On Monday, three massive casinos got their long-awaited licenses to open up in New York City—but state regulators vowed that they will only be able to operate if the gambling companies keep all of the promises they made along the way.
In a chilly auditorium inside Riverbank State Park, the New York State Gaming Commission unanimously approved the casino license applications for Bally's in the Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park next to Citi Field, and Resorts World near JFK airport, on the condition that all three casinos have "outside independent monitors" for five years.
After the commission voted to approve Metropolitan Park, which is backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen, a handful of protesters erupted in anger.
"You chose a billionaire over New Yorkers! Shame on you!" one of them shouted. "Hochul must go! Shame on you!"