New Casino Projects & Licensing

Bally’s in the Bronx: On June 13, New York Governor Hochul cleared legislation to reclassify parkland (former Trump golf course at Ferry Point), enabling Bally’s to pursue a casino license. The plan includes a 500,000 sq ft casino, hotel, retail, and event spaces. Final zoning approval is still required thesun.ie+154scasino.com+15hollywood.com+15nypost.com.

• NYC licensing push: Following Bally’s, multiple major casino Ok9 proposals are in play—Coney Island, Yonkers (MGM), Times Square (Caesars/Roc Nation/Jay‑Z), and Mets‑area Hard Rock. Decisions are expected by year-end .
  

📈 1. Casino Stocks & Market Performance

• BetMGM/MGM stock rally: BetMGM raised 2025 guidance to at least $2.6 billion in revenue (up from earlier $2.4–2.5 b), with projected EBITDA ≥ $100 m. MGM Resorts’ shares jumped 6.5% on the news, signaling bullish sentiment in gaming stocks (also boosting Wynn, LVS, Boyd Gaming) investors.com.
  

💻 2. Online & Sweepstakes Casino Boom

• Sixty6 Casino: A new U.S. sweepstakes-platform launched in 2025, offering over 500 slots and bonuses of 75,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins. User-friendly and secure, though it lacks live dealer games talksport.com. 
• Global digital growth:
  • Online gambling projected at $103 b in 2025, rising to $169 b by 2030 (CAGR 10.4%) casinolifemagazine.com+10reddit.com+10reddit.com+10globenewswire.com.
    
  • Mobile gambling accounts for over 72% of bets, driven by app usage and 5G—forecast to reach ~$155 b in 2025 .
    
  • Denmark’s online casino market hit DKK 7.27 b (≈ $1 b) in 2024, up 6.9%, with online nearly 50% share reddit.com+8reddit.com+8reddit.com+8.
    

🤖 3. Tech & Innovation

• AI & Big Data:
  • Casinos are using AI to personalize game recommendations, bonus offers, and side bets—and to spot problem gambling behaviors reddit.com+15hollywood.com+15222.casino+15.
    
  • AI-driven chatbots and dynamic odds systems enhance engagement—but also raise addiction concerns 222.casino. 
• Cryptocurrency & Blockchain:
  • Fast, anonymous crypto payments are mainstream in online—and likewise trickling into land-based casinos yogonet.com.
  • Blockchain is being used for backend systems and decentralized casinos, offering transparency and player equity models yogonet.com.
• VR/AR and Live Dealers:
  • VR casinos Khuyến mãi OK9 and AR overlays are enhancing immersion; live dealer tables now offer 3D views and realistic casino ambiance, thanks to 5G and VR tech casinolifemagazine.com+1reuters.com+1hollywood.com+1casinolifemagazine.com+1.
    

🛡️ 4. Regulation & Responsible Gaming

• Responsible gaming focus:
  • DraftKings appointed its first Chief Responsible Gaming Officer in June, integrating “budgets” and usage tools to support healthier betting reddit.com+15businessinsider.com+15barrons.com+15.
  • Google is enforcing stricter ad rules (e.g., disclaimers, certification, age checks) for both real-money and social casino ads beginning April 2025 reddit.com.
• Global moves:
  • In Australia, highly regulated land-based systems are pushing bettors to Asia’s more balanced models (Macau/Singapore) theaustralian.com.au.
    
  • Malta’s MGA is adopting risk-based, outcome-focused regulation centered on compliance and player protection reddit.com+1theaustralian.com.au+1.
    

🌍 5. Global Expansion & New Markets

• UAE & Thailand:
  • Wynn is building Wynn Al Marjan Island in the UAE—UAE’s first legal casino resort opening early 2027 en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
    
  • Thailand’s Parliament is nearing approval for its first legalized casinos, limiting them to ≤10% of resort space, with entry fees and deposit checks for locals en.wikipedia.org.
• Japan:
  • MGM Osaka, a $9 b integrated resort, broke ground April 2025—reflecting Japan’s new casino legalization en.wikipedia.org.
    

🎯 Summary – Why It Matters

• Blend of tech and play: AI, blockchain, and VR are shaping futuristic gambling experiences.
• Market spike: Digital betting surging worldwide; land-based ventures growing in new regions (e.g., UAE, Thailand, Japan).
• Regulatory response: Focus on responsible play and tailored regulation aims to sustain growth and limit harm.
• Investor boom: Casino stocks vibrant amid strong performance—spurred by digital gaming and licensing optimism.