Both New York’s Senate and Assembly have voted in favor of Senator Joe Addabbo’s bill to set a strict deadline for the selection of three casino operators in downstate New York.
State senators approved SB 9673 with a 51-4 vote, while the Assembly passed it with a 51-9 vote, paving the way for the legislation to be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul to be signed into law. Although the New York legislature was scheduled to adjourn on June 6th, they extended the session to vote on this bill.
Governor Hochul is expected to approve the legislation, considering her previous support for retail casino expansion.
Before the bill passed, Addabbo introduced an amendment requiring the New York Gaming Facility Location Board to make recommendations on selecting downstate casinos by December 31st, 2025.
The final deadline for issuing licenses would be March 31st, 2026. Addabbo’s initial proposal, introduced on May 17th with just two weeks remaining in the legislative session, had a deadline a full year earlier.
SB 9673 also allows interested developers to apply for casino licenses while resolving land use issues, potentially expediting the licensing process before the March 2026 deadline. The amended bill will accept applications until August 31st, 2024.
Addabbo has previously stated three new casinos could generate up to $3 billion in license fees alone, with developers potentially bidding up to $1 billion per license.
Potential Applicants
The bill sets a final date on the long-drawn out casino operator selection process that started back in October 2022 when the New York Gaming Commission first announced details of the additional casinos.
At the time, the commission revealed that licenses will be priced at a minimum of $500 million, with the board open to proposals from any interested party for a 90-day period. Empire City Casino is anticipated to be a leading contender for a license, alongside Resorts World, which is also expected to apply.
In January of 2023, Las Vegas Sands revealed plans to develop a multi-billion-dollar flagship hospitality, entertainment, and casino project on Long Island, New York. The company agreed to acquire the long-term lease for the site currently housing the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Online Casino Gaming Could be on the Cards
Addabbo has also supported the legalization of online casino gaming in New York and it’s believed that another legislative attempt will be made in the near future.
Despite Governor Hochul’s refusal to include iGaming in the recent state budget, Addabbo pushed forward with the introduction of S8185 in January of 2024. The bill is similar to a previous billed that failed to pass last year.
This was then followed up by SB9226 which proposes “to authorize the New York State Gaming Commission to license certain entities to offer for play to the public certain variants of internet poker which requires a significant degree of skill, specifically ‘Omaha Hold’em’ and ‘Texas Hold’em.’”
Although the session is now ended for the year, Addabbo maintains that both bills showed the willingness of lawmakers to consider online casino gaming in the state.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City – Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.
The deadline for selecting a casino operator for a Downstate location in New York has been announced, marking a significant step in the process of expanding gambling options in the state. The decision comes after years of debate and discussion about the potential economic benefits and social impacts of bringing a new casino to the area.
The selection process will be overseen by the New York State Gaming Commission, which has been tasked with evaluating proposals from interested parties and choosing the best candidate to operate the new casino. The deadline for submitting proposals is set for next month, with a decision expected to be made by the end of the year.
The new casino is expected to generate significant revenue for the state and create hundreds of jobs in the local community. Proponents of the project argue that it will help boost tourism and stimulate economic growth in the region, while opponents raise concerns about the potential for increased gambling addiction and other social issues.
In order to address these concerns, the Gaming Commission has outlined strict regulations and guidelines that the selected operator must adhere to, including measures to promote responsible gambling and provide support for individuals struggling with addiction. The commission will also closely monitor the casino’s operations to ensure compliance with these regulations and address any issues that may arise.
Overall, the selection of a casino operator for the Downstate location in New York represents a significant development in the state’s efforts to expand its gambling industry. With the deadline fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Gaming Commission as they work to choose the best candidate to bring this project to fruition.
