Schenectady, NY — This week marks a significant step in New York’s pursuit of new downstate casinos, with eight bidding groups submitting their proposals ahead of the tight deadline.
A massive logistical undertaking took place as truckloads of documents were transported to the New York State Gaming Commission. On Thursday morning, a cargo truck left Yonkers Raceway filled with three customized trunks packed with documents and 40 bankers’ boxes, totaling around 8,000 pages.
On the same day, a dispatch from Coney Island arrived, carrying an even larger haul of 60,000 pages packed in 23 boxes. This convoy of hopes and dreams, aimed at securing one of three coveted downstate casino licenses, traversed the New York State Thruway, fueled by the aspirations of eight competitive groups.
These competitors include proposals from two locations in Queens, one in Brooklyn, three in Manhattan, one in the Bronx, and one in Yonkers. While the race began with a larger pool of candidates, many bids waned as the deadline approached. Notably, a proposal in Nassau County was among those that ultimately fell through.
The Gaming Commission had to prepare for the overwhelming volume of submissions, setting up an FTP (file transfer protocol) to manage the electronic submissions. Still, all bidders had to ensure that hard copies reached the commission’s headquarters in Schenectady, resulting in a flurry of activity on the roads.
Each bidder’s submission outlined their plans to provide the greatest economic benefits through various key metrics the facility location board will evaluate. These metrics include potential tax revenue generation, timeline for launch, housing and job impact, and the overall transformative effect on the local community.
Dan Boren, board chairman of Global Gaming Solutions and commerce secretary of the Chickasaw Nation, emphasized the importance of economic impact in the bidding process. He stated, “Far and away the most important piece of this (bid) that the board will consider is the positive impact a project will have on economic and business development. No other project comes close to what The Coney can do for Coney Island.”
Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, expressed similar sentiments regarding their proposal to expand the Resorts World racino at Aqueduct Racetrack. He highlighted that their project could generate new career opportunities and tax revenue by July 2026.
MGM’s pitch for Yonkers Raceway promises to reshape the area into a cultural and economic powerhouse. Meanwhile, the Cohen/Hard Rock partnership emphasizes their desire to create New York’s first true stadium district.
While the awarding of the licenses is scheduled for December, the forthcoming months remain critical for each applicant. Each group must secure a positive vote from a local community advisory committee by September 30.
Here’s a closer look at the eight bidding groups vying for the new licenses:
Coney Island
The team behind Coney Island includes Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and the Chickasaw Nation. Their proposal, dubbed ‘The Coney,’ aims to build a casino alongside a 500-room hotel, 20 restaurants, and 92,000 square feet of convention and meeting space. Its strategic location is right across from the Coney Island/Stillwell Avenue subway station.
U.N./East Side
In this proposal, the partners Soloviev Group and Mohegan envision a multifaceted development known as ‘Freedom Plaza.’ This project will encompass a 5-acre park, a casino, two hotels, and over 1,000 housing units, with a portion designated as affordable housing. The location is on the East Side, specifically between 38th and 41st streets.
Citi Field
Mets owner Steve Cohen teams up with Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment to propose a complex called ‘Metropolitan Park.’ This ambitious project includes a casino, a 2,300-room hotel, and an estimated $8 billion entertainment venue complete with concert spaces, athletic fields, and park areas, all situated at a revamped Citi Field parking lot.
Resorts World/Aqueduct
Already operating a racino at the Aqueduct Racetrack, Genting aims to convert this site into a full-scale casino, complete with a 1,600-room hotel, extensive convention and meeting spaces, a new arena, and additional housing units. Their existing operations streamline their timeline to get a casino up and running powerfully.
West Side
The West Side proposal features a collaboration among Larry Silverstein (known for the World Trade Center development), Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming, with Hyatt as the hotelier. Their plan includes a casino, a 1,000-room hotel, and a vibrant assortment of restaurants, bars, a conference area, and a community art gallery, with its main entry point along 41st Street and 11th Avenue.
Times Square
This proposal brings together developer SL Green, Caesars Palace, and Roc Nation—led by Jay-Z. Their plan involves creating a casino, a 950-room hotel, and various restaurants. Though it is one of the smaller proposals in terms of space, its positioning in a busy commercial district could mean significant revenue potential, located at 1515 Broadway.
Bronx
Bally’s proposes to enhance its existing Bally’s Links at Ferry Point—home to a golf course—by adding a casino, along with a 500-room hotel, conference space, and an entertainment center with retail shops. If awarded the license, Bally’s would also have to settle a substantial fee of $115 million to the Trump Organization, the previous owner of the land.
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