Hard Rock’s New York casino bid unanimously approved by Advisory Committee
The New York State Gaming Commission will award three casino licenses by the conclusion of 2025, with bids from Hard Rock, Resorts World, MGM Resorts and Bally’s still in contention.
Key Points
- The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park project was also put forth by New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen, proposed to be built near the team’s Citi Field stadium
- Resorts World and MGM Resorts’ proposals are considered front-runners for the licenses due to its pre-existence as casino-like properties, including offering VLTs
Hard Rock International and New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen’s bid for a hotel casino to be built in Queens was unanimously approved by the New York Community Advisory Committee, advancing it forward with fellow proposals from Resorts World, MGM Resorts and Bally’s.
“While the Mets may not make the playoffs, we can consider this a home run for Citi Field and for Queens,” Community Advisory Committee Member Donovan Richards said.
An initial group of eight proposals was put forth to receive one of three casino licenses to be granted from the New York State Gaming Commission prior to the conclusion of 2025. Resorts World’s casino resort is also proposed to be constructed in Queens, while MGM Resorts’ proposal is located in Yonkers and Bally’s would be built in the Bronx.
The $6.4bn Hard Rock proposal would be built near the Mets’ Citi Field stadium in the Willets Point neighborhood, and was passed forward despite resistance from New York Senator Jessica Ramos, who voiced her disapproval for the project in 2024.
On September 17, the Advisory Committee officially rejected Caesars Entertainment and SL Green Realty Corporation’s proposal for a Times Square casino facility after receiving just two of the four required votes to move forward to the Gaming Facility Location Board.
Soloviev Group CEO Michael Hershman issued a statement following the Committee’s rejection of the company’s Freedom Plaza casino project in Manhattan on September 22, originally developed in partnership with Mohegan.
Good to know: Epic Global Solutions Founder & CEO Paul Buck took part in the United Nation’s General Assembly event in New York, held on September 23
“We have been humbled by the overwhelming support expressed by neighbors, community and civic organizations and our faith, labor and workforce partners,” Hershman said.
“We believe they recognized what we did – Freedom Plaza was a transformative project that promised benefits that our community deserved and was built upon a sustained engagement with neighbors, civic leaders and stakeholders across the city that recognized this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”
Resorts World and MGM Resorts’ proposals are considered front-runners for the licenses due to its pre-existence as casino-like properties, including offering video lottery terminals (VLTs).
Tags/Keywords
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
