House Rules Change: NYC Council Greenlights Cohen’s $8 Billion Casino Bid Near Citi Field
In a 41-2 vote, the City Council cleared part of the way for Cohen’s project
Cohen Hits the Jackpot, for Now…
It seems that Steve Cohen’s lobbying efforts are starting to pay off. The New York Mets owner is making casino news headlines after scoring a critical win, last week, when the NYC Council approved the zoning changes for his $8 billion luxury betting casino and entertainment complex.
The land in question, a parking lot near Citi Field, has been park use only for years but Cohen, with Hard Rock International, convinced the Council to change the zoning to allow for more development.
“The community has made it abundantly clear: They want Metropolitan Park and the 25 acres of public park space, $1 billion in community benefits, and 23,000 good-paying union jobs that come with it,” said spokesperson for the project, Karl Rickett.
Cohen’s win is far from over though. He still needs state approvals to win one of three downstate casino licenses.
A look at the model for Steve Cohen’s $8 billion casino and entertainment complex ‘Metropolitan Park’:pic.twitter.com/hXPxC2vjNJ
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 25, 2025
Metropolitan Park
Dubbed “Metropolitan Park,” Cohen’s project goes way beyond a casino. Preliminary renderings show 20 acres of public green space, 5 acres of athletic fields and playgrounds.
Along with the cash casino, the site will include a hotel, concert venue, Queens-focused food hall, and enhanced transit access. Cohen’s vision is to turn the asphalt into a multi-use destination for locals and visitors to play blackjack for real money.
Local leaders see big upside. The president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Tom Grech, calls it “a once in a generation, maybe a lifetime” opportunity that could create thousands of construction and permanent jobs and boost the borough’s economy.
Parkland Designation
For Cohen to move forward, Albany needs to pass a “parkland alienation bill” allowing non-park projects to occupy the space. So far, State Senator Jessica Ramos, whose district includes the site, has not introduced such gambling regulations.
Cohen’s team has lobbied hard but Ramos and other opponents are not convinced the new development makes up for the lost parkland.
Steve Cohen wants to build an $8 billion entertainment district around Citi Field — complete with public parks, bars, restaurants, a hotel, a casino, and a sportsbook.
Cohen still needs state & city approval (+ a casino license), but the entire project would be privately funded. pic.twitter.com/Dszspgl8ab
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 14, 2025
The Lobbying Blitz
Cohen hasn’t been coy about exerting political influence. His company Queens Future LLC spent $1.4 to $2 million on lobbying in 2024.
Cohen got the thumbs up from the Council so he can keep chasing a state gaming license. Of the three licenses being awarded, industry insiders expect two of them will go to existing racetrack casinos (Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens). That leaves one license for over a dozen applicants.
The Mets owner also needs two-thirds approval from a community advisory committee made up of reps from the mayor’s office, the governor’s office and other key leaders. While five Queens community boards have endorsed him, final approval is far from a lock.
As the legislative session in New York winds down and there’s no discussion on the current online casino bill, it looks like all the action will be around Cohen’s project and the one remaining license.
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