The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) convened on Wednesday 8 October, marking its first official meeting to deliberate over the four surviving applications for the state’s downstate gaming licences.

The five-member panel, comprising specialists in economic development, banking, and housing, is tasked with recommending which projects (if any) should receive state approval before the New York State Gaming Commission gives final ratification.

Four applicants remain in contention for the three available licences. All proposed projects in the borough of Manhattan had previously been rejected.

The remaining applicants include Resorts World in Queens, MGM Empire City in Yonkers, Bally’s in the Bronx, and Metropolitan Park in Queens, the latter led by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.

All four must submit any supplemental material supporting their application, including any details on proposed tax rates, to the GFLB for evaluation and consideration by 14 October.

Resorts World and MGM Empire City already operate video lottery terminals, positioning them as front-runners due to their existing infrastructure and established revenue streams.

According to Spectrum News, GFLB chair Vicki Been, who previously served as a deputy mayor under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, emphasised that the evaluation process will be grounded in financial realism and long-term economic impact.

She noted that each proposal must demonstrate a credible construction plan and the ability to generate substantial revenue for the state.

The board will also examine how each project could influence job creation, housing, and local development within New York City’s broader economic ecosystem.

Decisions to be made behind closed doors

The board’s deliberations will occur privately, following months of public hearings that provided local communities and stakeholders the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Board chair Been stated that no additional public testimony will be taken, allowing the panel to focus solely on financial modelling and operational feasibility.

“One of the things we have to look at is, ‘What is the overall financial picture? ‘What kind of revenue are they going to be bringing into the state based on a dynamic financial analysis of how they are going to interact?’,” she said.

Each applicant’s proposal will undergo what Been described as a “dynamic financial analysis,” assessing both immediate and projected revenue contributions to the state.

The analysis will compare potential economic benefits against social and infrastructure considerations to ensure responsible growth.

The GFLB has until 1 December to make its recommendations, though Been clarified that the board is under no obligation to recommend the issuance of all three (or indeed any) licences if the proposals fail to meet the state’s expectations.

The final selections are anticipated to reshape New York’s casino landscape, with billions in investment and thousands of new jobs at stake.

This latest phase represents the culmination of a multi-year effort to expand New York’s gaming sector, with the decisions likely to have an influence on the state’s fiscal future and its position in the competitive US casino market.

#NewYorkGamingLicenses #GFLB #NYCasinoExpansion #ResortsWorldQueens #MGMEmpireCity #BallysBronx #MetropolitanParkQueens #SteveCohen #VickiBeen #USCasinoMarket

Source