The bustling borough of Queens in New York City could see a significant transformation with a proposal put forward by businessman Steve Cohen to construct a casino adjacent to the Mets’ Citi Field. This plan, however, is garnering both support and skepticism among local lawmakers.
City Councilman Francisco Moya has thrown his support behind the venture, envisioning the project’s capacity to revitalize the underused areas around Citi Field. Moya stressed the rare opportunity presented, cautioning against a future where the neighborhood’s growth potential could be stifled, leading to a continuous cycle of parking lots over prospective community development.
In contrast, State Senator Jessica Ramos expressed concerns regarding Cohen’s approach to lobbying for his proposal. She criticized the businessman for a lack of openness and transparency, underlining the sensitivity of such a development in her borough. Ramos appears to favor the Genting Resorts World project, signaling possible competition for the casino license.
With Cohen joined by Hard Rock in the bid, the prospective casino represents more than just another business venture—it signifies a milestone change in the way Queens could both look and operate. But before any dice roll or cards are dealt, legislative consent is necessary, and all eyes are on Albany to see how the cards will fall.
Despite local debates, the New York State Gaming Commission recently announced that the decision on the three available casino licenses will be delayed until late 2025, elongating the timeline for all involved parties and postponing any immediate anticipation of shovels hitting the ground.
In a broader scope of gambling news, the NCAA urged for a national embargo on college player prop bets, a stance followed up by a definitive action from Louisiana’s regulator as of April 1st. This decision entails a prohibition on such betting markets commencing August 1st.
The complex gambling legislation landscape is not only a subject of debate in New York. In Alabama, the House clashed with the Senate over the extent and content of a gaming bill, with the latter stripping down its features significantly. This discrepancy has steered the bill to a conference committee for attempt at compromise before it can be advanced to the voters for a final say as a constitutional amendment.
Expanding the industry’s horizons, Circa Sports marked its entry into Kentucky, the latest addition to its portfolio since Illinois. Kentucky bettors now have a selection of eight different wagering platforms to choose from, reflecting the growing market for sports betting in the United States.
Turning towards brick-and-mortar establishments, DraftKings inaugurated a new casino in Mississippi, featuring a state-of-the-art seamless screen. Additionally, New Jersey saw the soft launch of Prime Sportsbook, emphasizing the continued growth in physical casino spaces alongside their digital counterparts.
The concept of a state lottery, currently non-existent in Nevada, found robust support in a recent poll, hinting at a strong likelihood that Nevada’s voters might embrace a change to introduce such a lottery on upcoming November ballots.
Despite a supportive polling for a constitutional amendment to broaden sports betting to include online platforms, key players like Lance Morgan of WarHorse Gaming are hesitant without substantial financial backing in Nebraska—a reflection of the cautious and calculated moves in the gaming industry.
Finally, the betting world saw record engagement as the LSU-Iowa women’s basketball Elite Game garnered the most bets in history for a women’s sporting event. This marked not only a milestone for the industry but also amplified the popularity and acceptance of women’s sports on major betting platforms.
As America’s gaming landscape adapts to a continually evolving market, stakeholders from lawmakers to bettors and business moguls like Steve Cohen watch keenly as each play unfolds in the high-stakes game of gaming legislation.
