Sometimes you hurry up to wait. That appears to be the case for a bill that was supposed to expedite the bidding process for three new downstate casino licenses in New York.
After all of the hustling to get it passed, it has effectively stalled.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo’s bill S9673A, which passed both the House and the Senate in June, set an Aug. 31, 2024 bid deadline. However, despite its approval, the legislation remains unsigned by Gov. Kathy Hochul. While there’s no official confirmation, the prevailing consensus is that the bill will unlikely progress.
Casino operators and Assemb. Gary Pretlow, a co-sponsor of S9673A, has indicated that the Aug. 31 deadline has been abandoned, and sources suggest that Hochul’s administration hasn’t requested the bill’s forwarding to her office.
Timeline Doesn’t Match SB9673
In some respects, you may have seen this coming because of timeline differences.
Sitting board member Stuart Rabinowitz says that the Aug. 31, 2024 deadline specified in SB9673 for formal applications regarding downstate retail casino licenses is too soon. However, if Gov. Hochul signs the bill into law, the board members are prepared to adhere to that deadline.
Alternatively, they have unanimously approved a later deadline of June 27, 2025, which would give potential applicants time to complete land use processes, including zoning and environmental impact studies.
When Will We Know Which Developers Were Approved?
On June 27, 2025, New Yorkers will know which developers are committed to constructing casinos in the downstate area. This date marks the formal application deadline for full commercial casino licenses. Previously, residents of New York City had only encountered public relations campaigns and rumors regarding potential casino projects.
Following the application deadline, the winning bidders’ identities may be disclosed within approximately 30 days. However, it remains unclear whether the original licensing process timeline will remain unchanged for this public announcement.
Application Process Continues
In the meantime, the application process continues.
Applicants, encouraged by the commission, should use the remaining year to ensure their proposals comply with regulatory requirements, avoiding further delays. Notable operators and top-rated sportsbooks like MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, and Caesars Entertainment have already outlined their initial plans. The list of proposals includes both commercial and tribal operators.
The deadline extension is designed to provide bidding entities ample time for thorough and effective selection. Operators, including Bally’s, Caesars, MGM Resorts, Hard Rock, Las Vegas Sands, and Mohegan, have filed proposals for sites ranging from Times Square in Manhattan to Long Island to the Bronx.
Addabbo Also Pushing for Online Casinos
Senator Addabbo has also persistently championed the legalization of online casinos in New York. His bill, S9226, proposes granting licenses to up to 10 online poker operators in the state. Each license would come with a $10 million fee and remain valid for 10 years, subject to a 15% tax rate. The New York State Gaming Commission would oversee and regulate the online poker market. Despite Addabbo’s unwavering efforts, it hasn’t happened yet.
So, between the wait for a decision on online gaming and the deadline looming for downstate casinos, we’ll have to wait to see how it all plays out.
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