[NYguy]

https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_...7d995.amp.html

New York receives 30 responses to downstate casino information request

A request for information (RFI) solicitation issued by the New York State Gaming Commission for downstate casino licenses drew 30 responses, including submissions from at least eight casino operators.

The RFI, an informal process that does not include any commitments or license awards, was included in the budget state lawmakers passed in April.

….. The submissions, according to questions the Gaming Commission answered last month from interested submitters, will help inform lawmakers and officials on the ideal size of the casinos, potential for licensing fees and the evaluation process for awarding licenses.

https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/ga...no-action/?amp

Gaming Operators Lining Up to Get in on New York’s Casino Action


By Erik Gibbs
December 17, 2021

As soon as New York acknowledged publicly that it might expand its land-based casino market, several operators jumped. According to The Times Union, Bally’s, Hard Rock, Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts were among the companies that responded to the request for information (RFI) by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) before the deadline of December 10. Genting, MGM Resorts and Rush Street Gaming also responded to the RFI.

….. Rush Street was the only company to not redact its response. According to the Times Union, the operator positioned itself as a strong candidate for a casino license due to its “transformative” work in local communities, not only in Schenectady but also in Philadelphia, Chicago and Niagara Falls.

….. The Water Club, located in Manhattan, responded to the request for details and proposed a small, exclusive casino that does not have any slot machines. There were 30 responses in total. However, most only talked about the potential of casinos and didn’t actually suggest one.

Although the Shinnecock tribe responded to the request, the response was not published. The Shinnecock Nation has been planning for years to build a casino on its territory, Southampton. This would not require a state license, but it could use that leverage to get a better location.

Vornado Realty Trust and Morris Bailey were among those who proposed or considered gambling venues in Manhattan earlier this year. It is not known if any of this group responded to the latest RFI.

The RFI wasn’t limited to just those companies interested in owning a piece of the casino real estate market in New York. Eligible officials and community groups were also permitted to give their input.

That input included some opposition to the idea, as well. The opening of a casino near Citi Field in Flushing, home of the NY Mets, faced strong opposition. That resistance includes an effort by Queens Civic Congress, an influential coalition of 60 neighborhood organizations.