Casino contenders face new test as community committees begin vetting New York’s downstate proposals

After years of drawn-out debates, abandoned proposals, and legislative hurdles, New York’s long-anticipated downstate casino race has entered a decisive new stage. The state Gaming Commission has closed applications for up to three full casino licenses slated for the downstate region, officially moving the process into local hands. 

Each of the eight competing bids must now secure approval from a Community Advisory Committee (CAC), a step that could prove make-or-break for hopeful operators.

These newly seated CACs, each comprised of appointees from the governor, mayor, borough president, and state lawmakers, are charged with gauging local support and determining whether a proposed casino deserves to move forward. 

Their decisions will hinge on achieving a two-thirds majority vote by September 30, a high bar that leaves little room for dissent. The same deadline also applies to completing necessary zoning and environmental reviews.

Though many CAC appointments went to staffers or officials themselves, some selections added intrigue. In the Bronx, where Bally’s hopes to build at Ferry Point, Borough President Vanessa Gibson tapped Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and a public supporter of the bid. Meanwhile, City Council Member Kristy Marmorato, a vocal critic of the project, placed real estate executive Danielle Volpe on the panel.

Metropolitan Park near Citi Field

In Manhattan, three separate proposals are vying for a license: Caesars Palace Times Square, The Avenir on the West Side, and Freedom Plaza on the East Side. Notably, former Assembly Member Richard Gottfried and Assembly Chief of Staff Matthew Tighe hold seats on two separate CACs, potentially shaping outcomes across multiple bids. 

Manhattan’s community boards have also asserted their influence. Two members of Community Board 6, which previously opposed Soloviev Group's Freedom Plaza project, were appointed to that site’s committee.

In Queens, Mets owner Steve Cohen’s vision for a casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field, known as Metropolitan Park, has faced steady pushback. State Senator Jessica Ramos, an early opponent, has yet to name her CAC representative as of writing, leaving a critical seat unfilled. 

Meanwhile, the Resorts World racino in Southeast Queens, widely seen as a frontrunner due to its existing operations, saw half of its CAC filled by officials appointing themselves.

Industry watchers have long speculated that the two racinos, MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World NYC, stand best positioned to capture two of the three available licenses. Their existing facilities give them a head start on regulatory and construction timelines, appealing to lawmakers eager for quick economic returns. 

Empire City’s CAC lineup includes Larry Wilson of the Hyatt Association of Southeast Yonkers, who has expressed skepticism about the project, alongside figures tied to development and local government.

The CACs will be tasked with reviewing the application, gauging local support, and ultimately issuing a finding determining whether there is adequate backing. In this next phase, CAC appointees are likely to start feeling the lobbying pressure from both sides of the various bids.