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Introducing the Woman Who Will Oversee the Casino Gambling Siting Process in the NY Metro Region
Edited by: TJVNews.com
The New York State Gaming Commission has unanimously appointed Terryl Brown to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, a critical body responsible for overseeing the highly competitive commercial casino siting process in the New York Metro region. Brown, a seasoned legal and public affairs professional with an extensive background in government and ethics compliance, brings a wealth of experience to the Board at a pivotal moment for the state’s gaming industry.
Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer lauded Brown’s appointment, highlighting the significance of the Board’s work in shaping the future of gaming in New York. “The Gaming Facility Location Board’s work can be transformational for the State of New York,” O’Dwyer said in a statement. “Ms. Brown brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and public service to the team that will evaluate casino proposals. I thank her and the entire Board for its ongoing work and service to New York State.”
Brown currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel at Pace University, where she oversees legal affairs for the institution. Prior to her role at Pace, she held a variety of high-profile government and legal positions. Notably, she served as Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs and Administration for the New York City Fire Department, where she was responsible for legal oversight and operational administration of a workforce of 17,000 employees.
Her extensive legal background includes serving as Chief Ethics Officer and Counsel with the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Acting Counsel to Governor David Paterson, and First Assistant Counsel to Governor Eliot Spitzer. Brown also has experience in regulatory and ethics oversight as a former Commissioner of the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics.
Beyond government service, Brown has held key leadership roles in the private and public sectors. She was Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the New York Power Authority, where she managed legal matters for one of the largest state-owned power organizations in the country. Additionally, she was a partner at the law firm Harris Beach PLLC, where she specialized in government affairs, compliance, and administrative law.
Brown’s academic credentials further strengthen her qualifications for the role. She is a graduate of Pace University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Villanova University, followed by both a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, she completed an advanced finance program at the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrating her expertise in financial and regulatory matters—an essential skill set as she helps evaluate casino proposals in New York.
Brown’s appointment comes at a crucial time as New York moves forward with its long-anticipated commercial casino expansion. The Gaming Facility Location Board, which also includes Vicki Been, Marion Phillips III, Stuart Rabinowitz, and Greg Reimers, is responsible for evaluating casino applications and ultimately recommending up to three sites for licensure. The selection process is expected to be highly competitive, with major developers, gaming companies, and community stakeholders vying for a limited number of licenses.
The New York Metro casino bidding process is regarded as one of the most significant developments in the state’s gaming industry in recent years. With billions of dollars in potential investment, the chosen casino projects are expected to generate thousands of jobs and significant tax revenue for New York. However, the process also involves weighing economic benefits against community concerns, regulatory considerations, and ethical oversight—areas where Brown’s expertise will be invaluable.
As the Board continues its evaluation of casino proposals, Brown’s background in legal affairs, ethics compliance, and public administration positions her as a key figure in ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. Her appointment also signals a commitment to strong governance and regulatory integrity as New York takes the next steps in its gaming expansion.
In the summer of 2024, The Jewish Voice reported that the competition for three coveted city casino licenses had intensified. The decision on who will secure these licenses is expected by late 2025, marking the culmination of an intense, high-stakes process.
Among the contenders, Resorts World New York City in Queens and Empire City in Yonkers, both operating profitable electronic gaming facilities, are seen as front-runners. However, the remaining six contenders face significant local opposition. According to the information provided in a New York Post report last summer, a political insider highlighted the immense lobbying efforts underway, noting, “Companies are spending millions on lobbyists, and no part of the city wants a new casino.”
The Coney aims to create a unique destination that pays homage to Coney Island’s storied past while introducing a state-of-the-art casino. The proposal includes a mix of traditional Coney Island attractions on the ground floor, such as Skee-Ball and other arcade games, with the casino situated on the upper floors, according to the information provided in a report that appeared in The New York Post last summer. The objective of this integration is to preserve the area’s historic entertainment vibe while injecting new economic life into the community.
Despite the project’s nostalgic appeal, it faces substantial opposition from local stakeholders. Last year, the local community board voted against the casino proposal, citing fears that Coney Island could suffer the same fate as Atlantic City, where casinos led to economic blight rather than revitalization, as was explained in The Post report. These concerns highlight the delicate balance required to ensure that new developments benefit the community without exacerbating existing issues.
Robert Cornegy, a project consultant and former New York City Council member, remains optimistic about the project’s potential. He emphasized the team’s commitment to incorporating community needs and integrating traditional Coney Island attractions with the casino. “We are incorporating the community’s needs. We’re putting in Coney Island attractions on the ground floor and the casino upstairs,” Cornegy told The Post. He also pointed out that Coney Island has been under-invested in for years, suggesting that The Coney could bring much-needed economic revitalization that might not be as impactful in more affluent areas like Manhattan.
While the vision for The Coney is clear, the path to realization is fraught with challenges. Alan Woinski expressed skepticism about the project’s feasibility, given the number of stakeholders involved. “I like this project, but there are so many hands in it. I don’t think they have what it takes to bring this in,” Woinski commented to The New York Post. The complexity of managing a consortium of diverse entities, each with its own interests and operational style, adds a layer of difficulty to the project’s execution.
Given the current landscape, the odds of The Coney securing one of the casino licenses are relatively low. The project must navigate substantial local opposition, address community concerns effectively, and streamline its consortium’s operations to present a cohesive and compelling case to the decision-makers.
Set to be located in the glimmering Hudson Yards, Wynn New York City is seeking to offer a luxurious experience, featuring an 80-story hotel and casino along with high-end restaurants. The New York Post report said that according to Michael Weaver, Chief Communications Officer of Wynn, the plan is to create a “destination resort” that will integrate with the city’s existing shows, sporting events, and concerts. Notably, in-house live entertainment is not part of their strategy, ensuring a symbiotic relationship with the city’s cultural scene.
However, the proposal has met with resistance from Community Board 4. The board’s primary concern is the significant reduction in promised housing units. Initially, Stephen Ross’s Related Companies had committed to providing 5,700 housing units, but the casino plan would reduce this number to 1,507, as per in the information contained in The New York Post report. Bennett Liebman, former deputy secretary on gaming and racing under former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, questioned the project’s ability to pass the community review board. The Post report added that in response, Andrew Rosen, Related’s Chief Operating Officer of Hudson Yards, reassured that the commitment to affordable housing would be honored, emphasizing, “We promised 324 units of affordable housing. We will put up the 324 units. The community has not yet seen what we are doing.”
MGM Resorts International, which owns iconic properties like the Bellagio in Las Vegas, aims to secure a full gaming license for Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, as was detailed in The New York Post report. The racino introduced slot-machine-style gaming in 2006 and has been a successful venture. MGM purchased the racetrack and casino for $850 million in 2018 and now plans a significant 301,200 square foot expansion.
Mitchell Moss, professor of urban policy and planning at NYU, views MGM’s proposal as a clear favorite due to its established record of success. According to The New York Post report, Woinski echoed this sentiment, stating, “They should already be licensed. They’ll generate tax dollars in six months” through gaming tables even as the expansion proceeds. MGM’s strong operational track record and potential for quick revenue generation make it a compelling choice.
Soloviev and Mohegan Sun’s vision for Freedom Plaza includes a vast entertainment district with a subterranean casino, a hotel with 1,200 rooms, and 1,325 apartments, 513 of which are designated for below-market rents. Additionally, The New York Post report said that the project promises 6.7 acres of green space and the Freedom Museum, which will showcase significant artifacts, including pieces of the Berlin Wall from Soloviev’s personal collection.
Despite the ambitious scope and potential benefits, the proposal has attracted significant opposition from the local community. Concerns range from ethical issues related to gambling to the potential social impacts on vulnerable populations. The New York Post reported that one community member dismissed the potential gambling profits as “blood money,” reflecting deep-seated ethical concerns.
Robert Gottheim, district director for Rep. Jerry Nadler, voiced worries about the impact on vulnerable residents, fearing they might squander their paychecks on gambling. Additionally, The New York Post report said that Mitchell Moss criticized the project’s location, arguing that a casino near the Queens Midtown Tunnel does not fit the neighborhood’s character.
Undeterred by the criticism, Soloviev has defended the project, emphasizing that the casino is only a minor component of a broader entertainment district. “The subterranean casino is only a small part of the entertainment district we’re putting in,” he told The New York Post. “I think they will like it once it is done.” Soloviev’s confidence highlights his belief that the project’s overall benefits will ultimately win over skeptics.
Despite Soloviev’s optimism, experts remain skeptical about the project’s chances. Alan Woinski, president of the casino consultancy Gaming USA, pointed out Soloviev’s lack of experience in the casino industry as a significant hurdle. “He has no experience [with a casino],” Woinski told The New York Post, adding that the recent split between Mohegan Sun and Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas further complicates their bid. This separation, which neither party has fully explained, raises questions about Mohegan Sun’s current standing in the casino management sector.
