New York’s Three Casino Licenses: Resorts World NYC, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Bally’s Bronx Drive a Multi-Billion-Dollar Economic Engine with Strong Local Content Commitments

New York’s approval of three full-scale downstate casino licenses represents one of the most significant economic development decisions in the state’s recent history. The selection of Resorts World New York City in Queens, Hard Rock’s Metropolitan Park project near Citi Field, and Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point sets the stage for a multibillion-dollar economic transformation that will deliver major public revenue, private investment, job creation, and community benefits across New York City.

Each casino operator was required to pay a 500 million dollar licensing fee, generating a total of 1.5 billion dollars in upfront revenue before construction begins. Economic forecasts project that the three licensed casinos will collectively generate about 7 billion dollars in gaming tax revenue between 2027 and 2036, along with nearly 6 billion dollars in additional state and local taxes. This combined 13 billion dollars in projected revenue makes the downstate casino expansion one of the most powerful fiscal engines New York has introduced in decades.

The large-scale private investment behind each proposal magnifies the impact. Resorts World plans an estimated 5 billion dollar expansion, transforming its existing site into a full integrated resort with hotel towers, entertainment venues, retail, restaurants, and an expanded gaming operation. Hard Rock’s Metropolitan Park proposal is the largest, at approximately 8 billion dollars. The project is expected to create a major entertainment district connected to Citi Field, drawing tourists and driving new spending across hospitality, sports, and nightlife. Bally’s Bronx rounds out the group with an estimated 4 billion dollar investment to convert the former Ferry Point golf course into a major resort destination with hotel rooms, casino gaming, food and beverage offerings, and community amenities. Combined, the three projects bring nearly 17 billion dollars in private investment to New York City.

A major pillar of the licensing process was each proposal’s commitment to local content. New York required operators to demonstrate strong plans for local hiring, union labor, job training, and long-term workforce development. As a result, tens of thousands of construction and operations jobs are expected, with career-track employment opportunities for residents across the five boroughs.

Local content also includes supplier procurement. Each casino operator committed to working with minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and small local businesses across construction, food services, maintenance, technology, retail, and professional services. These commitments are projected to drive hundreds of millions of dollars in contracting opportunities for local businesses throughout the lifecycle of each project.

Community benefits were another required component. Each operator submitted a detailed plan outlining investments in neighborhood improvements, transit access, educational partnerships, public safety resources, environmental planning, community engagement, and long-term economic uplift for surrounding communities. These community benefit agreements are designed to ensure the casinos contribute directly to improving quality of life for nearby residents, not just generating state revenue.

Together, the three newly licensed casinos represent far more than gaming expansion. With 1.5 billion dollars in licensing fees, nearly 17 billion dollars in capital investment, and more than 13 billion dollars in projected tax revenues, these integrated resort projects will shape the economic future of New York for decades. Their commitments to local hiring, local sourcing, and community benefits ensure that the economic impact reaches workers, small businesses, and neighborhoods across the city.

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