Long Island checks a lot of boxes as a strong landing spot for one of the three downstate casinos the state is looking to license in the New York City area by the end of the year.

It has plenty of customers, for one thing, with more than 7 million people occupying its four counties. One of those counties, Suffolk, which covers the eastern two-thirds of the area, has a per capita income of greater than $100,000, so that checks the “expendable income” box.

Along with much of the New York City area, Long Island is served by excellent public transportation, with trains, ferries, and subway cars all potential routes to a Las Vegas-style gambling parlor there.