In 2013, the New York State Constitution was amended to authorize up to seven commercial casinos in the state. Subsequently, the State sited four commercial casinos in upstate New York. In 2022, the enacted New York State budget established a new siting process and criteria for the remaining three licenses.
What’s the latest in the Casino License Awarding Process?
Eight casino license applications (including one in this district at 686 1st Avenue) were submitted to the State for public review. The State has posted application materials for all eight submissions.
The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) held its first organizational meeting on July 17, 2025, its first public hearing on August 28, 2025, and its second public hearing on September 15, 2025. The final vote on the project was held on Monday, September 22nd at 10am. The application was rejected by four of six members of the CAC, meaning that this application will not move forward (four of six members needed to be in support of the application for it to move forward).
Those on the CAC who opposed the application were representatives from Borough President Mark Levine, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, and Council Member Keith Powers. Those on the CAC who voted to move the application forward were representatives from Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul.
For a record of how this process played out, please refer to the timeline below.
Casino License Selection Milestones
June 27, 2025
Application deadline.
July 3, 2025
July 17, 2025
CAC Meeting #1 – During the meeting, the committee took care of some procedural matters and heard a presentation from the casino license applicant team. Watch video here.
August 28, 2025, 4 – 9 PM
September 15, 2025, 2 PM – 8 PM
September 22, 2025, 10 AM
CAC Final Vote. Watch video here. This vote failed, meaning that the casino’s application does not advance any further.
More details on the timeline can be found in a June 28, 2024 press release from the Gaming Facility Location Board.
What was CB6’s Role in the Casino License Awarding Process?
CB6 did not have the power to approve or reject any casino proposal, as State law did not create a role for community boards in this process. The CAC—not CB6–decided on whether a casino proposal would advance or will be rejected for lack of community support. However, as with any issue of importance to our district, CB6 can advocate for the views of our district residents. To that end, in March 2023 CB6 passed a resolution opposing the siting of a casino anywhere in Manhattan Community District 6. Additionally, CB6 also passed a resolution calling for the original development plans for the lot in question (on the east side of First Avenue, between East 38th Street and East 41st Street) to be adhered to.
Additionally, in January 2024 CB6 passed a resolution opposing the Gaming Facility Text Amendment. The Gaming Facility Text Amendment was a Citywide Text Amendment that sought to change the city zoning code to introduce gaming facilities as-of-right within specified zoning districts across the city, bypassing the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and diminishing the voice of community boards and the public in the casino location review process. Under the zoning rules at the time, casinos were not permitted in Manhattan Community District 6. The Gaming Facility Text Amendment removes that obstacle to building a casino in our district and other districts across the city. In April 2024, the City Council voted to approve the Gaming Facility Text Amendment.