FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK, NY— Steve Cohen, the hedge-fund billionaire and owner of the New York Mets, has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking $8 billion development at Citi Field, the Mets’ iconic stadium. The ambitious proposal, developed in partnership with Hard Rock International, aims to transform the surrounding area into an entertainment hub featuring a live music venue, a Hard Rock hotel, and expansive gaming facilities.
Named Metropolitan Park, the project is set to rejuvenate a 50-acre plot currently serving as the stadium’s parking lot. This expansive redevelopment plan also includes significant community investments: 20 acres of new park space, five acres of athletic fields and playgrounds, all anchored by a strong commitment to climate-ready infrastructure.
Despite the promising blueprint, the news took a contentious turn recently. Senator Jessica Ramos, a Democrat representing New York’s District 13, declared her firm opposition to the proposed casino. Reports from Casino Reports indicate that Ramos will not introduce the necessary legislation to redesignate a portion of existing parkland in Corona, which would be crucial for the casino’s development.
“We desperately need investment and opportunities, as well as green spaces and recreational facilities for our families,” Ramos said in a statement. “However, it’s unacceptable to see a casino as the only route to achieve these improvements.”
Ramos criticized the multiple years of neglect that have left communities so desperate that they might consider a casino as an economic revitalization tool. Her opposition is a potential deal-breaker for the project, which hinges on the passage of a parkland alienation bill needed to permit construction on city-owned parkland. Without her support, Cohen and Hard Rock face significant hurdles in moving forward.
Instead, Ramos has proposed an alternative that she believes offers a more balanced solution. The counter-proposal allows for the development of a convention center and hotel, doubles the allocated green space, but notably excludes any casino facilities.
“The location is strategically close to LaGuardia Airport and has the potential to boost local tourism and hospitality sectors, while also addressing climate change impacts,” emphasized Ramos. “Under this alternative plan, Mr. Cohen and Hard Rock would still profit, although less than they would with a casino.”
The New York State Gaming Commission is not expected to finalize the approval for three downstate casino sites until late 2025, giving developers some breathing room but also extending the period of uncertainty.
. Meanwhile, various operators across multiple boroughs are jockeying for the coveted licenses.
The proposed sites span across four boroughs, including Cohen and Hard Rock’s Citi Field. In Yonkers, bidding competitions are also underway to secure one of the licenses. MGM Resorts and Genting Group have each positioned their existing facilities for transformation; MGM aims to upgrade Empire City Casino into a full-scale commercial resort, while Genting’s Resorts World NYC in Queens may undergo a similar makeover.
In Brooklyn’s Coney Island, the Chickasaw Nation has allied with Saratoga Casino Holdings and Thor Equities in a bid to secure a casino license. They have already encountered community pushback through local forums.
Manhattan, too, sees its share of ambitious bidders. Wynn Resorts is competing for a prime site in Hudson Yards, drawing concerns about potential traffic congestion. Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment is eyeing a location in bustling Times Square in partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
Up in the Bronx, Bally’s Corporation is vying for a site at the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. However, their bid may be complicated by internal shareholder disputes. K&F Growth Capital is attempting to block Standard General from taking Bally’s private, which may impact Bally’s standing in the race for a New York casino license.
Casino Reports, an independently-owned publication dedicated to the U.S. online casino and gaming industry, emphasizes that these developments remain in a state of flux. Operators and stakeholders are waiting on legislative decisions, community responses, and regulatory approvals, which will shape the future landscape of New York’s gaming industry.
As the stakes soar in this high-risk, high-reward scenario, all eyes are on how these competing interests and complex dynamics will ultimately play out. But one thing is certain: the path to building a new casino in Queens—and across New York—is far from straightforward, and the final outcome remains unpredictable.
