New York’s mass-transit system is banking on billions of dollars from the state’s bet to bring full-scale casinos to the city.
With three gaming-palace proposals still on the table — two in Queens and one in The Bronx — the MTA is counting on close to $2 billion through 2029 just from casino-licensing fees earmarked for the transportation authority’s annual operating budget. Billions more could come from tax revenue, depending on how licenses are awarded.
“More service, better service, no layoffs,” Janno Lieber, MTA chairperson and chief executive, said Oct. 10 in response to a question from THE CITY about the potential impact of casinos on the transit system. “That’s what we accomplished thanks to Gov. Hochul and that’s what we’re going to use that casino-licensing money for when it lands.”
