A bill that would have forced an expedited licensing timeline will die in two days
Efforts to expedite the licensing process for downstate casinos in New York appear to be facing significant challenges. A bill passed earlier this summer by New York lawmakers aimed to accelerate the process and bring more transparency to it. However, the bill has not been acted upon by Governor Kathy Hochul, leaving many frustrated with the slow pace of progress.
Senator Joseph Addabbo, a vocal advocate for speeding up the licensing process, has expressed his concerns repeatedly. He has called for clearer timelines and more decisive action from the Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), which is responsible for overseeing the licensing process. Addabbo has pointed out that the upstate casino licenses were awarded in a much shorter timeframe, raising questions about why the downstate licenses are taking so long.
The bill passed in June set an ambitious deadline of August 31, 2024, for interested parties to submit their applications for the three downstate casino licenses. This deadline was intended to push the process forward, but with no action from the governor, it seems unlikely to be met. The delay in issuing these licenses is costing the state potential jobs and much-needed tax revenue, particularly for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and public education.
Despite the bill’s intent, the GFLB has established its own timeline, setting a new deadline of June 27, 2025, for applications. According to board member Stuart Rabinowitz, this timeline is more realistic and allows potential applicants sufficient time to prepare without undue pressure. The GFLB aims to thoroughly consider the applications and meet its own deadline of December 31, 2025.
With Governor Hochul seemingly content with the GFLB’s plan, the likelihood of the bill being signed into law appears slim. This means that the dream of seeing new downstate casinos open sooner rather than later remains uncertain, much to the disappointment of those who had hoped for a faster resolution.
