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New York State Approval Process

As of October 1, 2025, Las Vegas Sands has announced it is not pursuing a casino license and is seeking a successor  -
a mega casino at the Nassau Coliseum was never a "done deal"

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  1. The next step in the process is the SEQRA study will address the many negative impacts on our environment - traffic, air and noise pollution, impact on water supply, waste disposal, public safety considerations including increased risk of DWI fatalities.

  2. The second step will be for Las Vegas Sands to submit a petition to the Town of Hempstead for rezoning approval.

  3. The successor to Las Vegas Sands then needs to file an application by June 27, 2025

  4. After the casino applicants file their applications, a local Community Advisory Committee (CAC) would have been appointed by five elected officials - Governor Kathy Hochul, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Donald Clavin, State Senator Bynoe and Assembly Member Edward Ra.  If 2 of the 5 members had voted against the casino, the Sands successor application would have not moved forward!​

  5. Only those casino applicants that have a) obtain approval of their local CAC and b) have zoning approval will be evaluated for a casino license by the NYS Gaming Facility Location Board.

  6. There are only 3 other casino operators now competing for one of the three downstate casino licenses at locations - Citifield, Aqueduct and Ballys as community after community rejected the idea of a casino and casino operators realized that downstate casino are not a great investment.

  7. Up to three companies will be selected by the Location Board and the selections are subject to final approval by the NYS Gaming Commission.

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The casino selection process has been repeatedly delayed.

More information on the approval process can be found at nycasinos.ny.gov

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