The New York State Gaming Commission has said that the state probably won't announce who got new land-based casino licenses until late 2025 since the process of getting the necessary approvals takes so long.
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 Last January, New York formally began the bidding process for three commercial casinos in the downstate area.  An change to the New York State Constitution in 2013 allowed four upstate casinos to start for business. Three more casinos will operate later, either closer to or in New York City.

 Several big names in the land-based casino business are already interested in the process.  MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, and Caesars Entertainment are just a few of the companies that have made plans for new casinos.

 But those who were hoping for a decision this year will be let down.  Robert Williams, the executive director of the Commission, talked about the process and when it would likely go forward at a meeting yesterday (March 25).

 Because of long studies of the new properties' effects on the environment, it's doubtful that a decision will be made about the three eventual sites until the second half of 2025.

 Things to think about for people who want to get a casino licence 
 To get a licence, everyone who is interested must meet a number of prerequisites.  These include the State/City Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and other environmental criteria.

 Williams added that these kinds of reviews probably won't end until the first quarter of 2025.  This could mean that people who are interested will have to change their applications, which will need to be approved again.  Williams stated that moving forward with the licensing procedure before the reviews were done would be a "administrative nightmare." 

 Uniform Land Use Review Procedures (ULURPs), which all applicants must follow, might possibly cause more delays.  Like the SEQR, this process probably won't be done until early next year.

 Williams also said that all applicants must show that they can completely pay for their projects before they can move further.  Williams said that if it wasn't done right, it could cause more delays in the future.

 At the meeting, he added, "Putting money in the way of a licensing decision could make it more expensive to get into the capital markets, which could make the proposal smaller and less ambitious."

 Tips for people applying in New York
 The Commission has told applicants to utilise 2024 to make sure their plans fit all the requirements because these processes take a long time.  This involves doing the necessary environmental studies and giving New York adequate time to look over the related ULURPs.

 The Commission added that this training will assist make sure that candidates are in a "fulsome" position before the larger assessment process begins. 

 The Commission hopes to finish more reviews about zoning and environmental issues by the end of summer 2025. Community Advisory Committees should be ready to look at applications by the middle of 2025. 

 The agency claimed that this might then make it possible to make a final judgement on licenses by the end of 2025.  At this point, the winning parties would have to pay the licensing price, with the goal of operating their new casino a year later.

 The Commission added, "This timeline meets the legal requirements for SEQR and gives local zoning approvals enough time to come up with the best, most complete plans for commercial casino development."

 Who wants a licence?
 There is a lot of competition for one of the three new licenses.  MGM announced intentions in November of last year to turn its Empire City Casino into a full-fledged commercial casino.

 The Yonkers facility is a video lottery racino that has slots, table games, harness racing betting, and worldwide simulcasting.  MGM, on the other hand, wants to turn the building into a bigger space with a full-scale casino that has live-dealer tables, slots, and a high-limit gaming section.

 There will also be a BetMGM Sportsbook and Lounge betting area, a 5,000-seat entertainment arena, and a number of eateries on the property.

 Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, and Hard Rock International also announced plans for a $8 billion casino resort near Citi Field baseball in November.

 The plan includes a Hard Rock hotel and casino, as well as a separate sportsbook facility, although these will only happen if licenses are acquired.  There will also be a food hall, a tailgate area, a place for live music and 20 acres of new park space.

 At the same time, Caesars Entertainment said it would open a casino in New York City in October 2022.  Caesars wants to open the facility in Times Square in conjunction with SL Green Realty.

 Plans call for redeveloping 1515 Broadway to make Caesars Palace Times Square.  The bid is also getting support from Roc Nation, an entertainment agency that Jay-Z started.

 Las Vegas Sands, on the other hand, wants to build a facility on Long Island and has bought the long-term lease for the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  Wynn is also involved, and they are working on a site in the Hudson Yards development in Manhattan.