Breaking down every 2025 New York casino license bid

Do you feel lucky? 

For the past two years, real estate developers and gambling executives have been salivating at the possibility of opening a new casino in New York City and preparing multibillion-dollar bids that promise a boost in tourism, neighborhood revitalization and new green space for the public.

So far, 11 major proposals could potentially be vying for one of up to three new licenses that state officials will award by the end of the year. Each has released renderings of their plans and presented them to local community and planning boards to secure key zoning approvals before the state Gaming Facility Location Board ultimately makes its decisions in December.

But the process hasn’t been easy. The mayor and other elected officials are on board but many civic leaders have mobilized against casinos in their communities by arguing that they will bring traffic, crime and disrupt the region’s fragile recovery since the pandemic. The lobbying has been intense and with billions of dollars in future profits at stake, each high-rolling backer keeps upping the ante before they have to put their cards on the table. Here’s a closer look at each casino plan.

Hudson Yards West

Location: Manhattan’s Far West Side, between West 30th and West 33rd streets and 11th and 12th avenues

What’s being proposed: Wynn Resorts and Related Companies’ $12 billion casino proposal includes 2.7 million square feet of development within an 80-story skyscraper on top of the Hudson Yards rail yard. The casino will span five floors within the 1,189-foot tower, which also includes a 1,750 room hotel, a conference center and space for stores and restaurants. Two other buildings are also planned – a 1,366-foot office tower with a K-8 school and a 1,172-foot residential high-rise featuring 1,500 homes. Officials estimate the project will create 35,000 temporary construction jobs and 5,000 permanent union jobs.

What’s the latest: Wynn and Related released new renderings of the project in August 2024 that showed details of how the resort would be integrated into the rest of Hudson Yards. In January, Manhattan Community Board 4 cast a unanimous symbolic vote against a zoning change for the area to allow the casino development.

Who’s supporting: New York State Building and Construction Trades Council President Gary LaBarbera, Win President and CEO Christine Quinn, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial and NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes

Who’s opposed: Manhattan Community Board 4, Friends of the High Line, state Sens. Liz Krueger and Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assembly Members Deborah Glick and Tony Simone, former Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, New York City Council Member Gale Brewer

Who has worked on the bid: Wynn Resorts, Related Companies, SKDK, Empire Consulting Group, Kramer Levin, Mercury, Tonio Burgos & Associates

Why they’ll get a license: Because Hudson Yards is a playground for the rich and the casino could have fewer negative impacts isolated on the West Side of Manhattan compared to Times Square. Plus, the development will add thousands of new apartments, a school and a new park adjacent to the High Line. LaBarbera is also an influential voice among state and local lawmakers.

Why they won’t: The community board’s opposition could be a significant hurdle to overcome. Some lawmakers who have direct say on whether the project moves forward are digging in too, and Friends of the High Line is a well-connected nonprofit.

Coney Island

Location: Coney Island between Surf Avenue, Jones Walk, West 15th Street and Wonder Wheel Way

What’s being proposed: Thor Equities’ $3 billion casino bid, “The Coney,” consists of a 1.4-million-square-foot complex with a 32-story hotel with 500 rooms, a 2,500-seat concert venue, 90,000 square feet of event space and 70,000 square feet of retail and dining. Officials estimate the project would generate 4,500 construction jobs and 4,000 unionized jobs at the casino.

What’s the latest: Thor Equities and Saratoga Casino Holdings released updated renderings in May 2024 with views of Ruby Jacobs Walk and the hotel towering over the beachfront amusement park. In January, Brooklyn Community Board 13 voted against a land use application to close Bowery Street and buy air rights from nearby buildings to develop the site. Also in January, The Coney developers said they would create a $200 million community trust fund if their bid was approved.

Who’s supporting: Thor Equities Chair Joseph Sitt, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Peers, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council President Rich Maroko, former New York City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr.

Who’s opposed: Brooklyn Community Board 13, Coney Island USA Artistic Director Adam Rinn and Executive Director James Fitzimmons, National Amusement Park Historic Association, Coney Island History Project Executive Director Charles Denson, Coney Island Neighborhood Revitalization Corp. Board Member Mathylde Frontus, former New York City Council Member Ari Kagan

Who has worked on the bid: Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC, Chickasaw Nation, Legends, Scott Cantone and Bruce Bender of Bender Cantone Consulting, Patricia Lynch of Patricia Lynch Associates Inc., Jodi Stein of Sheppard Mullin, Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis’ Robert Busweiler

Why they’ll get a license: The casino proposal would continue the decadelong revitalization of Coney Island and help it become more of a year-round destination. It’s also at the terminus of four subway lines and could host a ferry stop.

Why they won’t: Local opposition is deep and broad. Leaders of Coney Island USA have set up a website and letter writing campaign to oppose the facility, arguing it will keep people from enjoying Coney Island’s other attractions. Brooklyn Community Board 13’s land use vote is another critical setback.

Sands New York 

Location: Site of the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Nassau County

What’s being proposed: Las Vegas Sands and RXR Realty want to transform the 72-acre Nassau Coliseum site into a $6 billion casino and resort complex that would include a 400,000-square-foot casino, restaurant and retail space, and a hotel with 1,670 rooms. The resort would also feature a Canyon Ranch spa and fitness center and a live performance venue. Officials say the project would result in 8,500 construction jobs and 5,000 unionized jobs.

What’s the latest: After a hiccup in 2023, the Nassau County Legislature in August 2024 approved a 42-year lease for Las Vegas Sands. The legislature ordered an environmental review, which recently wrapped up a public comment period.

Who’s supporting: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Long Island Federation of Labor Executive Director Ryan Stanton, Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties President Matthew Aracich, Nassau Community College, East Meadow and Hempstead Chambers of Commerce, and the Long Island Association

Who’s opposed: Hofstra University, Garden City Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan, Say No to the Casino Civic Association

Who has worked on the bid: Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s Ron Reese, RXR Development Services, Stu Loeser & Co. Founding Principal Stu Loeser, Brown & Weinraub, The Parkside Group, Ten Key Strategies LLC, former Gov. David Paterson

Why they’ll get a license: They’re the only bidder so far that has had a legislative body vote for its land use application. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and members of the county legislature favor the bid, indicating strong local support. Converting the defunct sports arena complex into the premiere entertainment attraction on Long Island would bring jobs and tourism.

Why they won’t: This won’t be like a Billy Joel concert emptying out. Traffic and parking could overwhelm local roads, which worries residents. Civic leaders are also concerned about the resort’s reported daily usage of 750,000 gallons of water.

Bally’s Bronx

Location: Ferry Point Park in the Bronx

What’s being proposed: Bally’s is proposing to build a casino resort within the 192-acre public golf course at Ferry Point Park. The 3.1 million-square-foot complex on 18.4 acres would feature a casino, food and beverage service, a 500-room hotel with meeting space and a 2,000-seat event center. The project would include infrastructure upgrades like a new overpass at Lafayette Avenue, service road widenings with new bus stops and new pedestrian crossings as well as a new golf clubhouse. The casino would support 15,000 construction jobs and 3,700 unionized jobs once completed.

What’s the latest: Bally’s acquired the 99-year lease from The Trump Organization in 2023 and renamed the course Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in January 2024. The company has already launched a free shuttle bus service. But Bally’s has not received approval from the state Legislature to alienate parkland for their casino bid.

Who’s supporting: Throggs Neck BID Executive Director Robert Jaen and Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin

Who’s opposed: New York City Council Member Kristy Marmorato

Who has worked on the bid: Bally’s Elizabeth Suever, Velez Organization President Elizabeth Velez, Fried Frank’s Kelly Riggle, Moonshot Strategies’ Jason Ortiz, former Assembly Member Marcos Crespo, Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno’s Robert Bishop, Ward Strategies’ Peter Ward, Metropolitan Public Strategies’ Neal Kwatra

Why they’ll get a license: Bally’s has one of the deepest benches of lobbyists as well as goodwill from Democratic leaders for taking over the Trump golf course. Bally’s is also on more stable financial footing after Chair Soo Kim’s hedge fund acquired it last summer. 

Why they won’t: State legislators aren’t in a hurry to alienate parkland for the casino, so Bally’s might have to reconfigure its design to not use the park. The project is also located in a remote part of the East Bronx whose conservative residents strongly oppose development.

Freedom Plaza

Location: Midtown East between First Avenue and FDR Drive, and between East 38th Street and East 41st Street

What’s being proposed: The Soloviev Group teamed up with Mohegan and Bjarke Ingels Group to put forward a $3.5 billion casino resort proposal on a 6.7-acre site with a 1,200-room hotel, shops, a food market, a new museum dedicated to “democracy” and 4.7 acres of waterfront park space. The complex also includes two residential towers that would be 50 and 60 stories tall with a combined 1,325 apartments, with 40% of them below market rates. Once the casino is completed, it is expected to provide 4,000 full-time unionized jobs.

What’s the latest: Soloviev scrapped a proposed Ferris wheel after community leaders objected and instead added the housing developments in October 2023. That did little to assuage Manhattan Community Board 6, which voted in January 2024 against a measure to bypass the city’s usual zoning approval process. In December, Soloviev announced a temporary installation celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary on the site.

Who’s supporting: 32BJ SEIU, Hotel and Gaming Trades CouncilWho’s opposed: State Sen. Liz Krueger, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein

Who has worked on the bid: Soloviev Group, Mohegan NY Management, Yoswein New York President Jamie Van Bramer, Rubinstein Senior Vice President Lori Levin

Why they’ll get a license: Last year, an employee in Rep. Jerry Nadler’s office said at a town hall meeting that Manhattan is likely to get a casino because “this is where the money is.” The site’s design to install the casino underground while adding a park above it could intrigue the siting board. The owners have been flexible with their plans too, swapping a glitzy amusement park for more affordable housing, a significant community need.

Why they won’t: Turtle Bay and Murray Hill have some of the most politically engaged residents in the city and they have strongly negative impressions of the plan, according to a 2023 Murray Hill Association survey. The community board’s rejection of the zoning text amendment doesn’t bode well either. The area’s local elected officials appear to be leaning against the plan too.

Caesars Palace Times Square

Location: 1515 Broadway in midtown Manhattan

What’s being proposed: Caesars, Roc Nation and SL Green have proposed a $4 billion casino hotel in the heart of Times Square. The skyscraper includes a 250,000-square-foot casino across eight floors, a 950-room hotel and space for restaurants. The project would generate 6,000 construction jobs.

What’s the latest: In August, SL Green announced that 17 trade unions support the project after the theater workers union announced its opposition. In November, the colossal office landlord reached a three-year extension on its $743 million mortgage for the Broadway building, which ensures the site isn’t weighed down by debt.

Who’s supporting: Coalition for a Better Times Square, Mason Tenders’ District Council of Greater New York, Construction and General Building Laborers’ Local 79, New York Building Congress, Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians Local 802

Who’s opposed: The No Times Square Casino Coalition, The Broadway League, The Shubert Organization, Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association, Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association, United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, Manhattan Community Board 5, state Sen. Liz Krueger.

Who has worked on the bid: SL Green Chair and CEO Marc Holliday, Bolton-St. Johns Managing Partner Tom Connolly, Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s Kelley Magdaluyo, BerlinRosen Account Supervisor Jack Lynch, Roc Nation Founder and CEO Desiree Perez

Why they’ll get a license: A casino is the one entertainment amenity that Times Square lacks. This project is also much smaller than other proposals and in a location that could generate far more revenue. The city’s politically connected commercial real estate industry is throwing its weight behind this plan.

Why they won’t: Broadway theater owners and community leaders want to keep Times Square the way it is. The equally politically connected Broadway Association believes a casino would be detrimental to their business. Some civic leaders worry that the presence of a casino could take Times Square back to the bad old days. Teachers are opposed because the casino would be within walking distance of six schools. And Manhattan Community Board 5 already passed a resolution opposing its development.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Location: 611 Fifth Ave. in midtown Manhattan

What’s being proposed: Hudson’s Bay Company wants to turn the top three floors of its luxury department store into a 200,000-square-foot casino, an open rooftop patio overlooking Rockefeller Center and a separate entrance on 49th Street.

What’s the latest: Hudson’s Bay unveiled renderings of the remodeled interiors of the ninth, 10th and 11th floors in 2023 but there have been few updates since then.

Who’s supporting: Hudson’s Bay Company Governor, Executive Chair and CEO Richard Baker said some unnamed Broadway theater owners backed his plan.

Who’s opposed: Manhattan Community Board 5, state Sen. Liz Krueger

Who has worked on the bid: Hudson’s Bay Company Governor, Executive Chair and CEO Richard Baker, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Managing Director Stuart Shorenstein

Why they’ll get a license: Unlike other proposals, Hudson’s Bay Company won’t change the size of its building to house a casino, and it wouldn’t take as long as others to get started. It will also take up the smallest footprint among its competitors and still boast a prime midtown Manhattan location. Baker has pitched his proposal as a Monte Carlo-type luxury destination that would attract high-end clients.

Why they won’t: Hudson Bay’s bid faces the same challenges as other Manhattan casinos – strong community opposition. Manhattan Community Board 5’s vote to reject the city’s zoning amendment affects the Hudson’s Bay too. There has been little buzz for this project compared to other bids and few new community amenities.

Metropolitan Park

Location: Citi Field parking lot, Corona, Queens

What’s being proposed: Mets owner Steve Cohen and Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment want to convert 50 acres of parkland that includes a Citi Field parking lot into an $8 billion entertainment district with a casino, a Hard Rock-branded 2,300-room hotel and a live music venue. It would also include extensive park space, a food hall and community space, and athletic fields. The development would create an estimated 23,000 construction and unionized jobs once completed.

What’s the latest: State Sen. Jessica Ramos announced in May 2024 that she would not introduce parkland alienation legislation to allow the land to be converted into a casino, but that has not deterred Steve Cohen. The hedge fund manager released updated renderings of the plan in September 2024. In November and December, six Queens community boards approved the plan and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards expressed his conditional approval in December.

Who’s supporting: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, New York City Council Member Francisco Moya, former Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry, Coalition for the Advancement of Queens, Queens Chamber of Commerce, Waterfront Alliance, Building Trades Employers’ Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 3, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council No. 9, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Transport Workers Union, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Construction and General Building Laborers’ Local 79, New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters

Who’s opposed: State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Nabil Ahmed Khatri of the Muslim Center of New York

Who has worked on the bid: Point72 Asset Management’s Michael Sullivan, Fried Frank’s Kelly Rigie, Hollis Public Affairs’ Brian Simon, Lemma Strategies’s Anthony Lemma, former Assembly Member Marcos Crespo, The MirRam Group’s Catherine Torres, Moonshot Strategies’ Jason Ortiz, New Green Willets’ Vincent Tortorella, Gold Eagle Strategies’ Brendan Klein, Green Book Strategies’ Austin Shafran, London House’s Jason Laidley, Actum’s Michael McKeon

Why they’ll get a license: This is one of the only bids with some community board support and it has the backing of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. Steve Cohen has employed an army of lobbyists, conducted a set of community meetings and commissioned a poll that showed a majority of residents want a casino. And Willets Point is getting New York City Football Club’s new soccer stadium in 2027.

Why they won’t: Without Ramos’ backing, there is a very narrow path forward for the bid. Cohen must get one of Ramos’ state Senate colleagues to introduce the parkland alienation legislation, but lawmakers typically defer to local members over land use matters. Ramos produced her own poll that showed a majority of respondents did not want a casino in Queens.

Resorts World New York City

Location: 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, Queens

What’s being proposed: Genting’s $5 billion bid would transform Resorts World New York City through a 2-million-square-foot casino expansion that would feature a 350,000-square-foot casino floor, a 1,600-room Crockfords brand hotel, 350,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a 7,000-seat arena and 30 new dining and beverage options. In addition, Genting would convert Aqueduct Racetrack into a 50-acre park with 3,000 units of workforce housing. Genting estimates the project will generate 5,000 construction jobs and 5,000 unionized resort jobs once completed.

What’s the latest: Genting unveiled renderings of its Perkins Eastman-designed casino complex in March 2024. In January, Genting executives held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and released updated renderings and a scale model of its $5 billion bid at its Experience Center with several elected officials on hand.

Who’s supporting: Rep. Gregory Meeks, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, state Sens. Joseph Addabbo Jr., Leroy Comrie and Roxanne Persaud, Assembly Members Michaelle Solages and Stacey Pheffer Amato, New York City Council Member Nantasha Williams, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech and Flushing Chinese Business Association General Consultant Peter Tu

Who’s opposed: No significant opposition

Who has worked on the bid: Bolton-St. Johns Managing Partner Tom Connolly and Partner Violet Moss, Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates Senior Vice President and General Counsel Dwayne Andrews, Actum Senior Vice President Terence Cullen and Partner Stefan Friedman; Cordo & Co. Principal John Cordo and Senior Vice President Adam Richardson

Why they’ll get a license: Genting is seen as one of the favorites to win a full casino license after operating a more limited racino with video slot machines for 14 years and marshaling support among the Queens political establishment. Since its opening, Resorts World has invested $1.1 billion in Southeast Queens and contributed $4.5 billion in the state’s public education fund. Genting would also be able to transition to a full casino and generate revenue for the state faster than other bidders.

Why they won’t: State officials may consider awarding bids to new operators if they believe Resorts World has reached the ceiling for the amount of revenue it can generate. A Nevada Gaming Control Board complaint that Resorts World Las Vegas allegedly violated anti-money laundering laws has also raised eyebrows in New York.

Empire City Casino

Location: 810 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers

What’s being proposed: MGM Resorts is planning a $2.2 billion upgrade and 845,000-square-foot expansion of its Empire City racino facility, which will include a remodeled 192,500-square-foot casino and 301,200 square feet of new construction. The complex would include a 5,000-seat entertainment venue, new bars and restaurants, and a new 9,000-square-foot sportsbook and lounge. Officials estimate the renovated complex will create 2,500 jobs.

What’s the latest: MGM asked Yonkers for a zoning change in order to pursue a full casino license in March 2024. In January, Empire City officials appeared before the Yonkers Planning Board. The public comment period remains open and the board will take it up at its March meeting.

Who’s supporting: Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Bronx Chamber of Commerce, BronxWorks Executive Director Eileen Torres, Building Contractors Association of Westchester and Mid Hudson Executive Director Matthew Pepe, The Business Council of Westchester Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Ravitz

Who’s opposed: Hyatt Association of Southeast Yonkers

Who has worked on the bid: MGM Resorts’ Taryn Duffy and Ayesha Molino, Kasirer Senior Vice President of Operations and Administration Jennifer Blum, and law firm DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr LLP

Why they’ll get a license: Empire City Casino is another likely favorite to receive a full casino license, since it has invested $1 billion in the property (previous investment is a factor that the Gaming Facility Location Board can consider) and built up goodwill among Westchester business leaders. Last fall, MGM sold $850 million of corporate debt, which gave it the financial flexibility to invest in Empire City’s upgrades.

Why they won’t: State officials may want to award its bids to new operators if they think Empire City might not be able to generate a significant amount of additional revenue. Some Yonkers residents also have concerns about increased traffic and flooding surrounding the area that could occur after a significant casino expansion.

The Avenir

Location: 514 11th Ave., midtown Manhattan

What’s being proposed: Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment proposed a 1.8 million-square-foot two-tower project featuring an eight-story casino, a 1,000-room hotel, a 1,000-seat performance hall and 100 affordable housing units. Silverstein said the project will create 4,000 construction jobs and 5,500 permanent union jobs.

What’s the latest: Since the initial announcement and renderings were released in June 2023, Manhattan Community Board 4 rejected a proposal in December 2023 for the plan to bypass the community review process. 

Who’s supporting: Silverstein Properties Chair Larry Silverstein, Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment CEO Eric Hausler

Who’s opposed: There was initial hesitancy among some Manhattan Community Board 4 members and local elected officials, including state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assembly Member Tony Simone and New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher

Who has worked on the bid: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Counsel Jordan Most, Barowitz Advisory Principal Jordan Barowitz

Why they’ll get a license: Silverstein Properties Chair Larry Silverstein is well-regarded for having rebuilt the World Trade Center site after the 9/11 attacks. Since Silverstein Properties owns the site, the company has said it could build the complex faster than other sites – which may be true given the company’s strong building track record.

Why they won’t: Even though the site is just a couple avenues from the Port Authority bus terminal and not too far from the Javits Center, it is fairly isolated on the far West Side of Manhattan. When compared to other potential locations in Manhattan, state officials could prefer a more highly trafficked area that might have a higher revenue potential.