ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Former New York Gov. David Paterson is joining Las Vegas Sands to lead the casino and resort developer's push for a casino in New York City.

Voters have already authorized up to three casinos for the nation's largest city, but state law currently says they can't be approved until 2023 at the earliest.

Paterson is joining Sands as a senior vice president.

Competition for the lucrative market will be fierce.

MGM and Genting Group operate existing slot casinos in Yonkers and Queens, respectively. They have already proposed turning their facilities into full casinos.

Paterson is a Democrat who served as governor from 2008-2010. He says lawmakers should lift the four-year moratorium barring casinos in the city.