Yonkers Councilman Mike Breen Call out Governor Hochul
By Dan Murphy
Shortly after the NYS Gaming Commission approved Casino licenses for three applicants, two in Queens and one in the Bronx, Yonkers City Councilman Mike Breen called for Governor Kathy Hochul to reopen the process and issue a fourth gaming license.
Yonkers Minority Leader Mike Breen today sharply criticized Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Gaming Commission following the Commission’s decision to move forward with three downstate casino licenses that exclude Yonkers.
“The rules were changed midstream,” Breen said. “The Gaming Commission prematurely signaled license terms months earlier than promised, and once again the people of Yonkers are left paying the price for a process that does not feel fair or transparent.”
Breen noted that New York City, already the world’s largest economy, did not need all three downstate licenses, while Yonkers, a city that has hosted gaming responsibly for nearly two decades, was shut out despite doing everything asked of it.
“The Empire City Casino property received unanimous approval from both the Casino Locations Board and the Yonkers City Council,” Breen said. “That level of agreement almost never happens in government. Every local body, across political lines, was aligned. That unanimous support reflects a clear mandate from Yonkers for smart, responsible economic growth at the former Yonkers Raceway.”
For 18 years, the Yonkers property has generated billions of dollars for New York State and provided critical funding for public education. “Yonkers carried the load,” Breen added. “Now the state should stand with us.”
Breen called on the Governor and the Legislature to authorize a fourth downstate casino license specifically for Yonkers. He also urged the state to keep its options open if the current operator chooses not to proceed.
“If the current operator no longer trusts the State of New York, the state should allow the property and license to be transferred to a major casino operator that previously sought to invest in Manhattan but failed to secure local approval,” Breen said. “Caesars. Wynn. Mohegan. All major players that could come to Yonkers if MGM decides not to move forward. Yonkers should not be punished because New York City politics could not deliver consensus.”
“This is about fairness, economic justice, and respect for a city that did everything right,” Breen concluded. “Allow a fourth license. Give it to Yonkers.”
On Dec. 16, The New York State Gaming Commission approved licenses for three new commercial casinos in New York City: Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park in Queens, and an expansion of Resorts World New York City. The unanimous decision was the final administrative step in a multi-year licensing process.
Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point: This project received a 15-year license and plans to build a casino-hotel complex on an existing golf course.
Hard Rock Metropolitan Park (Flushing, Queens): A joint venture with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, this project received a 20-year license due to its higher committed investment.
Resorts World New York City (South Ozone Park, Queens): This project involves an expansion of the existing “racino” at the Aqueduct Racetrack and was granted a 15-year license. It may be the first full commercial casino to open, potentially as early as March 2026.
MGM Resorts withdrew its application to build a full gaming Casino at its Empire City -Yonkers Raceway location, weeks before a decision was made by the state. Questions still remain as to why MGM bailed out at the last minute on Yonkers.
We received the following letter. “I have enjoyed your coverage of the decision by the NY Gaming Board to award three licenses, two in Queens and one in the Bronx. As a Yonkers resident, I was disappointed that MGM pulled its application at the last minute. Our city could have used the revenues and the jobs for residents. One question I can’t find an answer to online is: for the Bally’s Casino in the Bronx, did the Speaker of the Assembly, Carl Heastie, support the project in his backyard? Many progressive groups and Bronx residents opposed the project. Your latest story talked about the problems that Bally’s has, but did not answer these questions.
Thanks Janet Antonucci, Yonkers
