Key Moments:
- The final mayoral debate in New York City took place at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center
- Zohran Mamdani has maintained a commanding poll lead and strong prediction market odds
- Candidates revealed reluctance to endorse specific casino bids for the five boroughs
Debate Highlights
The final face-off before the Nov. 4 mayoral election took place at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Long Island City, Queens. Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, and Curtis Sliwa presented their final arguments during the 90-minute showdown, seeking to attract any remaining undecided voters as the election nears.
Throughout the evening, the candidates brought notable intensity to the stage, frequently trading sharp remarks. Political experts indicated the session neither significantly boosted nor harmed any campaign, with Zohran Mamdani remaining composed even as he faced sustained criticism from both opponents. In contrast, Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, and Curtis Sliwa, Guardian Angels executive officer, made their presence known with assertive statements and verbal jabs. Despite the contentious atmosphere, the debate is not expected to dramatically shift the dynamic of the race.
Candidate Positions on Casino Expansion
During the debate, Katie Honan of The City asked for the candidates’ stances regarding casino development within the five boroughs, specifically referencing the three proposals still under consideration: Bally’s Bronx, Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World New York City.
| Candidate | Casino Stance | Favorite Bid |
|---|---|---|
| Curtis Sliwa | Would allow casinos only if “the community wants it.” | Has no preference among the current bids. |
| Zohran Mamdani | “I’m personally skeptical of casinos, but voters did choose to bring them to New York City, and unlike Andrew Cuomo and Donald Trump, I don’t view the law as just a suggestion.” | “No, I don’t have favorites of casinos.” |
| Andrew Cuomo | “I have not reviewed the [casino] proposals,” Cuomo said. “I did not vote to bring casinos to New York City. I did casinos in Upstate New York as economic development measures. I had no part in these three casinos.” Cuomo said the downstate licensing and bidding process has “been highly problematic.” | Did not indicate a preference; has not reviewed current proposals. |
Little Mayoral Influence Over Casino Licensing
Overall, the debate underscored that the incoming mayor will have limited influence on how downstate casino licenses are awarded. In fact, the New York Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to make its decisions by Dec. 1, with final concessions granted before year-end. The new mayor is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 1, 2026, after the casino licensing process concludes.
- Author
Daniel Williams
