The state Gaming Commission on Monday approved all three remaining applications for full-scale downstate casino licenses: Genting’s Resorts World New York City in South Ozone Park, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park at Citi Field and Bally’s Bronx.
The decision marks the end of a years-long process that included community meetings, public input, in-depth analysis and legislative challenges.
The Commission’s chair, Brian O’Dwyer, said the licenses are conditional on the appointment of an outside independent party to be tasked with monitoring the casinos’ finances and community promises for at least five years.
“We will ask the monitor to report on a quarterly basis to us,” O’Dwyer said during the group’s meeting at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in Manhattan.
Each licensee will have to pay $500 million in fees and pledge at least an additional $500 million in capital investment. According to a state-commissioned report, the projects will pay a combined $1 billion per year in taxes once fully operational.
Gov. Hochul in a statement said, “The three approved casinos will generate billions of dollars for the MTA and education, create tens of thousands of jobs and deliver real benefits to their surrounding communities.”
Full details on the new Queens casinos can be found at metropolitanpark.com and rwnewyork.com/about/rws-next-chapter.
Robert DeSalvio, the president of Genting Americas East, in a statement said, “Resorts World New York City thanks the New York State Gaming Commission for today’s final approval. We look forward to opening within months as New York City’s first full commercial casino.”
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, who spearheaded the Metropolitan Park proposal, said, “Since the day I bought the team, the community and Mets fans have made it clear to me that we can and should do better with the area around the ballpark. Now, we are going to be able to deliver the sports and entertainment district that our fans have been asking for.”
Jim Allen, the chairman of Hard Rock International, said, “The Commission’s decision confirms the positive impact this project will have on New York City, the state, and the region, and we’re excited to build on our long record of delivering world-class entertainment experiences here in Queens.”
Among the first to react to the approvals was Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., who said the approvals of Resorts World and Metropolitan Park prove that Queens is the “undisputed economic and cultural future of New York City.”
He lauded their community-centered pitches and benefits, and added, “I couldn’t be more grateful to each applicant team — as well as our local elected, governmental and nonprofit colleagues — for their partnership as we negotiated deals that prioritize the vitality of our communities. Place your bets on Queens now, because the history we made today will reverberate for generations to come.”
But not all were thrilled with the news.
Upon the approval of Metropolitan Park, protesters erupted in chants of “Shame on you!” and “Hochul must go!”
The Flushing Workers Center in a statement called for Hochul to resign due to the “decision to build 3 predatory casinos.”
“This is not only a regressive tax policy, which New Yorkers overwhelmingly denounce, but also a blatant attack on our immigrant communities struggling with gambling addiction, displacement, and ICE raids,” the group said.