Las Vegas Sands Corp. has explored a $6 billion casino and resort project at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, as part of its bid for one of three downstate casino licenses. The company aimed to develop a five-star resort with hotel rooms, entertainment venues, and community spaces.
However, in April 2025, Las Vegas Sands withdrew its bid, citing concerns over the potential legalization of online gambling in New York impacting project returns. The company is now seeking a third-party operator to take over the license application before the June 27, 2025 deadline set by the New York State Gaming Commission.
The proposed legalization of online casino gambling in New York, led by Senator Joe Addabbo’s bill S8185, has influenced Las Vegas Sands’ strategy. The bill proposes a 30.5% tax rate, a $25 million fund for union workers, and $11 million for problem gambling initiatives, allowing up to 31 online casino skins.
The New York Gaming Commission estimated that the existing casino landscape supports over 70,000 jobs, highlighting the potential for massive employment gains when a new casino of the Sands’ stature rises. The projected tax revenues would have contributed significantly to public interests.
The New York State Gaming Commission had set a spring 2025 deadline for casino license applications, with decisions expected in early 2026, a delay from the prior late 2025 timeline. Las Vegas Sands had progressed in the licensing process, gaining approval from the Nassau County Legislature Rules Committee in July 2024.
“We’re very disappointed by New York,” said Las Vegas Sands CEO Rob Goldstein in a past earnings call with investors. “We’ve been working there for a long time, and we thought it would happen in 2024. Now, they’re saying 2025 or 2026. We don’t have any clarity, and to be honest, it’s confusing and disappointing.”
Goldstein highlighted how the company faced challenges, including a 2023 court ruling that voided a 99-year lease agreement with Nassau County due to violations of New York’s Open Meeting Law.
Local opposition has also impacted the project. Hofstra University and the Say No to the Casino Civic Association raised concerns about increased traffic, crime, and community disruption. A 28,000-page environmental review addressed issues like traffic, water usage, and noise, but critics, including Garden City officials, argued the project could harm the suburban character of the area.
Las Vegas Sands previously pursued casino legalization in Texas, targeting major cities like Dallas for destination resorts. In 2023, a bill supported by Sands failed to advance in the Texas legislature, facing opposition from conservative and religious groups citing social concerns.
The company, backed by the Adelson family, has invested heavily, spending over $6 million on lobbying in 2021 and forming the Texas Sands PAC with $2.3 million from Miriam Adelson in 2022.
The company acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks and over 100 acres in Irving, Texas, near the former Texas Stadium site, for a proposed mixed-use development that could include a casino if gambling is legalized. Despite public support for gaming expansion, a two-thirds majority in both Texas legislative chambers remains a significant hurdle.
Sands’ struggles to get across the finish line in New York and Texas have left the company seeking unexpected alternatives. More opportunities may exist in states that already have legal online options, and the rise of online casinos, sweepstakes casinos, and betting markets could lead to more innovative solutions.
