By: Daisy Fay-Baker

New York State regulators are preparing to take a decisive step in the long-running push to bring full-scale casinos to New York City, with final approval expected at a public meeting Monday, as amNY reported.

The New York State Gaming Commission is set to meet at the Robert F. Smith Center for the Performing Arts inside Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in Manhattan. The session will also be livestreamed, allowing the public to follow along as officials consider the final licensing approvals for the city’s three selected casino projects, according to amNY.

On the agenda is the formal consideration of gaming facility licenses for Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park in Queens, and Resorts World New York City, also located in Queens. All three sites were approved earlier this month by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board, clearing the way for what is widely viewed as a procedural final step, amNY reported.

The Location Board’s Dec. 1 vote marked a major milestone in a competitive process that stretched on for years and attracted intense interest from developers and gaming giants seeking one of the state’s coveted downstate casino licenses. State officials had previously indicated that licensing would be wrapped up before the end of the year, making Monday’s meeting a critical deadline, according to amNY.

Originally, the bidding process included numerous proposals across the five boroughs. Over time, several bids were withdrawn, while others failed to secure sufficient backing from local community advisory committees. In the end, Bally’s, Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World emerged as the final contenders, surviving both political scrutiny and local review, amNY reported.

State officials have touted the economic upside of the projects as a major justification for moving forward. The Gaming Commission has estimated that the three casinos will generate roughly $7 billion in gaming tax revenue between 2027 and 2036. On top of that, officials project an additional $5.9 billion in other tax revenues, funds that would be earmarked to support public schools, mass transit, and other public services, according to amNY.

In a statement released after approving the bids earlier this month, the commission said the projects would transform surrounding neighborhoods, create long-term career opportunities, and provide critical funding streams for the MTA and the city’s education system, amNY reported.

Still, the casino push has not been without controversy. Protests have followed several meetings throughout the bidding process, reflecting deep concerns in some communities about the social costs of casino development. Critics argue that large-scale gambling venues can exacerbate problem gambling, increase crime, and place added strain on already stressed neighborhoods. Others worry about traffic congestion, rising rents, and the changing character of local communities, amNY reported.

Some opponents have also questioned whether promised economic benefits will truly reach nearby residents or instead flow primarily to developers and the state. Community groups have repeatedly called for greater transparency and stronger guarantees on local hiring and reinvestment