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What is the current status of each NYC casino proposal?

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 13:19 GMT by Fox 5 NY
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The Current State of New York City’s Casino Proposals – A 2025 Snapshot

In 2024 a handful of city officials, developers, and community advocates filed for a series of new casino ventures across New York City. While the idea of “the city’s first casino” has been a talking point for more than a decade, only a single proposal is now close to the final stage of approval. Below is a concise rundown of each proposal, its legal standing, and the major hurdles that remain.

1. Midtown Manhattan – “The 50 St. Casino”

What it is
The Midtown proposal is a joint venture between the New York Gaming Development Corp. (NYGDC) and the Broadway‑Crown Realty Group. The plan is to convert the historic 18‑story Crown Theater on 50 St into a 70,000‑square‑foot casino that would also house a luxury hotel, a concert hall, and a high‑end restaurant.

Current status
- City Approval: The City Council’s Finance Committee approved the preliminary budget in March 2024.
- Casino Commission: The New York City Gaming Commission granted a “conditional approval” in June 2024, contingent on a public‑interest review.
- Public Hearings: The first public hearing is slated for August 23, 2024.
- Funding: A projected $1.2 billion has been earmarked from a mix of developer equity, a federal gaming tax incentive, and a public‑private partnership.

Key obstacles
- Opposition from Labor Unions: The Union of Theatre Workers has petitioned the City Council to block the project, citing concerns about job losses for theater staff.
- Community Concerns: Neighborhood associations on 50 St have highlighted traffic, noise, and the potential for increased gambling addiction.
- Legal: The NY Casino Coalition filed a lawsuit in February 2024 alleging that the Commission violated due‑process rights in the approval process. The case is pending and could delay the project until the fall.

2. Flushing, Queens – “The Flushing Bay Casino”

What it is
A consortium led by Harborview Holdings proposes a 45‑story casino‑hotel complex on the former Bayside Storage Facility along the Flushing River. The project is billed as a “mixed‑use development” with retail, office space, and public waterfront parks.

Current status
- City Approval: The Queens Community Board 10 approved the land‑use change in May 2024.
- Casino Commission: The Commission gave a conditional license in July 2024, with a mandatory “public‑interest impact assessment.”
- Funding: Harborview is securing a $900 million loan from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) under a “Section 4G” loan.

Key obstacles
- Environmental Review: The project must undergo an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the NY Environmental Quality Review Act (NYEQA). The EIS is expected to be completed by December 2024.
- Local Opposition: The Flushing Civic Association argues that the casino would erode the cultural character of the neighborhood and threaten the viability of local businesses.
- Legal: A group of environmental lawyers filed a petition in July 2024 to halt the project citing insufficient environmental data. The petition is under review by the New York State Environmental Court.

3. Brooklyn – “Prospect Park Casino”

What it is
Developed by Brooklyn Gaming Partners (BGP), the plan calls for a 55,000‑square‑foot casino on the north side of Prospect Park, close to the Prospect Park Zoo and the Bergen Beach waterfront.

Current status
- City Approval: The proposal was dismissed by the Brooklyn Community Board 6 in March 2024 after a 3–2 vote.
- Casino Commission: No license has been issued, as the Commission deferred review pending community feedback.
- Funding: BGP is seeking a $1 billion investment from a consortium of Asian gaming conglomerates, but the funding package remains incomplete.

Key obstacles
- Community Opposition: A coalition of park advocates, headed by the Prospect Park Preservation Alliance, has organized a “Save Our Park” campaign, citing the risk of increased traffic, noise, and gambling addiction among youths.
- Legal: The coalition filed a lawsuit in April 2024 arguing that the project violates the Prospect Park Land Use Plan. A temporary restraining order was granted, effectively halting any construction until the end of 2025.
- Political: Several Brooklyn borough presidents and city council members have called for a moratorium on any casino developments in the borough.

4. Other Proposals – “Harlem Casino” (Uncertain)

The Harlem Gaming Group has floated a proposal to build a casino in the Harlem Square area. However, the proposal is still in the conceptual phase and has not yet reached the city’s planning board. Community forums are scheduled for November 2024.

The Broader Context

The NYC Gaming Commission has historically been cautious. Since the 2004 repeal of the city’s gambling ban, the commission has approved only one casino – the Myrtle Beach Casino in 2021, which was a private‑sector project that did not involve the city’s casino commission. In contrast, the three city‑initiated proposals outlined above are the first to receive direct municipal involvement.

The Commission’s criteria are stringent: a casino must be financially viable, provide a net public benefit, and ensure responsible gambling practices. The commission also requires that any casino be located in a “low‑impact” area, meaning it must not adversely affect the surrounding community’s quality of life.

Looking Ahead

• Midtown Casino: If the August public hearing resolves the labor and community concerns, the project could reach final approval by late 2025.
• Flushing Casino: Pending completion of the EIS and a favorable legal ruling, this project could be under construction by early 2027.
• Brooklyn Casino: The lawsuit and community opposition effectively put this project on hold; a revised proposal will likely need to address park preservation concerns.
• Harlem Casino: Still in early discussion; its fate remains uncertain until further regulatory and community review.

Bottom Line

The “casino craze” that has been brewing in New York City for over a decade is far from a reality. While Midtown’s proposal is moving through the final stages of approval, both Flushing and Brooklyn face significant legal and community hurdles. The city’s cautious stance, coupled with intense public scrutiny, means that it will likely take several more years before a new casino opens its doors in New York. For now, the city’s casino commission and community boards are the final arbiters of whether the promise of gaming revenue can coexist with the city’s public interest.