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Three New York Casino Projects Require Community Approval and Additional Parking Spaces

In the competitive race for three downstate casino licenses, three proposed projects in New York are seeking community approval and additional parking spaces. These projects include the Metropolitan Park Casino by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, the Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) expansion, and an unnamed third project among the eight contenders vying for licenses.

The Metropolitan Park Casino, a proposed $8 billion complex near Citi Field in Queens, features a casino, hotel, restaurants, and green spaces. The Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) expansion, with a $5.5 billion plan to transform the Queens Aqueduct Racetrack site, offers a casino, 1,600-room hotel, arena, and dining venues. The third project's details are yet to be disclosed, but it is part of the eight contenders competing for the three licenses.

Collectively, these projects require an additional 912 parking spaces beyond the 1,500 they have already planned, although the sources do not break down the parking requirement by individual project explicitly.

Before these projects can move forward to final licensing by the New York State Gaming Commission, they must secure a two-thirds approval from the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for each project. This community approval is a critical step in the process, as it ensures that the projects have the support of the local community.

Grant Mitchell, a veteran of the gambling industry and an industry news expert, covers legislative news, financial updates, and general trends in the sector. He knows a thing or two about persistence, having been a former long-distance runner, and consistently holds himself to a high standard. In the decision-making process for these projects, four out of the six board members must vote to recommend a project.

The New York Division of Gaming Enforcement is responsible for picking the projects to be licensed, and it is expected to award the casino licenses by the end of 2025. The division will select three projects for licensing later this year.

| Casino Project | Location | Estimated Cost | Key Features | Parking Spaces | Voting Requirement for CAC Recommendation | |-----------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Metropolitan Park Casino | Queens (near Citi Field) | $8 billion | Casino, hotel, restaurants, green spaces | Included in 912 additional spaces | Two-thirds CAC approval | | Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) Expansion | Queens Aqueduct Racetrack | $5.5 billion | Casino, 1,600-room hotel, arena, dining venues | Included in 912 additional spaces | Two-thirds CAC approval | | Third Proposed Casino (unnamed) | Downstate NY (various) | Unknown | Part of 8 contenders, competing for three licenses | Included in 912 additional spaces | Two-thirds CAC approval |

As these projects await final approval, the community's voice will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the gambling industry in New York. Stay tuned for updates on the decision-making process and the final licensing decisions later in 2025.