The New York State Gaming Commission issued a ”request for information” today to gauge the interest of operators in three as-of-yet unawarded casino licenses that are reserved for the New York City area.
Their request was issued in tightly worded report: “The Commission is seeking information to develop a better understanding of interest in the unawarded commercial casino licenses and, if there is interest, what factors should be considered by the state in the development of a process to award such licenses. Accordingly, the commission is issuing this document to draw input from interested and affected parties.”
Proposals from the casino operators are due on December 10, at which time the Commission will decide if the interest is sufficient enough – and objections mild enough – to move forward.
Major operators are expected to be interested in the prospect, but with only three licenses available, the competition is sure to be cutthroat. Two of the licenses are expected to be going to operators that are already permitted to run slot machines in the area, Genting and MGM Resorts. That leaves one license to be awarded. Bally’s Corporation, Las Vegas Sands, and Wynn Resorts have all expressed interest.
The casinos would have to go in specific areas downstate, including New York City, Nassau or Suffolk Counties in Long Island, and in Westchester-Rockland-Putnam Counties north of the City.
Building a casino in the heart of NYC is unlikely given the strong stance against the proposal that several Manhattan lawmakers have already taken. Whatever objections they might have, three casinos in the area are expected to raise revenue by $420m to $630m per year.
