The battle for New York’s three downstate casino licenses has entered another holding pattern, with expectations that a final verdict may not come until 2026. The long-running process, which has already stretched more than a decade, is being closely followed by operators, investors, and players who use resources like listing blackjack sites to compare trusted online casinos and keep track of gambling trends while they wait for new land-based venues to finally open. These guides don’t just highlight where to play blackjack online. They also show how strong the demand for regulated gambling has become in New York, making the delays around new casino licenses even more noticeable.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo, who represents Queens and chairs the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, has said that the timeline has slipped again. The New York State Gaming Facility Board had been expected to announce winners on December 1, but the schedule is now in doubt.
The delays are just the latest twist in a story that began in 2013, when voters approved a bill allowing four upstate casinos and creating the framework for three more downstate. Today, eight bidders are vying for those spots, including Caesars, Bally’s, MGM, and several consortia pitching projects across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
Addabbo has warned that the state is losing money with each passing month. Many New Yorkers already head to New Jersey or Connecticut to place bets that remain off-limits at home, such as prop wagers on awards like the Super Bowl MVP.
“We are losing about $1 billion per year,” he said, pointing to gaps that could be filled if new licenses and updated betting rules were in place. Sports betting has already delivered $2.6 billion in revenue, but lawmakers insist the state cannot rest on that success.
For bidders, the payoff is massive. Each license comes with a $500 million fee. Proposals on the table include a $5.4 billion Times Square project backed by Caesars, SL Green, and Jay-Z, as well as The Coney bid from Thor Equities and the Chickasaw Nation.
Before the board can make decisions, each applicant must pass through the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) process and complete two public hearings. These forums have proven contentious. A hearing in Coney Island this week ran nearly four hours, with residents and business owners eager to voice their opinions on the proposed development.
The CAC is set to deliver recommendations by September 30, after which the Gaming Facility Board will deliberate. Given the amount of feedback and the complexity of the bids, Addabbo now expects final licensing decisions to push into 2026.
The delay reflects a larger dynamic across U.S. gambling markets. States are racing to modernize laws, capture revenue, and steer players away from offshore operators. New York’s hesitation has not stopped its residents from gambling, but it has meant billions flowing across borders instead of into state coffers.
By the end of this year, it was hoped that winners would be announced and $1.5 billion in licensing fees secured. Instead, the industry and local communities will face another year of speculation. With projects stretching from Yonkers to Times Square, the eventual verdict will shape New York’s gambling landscape for decades, but the finish line is now set further down the road.
