New York senator urges quick casino licensing after MGM exit
New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. has called on the Gaming Facility Location Board to fast-track the approval of downstate New York casino licences following MGM Resorts International’s exit from the bidding process.
As per media reports, Addabbo, who heads the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, has warned that any further delay could hurt economic growth, slow construction, and undermine public confidence in the state’s gaming expansion plans.
MGM pulls out of $2.3B Yonkers casino plan
The New York casino competition has changed as a result of MGM’s unexpected decision to withdraw from the $2.3 billion Empire City Casino project in Yonkers. Industry reports suggest the company withdrew due to a proposed change that would cut the licence period from 30 to 15 years, requiring future renewal payments.
The announcement comes as the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) reviews final submissions from the remaining applicants. MGM’s withdrawal reduces the field at a time when the state’s gaming regulators are focusing on projects that demonstrate clear financial viability and long-term economic benefits.
MGM cited an increasingly crowded gaming market and lower expected returns as key reasons for backing out. The move leaves three main contenders for the downstate casino licences. These are Genting Group, proposing a Resorts World expansion at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. Additionally, Bally’s Corporation is seeking to build at the former Trump Golf Links in the Bronx while Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International are teaming up for an $8 billion “Metropolitan Park” near Citi Field. Addabbo said that awarding licences to the remaining bidders would be a “logical and beneficial step” for New York’s economy.
While the state has the authority to grant up to three licences, the board has indicated that it will only approve projects that meet all economic and regulatory criteria.
Addabbo pushes for swift casino licensing decisions
Under the direction of former NYC Deputy Mayor Vicki Been, the five-member Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to make its recommendations public by 1 December 2025. Each proposal’s long-term economic feasibility, community impact, and financial strength have been assessed by the board over the course of months. As previously mentioned, initiatives would only be permitted if they clearly benefited the community.
Each casino licence carries a one-time $500 million fee and authorises full-scale gaming operations, including slots, table games, and in-house sports betting. Analysts describe New York as one of the most lucrative casino markets in the US, with the three winners expected to attract billions in private investment and create thousands of jobs.
Economic stakes and next steps
Senator Addabbo, a longtime supporter of casino expansion, stressed that delays could erode economic momentum and shake investor confidence. He played a pivotal role in the 2013 legislation that first authorised commercial casinos in New York and later backed measures to accelerate the licensing process.
“Every delay means fewer jobs, less tax revenue, and lost opportunities for New Yorkers,” Addabbo warned in an interview reported by Bloomberg. Final approvals will be made by both the Gaming Facility Location Board and the New York State Gaming Commission, with construction expected to begin in 2026 if timelines hold.
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