Statement from NYSGC Chair O’Dwyer Regarding Casino Applicants

NYSGC Chair O’Dwyer has released the following statement regarding casino applicants.

“On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and the Gaming Facility Location Board, I welcome the eight applicants to Develop and Operate a Gaming Facility in New York State to the competition. The Commission and Board are committed to ensuring the casino siting process is fair, transparent, competitive, deliberative, and beneficial for the State of New York.

“This is a tabula rasa – there are no frontrunners or favorites. These eight proposed projects represent billions of dollars in private investment, thousands of jobs, and amenities in addition to a world-class casino – all things that can transform a community. That’s why each project must obtain all local entitlements, including zoning approval, and be approved by a specific Community Advisory Committee of appointees of the elected officials representing the proposed facility’s location. Only those projects that meet both statutory requirements – zoning and Community Advisory Committee approval – by September 30, 2025 will be considered by the Gaming Facility Location Board. This ensures that only those projects embraced by the community are placed before the Board for consideration.

“Appointing authorities for all eight projects have been notified of their obligation to make appointments to the Community Advisory Committees as soon as possible, as Committees are expected to be up and running in the coming weeks. Through the summer, Committees will hold public hearings to gauge support and/or opposition to their respective project, and formally vote whether to advance the project for Board evaluation. Those projects that are not approved by their Community Advisory Committee will not advance.

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“The Board will evaluate those projects approved by their Community Advisory Committee and select up to three projects by December 1, followed by Commission licensure. This ensures that New York State will collect the already-booked casino license fee(s) ahead of schedule.

“As the Board has stated in the Request for Applications, the revenue from new gaming facilities is expected to benefit New York’s public schools, mass transit, local governments, and problem gambling treatment services. The jobs created by these casinos are expected to deliver livable wages to help families live, stay, and prosper in New York.

“We look forward to a competitive process with active community engagement for all proposals.”