bidders submit confidential tax rate proposals to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for evaluation, and these proposals have not been disclosed to the public as of now. The state uses these tax bids as a key criterion in awarding up to three licenses among the four finalists.

The four remaining NYC casino bidders are competing for up to three available licenses, with the selection expected to dramatically reshape New York's gaming landscape by year's end.

Remaining Bidders for NYC Casino Licenses & Locations

The four surviving bidders for the New York City-area casino licenses and their proposed locations are:

Resorts World New York City

Location: Aqueduct Racetrack, Jamaica, Queens

Resorts World, already operating a racino at Aqueduct, proposes to expand into a full-scale casino resort with slot machines, live table games, a hotel, and entertainment venues.

Resorts World New York is a $5.5 billion proposal envisions the development of what is billed as the largest integrated resort in the US, including expanded gaming options, new hotel rooms, an arena, a parking facility, green space, and the creation of 24,000 jobs, 5,000 of them permanent. — The Resorts World project is being billed as the largest integrated resort in the US. Image Credit: Resorts World

MGM Empire City

Location: Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, Westchester County (just north of the Bronx)

MGM's bid seeks to convert the current Empire City racino into a comprehensive casino destination with expanded gaming floors, table games, and resort amenities.

MGM’s Empire City plan includes transforming its VLT venue into a full-scale casino with 183 live dealer games, 14 new restaurants and bars, and a 5,000-seat entertainment venue. — MGM's Empire City plan includes transforming its VLT venue into a full-scale casino. Image Credit: MGM

Bally's Bronx (Ferry Point)

Location: Ferry Point, Bronx

Bally's proposes transforming the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point into a casino complex, leveraging a waterfront setting near the Whitestone Bridge.

the battle for three new york city casino licenses includes a proposal from Ballys — The proposed casino would be next to the Bally's golf course at Ferry Point. Image Courtesy: Bally Corporation

Metropolitan Park (Hard Rock/Citi Field)

Location: Adjacent to Citi Field, Queens

Spearheaded by Mets owner Steve Cohen in partnership with Hard Rock, this $8 billion proposal would develop a casino and entertainment complex connected to the ballpark in the Willets Point area of Queens.

The $8 billion Metropolitan Park proposal is a joint venture between New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International. — The $8 billion Metropolitan Park proposal is a joint venture between New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock. Image Credit: Hard Rock

These four projects advanced past local reviews and are now vying for up to three available licenses, with today's deadline for final tax and application details submission.

Today's Deadline and Process

The 4 p.m. deadline requires each bidder to submit their supplemental application materials, including their proposed tax rate, to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for final consideration.

The tax-rate proposal is a crucial part of the "blind bidding" process, where:

Each applicant seeks to enhance both competitiveness and potential financial returns to the state.

By September 30, all finalists completed major entitlement steps, such as:

Obtaining approvals from community advisory committees.

The Board will evaluate bids using the following benchmarks:

Economic impact
Local benefits
Workforce development
Diversity

The Board's timeline includes:

Recommendations expected by December 1.
License awards planned for December 31, 2025.

Each licensee will:

Owe a $500 million licensing fee.
Be permitted to offer full-scale casino gaming, including table games and sportsbook operations.

This final round of bidding emphasizes:

Not just who will operate the casinos, but also how much tax revenue each project will generate for the state.
Making today's submissions exceptionally significant for all parties involved.

As the deadline approaches, these comprehensive submissions will play a pivotal role in shaping New York's gaming future. The decisions made by the Board will not only determine the next operators of the casinos but also set the stage for economic growth and community development throughout the region. All eyes are now on the final evaluations, with the anticipation building toward the announcement of winners by year's end.

About the Author

Dave Grendzynski is a casino writer for Vegas Insider and Action Network. His most cherished casino experience is hitting a royal flush after betting the maximum amount on a machine at Seneca Niagara.

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