NY Casino Licensing Delays: What’s Next for iGaming Legislation?

The selection process for three casino licenses in the New York downstate will now take place about a year later than originally scheduled, according to the recommendation committee. This delay that first come to light a few months ago could potentially influence the official start of a quite lucrative online gambling market in the Empire State.

Before starting the review process, prospective bidders must fulfil all legal criteria, as stated by board chair Vicki Been. The approach seeks to level the playing field for competitors, provide local populations with plenty of chances to express their ideas, and give room for qualified applicants to participate.

The new deadline for businesses to submit applications for any of the three casino licenses is June 27, 2025. There may be other issues to comprehend with especially local environmental impact and zoning regulations which the board intends to address with the new deadline.

High Stakes Bidding War

New York stands to gain a great deal as the bidding process heats up, with improved gaming environments and big economic advantages in store. The state will get $1.5 billion from the three winning bids as they will first pay $500 million apiece for the prized casino license.

In addition to this immediate revenue inflow, it is projected that the new properties would generate millions of dollars in tax income each year and many fresh jobs.

The Issue with Online Gambling

The laws governing online casino gambling are likewise impacted by the delays in making decisions on the brick-and-mortar locations. As it turns out, legislators are putting off iGaming legislation until after the new casinos have been resolved. Although regulations about online casinos would not mandate association with a physical establishment, the winning land-based bidders would probably pursue a share of the online industry.

Online gaming supporters think that New York would likewise become the hub of digital gambling, creating a large amount of new employment and extra money for the state. This market might not debut until 2026 or later, though, if casino licenses are awarded slowly.

And then there is the issue of other potential interests in the gaming space. Legislation focused exclusively on online poker, with no reference to other gambling platforms, has been recently submitted by Senator Addabbo. Addabbo highlighted that he chose to give poker priority because of the game’s immense appeal and the state’s track record of success with mobile sports betting. As always, this remains to be seen.