The New York State Gaming Commission on Dec. 15 voted to award full-casino gaming licenses to Bally’s, Hard Rock and Resorts World. Bally’s plans to build a casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx. It’s where Donald Trump had a golf course on city property. Trump stands to receive a payment of about $115 million when Bally’s builds the casino at the site. Hard Rock would build near Citi Field in Queens. Resorts World would expand at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.
The Citi Field location would be on 50 acres of asphalt surrounding the stadium.
“Since the day I bought the team, the community and Mets fans have made it clear to me that we can and should do better with the area around the ballpark,” said Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets. “Now, we are going to be able to deliver the sports and entertainment district that our fans have been asking for.”
MGM Yonkers Inc., a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International on Oct. 14 announced it has withdrawn its commercial casino license application to the Gaming Commission and the Location Board. MGM had created plans for a major expansion of the Empire City and Yonkers Raceway facility that was presented as bringing tens of millions of dollars into Yonkers and employing thousands of people. The expansion project was estimated to have a value of $2.3 billion.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the vote by the Gaming Commission “is the culmination of a multi-year, community-driven process to ensure that casino licenses were only awarded to proposals that had local support, clear community benefits and sustainable economic plans. I thank Chair O’Dwyer and the entire commission for their work to get the best possible outcomes for New Yorkers throughout this process. The three approved casinos will generate billions of dollars for the MTA and education, create tens of thousands of jobs and deliver real benefits to their surrounding communities. Each of the projects made significant commitments to their communities and to New York state, and the Gaming Commission was clear that they will hold these projects accountable and make sure they keep their promises. That is what New Yorkers expect and what they deserve.”
