Uncertainty now surrounds Hard Rock’s proposal to build a casino in New York City, with the firm likely to face difficulties in the bidding process due to its Russian ties. 

Under an executive order issued by Gov. Kathy Hochul last year, state agencies in New York are prohibited from entering into agreements with entities conducting any commercial activity in Russia or transacting business with the Russian government. 

Hard Rock Among Firms Still Doing Business in Russia

According to Yale University’s School of Management, Hard Rock is one of 237 firms continuing business as usual in Russia. The company has been listed under the Grade: F category – entities defying demands for exit or reduction of activities.

A Hard Rock franchise restaurant in Moscow closed months ago, the company recently confirmed, but a second one, located in St. Petersburg, is still operating, though the independent owner of the property agreed to terminate operations on March 13, according to a statement from Hard Rock.

Hard Rock Campaigned for Kathy Hochul

It was previously unveiled that Hard Rock was partnering with New York Mets owner Steve Cohen for a casino project near CitiField in Willets Point, Queens. Hard Rock supported Gov. Kathy Hochul when she ran for re-election in November 2022 and contributed at least $100,000 to her campaign.

There are plenty of issues that divide Texas residents, but gambling legalization is not one of them. According to a new survey from the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, majority of Texans are in favor of legalizing casino gaming and sports betting in The Lone Star State. 

Massive Public Support for Expanded Gambling in Texas

The survey, conducted from January 9-19, 2023 on 1,200 Texans aged at least 18 years old, found that 75% of Texas residents support a new Bill that would allow expanded gambling in the state, with only 13% strongly opposing the new changes.

Under proposals contained in Senate Joint Resolution 17 (SJR 17), each of Texas’ biggest metropolitan areas – Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth – would have one casino resort. The Bill would also allow “limited casino gaming” in certain locations and would create a sports betting licensing framework.

Casino Gambling Could Be Coming to Texas

The survey found massive public support for the Bill which cuts across ethnic, racial, religious, partisan, and generational lines. It has gained majority backing from men and women in the state, major political parties, and those residing in urban, rural, and suburban locations. 

Commenting on the results of the survey, Renée Cross, senior executive director and researcher at the Hobby School, said there is room for common ground when it comes to allowing expanded gambling in Texas. 

Las Vegas Sands Corp has announced it will apply for a commercial casino license in downstate New York. The Nevada-headquartered casino and hotel operator confirmed in a press release plans for the development of a “multi-billion-dollar flagship hospitality, entertainment, and casino project” on Long Island, New York. 

Las Vegas Sands to Build Integrated Resort on Long Island 

The proposed integrated resort would be built on an 80-acre lot at the same site where the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is currently located. The mega project would include a casino that would take up no more than 10 percent of the total area. 

Additionally, the complex would feature a world-class live performance venue, four- and five-star hotel rooms, a flexible meeting and convention area, celebrity chef restaurants, and outdoor community spaces. Other facilities include a spa, and a swimming pool and health club.

Intense Competition For License

Las Vegas Sands, which owns Macau casino operator Sands China Ltd and the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, is just one of the major gaming operators with operations in Asia that have either announced plans to pursue a casino license in downstate New York or have been speculated to join the bidding process.

Wynn Resorts Ltd, the parent company of Wynn Macau Ltd, is also expected to be among the bidders, as are MGM Resorts International and Malaysia’s Genting Group, both of which already have existing gaming operations in New York.

Up to three commercial casino licenses have been approved for New York. The application process is now open.

Companies seeking to build a casino in New York City (NYC) may now submit their proposals after the New York Gaming Facility Board issued a Request for Applications for three gaming licenses in the city.

NYC Casino Bidding Process Now Open

In its first public meeting on January 3, 2023, the Board agreed to set the minimum license fee and capital investment at $500 million for the potential bidders. Any project would need to obtain community approval first and must pass zoning requirements before being considered by the Board. 

No official deadlines have been announced yet other than the due date for the applicants’ first set of questions which is on February 3, 2023.

Competition Heats Up

Among the proposed locations for a new casino in NYC is Times Square, the city’s most famous landmark. SL Green and Caesars Entertainment are joining forces to build a casino in the area, with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation picked as entertainment partner.

MGM Resorts and Malaysia’s Genting Group which operate racinos in Yonkers and Queens respectively are also expected to submit their bids and both are seen as having an advantage considering that they will only need to expand their venues instead of constructing a new casino.

The local governments of Osaka and Nagasaki have both announced they’re now moving onto the next stage of developing their respective anti-gambling addiction schemes which is among the key processes required for building Japan’s first integrated resort (IR) with a casino. Both cities submitted their IR proposal to the national government in April 2022.

Gambling Addiction Countermeasures to be Finalized in Early 2023

Osaka has established a department tasked with promoting countermeasures against gambling addiction. The said department, headed by Hirofumi Yoshimura, the governor of the Osaka prefecture, held its first meeting on December 28, 2022 during which members discussed the 2nd-term promotion plan of gambling addiction countermeasures. 

The Osaka prefecture will conduct a public consultation before finalizing the promotion plan. 

Nagasaki is taking similar steps, with its public comment-gathering process set to conclude on January 19, 2023.  It will also finalize its 2nd-term promotion plan early in the year. 

Both plans cover the 2023-2025 financial years.

IR Decision Could be Announced in Jan 2023

Osaka is planning to build a JPY1.08-trillion (US$8.1 billion) casino resort on the man-made Yumeshima island, in partnership with MGM Resorts International. Meanwhile, Nagasaki’s proposed IR project with its commercial partner Casinos Australia International Japan will cost JPY438.3 billion to develop. It will be located near the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Sasebo City.

The national government could decide on the IR bids before the end of January 2023.