Posted on: April 18, 2025 06:04 PM

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Favors are stacking up with NYC ready for the casino license

The 3 casino licenses to be issued in NY have many applicants who already filed are working on the backup plans as well and it's all for NYC.

Insiders predict that of the three licenses, one will go to MGM in Yonkers where Empire Casino is based and the other to Resorts World in Queens to expand the base with already operating at a successful rate. Both locations have strong union hold to control local elected officials.

The last one is definitely aimed at NYC to expand its tourism base where zoning change is easily ready to do so.

Andrew Cuomo who is the frontrunner of the Mayoral race secured key endorsements with the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, covering hotel and casino employees. He also has support from most of the Queens elected officials like U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres and Greg Meeks, plus various state and city leaders. Some of them approved the zoning change ready for Hard Rock Casino in Flushing last month despite some objections.

The 3 licenses will be announced before the end of this year by the NY Gaming Facility Location Board. Each 3 bid winner must pay $500 million to the state.

Then review the zoning requirements followed by approval from the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) with the current Mayor and Governor along with others from borough president to local elected officials. Then submit the application with a $1 million fee.

For NYC, this is the legal ground.

The state Gaming Facility Location Board will only consider applications that have two thirds threshold of CAC support, or at least four votes in support.

This means a community of local residents or four votes from elected officials assigned along with the current Mayor and Governor for the majority.

For Flushing, this is the opportunity for local residents including Whitestone to come forth when the date is announced to add feedback of yes or no. If there is no loud noise, then the local elected officials have the upper hand.

The method is similar to Amazon not having their headquarters in NYC with protests while back.

This is a wait and watch how the residents of Flushing and its vicinity will decide whether to have the casino or not when the casino license will be announced.