Discover the intriguing possibilities for a new casino in New York City. Find out where the next gaming destination could be built in the city that never sleeps.

Where in New York City Could a New Casino Be Constructed?

There are three open slots for downstate NY casino licenses. There are some ideas that have been put out, potential locations for the casinos, and the decision-makers.

New York is the hottest spot in the nation for legal sports betting, and it is fully operational. However, the situation is less pleasant for people who wish to play online poker, slots, or table games in NY. The legalization of NY online casinos and online poker is still underway. And those who want to play at an online casino must cross the state border to NJ. Things are quite different there, the latest online casino was launched in March 2023, and it’s called Wheel of Fortune. There are also 9 land-based casinos in New Jersey.

When Will the Casinos’ Locations Be Revealed?

The earliest a decision would be made is later in 2023, according to state gaming officials. 

Who will choose the locations for the new casinos? The state’s Gaming Facility Location Board, which recently appointed three members, will supervise the application process.

Professor Vicki Been of law at New York University served as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s deputy mayor for housing and economic development. Quenia Abreu, head of the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce, formerly concentrated on the South Bronx, Hunts Point in Queens, and Manhattan’s Washington Heights.

Stuart Rabinowitz, an attorney for Lippe, Meltzer, Goldstein & Breitstone for 20 years, led Hofstra University on Long Island.

The state’s Gaming Commission, which will eventually determine which licenses to grant, will get recommendations from the board once it has reviewed the applications. However, the commission has said that unless there is a concern with the applicant’s character and fitness, it will not reject the location board’s decision.

What Stance Does the City’s Mayor, Eric Adams, Take on Casinos?

Mr. Adams vacationed in Monaco, a gambling paradise, after winning the Democratic primary the previous year, and has so far shown support for the idea of casinos.

He expressed to reporters in March his desire for two of the casinos to be situated in New York City, calling them a potential boon to the local economy.

The mayor is closely connected to the industry. As a state senator, he presided over the committee that oversaw gaming, racing, and betting. He became involved in a controversy when the state elected to place video lottery machines at Queens’ Aqueduct Racetrack. He and his coworkers, according to a later state inspector general’s investigation from 2010, exhibited exceedingly poor judgment by mingling with lobbyists and accepting campaign donations from those connected to the bids.

This year, The New York Times revealed that Mr. Adams had hired one of his close friends, Timothy Pearson, for an unusually well-paying city job while Timothy Pearson was also employed at the so-called racino, a horse racetrack with digital games but no human dealers, next to the Aqueduct Racetrack. Mr. Pearson and the racino split up shortly after that.

Potential Locations for a New NY Casino

Here are the expected proposals for a new casino in New York:

• Hudson Yards

• Times Square

• Coney Island

• Nassau Coliseum

• Saks Fifth Avenue

• Midtown East

• Midtown West

• Willets Point

• Trump Golf Links