By:  Ilana Siyance

The frenzy continues, as developers scramble to submit a successful bid for the right spot to build a full-service Casino in New York City.

As reported by the NY Post, some of the spots being proposed include Times Square, Hudson Yards, Willets Point near the Mets Citi field stadium, and Brooklyn’s Coney Island.  The state Gaming Commission is set to issue up to three licenses in New York’s downstate region, and Mayor Eric Adams has said that he wants at least two of the licenses granted to the five boroughs of NYC.

Three of the largest developers in NYC have expressed interest in building a casino and teaming up with one of the casino giants such as Hard Rock, Sands or Wynn, as per industry and government sources.  Related Companies in Hudson Yards and Vornado Realty Trust and SL Green in Times Square have all been working on their own respective plans.  Representatives of the developers and casinos have been in contact with Adams’ office, as well as Gov. Kathy Hochul and state officials, to push their preliminary plans.

Officials from Related Companies, which is the primary developer in the West Side’s Hudson Yards, have met with City Hall to discuss a proposal to build a casino over rail tracks on the far West Side.  Related Chairman, Stephen Ross, has been a generous donor to Hochul’s campaigns, and she will be one of the key decision makers in the state’s gambling development.  “We’re exploring our options,” Related spokesman Jon Weinstein told The Post on Sunday, confirming their interest in building a casino.  Some sources familiar with the discussions say Hudson Yards may be a good candidate, because there is a lot of space available, the transportation infrastructure has already been created and it has a prime location.

This hasn’t deterred Mets owner Steve Cohen and his associates from making their own plans for a Willets’ Point casino.  Cohen, who has good ties with Adams, has been discussing a partnership with Hard Rock.  Hard Rock has recently donated $119,000 to the Democratic party and Hochul’s campaign.  Hard Rock’s lobbyists have already met with City Hall Chief of Staff Frank Carone about building a casino.  The team contends that Willet’s Point is a good spot because it is easily accessible using the No. 7 subway, the Long Island Rail Road or the Grand Central Parkway and Long Island Expressway and it has a large population of potential gamblers just minutes away in Flushing, Queens.

As per the Post, Thor Equities has been working on a bid to put up a casino in Coney Island, as well.  “A casino would be a wonderful thing for Coney Island and Brooklyn,” said business mogul John Catsimatidis on Sunday, expressing his support for the idea. “A Coney Island casino would bring a lot of vigor to Brooklyn.”

Any casino to be opened in the city, will need to garner support from local officials and the community—which may not be so easy—especially in Manhattan.  “I strongly oppose a Manhattan casino in concept,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman, who represents the Hudson Yards and Times Square neighborhoods, told The Post on Sunday.  “I don’t know one constituent who wants a casino,” he added. “Outside forces want a casino. Insiders who live here don’t want a casino.”