NY state board OKs 3 on line casino licenses for NYC — and Trump Org can get $115M

Gamblers will quickly be capable of roll the cube in New York City.

A state board OK’d three on line casino licenses Monday – paving the best way for the Big Apple’s first-ever Vegas-style gaming amenities that supporters say will generate billions of {dollars} in financial exercise.

The New York Gaming Facility Location Board, tasked with approving as much as three bids for potential downstate casinos, accepted all three remaining finalists — two in Queens and one within the Bronx — in a 5-0 vote.

Licenses will likely be handed out to:

The three casinos nonetheless want a closing approval from the state Gaming Commission, however they’re all anticipated to get the greenlight barring any main developments. Each bidder is planning to construct a live performance corridor, a lodge and supply bars and eating places.

Each licensee has to pay a $500 million payment up entrance — with the full $1.5 billion to go to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The transit company has already budgeted the large revenue as a part of its finances, anticipating the three licenses from a pool that initially included 11 bidders.

Several flashy Manhattan proposals together with in Times Square and Hudson Yards have been shot down or withdrawn due to neighborhood opposition.

Supporters have pushed for full gaming within the metropolis, saying the casinos will generate billions in tax revenues and create hundreds of jobs.

But the thought of Vegas-style websites within the 5 boroughs has had its opponents, and at Monday’s vote critics from the CUNY Graduate Center chanted “Shame! Shame!” after listening to the three licenses had been OK’d.

Grace Ying, who has lived in Flushing for greater than 32 years, mentioned she was “devastated” in regards to the Cohen-backed on line casino getting the greenlight.

A spokesperson for the Cohen-backed on line casino in Queens mentioned the “Metropolitan Park” challenge can be a house run for the world.

“They keep talking about how many jobs this will bring, but think about how many lives this will ruin,” mentioned Ying, 65, who fought the proposal from its inception.

“Many people in my community suffer from gambling addictions, and the only thing that holds them back from throwing their money away is the distance from here to where the casinos are,” she added. “Now they won’t be able to help themselves. It’s like putting a liquor store in front of an alcoholic.”

Carla Bolden, 58, mentioned the renderings of the on line casino could look “slick” however the actuality can be a lot, a lot totally different.

“Casinos bring late-night people. They bring prostitutes. They bring drugs. They bring violence,” Bolden mentioned, calling it “suicide” for the neighborhood.

“Casinos bring out the worst in people and they draw the worst kinds of people,” Bolden mentioned. “I respect that it’s a big financial win for the city, but it comes at a big price as far as safety is concerned – and also the people who are going to gamble away their livelihoods.”

Cohen’s deliberate on line casino confronted stiff resistance from state Sen. Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents many of the neighborhoods alongside the Roosevelt Avenue hall close to the Mets ballpark and the grounds the place the gaming complicated can be situated.

“This was never about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ jobs; it is about pursuing development that improves our quality of life, not one that increases traffic, pollution, flooding risks, addiction, and hands 78 acres of public parkland to a private interest,” Ramos mentioned, calling casinos “predatory businesses.”

But a spokesperson for the Cohen-backed group outlined a lot of financial advantages, saying the on line casino can be a lift for the neighborhood.

“Following a fair, transparent and rigorous process, The Gaming Facility Location Board has validated the positive economic impact this project will have with billions of dollars in tax revenue, 23,000 union jobs, and over $1 billion in community benefits,” mentioned Metropolitan Park spokesman Karl Rickett.

Genting Group Resorts World at Aqueduct faces much less resistance as a result of it’s already been working as a slots parlor for almost 15 years and has developed ties with the neighborhood.

The gaming operator mentioned it might supply reside desk video games by the top of March, pending closing approval from the state Gaming Commission. The different bidders need to construct from scratch and take years to open.

“Resorts World New York City’s $7.5 billion proposal is the only bid that can expand operations in just 90 days, generating billions in new revenue for mass transit and public education over the next four years,” mentioned Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East. “We are thankful the Gaming Facility Location Board recognized the tremendous economic impact we will have for New York State.”

Bally’s confronted stiff opposition, together with from native Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, the borough’s solely Republican elected official who misplaced her re-election bid.

Environmental activists additionally fought the challenge, claiming a on line casino complicated would have an effect on the water high quality of the Long Island Sound.

“It is extremely disappointing that the State Gaming Facility Location Board has approved Bally’s application to develop a massive casino and hotel complex on public parkland without adequately addressing its environmental impact,” mentioned David Ansel, vp of the Center for Water Protection at Save the Sound.

Bally’s acquired the Trump Organization’s lease on the property earlier than the bidding course of was determined, with a part of the deal requiring the customer to fork over $115 million to the Trump Org if it gained the fitting to function a on line casino.

New Yorkers accepted a referendum legalizing on line casino playing in 2013. Under the legislation, the primary 4 casinos have been sited in economically struggling upstate communities.

The legislation mentioned as much as three casinos might then be licensed within the New York City downstate area.

The Gaming Commission, which has the ultimate say on licensing, praised the working of the siting panel and strongly advised it should license  “three impressive projects that will transform communities, establish career opportunities for residents, and drive much-needed revenue to the MTA, public schools and the City.”

“The Gaming Commission has already undertaken the background investigations of the applicants and is expeditiously applying its statutory license suitability criteria to ensure that these casinos are operated with utmost integrity and fiscal responsibility,” it mentioned in an announcement. “A New York gaming license is a privilege – and this Commission will ensure those entities fortunate enough to be selected for licensure meet New York’s rigorous standards.”