Inside New York’s High-Stakes Casino Race: What 3 New Bronx and Queens Proposals Mean For the City
State panel backs Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World NYC
A New York State government committee, the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), announced that it is advancing three downstate casino proposals for full-scale commercial casino licenses in New York City:
- Bally’s Bronx – a proposed casino and entertainment complex at the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.
- Hard Rock Metropolitan Park – a casino-entertainment and stadium-adjacent development near Citi Field in Queens.
- Resorts World New York City – an upgrade and expansion of the existing video lottery terminal facility at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens into a full casino.
The recommendations do not mean licenses are issued yet, but they are a strong signal that these three proposals are now frontrunners in the highly competitive battle for downstate casino rights, a process that has drawn interest from Wall Street, real estate developers, labor unions, and neighborhood advocacy groups alike.
“Gaming, when done responsibly and transparently, can be a tool for economic development and public investment.”
A closer look at the changing skyline of entertainment in NYC
Visuals released by developers and local outlets show sprawling, glass-heavy complexes, landscaped public plazas, and new transit connections that aim to integrate casinos into the broader urban fabric. Supporters see this as a way to modernize underused parcels of land; critics worry about congestion, problem gambling, and neighborhood identity.
Bally’s Bronx: Transforming Ferry Point into a casino resort
The Bally’s Bronx proposal targets the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, a large waterfront site near the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Bally’s has framed the project as a chance to convert a controversial and expensive-to-maintain golf course into a multi-use entertainment and hospitality hub.
Key features of the Bally’s Bronx proposal
- A full-scale casino with table games, slots, and entertainment stages.
- A hotel tower designed to capture tourism and convention traffic.
- Dining, retail, and event spaces aimed at both locals and visitors.
- Potential improvements to waterfront access and public spaces.
Bally’s has emphasized job creation for Bronx residents and partnerships with local organizations. Early statements have referenced unionized construction and operations jobs, workforce training programs, and community benefit agreements, though those details will be refined during the approval process.
Local reaction in the Bronx has been mixed. Some business leaders and labor groups see a rare chance at large-scale private investment in a historically underinvested borough. Others, including some neighborhood advocates, worry about traffic around the bridge approaches, environmental impacts along the East River, and whether casino revenues will truly translate into long-term, broad-based prosperity.
Two Queens contenders: Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Resorts World NYC
Queens now sits at the center of New York’s casino conversation, with two major projects moving forward in the same borough. Each proposal leans heavily on existing infrastructure and tourism patterns, but they take different approaches to design and neighborhood integration.
Hard Rock Metropolitan Park near Citi Field
The Hard Rock Metropolitan Park concept, backed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, focuses on the area around Citi Field in Willets Point. Supporters argue that a casino-entertainment district could help fill the long-discussed gap between game days, making the area an all-year destination rather than primarily a baseball venue.
- Casino and live music venues leveraging Hard Rock’s global brand.
- Restaurants, bars, and family-friendly attractions around the stadium.
- New public spaces and improved pedestrian links to the 7 train and Long Island Rail Road.
- Integration with ongoing redevelopment of Willets Point, including housing and infrastructure upgrades.
However, the plan faces legal and political scrutiny over the use of public park-adjacent land and the scale of the private development. Lawmakers in Albany and at City Hall are closely tracking how the project addresses zoning, open space, and long-standing commitments to local residents.
Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack
Resorts World New York City, already operating as a video lottery terminal facility at Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, is seeking a full casino license to expand table games, gambling offerings, and resort amenities.
- An upgraded casino floor with traditional table games and new entertainment stages.
- Expanded hotel capacity to attract convention and extended-stay guests.
- Enhanced dining options and partnerships with local food businesses.
- Potential infrastructure improvements around the racetrack and nearby transit connections.
Because Resorts World is already open and employing local workers, some analysts see it as a low-risk option that can quickly convert to a full casino with minimal disruption. For the state, that means faster realization of higher tax revenues and licensing fees, which have been earmarked for education and public programs.
Economic stakes: jobs, tax revenue, and tourism
The GFLB’s recommendations are anchored in the belief that downstate casinos can generate substantial job creation, tax revenue, and tourism spending. Estimates from developers and independent consultants typically project:
- Construction jobs over several years, often numbering in the thousands, backed by union labor agreements.
- Permanent hospitality and gaming jobs once the facilities open, including dealers, hotel staff, security, food service workers, and maintenance teams.
- Recurring state and local tax revenue from gaming taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes.
- Increased visitor spending at nearby small businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, and transportation services.
“Casinos can be powerful engines of local employment and tax revenue, but long-term outcomes depend heavily on regulation, oversight, and reinvestment in the community.”
Policymakers are weighing how to ensure that revenue from licenses and operations is directed toward public priorities such as schools, transit, and neighborhood infrastructure rather than simply filling budget gaps.
Community concerns: traffic, problem gambling, and neighborhood change
Alongside economic optimism, the three casino proposals have prompted detailed questions from residents, community boards, and advocacy groups. Major concerns include:
- Traffic and congestion near bridges, highways, and stadiums, especially during major events.
- Public safety and the capacity of local police, fire, and emergency services.
- Problem gambling and addiction, particularly in communities already facing economic stress.
- Housing pressure and potential gentrification effects around newly attractive entertainment districts.
- Noise and light pollution from 24/7 operations and large-scale events.
Under New York’s regulatory framework, each project must complete extensive environmental and social impact reviews, which include public comment periods. Health advocates are urging robust funding for responsible gaming programs, counseling services, and data-driven monitoring of gambling-related harm in surrounding neighborhoods.
How the downstate casino licensing process works
The path from recommendation to operating casino is complex and multi-layered. The GFLB’s move to advance Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World NYC narrows the field, but several steps remain.
Key stages in the process
- Community Advisory Committee (CAC) approvals
Each proposal must secure support from a CAC made up of local and state representatives who evaluate neighborhood impact, benefits, and concerns. - Zoning and land-use approvals
Projects that require zoning changes or special permits must go through New York City’s land-use review process (ULURP), including community board hearings and City Council involvement. - Environmental impact assessments
Developers must complete studies on traffic, air quality, noise, and other effects under state and local law. - Final licensing decisions
The New York State Gaming Commission, informed by the GFLB and other agencies, ultimately issues or denies licenses. - Construction and phased opening
Approved projects may open in phases, with gaming floors, hotels, and entertainment venues coming online over several years.
This staged approach gives communities and regulators multiple opportunities to shape the final design, enforce conditions, or, if necessary, halt or redirect projects that do not meet established standards.
How New York fits into the national casino landscape
With these three downstate proposals, New York is positioning itself to compete more aggressively with established gaming destinations such as Atlantic City, Pennsylvania’s casino corridor, and tribal facilities across the Northeast. Analysts note that:
- New York has one of the largest tourist and commuter populations in the country.
- Casinos integrated with sports venues and airports can tap into existing transit flows.
- Regulators are under pressure to maintain strict oversight while capturing revenue that might otherwise leave the state.
Industry observers frequently cite research from organizations like the American Gaming Association and academic studies on gaming’s regional impact to argue that the success of New York’s approach will hinge on transparency, community engagement, and enforcement of responsible gaming standards.
Further reading, tools, and resources for understanding casino development
For readers who want to explore the broader issues around gaming, urban planning, and economic development, the following resources provide useful context:
- Brookings Institution research on gambling and regional economies
- New York State Gaming Commission – official documents and meeting materials
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – mental health and addiction resources
- YouTube lectures on casinos, tourism, and urban planning
Readers interested in the business and hospitality side of casinos often look to in-depth books on the gaming industry, tourism management, and responsible regulation. A widely used overview text in hospitality education is:
Casino Operations Management by Jim Kilby, Jim Fox, and Anthony F. Lucas – a professional perspective on how casinos are structured, managed, and regulated.
What to watch next: timelines, hearings, and community input
Over the coming months, close observers of New York’s casino process will be tracking several milestones:
- Announcements of public hearing dates in the Bronx and Queens.
- Revisions to project designs in response to community feedback.
- Detailed environmental impact statements outlining traffic, noise, and public space implications.
- Labor and community benefit agreements specifying hiring targets and local investments.
- Legislative discussions in Albany and at City Hall regarding zoning, land use, and oversight.
Residents, business owners, and commuters in affected areas can play a direct role by participating in hearings, submitting written testimony, and reviewing the materials posted on official state and city websites. The balance New York strikes between economic opportunity and neighborhood stability will depend heavily on how actively the public engages with this once-in-a-generation reshaping of the city’s entertainment and tourism map.
As the Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World New York City proposals move forward, they will offer an ongoing case study in how major urban regions manage high-stakes development, public revenue needs, and the everyday lives of the people who call those neighborhoods home.
