An amended New York downstate casino bill would not necessarily accelerate the licensing process for three New York City casinos but would provide a hard deadline.

Sen. Joe Addabbo amended S9673 in the early morning hours Wednesday to require that the New York Gaming Facility Location Board make recommendations on selecting downstate casinos by Dec. 31, 2025.

Thirty days for the New York State Gaming Commission to award up to three licenses after receiving the board’s recommendations puts the regular licensing deadline at Jan. 30. However, an option for two 30-day extensions brings the final possible day for issuance of licenses to March 31, 2026.

With two days left in the legislative session, the amendment marks a significant boost for a bill that didn’t seem to have much hope in the Assembly when introduced.

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