Steve Cohen’s Casino Push Dominates NYC Lobbying Scene

By the end of the year, a total of three new downstate casino licenses in New York are expected to be awarded. As competition is fierce, considering that close to a dozen companies have demonstrated interest in winning one of the coveted licenses, lobbying efforts throughout last year have intensified.

Cohen-Backed Company Spends $1.4M on Lobbying with 14 Firms

That is evident from information compiled within the Lobbying Bureau Annual Report, released by the New York City Council Clerk’s Office only recently. The report reveals that Queens Future, LLC, a company backed by the billionaire and New York Mets owner, Steve Cohen, is on top of the list of companies that have spent money on lobbying in 2024.

In total, Queens Future engaged with 14 lobbying firms, likely supporting the effort of Cohen’s project in collaboration with Hard Rock Entertainment. The bid, valued at the whopping sum of $8 billion, proposes the redevelopment of land that is currently used for a parking lot near Citi Field in Flushing. The project, called Metropolitan Park, would offer a range of gaming options, including slots and table games.

The lobbying efforts of Queens Future saw the company spend nearly $1.4 million on such activities in New York throughout last year. As noted, a total of 14 companies received compensation from the company, most out of any other casino license bidder. Only recently, the Metropolitan Park casino project secured an important city planning commission approval. Still, this didn’t greenlight the whole project but rather marked an important part of the comprehensive process.

Bally’s and Genting Follow Closely

The second company on the aforementioned list was Bally’s Corporation, another casino license bidder. The company proposes the development of a new downtown New York casino located at the site of the former Trump golf course.

According to the Lobbying Bureau Annual Report, Bally’s engaged with nine lobbying firms in 2024. While the company spent more than $914,000 with lobbying firms, one of its rival bidders, Genting New York LLC, spent more.

The recent report reveals that when it comes to spending, Genting New York spent $990,000 in lobbying compensation during 2024. While that’s more than Bally’s expenses for lobbying in New York, Genting only hired the services of three lobbying firms.

The sums spent on lobbying pale in comparison to the costs of each project, which are in billions. Similarly, casino license fees are expected to be in the realm of $500 million, but that isn’t that surprising, considering that some of the projects seek to develop casinos in the heart of New York City, a global tourist hot spot that welcomed nearly 65 million visitors last year alone.