New York Governor Kathy Hochul rejected claims that she plans to change zoning laws in her upcoming budget to allow parkland to be used for casino development. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Plenty of stumbling blocks

The battle to get one of three downstate New York casino licenses is heating up. Stakeholders are trying to garner sufficient support to get over the line when the New York State Gaming Commission issues licenses next year.

not supporting the rezoning of parkland to allow for commercial usage

One of the more controversial bids involves billionaire and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, who is proposing an $8bn casino resort beside Citi Field. The plans ran into opposition among local lawmakers, with Senator Jessica Ramos not supporting the rezoning of parkland to allow for commercial usage, as it would take away green areas from people in the community.

Cohen questioned how a single person can have the power to block a project that would create a significant economic impact in the local area. He is confident that his project, in collaboration with Hard Rock International, is the best overall bid.

Denying the claims

Rumors began doing the rounds in recent days that New York Governor Kathy Hochul was planning to introduce a measure in her upcoming 2025 state budget that would allow gambling facilities to be built on city parkland. Such a move would be massive for Cohen’s project when it is up for consideration.

The hedge fund owner has donated significant sums to Hochul’s campaign over the years and is the largest New York State Democratic Committee donor. He has also spent millions on lobbyists.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Governor Hochul denied she intends to introduce any such rezoning legislation, saying it would not be a part of her executive budget. She emphasized that she has no role in the license selection process and that it’s completely in the hands of an independent committee.

Stiff competition

Almost a dozen groups are battling it out for the licenses. Bally’s Corporation would also benefit from a change to zoning law for its planned facility in the Bronx, and the Wynn Resorts project in Hudson Yards has sparked disagreements with local lawmakers.

Resorts World in Queens might no longer be a viable option

For a long time, it appeared that existing slot parlors in Queens and Yonkers would get two of the licenses. NYSGC Chairperson Brian O’Dwyer threw a wrench into the works last month when he said that the Genting Group-owned Resorts World in Queens might no longer be a viable option after allegations came to light about an illegal bookmaker embroiled in the Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal was allowed to gamble at its property in Las Vegas.