Potential Steve Cohen-Hard Rock NY Casino Faces Obstacle From Queens Lawmakers

In an effort to protect her community, a state lawmaker hailing from Queens has taken a strong stance against the construction of a casino in Willets Point by New York Mets owner and billionaire investor, Steve Cohen, and his associates.

For now.

According to the New York Post, Senator Jessica Ramos has decided against proposing any legislation that would relax land-use restrictions near Citi Field to accommodate the development of a casino and entertainment complex. The Democratic legislator stated that a significant portion of her constituents are against the idea of introducing casino gambling to their locality.

One might instinctively assume that the downstate NY casinos project is practically non-existent, considering Ramos’ opposition.

Hold on. Processes in government may be slow while politics can move rapidly.

So you’re saying there’s a chance?

In order for Cohen and Seminole Gaming to proceed with their plans of constructing a Hard Rock casino near the Mets ballpark, they require the support of Ramos in Albany’s Upper Chamber. The intended location for the casino is in Flushing Meadows/Corona Park, which is currently designated as parkland.

The power to change the designation lies with the State Legislature. However, Ramos, who serves as the local senator, possesses full control over the situation. Ramos clarified to the Post that she has no plans to propose a bill during the remaining weeks of the ongoing legislative session, which will conclude by the end of June.

On Friday, I had an incredibly productive town hall meeting, marking the beginning of several conversations I plan to have with my neighbors. However, considering the current circumstances, my neighbors and I have collectively decided that introducing parkland alienation legislation would not be appropriate at this time.

Like many politicians, Ramos avoids making definitive statements, and this time is no exception. His comments suggest that circumstances could potentially change, and that community opposition may not be entirely absolute.

According to Ramos, approximately 65% of the individuals who voiced their opinions at the town hall were against the casino. It is a well-known fact among experienced journalists that public meetings tend to attract a higher turnout of opponents rather than supporters when it comes to local matters. The “not-in-my-backyard” group typically exhibits more enthusiasm and vocalizes their concerns more prominently.

Paychecks, jobs may change narrative

However, a representative from Cohen has also stated that they have conducted community meetings, which provide a significantly more positive perspective on the proposed casino and entertainment project.

The spokesperson representing Cohen conveyed the following message in part to The Post:

After gathering input from 15 listening sessions, numerous meetings, and engaging in over 20,000 door-to-door conversations, we are confident that our upcoming vision will be well-received by both Mets fans and the local community. Our plan centers around the creation of new public green spaces, the generation of thousands of permanent job opportunities, and the introduction of entertainment options that will attract visitors to the area every day throughout the year.

It can be inferred from this information that Cohen’s New Green Willets LLC will utilize an economic rationale to convince local residents. The potential for job creation, increased local economic activity, and higher tax revenues could ultimately influence Albany officials who currently oppose the expansion of gambling in their areas. This was a topic of speculation among Wall Street investors at a recent gambling conference held in Atlantic City.

No easy route to NY casinos

Proposed casino projects are being met with opposition from various communities across New York City. The Queens community is not alone in its disapproval, as coalitions in Nassau County, Long Island, Times Square in Manhattan, and Coney Island in Brooklyn are also rallying against these ventures.

Three downstate casino licenses will be awarded in New York, encompassing New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County.

Existing racinos are likely to receive two out of the three downstate licenses. Empire City, owned by MGM Resorts International and located in Yonkers, and Resorts World at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, owned by the Genting Group, are the top contenders for these licenses.

The Cohen proposal at Willets Point has the support of Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. Several other companies, including Caesars Entertainment, Mohegan Gaming, Bally’s Corp., Wynn Resorts, Saratoga Casino/Legends, and Las Vegas Sands, are said to be actively seeking a casino license in New York.