The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has unanimously approved all three remaining casino proposals in Queens and the Bronx, marking a pivotal step in the long-running effort to expand downstate gaming.
The decision represents a significant win for Bally’s planned casino in the Bronx, as well as the Metropolitan Park and Resorts World projects in Queens. Monday’s vote, delivered at the CUNY Graduate Center, moves the process into its final stage, with the state Gaming Commission expected to issue its ruling before the end of December.
Board chair Vicki Been explained that advancing all three bids “best supports the state’s long-term economic, fiscal, and community goals.”
These proposals were the last contenders after Community Advisory Committees rejected several Manhattan and Brooklyn projects, while MGM Empire City in Yonkers withdrew its application early in the process. Until this week, uncertainty remained over whether all three licenses would be awarded, or whether some bids might be denied.
With this approval, the three downstate casino proposals are just one step away from becoming a reality, and the ongoing casino battle is nearing its conclusion.
Casino Proposal Details
Bally’s Bronx – Ferry Point Golf Course
Location: Ferry Point Golf Course in Throggs Neck, adjacent to the Bronx‑Whitestone Bridge.
Features:
- Full casino with table games and slots.
- 23‑story hotel with 500 rooms.
- Convention and event center.
- Over 100,000 sq. ft. of dining, retail, and entertainment space.
Resorts World New York City – Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens
Location: South Ozone Park, Queens, near JFK Airport.
Features:
- Transformation into the largest casino in the U.S. by square footage.
- Integrated resort with gaming, dining, retail, and public amenities.
- Innovation center and entertainment venues.
Metropolitan Park – Citi Field, Queens
Location: Willets Point, adjacent to Citi Field.
Features:
- Hard Rock‑branded hotel and casino.
- 6,000‑seat live music venue.
- Bars, restaurants, and landscaped parkland.
- Large gaming floor and entertainment complex.
Online Casino Options In Downstate New York
While casinos in New York are not authorized to operate online, offshore online casinos are not strictly prohibited by state or federal gambling laws. Therefore, New York players over 18 have had access to online casinos operating in the United States for years.
Legal USA online casinos often offer larger bonuses, reward packages, and the convenience of mobile gambling. While both commercial and tribal casinos do exist in both upstate and downstate, many players are left with limited in-person gambling options strictly based on their location or transportation options.