NYC Greenlights First Las Vegas-Style Casinos

New York City officially cleared the way for its first full-scale, Las Vegas-style casinos on December 15, 2025, when the New York State Gaming Commission granted final approval to three major casino resort projects. The decision marks a historic expansion of legalized gambling in the city and a pivotal moment for its tourism and hospitality landscape.

The approvals authorize three large-scale casino developments outside Manhattan: an $8 billion Metropolitan Park project next to Citi Field in Queens led by Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International; a full casino and resort expansion of Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack, also in Queens; and a Bally’s casino planned for the Ferry Point golf course site in the Bronx. Together, these projects represent years of lobbying, bidding, and regulatory review aimed at bringing destination-style gaming resorts to the nation’s largest city.

Will they really be the first casinos in NYC?

Before this move, New York State permitted terminal video gambling machines at racetracks — often referred to as racinos. These include Aqueduct (Queens), Yonkers Raceway/Empire City (just outside NYC), Finger Lakes, Monticello, and others. They offer electronic gaming machines similar to slots, but are not full-service casinos with table games.

What’s in it for the city?

State officials and developers argue the casinos will generate billions of dollars in tax revenue over the next decade, create tens of thousands of construction and permanent hospitality jobs, and keep gambling dollars in New York that currently flow to neighboring states such as New Jersey and Connecticut. Analysts estimate that around $7 billion in gambling tax revenue will be generated from 2027 to 2036, plus large upfront license fees paid to the state.

Supporters also view the projects as a means to diversify New York City’s tourism offerings, adding gaming, entertainment, and large resort hotels to a market traditionally driven by culture, business travel, and international sightseeing.

What’s the dark side?

At the same time, the move has exposed tensions around how — or whether — casinos should be promoted as part of New York City’s tourism brand. As Skift reported, tourism and destination-marketing groups have taken a cautious stance, signaling that while the approvals are significant, it remains unclear how aggressively the city will market gaming alongside its existing global appeal. Community opposition around gambling addiction, traffic, and neighborhood impact also played a role in sidelining other high-profile bids, including proposals in Manhattan and Coney Island.

What’s going on now?

With final licenses now issued, developers can begin construction and detailed planning. Regulators state that oversight mechanisms, including compliance monitoring, will remain in place as the projects progress. The earliest phases of the Resorts World expansion could open as soon as 2026, while full buildouts for all three casinos are expected later in the decade.

For New York City, the approvals signal more than new casino floors — they mark a long-term bet on reshaping the city’s entertainment economy and redefining what draws visitors in the years ahead.

This summer, New York City Tourism + Conventions has launched Libby, an AI-powered travel assistant designed to provide real-time, personalized recommendations to tourists and locals navigating the city. 

Cover photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash