Lobbyists Cashing in as Race for 3 NY Casino Licenses Approaches Finish Line

New York state will award three downstate casino licenses in 2025, and the bidding has gotten fast and furious as the June 27 submission deadline approaches. By that I mean they are busy procuring lobbyists to curry favor with New York Mayor Eric Adams.

Adams has run into a bit of controversy lately, but that hasn’t exactly stopped the parade of interest in getting his attention. Casino lobbyists accounted for six of the top 10 spenders in 2024, as per recently released numbers.

Proposed Hard Rock Casino Leads the Pack

Topping the list was none other than Mets owner Steve Cohen. The hedge fund billionaire spent $2 million as he tries to make his dream of a casino-resort property adjacent to Citi Field a reality. 

The project, originally unveiled in November 2023, is dubbed Metropolitan Park, named after the Mets who are officially “The New York Metropolitan Baseball Club”. He would partner with Hard Rock Casino to develop a sprawling $8 billion casino resort and music venue. 

The $2 million is of course the equivalent of change found under the couch to the wealthiest owner in MLB. He now regularly runs Mets payrolls in excess of $300 million. MLB’s collective bargaining agreement contains something known as the “Steve Cohen Tax” wherein teams owe a 110% on payrolls above a certain level. It's meant to curtail excessive spending by big market clubs, but it has not stopped Steve Cohen himself from making it rain.. 

The proposal looks amazing, though I am a Mets fan looking at their renderings.

The proposed Hard Rock casino resort in Queens would be a pleasant walk through a 25-acre park to the Mets’ Citi Field. (Image: Metropolitan Park)

Mmmm, a taste of Queens … (Image: Metropolitan Park)

Approval Far from a Done Deal

Two politicians who represent the district take opposite positions on the project. State Senator Jessica Ramos said last fall, “We want investment and opportunity, we are desperate for green space, and recreation for the whole family. We disagree on the premise that we have to accept a casino in our backyard as the trade-off.” 

As a condition for approval, Ramos has proposed doubling the 25 acres of proposed public park space that is part of the project. She says there is precedent that she as the representative gets the final word on the plan, though acknowledges another state senator could back it in place of her.

On the other side, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards chimed in to support Steve Cohen and Hard Rock, saying “This is not a perfect plan. There's no such thing as a perfect plan. But I believe that this plan is sound and it will move Queens forward." Mayor Adams, for his part, supports the casino.

I personally love the idea, though I am not exactly an unbiased observer.

Mets owner Steve Cohen is honored to pose for a pic with Casinos.com’s NY/NJ correspondent. (Image: Adam Warner / Casinos.com)

Three casinos are coming to the New York area, and this is as prime as any spot. It is well served by public transit as the New York subway’s 7-line as well as the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) stop nearby. 

It's already a sports mecca with Citi Field as well as the US Tennis Center (home of the US Open) and an MLS soccer stadium for NYCFC under construction. There are plenty of highways, all of which already have endless traffic. It's possible it even alleviates a little gameday congestion, judging by exactly where they  plan to build the casino.

The area in question was formerly Shea Stadium and it now comprises the lion's share of Citi Field’s parking lot. Losing this space could force most fans to take public transit.