Gov. Kathy Hochul replaces Mets owner Steve Cohen, one of the Democratic Party's biggest donors, in the billionaire's nearly dead bid for a coveted New York City casino license. The Post reported that the company plans to support the revival of
Hochul plans to introduce legislation in the 2025 state budget that would expand permission to use city parks as gambling facilities, people close to the situation told the Post.
State lawmakers are trying to block Cohen and others from moving forward with the multibillion-dollar project, citing concerns about losing public land to private projects.
A source close to one of Mr. Cohen's rival bidders told the paper: “The governor is going to try to incorporate all of the land-use issues associated with the casino license bid into the budget.” “She's trying to stuff it in there.”
If Hochul's proposal is approved, it would greatly increase Cohen's chances of winning one of three casino licenses in the capital area that are expected to be issued by the end of next year.
The hedge fund mogul has been a big backer of Hochul and the Democratic Party for years.
He and his wife, Alexandra, donated a combined $136,700 to Hochul's campaign in 2021, according to state records.
Mr. Cohen, the founder of Point72 Asset Management, is also the largest donor to the New York State Democratic Committee, which is seeking to win a House majority in the upcoming election, from January 1, 2023 to July 2024. As of the 11th, they had donated $235,000. , According to Gothamist.
A spokesperson for Hochul did not say whether he intended to add new provisions to the next budget.
“Governor Hochul will announce the agenda for his State of the State address in January,” a representative told the Post.
Rep. J. Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon), chairman of the Assembly Horse Racing and Gaming Committee, told the Post that he supports rezoning the area around Citi Field for a casino complex. spoke.
“If the governor puts that in his budget, I'm not against it. I just want the process to move forward.”
Earlier this year, Cohen apparently realized his dream of building Metropolitan Park, an $8 billion casino and entertainment complex in partnership with Hard Rock near Citi Field in Queens.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos, a progressive Democrat who represents the Corona area and is currently eyeing a potential mayoral bid amid Eric Adams' legal woes, is rezoning the land. refused to introduce the bill.
She said voters are “craving green space and recreation for the whole family” rather than gambling.
“It would be unfortunate for the governor to do something like this and break important precedent. New Yorkers are desperate for real economic development,” Ramos told the Post on Wednesday.
Cohen has spent millions of dollars on lobbying and charm offensives, including recently An astonishing $116 million LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York sued, arguing that Ramos should not have sole veto power over the project.
“The state has never intended for any one person to be able to stop or approve a project on their own, which is why we are making sure that this process involves communities and elected officials every step of the way. ,” a Cohen spokesperson told the Post.
“We have ample time and other means to get this done, and given the overwhelming support from elected officials, labor unions, and the community, we believe we have the best overall project.” We are confident. We are all on board.”
Cohen has been seen getting along well with Hochul in the past. They were spotted inside the luxury box at Citi Field during a game against the Phillies last year.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz tweeted, “Great to see Governor Kathy Hochul, Stephen Acohen 2, and everyone who came out to support #CitiField.” pose for a photo With this pair, both of whom were wearing Mets caps.
An Albany official said at the time that the meeting looked “terrible” for both Hochul and Cohen, as she indicated she might be open to helping them obtain gaming licenses. he told the Post.
But Cohen is not the only one who stands to benefit from the reuse of parkland.
The proposed Bally's Casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx and the related $12 billion Wynn project at Hudson Yards face fierce opposition from local police.
Two of the state's three casino licenses would be given to racinos in Aqueduct in Queens and Empire City in Yonkers.
But state Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O'Dwyer suggested last month that the Genting-owned Resorts World in Aqueduct may no longer be a shoe-in.
O'Dwyer said he was concerned about allegations by the Nevada Gaming Commission that a well-known illegal bookmaker, who allegedly accepted bets from an interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, was openly gambling at a resort casino in Las Vegas. He said that
“These allegations in the complaint demonstrate a culture of non-compliance, where information about illegal or suspicious activity is either negligently or, worse, completely ignored in order to further financial gain,” O'Dwyer said at a public meeting. “The allegations are particularly concerning.”
A New York State Gaming Commission official told the Post that O'Dwyer raised the issue to send a message that “there are no favorites” in the selection process.
“If Genting doesn't get the license, it's a huge opportunity for Steve Cohen,” said a person close to the rival suitor. “There's no desire to have two Queens casinos.”
