January 3, 2023
The New York Gaming Facility Board (Board) today unanimously voted to issue a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit proposals for up to three commercial casinos in New York State.
In 2013, the New York State Constitution was amended to authorize up to seven commercial casinos in the state. Subsequently, the State sited four destination resort casinos in Upstate New York. In 2022, the enacted New York State Budget established a new siting process and criteria for the remaining three licenses.
Revenue from new gaming facilities is expected to generate substantial fiscal benefit to New York’s public schools, local governments, and problem gambling treatment services. The jobs created by these casinos must deliver livable wages to help families live, stay, and prosper in New York.
The Board unanimously determined that the minimum capital investment and license fee for Applicants seeking to build a commercial casino is $500 million each.
By statute, a separate, appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will review Applications. In addition, the successful completion of municipal zoning and land-use processes will ensure that only projects embraced by the community would be presented to the Board for consideration. Other important components of the Application may depend upon the understanding of the potential competitive landscape with other Applicants, which may only be gauged after these processes have been completed.
Due to these timing nuances, the Board will not impose artificial deadlines in today’s RFA issuance, other than the due date for the first round of questions (February 3, 2023) and the Return Date (30 Days from the Board’s response to the Second set of questions).
After the Return Date for this RFA, a CAC for each Application received may be formed and obtain a complete copy of the associated Application materials.
In recommending an Applicant for license, the Board will evaluate and determine which Applicant(s) proposes to best advance the below objectives:
Economic Activity & Business Development Factors (70 percent):
- Capital investment
- Maximizing State and Local revenues
- Providing the highest number of quality jobs
- Creating a gaming facility of the highest caliber with a variety of quality amenities
Local Impact Siting (10 percent):
- Mitigating potential impacts on municipalities
- Full and diversified regional tourism
- Partnerships with live entertainment venues
Workforce Enhancement (10 percent):
- Workforce development plan
- Specific goals for the utilization of minorities, women and service-disabled veterans on construction jobs and an overall workforce diversity framework. It is expected that such goals meet or exceed New York State’s 30 percent utilization goal of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise contracts.
- Problem gambling prevention measures
- Sustainable development principles
- A skilled and diverse workforce
- Domestically manufactured slot machines
- Organized labor agreements
Diversity Framework (10 percent):
- Workforce demographics
- Diversity in ownership and leadership
- Current and planned diversity efforts
The Board welcomes public input and will consider all public comments received during the process.
The RFA will be posted on the Board’s website, nycasinos.ny.gov, as soon as practicable.