NYC Casino Projects Move Closer to State Approval

The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has unanimously selected three proposals for submission to the state’s Gaming Commission, which will consider them for the three currently available casino licenses.

After years of lobbying and local pushback, the three winning projects are Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Resorts World New York City.

The board’s decision was guided by four criteria mandated by statute, a framework that mirrors broader commercial property market trends focused on economic impact and workforce development.:

• Economic activity & business development factors (70 percent),
• Local impact siting factors (10 percent),
• Workforce enhancement factors (10 percent), and
• Diversity framework factors (10 percent).

Two MGM projects—MGM Yonkers and MGM Empire City—are no longer under consideration to be submitted to the Gaming Commission.

Bally’s Bronx

Bally’s Bronx would be a single-phase, integrated casino resort developed at Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx. The $2.3 billion LEED Gold property would be projected to open by mid-2030.

Its major elements would include:

• A casino with 3,500 slot machines, 210 table games and 40 poker tables
• A 507-key hotel
• Two parking garages totaling 4,661 spaces
• A 2,000-seat event center
• A Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course and clubhouse
• A nightclub, spa, more than 10 food and beverage venues and four retail shops

The Gaming Facility Location Board commented that the property “is designed to attract the company’s national database of 12.5 million U.S. gaming customers and incorporates unique amenities such as the on-site golf course to enhance the facility’s quality and encourage visitation.”

Hard Rock Metropolitan Park

Hard Rock Metropolitan Park is backed by Queens Future LLC, a joint venture of Seminole HR Holdings LLC (owner of Hard Rock International Inc. and owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida) and New Green Willets LLC, owned by Steven Cohen. Hard Rock would operate and manage the property through a subsidiary.

The proposal is for a single-phase, $5.3 billion integrated casino resort and entertainment district in Queens, adjacent to Citi Field. The projected opening would be in June 2030.

The key elements would include:

• A casino with 5,000 slot machines, 375 table games and 30 poker tables
• Two hotel towers totaling 1,000 guestrooms and suites
• Several parking garages totaling 13,112 spaces
• A 5,650-seat capacity Hard Rock LIVE entertainment venue
• More than 15 restaurant and bar outlets, along with retail outlets
• 25 acres of new public open space

The board commented that “the proposed location, next to Citi Field, the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, and the planned new Etihad Park soccer stadium will situate the casino within what is already a strong entertainment district.”

It also, however, expressed concerns about traffic and parking and “recommends continued monitoring and adjustment of traffic plans during construction and facility operation.”

Resorts World New York City

Resorts World New York City would involve the multi-phased conversion and expansion of an existing video lottery terminal facility in Queens into a full commercial casino, at an estimated total capital investment of $3.3 billion. The converted facility would open in March 2026, with completion of the expansion in 2029 and full project completion in 2031.

Key components would include:

• A casino featuring at least 4,635 slot machines and 534 gaming tables
• One new Crockfords Hotel and the modification of an existing Hyatt Regency for a total of 1,963 guestrooms and suites
• A 7,000-seat event center
• A branded dayclub
• More than 20 food and beverage outlets, including existing venues

The board commented on the proposal’s potential speed to market (and thus to providing tax revenue).