Two New York Casino Bids Advance Following Local Approvals
Two casino projects in New York advanced significantly in the state's competitive licensing process on Thursday after receiving approvals from their local community advisory committees. Empire City Casino in Yonkers, operated by MGM Resorts, and Resorts World at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens both secured unanimous support from their respective panels, becoming the first applicants to pass this important stage of review.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The approvals came after three separate proposals for Manhattan casino projects were rejected earlier in the week, effectively removing that borough from the race for the time being. With those eliminations, the focus has shifted to proposals located in outer boroughs and surrounding areas. The state has authorized up to three full-scale casino licenses for downstate New York, a decision that has attracted interest from several major operators and investors.
Empire City Casino has been a prominent fixture in Yonkers, just north of New York City, where it operates alongside Yonkers Raceway. Resorts World in Queens has been based at Aqueduct Racetrack for more than a decade, offering slot machines and electronic table games.
Both venues already host existing gambling operations, which has positioned them as strong contenders for the full casino licenses. Approval from their advisory committees places them one step closer to potentially expanding into full-scale casinos with live table games and broader amenities.
The local community advisory committees are an integral part of the licensing process. Each panel includes representatives from state officials, local governments, and community leaders.
Their role is to evaluate the proposals and determine whether the projects meet the expectations and needs of the surrounding communities. Unanimous approvals for both Empire City and Resorts World reflect strong local support for the developments and their anticipated economic impact.
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Other Bids Still in Play
Other bids remain in the running but have yet to face committee decisions. Bally's has submitted a proposal in the Bronx, while The Coney has put forward a project for Coney Island in Brooklyn. Both of those proposals are scheduled for votes from their respective committees on September 29. These decisions will determine which projects continue forward in the competitive process for licensing.
The three Manhattan bids, which were considered by some industry observers to be high-profile entries, were unanimously rejected earlier in the week by their local panels. The elimination of those proposals has narrowed the field and reshaped the competition, highlighting the importance of local approval in determining which projects can advance to the state-level decision-making stage.
With committee approvals now in place, Empire City Casino and Resorts World will continue through the licensing process overseen by the New York State Gaming Commission. The final decision on which applicants will receive the available licenses will consider not only local approvals but also financial, regulatory, and operational reviews conducted at the state level.
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