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As New York gaming regulators near the end of a years-long process to license three downstate casinos, one lawmaker has grown tired of the wait.
Over the past month, Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee Chair Joseph Addabbo has voiced frustration with the slow process and believes regulators should move faster now that a fourth licensing candidate has exited.
“I don’t see why the state wouldn’t award the last three licenses to the last three applicants,” Addabbo told Bloomberg News earlier this month.
The lawmaker, a longtime gaming ally, has criticized the cumbersome process delaying the downstate casino licenses, which are slated to be awarded by Dec. 1.
Addabbo calls casino licensing ‘a picture of inefficiency’
Earlier this year, Addabbo told City & State New York that he was dissatisfied with how slowly the New York casino application and licensing process was moving.
“The bottom line is this: The downstate license process has been a picture of inefficiency,” he said.
“We voted to expedite the three licenses in 2022 to see some action in 2023, and here we are talking about possibly June 2025 for the application to start and for the decision to be made by the end of the year.”
At the time, four applicants were competing for the three downstate licenses. The fourth applicant, a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International, withdrew from the process earlier this month.
One day later, Addabbo told Bloomberg, saying there was no reason to delay announcing winners when only three applicants remain.
What’s next for New York’s downstate casino bids
The Gaming Facility Location Board is responsible for the downstate licensing process. The board has until Dec. 1 to select license recipients.
The three remaining applicants are Genting Group, which operates Resorts World New York City in Queens; Bally’s Corp.; and a partnership between Hard Rock International and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Genting Group recently made headlines after submitting a supplemental application detailing its $7.5 billion plan to expand Resorts World NYC.
Is New York finally ready to embrace online casinos?
In addition to advocating for a faster downstate licensing process, Addabbo has been a vocal supporter of bringing real-money online casinos to the Empire State. Neighboring Pennsylvania and New Jersey already offer online casinos, making New York appear behind in gambling expansion.
Typically, iGaming faces legislative resistance because some argue it can reduce jobs and revenue at land-based casinos. Advocacy groups have also raised concerns about addiction and underage gambling risks.
If New York were to move toward legalizing online casinos, one key step would be banning sweepstakes casinos, which compete for the same pool of online gambling revenue. Earlier this year, Attorney General Letitia James took that step, sending cease-and-desist letters to 26 sweepstakes casinos operating in the state.
In a press release about the ban, James thanked Addabbo and the New York State Gaming Commission for their partnership.
“Online sweepstakes casinos are illegal, dangerous, and can seriously ruin people’s finances,” James said. “I thank the New York State Gaming Commission and Senator Addabbo for partnering with my office on this issue to protect New Yorkers.”
