MGM RESORTS GATHERS STRONG SUPPORT FOR NEW YORK CASINO BID

The New York State Gaming Commission has received 30 responses to its Request for Information from parties interested in the three available casino licenses in the state.

The New York gambling regulator received proposals from casino operators MGM Resorts International, UE Resorts International (formerly Okada Manila), Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, Rush Street Gaming, The Water Club, Hard Rock International, Bally’s, and Shinnecock Indian Nation, which hopes to open a casino on tribal land on Long Island.

All but two responses from casino operators were fully redacted, with Rush Street calling on the Commission to establish a transparent application process with a level playing field for applicants.

The submission from The Water Club proposes a “Monte Carlo-style casino” in midtown Manhattan which would offer table games and no slot machines.

Among the remaining 22 submissions, a further five were fully redacted, while eight were supportive of the bid by MGM Resort’s Empire City Casino. They include the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Westchester County Executive, Office of the Mayor of Mount Vernon, Office of the Mayor of Yonkers, Business Council of Westchester, United Way of Westchester and Putman, Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body, and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York.

The Standardbred Owners Association of New York expressed support for the MGM bid but did raise concerns about the current state of racing operations at Yonkers Raceway, while District 28 N.Y.C. Council was supportive of the bid by Resorts World New York City in Queens.

Four respondents were opposed to any casino at Citi Field Stadium due to traffic and congestion problems, while the likes of the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council were supportive of any new casino.

The RFI sought information from parties interested in developing and/or operating gaming facilities in the state and closed on December 10. The New York State Gaming Commission must now submit a report to the Governor and state legislature on the result of the RFI process within six months.

Gaminglntelligence