New York: Nassau County to continue backing Sands' casino proposal amid legal challenges

Officials in Nassau County are revisiting plans to assist Las Vegas Sands Corp. in securing a New York casino license, pushing renewed efforts to move forward with a multi-billion-dollar project on Long Island.

The county is currently renegotiating a land use agreement for Sands' proposed $4 billion casino entertainment complex at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman stated: "In spite of delays and changing circumstances, we are fully committed to deal with Sands to bring a world-class hotel, entertainment center, casino, and spa to Nassau County."

This decision comes in the wake of a ruling by a state judge in February that nullified a 99-year deal between the county and Sands. The judge pointed out that Nassau County had endorsed the lease without conducting a proper public hearing or environmental review.

As of now, the Sands project stands as the sole proposal for Long Island.

A spokesperson for Sands told News 12 that the company is "grateful for the extraordinary and diverse support our proposal continues to receive and look forward to working with all parties involved to move this transformational development forward."

“We remain committed to being a collaborative partner and excellent neighbor to the organizations and residents of Nassau County," the spokesperson said.

However, the road ahead may not be without hurdles. Hofstra University, situated on Long Island, successfully challenged the lease agreement between Sands and the county earlier this year, alleging that the deal was brokered behind closed doors and violated New York's open public meetings law.

Community support is a crucial factor in obtaining a casino license from the state. Las Vegas Sands is just one of 11 potential applicants vying for the three available downstate New York casino licenses.

The competition is expected to be intense and financially demanding. In addition to a $500 million licensing fee, winning applicants must invest a minimum of $500 million in capital expenditure and demonstrate their ability to generate maximum revenue to state regulators.