NYC casinos: New York Gaming Board votes to recommend 3 new casino licenses in the Bronx, Queens
NEW YORK (WABC) — Members of the New York Gaming Facility Location Board voted on Monday to recommend licenses to operate three casinos in New York City.
The casinos that were up for votes included Bally’s proposed casino in the Bronx on a former golf course owned by President Donald Trump, Hard Rock’s pitch to open a complex next to Citi Field in Queens and Resort World’s attempt to expand their facility at the Aqueduct Racetrack near JFK Airport.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the three projects will unlock billions of funding for the MTA and create tens of thousands of jobs.
However, those opposed to the proposals say that often those promises do not pan out.
“Every single person on Governor Kathy Hochul’s gaming facility locator board has cemented their legacy today, a predatory state sponsored racket that steals money from an Asian immigrant working class community and gives that money a billionaire that’s already worth $20 billion and owns a $1 billion private art collection,” said opponent Jack Hu. “Our seniors and working people have long been dehumanized by casino operators, treated as cash cows to milk for money.”
Earlier in November, the five-member board made on-site visits to all proposed casino locations ahead of its meeting on Monday to issue recommendations for new licenses.
Up next in the process: the state gaming commission will vote on the board’s recommendations by the end of the month, but the commission is expected to follow the board’s recommendations.
Bally’s is proposing to build a casino hotel in the Bronx and it says it will generate nearly $400 million in annual tax revenue and support nearly 4,000 permanent jobs.
Meanwhile, Bally’s has promised to pay the Trump Organization $115 million to purchase its remaining interest in the site. The Trump Organization used to lease the city-owned land being proposed for the Bronx location.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has partnered with Hard Rock International on a proposal for Queens. They say it will result in more than $1 billion a year in tax revenue and more than 6,000 permanent jobs.
Meanwhile, Resort Worlds Casino, which has already been operating a racino at the Aqueduct Racetrack in southeast Queens for years, is set to expand into a full-scale casino. It says it will produce 5,000 permanent jobs and more than $1 billion a year in tax revenue.
The vote brings one step closer to closure a process that started in 2013, when state voters authorized a constitutional amendment allowing up to seven casinos in the state, with up to three reserved for the New York City area. The four upstate casinos were given a head start.
“From local street vendors receiving brick-and-mortar space at Metropolitan Park’s Taste of Queens Food Hall to local student-athletes growing on and off the court at Resorts World’s Innovation Center to families taking advantage of 32 combined acres of new public park space, Queens hit the jackpot with these proposals,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “There is no doubt that Queens is the truly the future.”
And Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said she will continue to make sure the project remains community-centered through ongoing engagement with residents, small businesses, elected officials and more.
“The Bronx will no longer be left behind, and with today’s vote, we are one step closer to having a genuine opportunity to create new economic opportunities and growth for our residents for generations to come,” Gibson said.
ALSO READ: Rally held in attempt to block new casino from opening near Citi Field
There was a rally on Sunday against a proposed casino near Citi Field.
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