On Monday, the city will take its next step toward bringing casinos to the five boroughs.
The five-person Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to visit the three remaining sites vying for a downstate license, hearing presentations from applicants and assessing factors such as parking and neighborhood impact.
The board will tour three proposals still under consideration: Bally’s in the Bronx; Resorts World in Queens, which already operates video slot machines; and Metropolitan Park, also in Queens and pitched by Mets owner Steve Cohen.
What You Need To Know
- The state’s Gaming Facility Location Board will visit the three remaining casino sites on Monday and review proposals
- New Yorkers shared mixed views on the projects, from economic optimism to concerns about congestion and neighborhood impact
- A judge ordered the city to pause any agreement enabling construction in Citi Field’s parking lot after a lawsuit from the USTA
- The board will recommend up to three locations on Dec. 1, with the Gaming Commission required to ratify licenses by year’s end
In Willets Point on Sunday, opinions on the Metropolitan Park proposal varied.
Saijai Kaushal said, “I think it could be good. It could bring business to other places around. But it could also draw a certain type of crowd.”
Paula Merchan said she did not know if it was “a good or bad idea” to have a Casino near this neighborhood, adding, “the congestion on the 7 is pretty high anyway.”
Andrew Kwon said he thinks it could be a “cool thing,” adding, “I feel like a lot of casinos attract a lot of tourism and business.”
The board is scheduled to announce its recommendations on Dec. 1. It can approve up to three licenses — or none at all. Any recommendations must be ratified by the state Gaming Commission by the end of the year.
The Metropolitan Park bid is also facing a new legal obstacle.
On Friday, a judge ordered the city to temporarily refrain from entering into an agreement that would allow construction in Citi Field’s parking lot. The order comes after the United States Tennis Association sued the city this week, claiming construction would violate its lease agreement.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Park casino project said, “We disagree with the opinion and are reviewing our options.”
The USTA has emphasized it is not opposed to the casino itself, but is focused on making sure the city keeps its parking commitments.
The lawsuit adds uncertainty at a pivotal moment for developers aiming to secure one of the coveted casino licenses.