Steve Cohen, owner of the Mets, has cleared a major obstacle for his planned casino and entertainment district next to Citi Field, positioning the $8 billion Metropolitan Park project for final state approval.
Cohen and Hard Rock International recently advanced their proposal after resolving a dispute with the U.S. Tennis Association, which had challenged a pre-development agreement tied to the site.
The project team aims to transform about 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field into a large-scale entertainment district. The site will feature a casino, hotel, food hall, athletic fields, and 25 acres of public park space. The New York State Gaming Commission expects to award downstate casino licenses soon. Many view Cohen’s bid as a frontrunner since a local advisory committee gave unanimous support earlier this year.
State officials project that New York’s three approved casino projects—including Cohen’s, Bally’s Bronx proposal, and Resorts World’s Queens expansion—could generate up to $7 billion in tax revenue between 2027 and 2036. Developers of Metropolitan Park expect it to generate billions in annual revenue by its third year of operation.
Online Casinos and New York’s Expanding Gambling Market
While New York has legalized mobile sports betting and is preparing for full‑scale casinos in New York City, online casino gaming is currently only available from 18+ online casinos operating outside the USA. These sites offer digital slots, table games, live‑dealer options, and exclusive perks such as accepting cryptocurrency for withdrawals and deposits, and sign-up bonuses.
New York’s local casinos are also evolving. Resorts World New York City in Queens and Empire City Casino in Yonkers remain the region’s largest gaming venues, and both are pursuing upgrades as the state expands downstate licensing. Bally’s Bronx project and the Resorts World Aqueduct expansion were approved with Cohen’s bid, signaling a dramatic shift in the city’s gambling footprint.
Community Debate and Political Momentum
Cohen, backed by a lobbying team, has led one of New York’s most lobbied development efforts, drawing both strong support and vocal opposition. Supporters argue the project will create thousands of jobs, expand public green space, and modernize the area around Citi Field. Critics raise concerns about traffic, gambling addiction, and the use of state parkland for commercial development.
A key legislative committee voted earlier this year to advance a bill allowing commercial use of the designated land, a step that once seemed unlikely. Now that Cohen’s team has resolved the USTA dispute and moved the project through the final licensing stage, they are confident Metropolitan Park will break ground once state regulators decide.