The state gaming commission is still months away from making the final decision on where those three licenses will go.

'We will see, I think the other sites outside of Queens are not ideal and we very bullish on both proposals for Queens County,' said Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The goal at Metropolitan Park is to build a casino and sportsbook, but that gaming commission license is needed. However, the state gaming commission is only planning to issue three casino licenses in New York City, on Long Island, or in Westchester County. The number of bids is now expected to be 11. Last year, NBC New York reported at least four groups wanted a casino, as part of a process that started in January 2023. The prospect of a full-fledge casino down state has a lot of people betting big. Warming winters: How climate change is making allergy seasons worse and longer