New York casino race enters critical phase as key proposals face public and committee scrutiny

As the 30 September deadline approaches, the competition for three downstate casino licenses in New York has reached its most intense phase yet. Monday marked a turning point, with several key developments unfolding simultaneously across the city.

These included public hearings for two of the leading proposals, Freedom Plaza in Manhattan and Resorts World NYC in Queens, and a closed-door amendment session for Bally’s Bronx. Each of the eight proposals vying for a license must secure a two-thirds majority vote from their respective community advisory committees (CACs) to advance to the state-level selection process.

For most of the city-based bids, this requires approval from four out of six committee members, while the MGM Empire City proposal in Yonkers needs four out of five.

The Freedom Plaza proposal, led by the Soloviev Group in partnership with Mohegan Gaming, drew considerable attention at its second public hearing held at Scandinavia House. The proposed $11 billion development includes a casino, two hotel towers, residential towers, and a Museum of Democracy, situated near the United Nations headquarters.

Mohegan Chief Strategy Officer Nelson Parker addressed attendees before the comment session, noting that internal polling showed support for the project had risen from 61% in December 2024 to 66% in September 2025. He emphasized that awareness and interest in the project had grown significantly over that time.

Empire City Casino in Yonkers

However, Parker did not shy away from addressing the central controversy which is the casino component. While many residents had expressed strong support for the project’s non-gaming amenities at the first hearing in late August, opposition to the casino itself remained vocal and persistent.

Parker stated that the overall benefits package, including the ambitious infrastructure and public amenities, would not be feasible “had it not been for the gaming facility licence.”

Supporters turned out in large numbers, including several dozen Mohegan Sun employees who arrived from Connecticut by party bus, along with union members and advocates. The project has pledged to create 25,000 full- and part-time construction jobs, the highest number among all eight proposals.

 Jerry Kremer, a former state assemblyman and consultant, spoke in favor of the project, stating: “This proposal, in my opinion, will uplift the community, increase real estate values, create new green space to help the community here and a lot of other things that do nothing compared to all the other pending proposals.”

Render of Freedom Plaza

Not all who attended were convinced. Local residents continued to express concern that a casino would be disruptive and inappropriate in such a densely populated urban area.

One attendee, Linda, addressed the floor by saying, “I’m happy that Mohegan Sun employees and Soloviev employees have been here to talk about their life’s history and their success, and may that always remain so. But that has nothing to do with putting a casino in the middle of a city and comparing that to one that was built in … Connecticut in a very rural area.”

At this stage, no vote has been scheduled for Freedom Plaza, nor have additional hearings been announced. Meanwhile, at Queens Borough Hall, the second public hearing for Resorts World NYC unfolded with widespread community support and no opposition.

The venue had previously received unanimous praise from community organizations and nonprofits at its initial hearing in August. Kevin Jones, Chief Legal and Strategy Officer for Resorts World, reiterated the bid’s key advantages: an established site, existing zoning and labor agreements, and rapid readiness for expansion.

Render of Avenir

Should the bid succeed, the site will transition from its current video lottery terminal (VLT) format to a full commercial casino, backed by a proposed $5.5 billion phased expansion. 

The bid also received endorsements from elected officials, including state Senator Joe Addabbo, who remarked, “Resorts World’s always been there for our community. So this is not a risk for this CAC to vote on, this is a proven commodity in Ozone Park. This is a proven commodity for our city, this is a proven commodity for our state.” 

Earlier in the day, the Bally’s Bronx CAC convened privately to present a list of proposed amendments to the casino bid, marking the first time any CAC has formally submitted revisions.

The proposed changes spanned nine categories, including commitments to local hiring practices, traffic mitigation, parkland conservation, environmental quality, and the structure of a community-led benefit fund. The committee gave Bally’s until 5 p.m. on 19 September to respond.

If the company does not reply by that deadline, the amendments will be considered rejected. Bally’s declined to comment on the matter. The decision to propose amendments instead of proceeding to a vote suggests that the committee may still be undecided.

Elsewhere in the city, the Caesars Times Square and Avenir proposals have already been scheduled for CAC votes on Wednesday morning. Under the current guidelines, CACs are obligated to hold a minimum of two hearings per project, with the option for more.