As downstate New York narrows the field to four for the three new casino licenses, one Yonkers man showed everyone what is possible by scooping a $3 million jackpot.

With a massive interest in the three casino licenses to be issued to successful proposals, some of the world’s biggest names in the industry joined the race that has been whittled down to just four.

While the winning proposals won’t be in action for some time, with significant construction or renovation projects ahead, the news that a New Yorker scooped a massive jackpot win will certainly help boost interest.

Yonkers Jackpot Winner

The popularity of slot games at land-based and online casinos has surged, with state-of-the-art technology helping provide players with immersive and interactive gaming experiences. While online casinos are only legal in seven states at present, offshore betting sites offer a great selection of slot titles to choose from, making it easier than ever for consumers to play Madame Destiny Megaways, Bonanza Megaways, Big Bass Splash, Wheel of Fortune, or other similar games.

It was this latter title that Barnett T. was playing when he scooped the Yonkers’ Empire City Casino’s largest ever payout $2,995,532. Amazingly, Barnett recently scooped an impressive $46,000, but his latest win should set him up for life as he plans a holiday, a second home, and secure investments.

While scooping more than $3 million in a few months is more than most could ever dream of, it is far from the biggest jackpot win at a casino. In 2003, one lucky winner at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas landed a whopping $39.7 million. These massive prizes are made possible by playing progressive slots, where a percentage of everything that is staked is added to a jackpot until it is won. This can see prize pots grow significantly, before the total returns to a predefined minimum after it has been won.

This has helped secure slot games as the most lucrative revenue generator for land-based and online casinos, as players enjoy the chance of winning life-altering amounts of money from relatively small stakes.

The Four Casinos Battling for Three Casino Licenses

New York’s casino industry is already worth more than $3 billion, despite not having any licensed online operations. Of the 34 land-based casinos in New York State, 21 are tribal operations, with the remaining 13 run as commercial casinos.

The addition of another 3 is an exciting time for New Yorkers, who will see the construction of at least one new casino and at least one upgrade of the two available racino operations that have put forward proposals.

When the successful casino projects are operational, it will boost the tax revenue the state gets, which already exceeds $1 billion.

Empire City Casino

One of the proposed casino projects also happens to be the location where the $3 million jackpot win took place. The MGM Empire City Casino in Yonkers is already operating as a racino, but the application to become a fully licensed casino will see a $2.3 billion investment.

This will go towards the renovation and expansion of the gaming area, installing a high-limit lounge, a state-of-the-art sportsbook, a 5,000-capacity entertainment venue, dining options, and parking facilities with sustainable solar-powered EV charge stations.

Resorts World NYC

Like the Empire City Casino proposal, Resorts World’s New York City plans to expand upon an existing racino operation to create a fully licensed casino and entertainment area. Genting New York LLC has projected a cost of $5.5 billion for the expansion that would see it become New York State’s largest casino resort, spanning more than 5.6 million square feet.

The gaming expansion would see the inclusion of 800 gaming tables and 6,000 slots, with a 7,000 capacity entertainment arena, and 2,000 room hotel. Other facilities included in the proposal include a spa, green spaces open to the public, and an impressive selection of bars and restaurants.

The project is set to have an impact on the local job market during and after construction, with 5,000 jobs during the creation of the resort and a further 5,000 permanent jobs when it is complete.

Plans are also in place for Genting to partner with local developments to create 50,000 housing units and invest a further $50 million in an exciting new Innovation Campus.

The project is seen as having a good chance because of the existing facility and the projected timeline, predicting a July 2026 opening date.

Citi Field

The progression of Steve Cohen’s Citi Field casino plan got a much-needed boost when Senate Bill 7121A passed by 4 votes to 3, allowing the stadium’s parking lot designation to be changed to commercial land from parkland. This decision paves the way for construction to begin on the 50-acre site if it is successful.

Mets owner Cohen teamed up with Hard Rock International to put forward an ambitious proposal that would include a new casino, hotel, music venue, food hall, green space, and improve the local infrastructure. The $8 billion proposal would bring a lot of work to this area of Queens, and because of this has enjoyed support from local groups.

The plans project as many as 23,000 jobs being created, and the creation of a 25-acre public park is something that the community is keen to see.

Ballys Ferry Point

The final proposal that is still in with a chance of securing one of three NY casino licenses is the Bronx Bally Casino. The project is expected to cost around $4 billion and would see the creation of a 500,000 square foot casino and a 500-room hotel at Ferry Point. The location is currently known for the Bally’s Links golf course, and this development would also include infrastructure improvements and the creation of a new clubhouse.

The fact that the location was purchased from President Trump has seen many hinting towards potential political benefits and support. However, it is the project plans that are turning heads, with a spa facility, meeting spaces, retail shops, an event centre, and parking lots with the capacity to hold almost 5,000 vehicles.

Bally’s is also proposing a share offer to Bronx residents, giving local communities the opportunity to invest in the project. This proposal, alongside planned investment in community development, should help with local support. Bally’s has already committed 1% of gross revenues to local communities; if they are successful, this could be worth as much as $10 million.

Bally’s has committed a lot of time and effort into getting the local community onside, and this could work in their favor when the final decision is being made.

Conclusion

With three of the four final proposals guaranteed to go ahead, the timely $3 million victory comes at a time when casinos want to be making headlines for the right reasons.

The exciting projects will bring prosperity and opportunity to the successful locations, and customers will be desperate for work to get started as soon as it is announced who will be given the licenses.