Casino bidders are investing millions to sway officials, finds Politico – Casino Reports

New York’s battle over the three commercial downstate casinos is heating up. Just recently, Politico released a report alleging that gambling companies looking to win a license spent millions lobbying Empire State officials to gain an advantage. According to the report, 10 of the companies with a casino proposal have already invested millions.

Currently, New York State is in the process of awarding the three available downstate casino licenses to three applicants. The application process was launched in January 2023 by the Gaming Facility Location Board, which will now consider bids from companies. The three winners are expected to be announced sometime in 2023.

More than $7 million in 14 months

In its report, Politico claims that 10 companies that submitted proposals for a New York casino spent at least $7.2 million in the past 14 months. The report also notes that lobbying companies have spent undisclosed amounts on Consulting, policy strategy and public relations. They could do this because these contracts do not necessarily have to be made available to the public.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine commented that it seemed like every lobbyist had a casino affiliate. He added that even one of these commandments will be among the toughest public campaigns, and having ten at the same time was unprecedented for NYC. According to CBRE, a NYC casino would bring in $2 billion in revenue every year.

According to the said Politico report, Genting Group has a good chance of getting its hands on a license since it has invested $2.7 million in lobbying firms to expand its Resorts World New York City. Meanwhile, MGM Resorts International also has great opportunities as its Empire City Casino in Yonkers is already up and running. This leaves the last license for one of the many other bidders.

Some of the candidates for a casino license in the state of New York are among others Las Vegas sand which recently announced its plans for a multi-billion dollar hospitality and entertainment project on Long Island, NY. His project would be the land currently occupied by the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and has already made some arrangements to get his process off the ground.

Caesars Entertainment, a big name in the gaming industry, has teamed up with Roc Nation and SL Green for a Caesar’s Palace Times Square. To top up their application, the coalition announced a new one execution from Caesars Rewards®. This allows members to use their credits by converting them into gift cards and use them at hotels, restaurants and clubs in New York.

No signs of corruption

The report also notes that there have been no signs of corruption in the casino proposals. John Kaehny, executive director of surveillance group Reinvent Albany, said enormous amounts of money are pouring into the state’s political system from corporations try to influence the decision in their favor when lawmakers choose the ultimate winners.

Source: Vojvodic, Katarina”According to Politico, bidders at New York City casinos have spent millions on lobbying officials” PlayUSAMarch 13, 2023