New York State Gaming Commission Approves Casino Licensing Fee Scheme

The New York State Gaming Commission’s Gaming Facility Location Board overwhelmingly approved two financial requirements for potential bidders vying for one of three downstate casino licenses during a June 16 meeting.

As the state moves forward with its long-anticipated casino gambling expansion in the New York City metro region, the board approved a $500 million licensing fee and a $500 million capital requirement for applicants, creating a significant financial barrier.

The state will issue licenses before the end of the year, and applications must be submitted by June 27. However, in order to be eligible, candidates need to fulfill other prerequisites.

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By September 30th, all projects must finish their environmental, zoning, and land use entitlement process. Due to the shortened review and decision-making timelines used by the majority of local governments, operators are under tremendous time pressure to fulfill these requirements, especially zoning clearances.

Every application will be examined by a Community Advisory Committee (CAC), a requirement meant to gauge public support for each casino plan. A binding vote is required to decide whether a proposal advances in the selection process, and the CACs have the authority to convene many public meetings.

Approval requires a two-thirds majority. The makeup of each CAC varies based on the location of each bid. Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and the district’s affected state senator, assembly member, borough president, and city council member will be among the CAC members for proposals submitted inside New York City.

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