Four projects are vying for three casino licenses in the New York metropolitan area.

The Queens Community Advisory Committee approved by a vote of six to zero the Metropolitan Park project, proposed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, to build a casino next to Citi Field. The decision, taken on Tuesday (30), places the $8 billion project among the four finalists competing for the three available casino licenses in the New York metropolitan area. The state is expected to decide on the three licenses on December 1st.

The other three finalist projects are Bally's in the Bronx, MGM Empire City in Yonkers, and Genting's Resorts World, also in Queens. Metropolitan Park, developed in partnership with Hard Rock Entertainment, plans to transform a 50-acre parking lot near the Mets' stadium into a complex that will include a 5.600-seat theater.

Cohen's project received approval one day after the community advisory committee approved Bally's proposal for the Bronx. On the same Monday, the committee rejected Thor Equities' Coney project by a vote of four to two. The committee had indicated the previous week that the proposal did not have sufficient support to advance to the next phase of the process, which was confirmed by the rejection.

Metropolitan Park is the largest of the finalist projects and is projected to raise $850 million in taxes for the city and state by its third year of operation. The proposal includes community benefits such as a 25-acre public park and a "skypark" inspired by the High Line, as well as nearly $500 million for the renovation of the Mets-Willets Point metro station.

"Although the Mets may not make the playoffs, I think we can consider this a success," a representative stated after the project's approval.

Bally's proposal envisions a 280-square-meter gaming and entertainment complex next to the Ferry Point golf course, with an investment of nearly US$4 billion. The project includes a 500-room hotel, spa, retail space, and an event center for 2.000 people.

After the Genting project was approved, Richards commented, "Sorry, Jay-Z, we won again," referring to the competition with other projects that feature celebrities as partners. Rapper Nas is one of the partners on the Genting project.

Thor Equities' project for Coney Island, which was rejected, envisioned a $3,4 billion investment to build a casino, hotel, and retail complex across from Luna Park on Surf Avenue. This is the latest project to be eliminated from the licensing process, following proposals from Mohegan, Caesars, and Rush Street Gaming, which were also rejected by their respective committees.

State authorities have not yet announced the specific criteria that will determine the selection of the three winners from among the four finalists. All approved projects will advance to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board.

Genting's Aqueduct Resorts World and MGM's Empire City Casino are considered frontrunners because they already have existing "raccines," establishments that combine horse racing with casino games. Both have been identified as early leaders in the process, as they possess established infrastructure.

State Senator Liz Krueger, who opposes the expansion of gambling, described casinos as "a desperation tax" and told Gothamist: "I was almost certain that, with the right educational opportunities... we could actually influence public opinion so that my fellow elected officials wouldn't want to vote."

In the case of Bally's project in the Bronx, Republican councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, whose district includes Ferry Point, strongly opposed the construction of the casino.