New York has awarded its three coveted downstate casino licenses, ending a process that began in 2013. The New York State Gaming Commission approved all three on December 15, 2025, following a December 1 recommendation by the Gaming Facility Location Board.
The winners:
- Metropolitan Park — a Hard Rock International project backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen, to be built beside Citi Field in Queens. It received a 20-year license, reflecting the size of its financial commitment.
- Resorts World New York City — the existing video-lottery facility in South Ozone Park, Queens, which will expand to more than 4,500 slot machines and over 500 table games under a 15-year license.
- Bally's — a new casino proposed at Ferry Point in the Bronx, also a 15-year license.
What the Licenses Require
Each of the three operators must pay a $500 million licensing fee and commit at least $500 million in capital investment. Resorts World expects to complete the first phase of its expansion in 2026, while Metropolitan Park and Bally's are targeting openings around 2030.
The decision is about brick-and-mortar casinos, not online gaming — New York still has no legal online casinos. But the buildout adds three major gaming venues to the downstate market.