But one of the State Senate’s budget bills sets a more aggressive approach: It directs the state Gaming Commission to issue a request for applications for casino licenses by July 1 and decide on winners within 150 days.
The governor’s executive budget proposal called for a request for information on potential downstate casino licenses.
But Genting and MGM, who own the two video lottery terminal facilities in or near New York City, wanted a speedier process that would give them a leg up, and so did the Hotel Trades Council, sources tell City Limits.Īltogether, gaming interests have spent at least $2.2 million lobbying state and city officials over the past year. Companies like Sands, Wynn Resorts and Bally’s wanted a traditional and slower request-for-proposals or request-for-information process, according to people familiar with the discussions. Casino interests, some with labor allies, have been fighting behind the scenes over what that process should look like.
