New York accelerates casino licensing process

New York state lawmakers have passed a bill to expedite the issuance of casino licenses in New York City.

The state legislature extended its session beyond the scheduled end date of June 6 to vote on this bill.

Governor Kathy Hochul will soon receive SB 9673 on casinos.

Senator Joseph Addabbo and Representative Gary Pretlow introduced SB 9673, which has been approved by both the Senate and Assembly. The next step is to send it to Governor Hochul for approval.

An amendment added by Addabbo requires the New York Gaming Facility Location Board to make recommendations on the selection of upstate casinos by December 31, 2025.

Applications must be submitted by August 31 of this year, with the deadline for issuing licenses set for March 31, 2026. SB 9673 also allows interested developers to apply for casino licenses while they are still addressing land use issues.

New York plans to issue three upstate casino licenses. Applicants must meet specific environmental standards, including compliance with the State/City Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR).

To date, there are 11 known competitors, including:

MGM Resorts InternationalWynn ResortsLas Vegas SandsCaesars EntertainmentThese operators are the only ones who have presented their initial plans for casinos in New York.