New York Creates Committees for Casino Licensing Decisions
New York City-Area Casino Bids: Community Advisory Committees Vet Applications
The formation of Community Advisory Committees (CACs) has been announced for the New York City-area casino bids. These committees, consisting of five to six members, will play a crucial role in the determination of the winning licensees by the end of 2025.
The CACs are tasked with reviewing the casino bid applications thoroughly, holding at least two public hearings to gather community input and comments, assessing local public support for each project, and voting to approve or reject each bid. A two-thirds majority is required for a bid to be approved, which means at least four votes for six-member CACs.
Each CAC is formed to review a specific application submitted for a casino bid. The CACs may request that applicants make some changes to their proposals, provided these do not require new environmental reviews under the Environmental Quality Review Act. They are empowered to influence applications to better align with community interests but cannot unilaterally enforce major modifications.
The CACs serve as a key gatekeeping body, vetting applications through public engagement and advisory votes, ensuring substantial local support before the official licensing authority moves forward with awarding the casino licenses.
The CACs will hold a minimum of two public meetings to allow locals adequate opportunity to make their voices heard. Notable members include Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who has appointed himself as a CAC member, as well as Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, who each have the power to appoint CAC members.
It's worth noting that Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and the Manhattan borough president, due to two casino bid proposals in each of their boroughs, may serve on multiple CACs. However, MGM Resorts International's Empire City Casino, located in Yonkers, Westchester County, does not have to worry about board members serving on multiple CACs as it is the only casino proposal located outside New York City.
An affirmative finding from a CAC is a requirement for an application to be considered by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB). The GFLB will only consider applications approved by a two-thirds majority of the applicable CAC. New Yorkers are expected to have vibrant and well-attended public hearings regarding the various downstate casino bids. The matter will then be advanced to the NYSGC, which is expected to make final decisions on the winning licensees by the end of 2025.
[1] New York City-area casino bids: Community Advisory Committees to be formed. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/nyregion/new-york-city-casino-bids.html
[2] How the Community Advisory Committees will work. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/nyregion/new-york-city-casino-committees.html
[3] Community Advisory Committees for New York City-area casino bids. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/nyregion/new-york-city-casino-committees-explained.html
[4] New York casino bids: What you need to know about the Community Advisory Committees. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/nyregion/new-york-casino-bids-committees.html
[5] Community Advisory Committees for New York City-area casino bids: What you need to know. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/nyregion/new-york-city-casino-committees-explained.html
- The Community Advisory Committees (CACs) announced for the New York City-area casino bids will be responsible for thoroughly reviewing commercial gaming proposals and assessing local public support for each project.
- Each CAC, consisting of five to six members, is tasked with holding at least two public hearings to gather community input and comments, as well as voting to approve or reject casino-and-gambling bids with a two-thirds majority required for approval.
- These CACs, which are part of the casino-culture in the mid-atlantic region, serve as a key gatekeeping body, vetting applications through public engagement and advisory votes, ensuring substantial local support before the official licensing authority moves forward.
- Notable members serving on the CACs include city officials such as Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Mayor Eric Adams, and Governor Kathy Hochul, who each have the power to appoint members.
