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By: Andrew Carlson

The race for New York’s coveted downstate casino licenses has taken a dramatic turn, and all eyes are on Queens. With two high-profile Manhattan projects collapsing under fierce neighborhood opposition, billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen’s ambitious $8 billion casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field has emerged as one of the frontrunners.

According to a report on Friday in The New York Post, Cohen’s “Metropolitan Park” proposal, partnered with Hard Rock International, has not only survived the bruising early rounds of community pushback but is now seen by experts as “the strongest contender — by a pretty large margin.”

The path to Cohen’s sudden frontrunner status was paved by the downfall of two high-profile Manhattan casino bids.

One, a joint venture between Caesars Entertainment, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and SL Green Realty Corp., envisioned a glitzy casino in Times Square. The other, backed by Silverstein Properties, was proposed for the Far West Side near Hudson Yards. Both projects collapsed this week after local siting boards — which must sign off before state regulators weigh in — rejected them amid overwhelming neighborhood opposition.

The New York Post reported that community leaders, residents, and business owners argued that Manhattan was already over-saturated with tourism and congestion, and that casinos would only intensify crime and strain public services. These rejections dealt a death blow to what were once considered glamorous, headline-grabbing entries in the competition.

In their absence, Cohen’s proposal in Flushing-Corona, Queens, and the longstanding racino operators at Aqueduct and Yonkers are now viewed as the most viable pathways forward.

Cohen’s bid has been one of the most closely watched since the state opened the process for three full-scale downstate casino licenses. Initially, however, his project faced stiff resistance from local officials, particularly State Senator Jessica Ramos.

Because the 50 acres of asphalt parking lots surrounding Citi Field are technically designated as parkland, Cohen needed legislative approval to have them re-zoned for commercial use. Ramos initially opposed the measure, citing concerns about neighborhood impact.

But in a remarkable political turnaround, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed the re-designation bill in the spring, effectively clearing one of the most formidable obstacles in Cohen’s way. Since then, momentum has shifted dramatically in his favor.

As The New York Post report noted, Cohen has poured resources into community outreach, engaging local boards and elected officials, and promising a slate of amenities — from green space to entertainment venues — designed to benefit Queens residents.

While Cohen’s proposal has captured headlines, the two racinos — Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM’s Empire City at Yonkers — remain formidable contenders.

“These facilities have been operating for two decades and already generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the state. They’re proven entities,” John Sabini, former chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, told The New York Post.

Because they already operate video lottery terminals and slot machines, Resorts World and Empire City could pivot quickly to offering live table games like blackjack, poker, and baccarat if awarded licenses. That readiness gives them an operational edge.

Queens State Sen. Joe Addabbo, whose district borders Resorts World, praised the racino’s track record: “Resorts World has been a good neighbor,” he said, noting the facility’s service as a COVID-19 vaccination hub and its assistance to locals during Superstorm Sandy recovery.

Still, Addabbo warned, “Nothing should be taken for granted.”

Despite the racinos’ operational head start, experts see Cohen’s Metropolitan Park project as the strongest of the “new entrants.”

Bennett Liebman, a former deputy secretary for gaming and wagering under Gov. Andrew Cuomo, told The New York Post that Cohen’s bid has gained stature as rivals have faltered. “Steve Cohen is in much better shape than he was before,” Liebman observed.

Sabini was even more blunt: “Of the new entrants, Cohen’s proposal is top of the class,” he told the paper.

Cohen’s partnership with Hard Rock, a global casino operator with extensive experience, adds credibility and heft. Unlike some other speculative projects, Metropolitan Park is framed not only as a casino but as a multipurpose entertainment complex that would include restaurants, retail, live music venues, and green public spaces.

Each proposal must clear approval by local siting boards before being evaluated by the state’s Gaming Commission. These boards, composed of community leaders and appointees from local elected officials, have proven to be the graveyard for several flashy proposals.

Sources told The New York Post that Cohen’s project, having already secured legislative approval and cultivated strong ties with Queens political leadership, is likely to win endorsement from its local siting board. This would place it in strong position heading into the Gaming Commission’s final deliberations.

By contrast, the remaining Manhattan proposal — Stefan Soloviev’s “Freedom Plaza” casino on the East River, backed by Mohegan Sun — faces daunting community opposition. Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, who represents Midtown East, told the Post that “hundreds of residents” had contacted him to oppose the idea.

“There’s a lot more opposition than support in the community,” Epstein said. Insiders predict Freedom Plaza will meet the same fate as Times Square and Hudson Yards.

Beyond Cohen and the racinos, a handful of other proposals remain in contention, though analysts consider them long shots.

Bally’s has pitched a casino at Ferry Point in The Bronx, on land once leased by President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, a consortium led by Thor Equities, joined by the Chickasaw Nation’s Global Gaming Solutions, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and Legends Hospitality, has proposed a casino in Coney Island.

Sabini told The New York Post he rates Bally’s slightly ahead of Coney Island but considers both “dark horse” bids, facing steep odds due to intense community opposition and concerns about traffic, crime, and economic feasibility.

One thorny issue facing regulators is whether to award licenses to projects located near existing racinos, which could cannibalize business. Cohen’s Metropolitan Park site is just 10 miles from Resorts World at Aqueduct, while Bally’s Bronx proposal is not far from MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers.

As one source familiar with the process told The New York Post, regulators must decide whether clustering casinos makes economic sense or undermines long-term viability. This question could play a decisive role in whether Cohen’s bid, despite its strong momentum, ultimately secures approval.

The casino licensing process has become one of the most politically charged debates in New York in recent memory. Billions of dollars in investment, thousands of jobs, and long-term neighborhood impacts hang in the balance.

For Cohen, who has already poured vast sums into the Mets and surrounding community, Metropolitan Park represents not just a business venture but a legacy project. Supporters argue that the project would revitalize a largely underutilized area, creating an economic hub in Queens.

But critics, including gambling addiction advocates and community groups wary of congestion, warn of social costs. The New York Post has chronicled these debates extensively, highlighting both the enthusiasm of boosters and the skepticism of opponents.

The state Gaming Commission is expected to award up to three licenses by the end of the year, after reviewing recommendations from the location board. The process has been deliberately slow and methodical, designed to withstand political pressure and lawsuits.

Still, with Manhattan bids collapsing, the contours of the race have sharpened: Cohen’s Metropolitan Park, Resorts World, and Empire City are widely considered the top three. Whether all three can win licenses or whether regulators will diversify geographically remains the billion-dollar question.

For Steve Cohen, the stakes could not be higher. Already one of New York’s most visible and polarizing billionaires, the Mets owner has staked his reputation on transforming the parking lots around Citi Field into a world-class destination.

As The New York Post has reported, the collapse of Manhattan’s casino dreams has catapulted his proposal into pole position. Yet nothing is guaranteed. Community boards, regulators, and the governor’s office all hold pieces of the puzzle, and the specter of cannibalization could complicate matters.

What is clear is that the casino race, once dominated by flashy Manhattan visions, is now being shaped by the gritty realities of Queens and the Bronx — neighborhoods where the balance between economic development and community impact is more finely felt.

If Cohen succeeds, Metropolitan Park could become one of the most transformative projects in New York’s recent history, fusing sports, entertainment, and gaming into a single hub. If he fails, it will not be for lack of ambition — or resources.

As the casino licensing process moves into its decisive phase, one truth stands out: Steve Cohen has moved from underdog to frontrunner, and the smart money, at least for now, is betting on Citi Field.