New York is officially going all-in on downstate casinos after the state Gaming Commission voted Monday to approve three Las Vegas-style casino projects in the New York City area—one of which includes a Bronx property leased from former President Donald Trump.
The decision clears the final regulatory hurdle and sets the stage for massive casino developments at Metropolitan Park in Willets Point (adjacent to Citi Field), Resorts World at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, and a Bally’s casino in the Bronx on the site of a city-owned golf course currently managed by the Trump Organization.
Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the approvals, calling them a “game-changer” for the state. “These casinos will generate billions of dollars for the MTA and education, create tens of thousands of jobs, and deliver real benefits to their surrounding communities,” she said in a statement.
One of the most high-profile projects is Bally’s Bronx, which will transform the Throggs Neck golf course into a sprawling casino and entertainment complex. According to the development deal, Bally’s paid the Trump Organization $60 million for a long-term lease. If the project moves forward as planned, the city would also pay Trump’s company an additional $115 million.
Mayor Eric Adams previously vetoed a City Council motion opposing the Bally’s plan, citing job creation and investment opportunities for the area.
The green light from the commission comes more than a decade after New York voters passed a 2013 constitutional amendment allowing up to seven full-scale casinos statewide, with three reserved for the New York City region.
The economic stakes are enormous. State officials project $1.5 billion in licensing fees and up to $5.9 billion in tax revenue from the casinos, with revenue expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2033. Between 2027 and 2036, that could translate into $7 billion for the state’s budget.
Mets owner Steve Cohen, who spearheaded the Metropolitan Park proposal near Citi Field, welcomed the final approval. “Fans and the community have made it clear—we can do better with the area around the ballpark,” Cohen said. “Now, we’re delivering the sports and entertainment district New York deserves.”
