Final countdown: New York to announce downstate casino license decisions this Monday

The New York Gaming Facility Location Board will meet Monday to decide whether to award up to three commercial casino licenses for the downstate region, moving forward on a licensing process launched more than a decade ago.

The applicant field, once at 11, has narrowed to three: a Queens project backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, a Bronx development proposed by Bally’s Corp., and an expansion pitch from Resorts World New York City. The five-member board is not required to award all of the licenses.Each winning operator must pay a $500 million licensing fee and commit to a minimum of $500 million in capital investment. Approving all three bids would secure more than $1.5 billion for the state.

After the board issues its recommendations, the state gaming commission plans to vote by the end of the month. The commission is expected to act on the recommendations according to the established state process.

Cohen’s group aims to build an $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field in Flushing, including a concert venue and other facilities. Developers have said the project would generate more than $1 billion a year in tax revenue and create more than 6,000 permanent jobs. Hard Rock is a partner in the effort.Resorts World has proposed converting its electronic gaming facility at Aqueduct Racetrack into a full-scale casino as part of a $5.5 billion project. The operator has said the expansion would add 5,000 permanent jobs and generate more than $1 billion a year in tax revenue.

Bally’s is seeking approval for a $4 billion casino, hotel, and entertainment destination on the site of the former Trump Organization golf course in the Bronx, now operating as Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. The company expects the development would draw more than 9 million visitors a year, generate nearly $400 million in annual tax revenue, and support nearly 4,000 permanent jobs.As part of its acquisition agreement, Bally’s would pay the Trump Organization $115 million if it secures a casino license.

Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim said he is confident in the proposal.

“Looks pretty good,” Kim said. “We put our best effort out there. I don’t think we have any weak spots.”

Responding to concern over Trump potentially benefiting financially from the project, Kim said, “Trump gets a fair deal. The Bronx gets a great deal.”

New York voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2013 permitting up to seven casinos statewide, reserving up to three licenses for the New York City area after upstate properties opened first.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo supported casino expansion as a way to generate revenue from New Yorkers who were traveling to other states to gamble.

Studies have shown that economic projections for casinos do not always align with actual outcomes. Still, operators view downstate New York as one of the largest untapped gambling markets in the U.S.