Resorts World New York City’s bold expansion and MGM Resorts’ surprise exit from the Yonkers contest have refocused attention on one of the most consequential land-based casino competitions in the United States, with licensing decisions and local legislation expected to reshape gaming for years to come.
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is weighing proposals for up to three downstate commercial casino licenses by the December 1, 2025 deadline set by state regulators. In a move that altered the field of contenders, MGM announced in mid-October 2025 that it would withdraw its $2.3 billion Empire City / Yonkers application, citing shifting economic conditions and concerns over the proposed 15-year license term. That announcement consolidated momentum behind other major bids and raised questions about the viability and timing of large-scale land-based developments. Reporting on the withdrawal is available in Politico. MGM drops out of race for NYC-area casino licenses
Resorts World’s aggressive bid and economic promises
Genting Americas’ Resorts World New York City has countered with what it calls the largest integrated-resort plan in the United States – a multi-billion-dollar proposal anchored at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens. Resorts World has submitted supplemental filings describing a build-out valued in the billions and projecting rapid revenue flows to both the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York education funds. Company materials and filings indicate the developer expects to be capable of opening full operations as early as March 2026 if selected, and to pay a substantial upfront license fee plus four years of elevated tax payments that it says would exceed the MTA’s budgeted casino revenue forecasts.
Local approvals have moved in Resorts World’s favor: by mid-2025 the project secured key land-use endorsements and community review steps that proponents say would allow construction to begin immediately after a license is issued. Supporters highlight tens of thousands of temporary construction jobs and thousands of permanent hospitality and casino positions; critics warn about traffic, displacement of parkland or racetrack heritage, and the social costs tied to expanded gambling access.
Political and local friction around site approvals
The downstate licensing race has become entangled with local political maneuvering. Elected officials have introduced bills and zoning changes to facilitate or block specific bids – most visibly the push around a proposed Bally’s project in the Bronx that would require reclassification of Ferry Point parkland. State senators and assembly members have both sponsored legislation aimed at enabling particular developments, while community advisory panels and borough leaders weigh public benefit promises against neighborhood impacts.
The competitive field now includes Resorts World, Bally’s (Bronx proposal), and a Mets-linked plan near Citi Field backed by billionaire Steve Cohen, though each faces its own political headwinds and legal and environmental reviews. The withdrawal of MGM from Yonkers – which had touted redevelopment of an existing gaming site into a destination resort – underscores how regulatory terms and expected license durations can alter investment calculus for major operators.
Broader U.S. land-based casino trends to watch
The New York contest comes as the U.S. land-based casino sector navigates a mix of expansion, consolidation, and experiential repositioning. Major operators are balancing investments in integrated resorts and entertainment venues against regulatory uncertainty and competition from online sports betting and iGaming, which has grown since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing states to regulate sports wagering. In Las Vegas, chains continue to refresh and rebrand hotels and attractions – including lifestyle and celebrity partnerships slated for 2026 openings – showing that operators see in-person resort experiences as a key differentiator.
Investors and municipal officials will be watching several signals closely: whether the New York Gaming Facility Location Board issues licenses by the December 1, 2025 target; the exact terms and tax rates attached to any awarded licenses; and how quickly approved projects can begin construction and convert promised license fees and tax streams into municipal budgets. For residents, the immediate concerns will include traffic and local jobs; for transit officials, projected MTA contributions from casino license fees could be a major near-term revenue source.
What to watch next
Decisions expected by December 1, 2025 will likely determine which developers move forward and which projects stall. If Resorts World or another bidder is awarded a license and meets the state’s timeline, New York could see one of the fastest large-scale commercial casino deployments in recent U.S. history, with potential openings as early as mid-2026. Observers should track final license award notices, any legal challenges from competing bidders or community groups, and municipal budget updates that reflect projected casino revenues.