Inside New York’s Downstate Casino Race—and How Athletes Can Turn the Tables on Opportunity

New York is about to reshuffle its economic deck. The state’s Gaming Commission is preparing to award three coveted downstate casino licenses, a move projected to pump billions into the regional economy, generate thousands of jobs, and accelerate infrastructure upgrades. While much of the attention has focused on billion-dollar developers, financiers, and hospitality operators, there’s another group with untapped potential to benefit from this transformation: athletes. The Stakes and the Players Eight high-profile proposals are competing for just three licenses, each promising a unique blend of gaming, entertainment, and community investment:

• The Avenir – A $7 billion mixed-use complex on Manhattan’s far West Side.
• Caesars Palace Times Square – SL Green, Caesars, and Roc Nation’s $4 billion integrated resort in Times Square.
• Freedom Plaza – A Midtown East casino and entertainment development.
• Metropolitan Park – An $8 billion Hard Rock–led complex adjacent to Citi Field in Queens.
• Resorts World New York City – A $5 billion expansion of the Aqueduct racino in Queens.
• The Coney – Coney Island’s $3 billion entertainment and gaming destination.
• Bally’s New York Casino – Proposed for the Bronx’s Ferry Point Park.
• MGM Empire City – A Yonkers expansion of the existing racino into a full-scale resort.

Each bid must meet stringent requirements on job creation, economic impact, and community benefits—backed by at least $500 million in licensing and capital commitments. Where Athletes Fit Into the Equation In New York’s economic playbook, local hiring and supplier diversity are no longer “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential components of winning bids. This creates multiple entry points for athletes:

• Workforce Champions: By advocating for hiring pipelines, athletes can ensure local residents—especially those from underserved communities—are first in line for the thousands of jobs these projects will generate.
• Supplier and Infrastructure Partners: From catering and event staging to transportation and construction materials, casino developments require deep supply chains. Athletes with existing businesses or entrepreneurial ambitions can position themselves to meet these needs.
• NIL and Sponsorship Integration: Athletes can negotiate deals that tie their brand to projects meeting local and domestic content requirements, ensuring every jersey, ad campaign, and promotional event contributes to the state’s small business economy.

Balancing Business with Responsibility The gaming industry is booming—but it comes with responsibility. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, roughly 2% of U.S. adults experience gambling disorder, a number likely to grow as mobile betting becomes more accessible. For athletes, public trust is a valuable currency. Promoting responsible gaming practices—financial literacy, self-exclusion programs, and balanced recreational habits—strengthens both personal brand value and community well-being. Beyond the Casino Floor Casino projects are more than entertainment hubs. They often drive investments in transportation, broadband, utilities, and real estate development—areas where public-private partnerships can magnify community benefits. By engaging early, athletes can help shape these projects to deliver lasting economic mobility for their neighborhoods.

For those with vision, New York’s downstate casino race is more than a high-stakes competition between developers. It’s a once-in-a-generation chance for athletes to blend influence with strategy, leveraging a booming industry to create jobs, build businesses, and leave a legacy that lasts far beyond the final whistle.

‍To better understand the full economic, workforce, and community impact of opportunities like these, athletes, teams, and industry leaders are encouraged to complete the Business of Sports and Entertainment Study led by Sports Power Infrastructure™. Participation provides data-driven insights to help align your brand, business, or career with the most impactful projects in New York and beyond. Visit [Sports Power Infrastructure’s website] to get started.

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