Top regulator vows ‘stringent’ standards in NYC casino licensing – a challenge for operators under scrutiny

Thursday, August 14, 2025 8:56 PM
Image aggregated from iGaming Business.
  • Matt Rybaltowski, iGaming Business

New York State Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer stresses that only applicants that have met the highest integrity standards will be awarded a downstate casino license.

Brian O’Dwyer garnered headlines 11 months ago when the New York gaming regulator cited a sweeping money laundering investigation as a potential hurdle for several bidders in their quest to receive a downstate New York casino license.

During this week’s Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga, O’Dwyer, chairman of the New York State Gaming Commission, reiterated the importance of conducting a thorough review of the character fitness and operational capacity of candidates to ensure casinos will operate in strict compliance with New York law.