New York City developers eye casinos in Hudson Yards, Times Square, Willets Point, and Coney Island

The Post has learned that New York City game developers and operators are putting their chips on the table in a frantic bid to gain the right to open local casinos, including in Times Square and Hudson Yards.

Some of the other sites being looked at are Willets Point near Mets Citi Field in Queens and Coney Island in Brooklyn, according to people familiar with the plans.

The state gaming commission has been mandated to issue up to three licenses in the Big Apple downstate, and Mayor Eric Adams said he wants at least two for the city.

Related real estate giants in Hudson Yards, Vornado and SL Green in Times Square said they are interested in forming partnerships with casino giants such as Hard Rock, Sands and Wayne for local venues, industry and government sources.

The sources said that representatives from the developers and casinos had briefed Adams’ office, as well as Governor Cathy Hochhol and state officials, about their initial plans.

Officials from related companies met with City Hall to discuss a proposal to build a casino on the railways on the far west side.

Related Companies Chairman Stephen Ross is a huge benefactor to Hochul, the largest casino lottery player who oversees gambling regulators in the state.

A representative of the related companies, the main developer of West Side’s Hudson Yards, has confirmed its interest in building a casino in Manhattan.

“We are considering our options,” spokesman John Weinstein told The Post on Sunday.

Sources familiar with the discussions said Hudson Yards has ample space to build a casino, along with the transportation infrastructure needed to get people to and from the gaming facility. Stations 7 and Penn Station are nearby. The location is also close to the Javits Convention Center.

Sources said Steve Cohen, owner of the Mets, and his associates – who have good relations with Adams – have spoken to City Hall about the possibility of building a local casino as well.

An insider said Thor Equities has also discussed setting up a casino on Coney Island.

Business magnate John Katsimatidis, who developed the Ocean Drive waterfront residences along the oceanfront on Coney Island, also voiced his support for opening a casino there.

“The casino is going to be a great thing for Coney Island and Brooklyn,” Katsimatidis said on Sunday. “Coney Island Casino will bring a lot of vitality to Brooklyn.”

On the casino side, Hard Rock indicated that she had already joined the party.

You just donated $119,000 to the state Democratic Party controlled by Hochul state and contributed more than six figures to the governor’s election campaign, according to fundraising records submitted to the state’s Board of Elections.

Lobbyist records showed that hard rock lobbyists also met with City Hall Chief of Staff Frank Carone about his desire to build a casino. Hard Rock executives have discussed a partnership with the Mets ‘Cohen for a Willets’ Point casino.

Selling point: Willet’s Point is easily accessible using the #7 Subway, Long Island Rail Road, Grand Central Parkway and Long Island Expressway and has a large population just minutes away in Flushing, a potential gambling circuit, sources said.

Meanwhile, Sands CEO Rob Goldstein met with Caron about the Big Apple Casino, a source close to the discussions said.

In terms of supporting any local venture, Caron noted to The Post, “Casinos provide well-paid syndicate jobs.”

Two of the arcades located on the state’s horse racing tracks — Resorts World/Genteng in Aqueduct in Queens and Empire City/MGM in Yonkers in Westchester County — have been in operation for more than a decade and will apply for a full license to expand and offer live board games. If these two locations are selected, there will be a battle to get the only license remaining for a new casino downtown.

But opening a casino anywhere in the city – especially in Manhattan – will not be easy.

Under state law, gaming interests will need to attract community support.

Backers will have to get the approval of two-thirds of the six-member Community Advisory Board for the area in which a casino is proposed. Representatives appointed must include the town mayor, local senator, assembly member, and city council member, as well as the governor and mayor.

Unless the proposed casino is on state-owned property, it will also have to be approved according to the city’s lengthy land use review procedure which needs city council approval.

The situation gives community activists and local elected officials tremendous leverage in the selection process.

Other controversial projects on Manhattan’s West Side ended up in the cemetery – notably the Olympic Stadium proposed by former Mayor Mike Bloomberg and the Westway Highway.

“I am strongly against the idea of ​​a Manhattan casino,” Senator Brad Hoelman, who represents the Hudson Yards and Times Square neighborhoods, told The Post on Sunday.

“I don’t know a voter who wants a casino,” he said. “Outside forces want a casino. Insiders who live here don’t want a casino.”

Studies have questioned the economic benefits of land-based casinos in the digital age as well. Critics say the area is full of gambling halls.

But the New York government will benefit from billions of dollars in revenue.

The state is expected to bring in at least $500 million per casino license – or at least $1.5 billion.

Tax rates will ultimately be determined by a competitive licensing bidding process, but the law says they can’t be less than 25% of slots revenue and 10% of board game revenue.

Tax rates are likely to be higher. All four casinos located in the north of the state pay between 30% and 40%.

The gaming commission will appoint members to the casino’s positioning board by October 4. The Board will have 90 days to issue a request for bids.