Casinos vying for one of three commercial licenses in the southern part of New York State now have until June 27, 2025, to submit their applications. This extension was unanimously approved by the New York Gaming Board, which oversees the commercial casino process in the region.
The original deadline, set for August 31, 2024, was stipulated in Senator Joseph Addabbo’s bill S9673A, recently passed by both the House and Senate. However, concerns were raised during a meeting about the tightness of this timeline.
Councilman Stuart Rabinowitz pointed out that the August deadline would “put a lot of pressure on some potential applicants and favor some and not others.” The extended June 2025 deadline allows ample preparation time for applicants and sufficient review time for the board before the December 31, 2025, approval deadline.
Despite the legislature’s approval, S9673A still awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. If signed, the August deadline will stand. However, Gaming Locations Board Chair Vicki Bean noted that the board could set its own deadline independently of the governor’s decision, expressing hope that their reasoning would persuade the governor.
New York City has invited operators to apply for one of three licenses to build land-based casinos in or near the city. Currently, 11 operators, including Bally’s, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, Hard Rock, Las Vegas Sands, and Mohegan, have submitted applications.
Addabbo’s bill also sets a March 31, 2026, deadline for issuing licenses, estimating that new casinos could generate up to $3 billion in license fees for the state.
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