Three new casinos were recommended for approval on Monday by the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board.

The three newly proposed casinos, with one in the Bronx and two locations in Queens, aim to “transform communities, establish career opportunities for residents, and drive much-needed revenue” according to a statement issued following the board’s recommendation.

“Each proposal presents a strong, competitive positioning based on brand strength, amenities and facility design,” said Greg Reimers, a member of the Gaming Facility Location Board.

The three new licenses were initially approved by Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature back in 2022, but still must be approved by the NYS Gaming Commission which is expected to vote in the next few months.

The three final proposals that were recommended for approval are Bally’s in the Bronx from Bally’s Corporation, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park in Queens by NY Mets owner Steve Cohen, and Hard Rock International and Resorts World in Queens from Genting Group.

While community revitalization and job creation has helped the projects gain some support, it’s the potential revenue for the state that NY politicians are betting on most.

“The three projects approved today promise to unlock billions in funding for the MTA and create tens of thousands of jobs,” Hochul said in a statement. “It is critical that they keep those promises.”

The location board’s consultants say the projects could generate an estimated $7 billion in tax revenue by 2036, not including the $1.5 billion each casino operator would need to pay for their initial gaming license.

However other politicians are continuing to sound the alarm, including State Senator Jessica Ramos whose district includes the proposed site for Metropolitan Park.

“Over the past two years, after three town halls, hundreds of neighbors surveyed, and a districtwide poll, the overwhelming message from my neighbors has been simple: we do not want a casino,” Ramos told the Albany Times Union following Monday’s decision.

If the Gaming Commission approves all three, Resort World says they could be open as early as next year, with the other two projects estimating 2027 openings.