None of the mayors seemed supportive during an event in Queens this week
New York City’s mayoral race wrapped up its final debate this week, and one topic drew mixed reactions from all three candidates — the city’s casino plans. During the 90-minute event at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Queens, candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa were asked where they stood on the possibility of casino developments within the five boroughs. None seemed eager to fully endorse the idea.
Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner, said he was skeptical of casinos but acknowledged that voters had already chosen to allow them through a state referendum. He stressed the importance of following the law, saying he didn’t have a preferred bidder among the current proposals — Bally’s Bronx, Metropolitan Park, or Resorts World New York City. His stance suggested he would not actively promote or oppose casino expansion during his tenure.
Cuomo, who previously served as governor and played a key role in bringing casinos to upstate New York, distanced himself from the current downstate push. He said he had not reviewed the new proposals and noted that his earlier efforts were focused on economic development outside the city. Cuomo criticized the current bidding process, calling it “highly problematic,” though he stopped short of directly opposing the projects.
Sliwa, the Republican candidate, said he had no favorite among the casino bids and would only support one if the surrounding community wanted it. He emphasized that residents’ input should drive the decision, framing himself as a defender of local control.
While casinos have become a political flashpoint, the next mayor will have little influence over their fate. The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to announce the winners of the three downstate licenses by December 1, well before the next mayor takes office in January 2026.
