In a significant decision altering the landscape of New York City’s entertainment industry, the City Council has approved the “Gaming Facility Text Amendment”. The amendment, passed with a resounding 35 to 15 majority on Thursday, painstakingly orchestrated by Mayor Eric Adams, clears the road for the construction of glitzy casino hotels in selected niches across the five boroughs.
The masterstroke initiated by the charismatic mayor last November aims to house gaming establishments in the city’s manufacturing districts and invite them to almost all commercial areas. Unfettered by any restrictions regarding their size, these developments have been given the green light thanks to the Council vote endorsing the mayor’s plan.
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, a powerhouse within District 28, explained the current predicament and the solution offered by the new amendment. She asserted, “Casinos currently don’t constitute permitted uses within New York City’s zoning. This text amendment offers a resolution to this zoning discrepancy while preserving the communities’ decision-making authority concerning the state’s casino licenses application process.”
The council vote has been hailed as a catalyst that could speed up the hitherto sluggish process of enabling the nine contenders to officially present their plans for bagging one of the three precious downstate casino permits. The current understanding is that New York regulators will not dole out these licenses until late 2025, causing palpable frustration among the gaming corporations.
The Thursday vote is undeniably a major accomplishment and a step closer to actualizing New York’s dream of a vibrant casino empire. Nonetheless, there are still some knots to untangle.
Bally’s proposed resort in the Bronx and Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International’s ambitious design in Queens are pending parkland designation alterations for their potential sites. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Sands, with fervent hopes of raising a casino hotel amidst the historical grandeur of the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, find themselves embroiled in a legal tussle initiated by Hofstra University.
Sands executives have lambasted the stagnant pace of the New York casino process – Sands’ CFO Patrick Dumont deeming it unclear and awash with confusion.
All proposals for the three downstate licenses have to meet the approval of a Community Advisory Committee (CAC), envisaged to comprise six appointees from the offices of Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Adams, and policymakers from areas marked for prospective casinos.
Despite the 35-15 vote hinting at a smooth passage through the Council, the mayor’s proposal faced a volley of criticism from both ends of the spectrum. Conservatives and progressives locked horns to cast the pitch in negative light.
Bronx Council Member Kristy Marmorato, representing the area headlined for the Bally’s casino hotel, expressed apprehensions that changing zoning laws for gaming companies could possibly trigger other developers to seek loopholes in the city’s zoning regulations.
Concurring on this stance was Kalman Yeger, a Democrat from Brooklyn known for his moderate views. Yeger, who represents Coney Island, earmarked for a casino resort by Thor Equities, categorically termed the idea of placing gaming venues close to schools and family residences as a “bad policy”.
Out of the 51 community boards across New York City, 19 voted against the plan passed by the Council, while 30 chose to remain silent on the issue. As New York City takes one step closer to embracing casino culture, only time will reveal the final cards played in this high-stakes game of zoning and regulations.
