New York Gaming Commission

The New York State Gaming Commission on Dec. 15, 2025 awarded licenses for three Las Vegas‑style casinos in New York City: Hard Rock/Steve Cohen’s $8.1B complex next to Citi Field in Queens, a roughly $4B Bally’s resort at the Bronx’s Ferry Point golf course, and a >$5B Resorts World expansion of its Aqueduct slots parlor near JFK. The approvals require each operator to appoint an outside monitor reporting to the commission, and follow local rejections of several Manhattan bids; Gov. Kathy Hochul said the projects will deliver billions for transit and education and tens of thousands of jobs amid protests over gambling impacts.