By: Jared Evan

As originally reported by the New York Post, State Senator Jessica Ramos is sounding the alarm over a proposed $8 billion casino and entertainment complex spearheaded by billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen and gaming giant Hard Rock — a project that would plant a Vegas-style casino directly next to Citi Field in the heart of Queens.

Though Ramos has firmly opposed the plan — citing overwhelming disapproval from her constituents and the potential devastation to vulnerable communities — she now concedes the project may still move forward with or without her blessing.

“I don’t know if I have the power to block that legislation,” Ramos told the Post, acknowledging that State Sen. John Liu, whose district covers a slice of the proposed site, has stepped in to introduce the enabling legislation after she refused to do so two years in a row.

Before any dice can roll or slots light up, lawmakers must pass a bill re-designating the targeted lots around Citi Field from parkland to commercial property — a legal hurdle that could make or break Cohen’s flashy “Metropolitan Park” vision.

Ramos, who is also running for New York City mayor, has been vocal in her rejection of the plan, calling it a dangerous gamble for her working-class district.

“Why should Roosevelt Avenue end in a casino, especially right off the 7 train?” she asked pointedly during a meeting with the Post editorial board. “It’s really about my neighborhood. This would be open every day. Our seniors cannot afford to gamble away their pensions or Social Security.”

Ramos’s concerns are not just moral — they are backed by hard research. A growing body of evidence shows that casinos placed in or near lower-income neighborhoods disproportionately harm the very residents they claim to benefit. According to a report by the Institute for American Values, communities within close proximity to casinos often see increases in debt, bankruptcies, addiction, and family instability.

Problem gambling rates are significantly higher among low-income populations, who are often targeted by casino marketing. One study from the University at Buffalo found that households making less than $15,000 a year were more than three times as likely to experience gambling addiction than those earning more than $100,000. In short, casinos siphon wealth from struggling neighborhoods — and the public ends up footing the bill for the social fallout.

“No, we as taxpayers cannot afford for our seniors to lose their retirement savings at the blackjack table — and then expect the state to step in and fix the mess,” Ramos told the Post.

While Ramos has hosted town halls, online forums, and polls showing that three-quarters of her district oppose the project, Liu has countered that he’s received feedback suggesting otherwise.

“I am close to Jessica, and I know her principled position is based on feedback from her constituents,” Liu said during his endorsement of the project. “Similarly, my intent to advance any enabling legislation is based on feedback I received from constituents. Some opposed, but far more in favor.”

The battle over the casino reflects a larger fight over who gets to shape the future of Queens: residents trying to preserve the character of their communities, or billionaires and developers eager to turn it into a profit center. The project has garnered support from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Councilman Francisco Moya.

“What has to happen is the bill passes or it doesn’t,” Ramos said.