Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is making a strong case for New York State to stop playing games with its gaming expansion timeline. Instead of waiting until December to award full casino licenses, Spano believes the New York State Gaming Commission should move now, this way giving the green light to Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens.

“These casinos mean jobs, more aid to education,” Spano said this week, calling on the state to stop stalling and start cashing in on revenue from table gaming. “Let’s move forward at least with these two casinos, and then let the third casino happen organically.”

The state is expected to award three downstate licenses for full-scale table gaming by the end of the year. But for Spano and some industry insiders, the decision seems obvious: the two “slots-only” casinos already in operation-Empire City and Resorts World-are more than ready to level up.

Offshore casinos already filling the gap for players in southern New York

With the wait dragging on, some New York gamblers have been turning elsewhere. Offshore online casinos, as you can read more on PokerScout recommendation by casino expert Lloyd Mackenzie, are accessible from the southern parts of New York State and beyond. They have become popular alternatives for players seeking a wider range of games, faster payouts, and unrestricted access to table games like poker, baccarat, and roulette.

For many in the southern tier, where regulated table games are still out of reach, these offshore platforms are filling a void. They don’t offer the same local economic benefits as land-based casinos in Yonkers or Queens, but they are undoubtedly attracting dollars that might otherwise be spent inside state lines. As the competition from digital platforms increases, delaying the rollout of live table gaming could cost New York more than just tax revenue. It could further cement offshore brands in the habits of New York bettors.

Jay-Z’s Times Square bid draws buzz, but competition is thinning

Spano’s push comes in the same week entertainment mogul Jay-Z was seen at the Capitol in Albany, reportedly trying to rally support for his high-profile Times Square casino proposal. Jay-Z is part of the Roc Nation-led bid to turn one of the most famous intersections in the world into a Vegas-style gaming destination, a pitch that has generated headlines but also stirred significant opposition from locals and Broadway theater owners.

Beyond Times Square, other remaining bids include projects at Coney Island, Citi Field, and Hell’s Kitchen. Still, the once-crowded race has started to thin out. Wynn Resorts recently dropped its plan to develop a casino at Hudson Yards. Las Vegas Sands, too, abandoned its pursuit of a gaming venue at Nassau Coliseum.

That leaves eight serious applicants, or possibly nine if Nassau County gets back in the game. The Gaming Commission plans to license only three. For Mayor Spano and others, it makes little sense to treat Empire City and Resorts World like just two more applicants in the queue.

“They’re already delivering revenue,” former gaming official says

John Sabini, a former New York gaming regulator, echoed Spano’s sentiment, pointing out that Empire City and Resorts World are not only functioning but thriving under their current limitations.

“They’ve been good partners. They provide a lot of revenue right now. They’re up and running. People are used to them being there, so the opposition wouldn’t be there,” Sabini said in an interview.

The argument is simple: rather than start from scratch, the state could double down on known quantities that already have infrastructure, community presence, and player loyalty. MGM, the parent company of Empire City, has made it clear it’s ready to expand with a full-scale casino floor and a live entertainment venue. The pieces are in place. All that’s missing is the go-ahead.

Why wait until December? Mayor says act before economic trouble hits

What Spano wants is acceleration, not just for convenience, but out of financial necessity. In his view, every month New York delays is a missed opportunity. “We have potential federal cuts, potential dips in the economy that we’re faced with,” the mayor said. “Let’s not wait for things to get worse before we unlock a revenue stream that’s ready now.”

He also argued that the state doesn’t have to abandon the formal process altogether. “The processes can be changed,” he said, urging lawmakers and regulators to use the June end of the application period as a soft deadline to approve Empire City and Resorts World. That way, the two most obvious candidates can begin building out their table game offerings while the rest of the competition continues to sort itself out.

Under Spano’s proposal, the final casino license-the third of three-could still follow the full review timeline. But greenlighting Yonkers and Queens earlier would send a clear message that New York is prioritizing economic growth and practical solutions over red tape.

Ready casinos, ready players, and a waiting game no one wants

While flashy new bids and celebrity endorsements draw headlines, Spano’s case is grounded in pragmatism. Empire City and Resorts World are already generating revenue, already have the support of their communities, and already know how to run large-scale gaming operations. What they need now is the ability to compete with out-of-state and offshore rivals offering table games and experiences New York residents currently have to go elsewhere to find.

If the state gaming commission sticks to its original timeline, these two venues could be waiting another six months or more to do what they’re already equipped to do. But if Spano has his way, New York won’t let bureaucracy delay what he sees as a sure bet.