Both Wynn Resorts and the Las Vegas Sands Corporation recently announced that they will no longer seek an NY casino license. However, there are still plenty of contenders in the running, including Bally’s and Caesars. Other contenders are also seeking the one casino license believed to be up for grabs.

New York recently approved three additional downstate casino licenses that will be awarded in Q4 of 2025. Two licenses are expected to go to established racinos, the Aqueduct and Yonkers Raceway. However, nothing is promised, and the bidding market is still full of high rollers looking to transform the local gaming options.

Wynn Resorts Drops NYC Casino Plans

A Wynn Resorts representative told news sources that the company has surrendered to “years of persistent opposition.” The company was planning on a posh Manhattan casino in Hudson Yard. They blamed the withdrawal on the rezoning process.

Las Vegas Sands Will No Longer Pursue NYC Casino Licensing

The Las Vegas Sands Corporation was the first big player to withdraw its bid in April 2025. The announcement, alongside its Q1 earnings report, stated that they are looking for a third party to take over the Nassau Coliseum casino conversion project. The Sands Corp. blamed the possibility of competition from iGaming, or online casino games, for dropping their bid.

MGM Resorts and Resorts World are considered leading contenders for securing two of the three licenses due to their existing gaming operations, which include slots only, without live tabletop games.

Online Casinos In New York

Today, there are only a handful of states that have online casinos operating from inside the US, and New York isn’t one of them. However, online casinos outside the states have accepted NY players since the early 2000s. While some international brands have elected not to service the state’s residents, plenty of reputable online casino apps will be accessible in 2025.

Several states have recently proposed allowing state-licensed casinos to operate online; however, no legislation has been passed so far this legislative season.

The No Times Square Casino Coalition is opposing a new casino site in times square as they predict the location will cause more congestion and hurt local businesses that have already been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Some locals see a casino in Times Square as a deterrent to already established businesses, including Broadway shows, restaurants, and other entertainment facilities; however, supporters see a new casino as a way to draw more tourist dollars to the area.

How Many Casinos Are Currently In New York?

There are currently eight casinos in New York, with only one location in New York City. Resorts World NYC is the only operating casino location in the big apple, but a new license is currently being shopped for the city. 

Three new casino licenses are currently available in the state. However, applicants must present casino plans that include how much revenue it can bring in and the impacts on the area before a license is granted to the best-proposed location. Once a license is awarded to a site, a $1 million dollar annual licensing fee will follow.  

Are Online Casinos Legal In New York?

Yes, offshore online casinos are allowed to operate in the state of New York because there are no state or federal laws that forbid their online services. Some sportsbook and casino sites have opted out of the NY market, but that is just a preventative measure taken to ensure that no legal issues arise in the future.

What Casino Games Are Available Online?

Online casino games are typically the same in domestic casinos, just presented differently. Instead of live dealers, online casino games use random number generators (rng) regulated by trusted gaming authorities to assure fairness. 

Online casino games offer the feel of a live casino from anywhere you can connect online without physically visiting a casino. Gaming regulators ensure that online games offer the same odds as classic casino games. Below are some of the popular online casino games you will find online.

• Slots
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Video Poker
• Baccarat
• Bingo
• Live Dealer Games 
• Specialty Games