The New York City area could get as many as three new casinos as a result of the new budget deal reached by Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislative leaders on Thursday. The full deal still needs to be voted on by the full Legislature.
The decision, which was part of the state’s overall funding package, moved up the date of a 2013 voter-approved measure allowing seven new casinos in the state. Four have already been built in upstate New York. The bill language hasn’t come out yet and could always change before it is passed.
Lawmakers plan to approve an initial licensing fee of no less than $500 million, according to a person familiar with the matter who was unauthorized to speak publicly because the full language of the terms hasn’t been released yet. A six-member board of local officials will review siting proposals.
