NYC Casino Lobbying Efforts Revealed
The efforts to bring a casino to New York City have not only included some big numbers when it comes to possible revenue projects and development costs, but companies involved in the bidding war have also been apparently racking up some big lobbying tabs as well.
A new city report details millions of dollars spent to convince Mayor Eric Adams (D) and council members when it comes to considering their own plans and approving possible zoning changes that may be necessary for some of the plans.
“Compensation for lobbyists shot up 8% last year — up from $121.15 million in 2022 to $130.96 million,” the New York Post reports.
Mets Casino Group Spend Big on Lobbying
Casino efforts were a major part of that according to a report from the the City Clerk’s Office, which regulates lobbying in the Big Apple. Two efforts stand out in the report: Mets owner Steve Cohen and his partner in the project – Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment. Entities linked to the two companies spent more than $2 million on several lobbyists last year.
The two groups are hoping to build an $8 billion casino, hotel, and music venue project in the area surrounding Citi Field in Queens. The project has been dubbed “Metropolitan Park” but also faces some obstacles by needing state and local officials to sign off on zoning changes.
Cohen has used seven different lobbying firms, many with links to local politics and city government. Two of the lobbying companies, New Green Willets and Queens Future, billed almost $1.4 million combined for their efforts.
Hard Rock’s lobbying efforts have included $660,000 so far. That included $540,000 for the Actum Ca Opc and Green Book Strategies firms. The lobbying efforts show the high stakes involved in the casino bidding process.
Rapper Joins Resorts World Bid Effort as More Details Emerge
In related news, one of the plans for a New York City casino recently came into focus and also added a well-known rapper to the team behind the bid. The group behind Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct not only announced plans for a $5 billion casino development along with hip hop artist and Queens native Nas joining the efforts.
“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent, and build up the next generation of leaders,” the artist said. “Clearly, with this project, the world is ours.”
If awarded the license by the New York State Gaming Commission, Resorts World owner Genting Americas East promises a full Las Vegas-style gaming experience along with creating jobs as soon as the end of this year and eventually deliver billions of dollars in tax revenue. The project would greatly enhance the Resorts Casino already in place at Aqueduct Park.
Plans call for two million square feet of entertainment, gaming, retail, dining, and convention space – adding to the existing one million-square-foot facility. The proposed 350,000-square-foot casino floor will be one of the largest in the world. The project will add 1,600 new hotel rooms to the 400 already available. There will also be a new, 7,000-seat entertainment venue, a new day club, a spa, and more.
Resorts World New York City will also include large-scale meeting space for the community to use. That includes 350,000 square feet of meeting, conference, and entertainment space – the second largest of its size in New York City. Local residents will also find 10 acres of publicly accessible greenspace with parks, trails, and running paths.
The Resorts expansion would also increase the property’s workforce by four to 5,000 permanent union jobs. To accelerate workforce enhancement, the company will expand its dealer school, slot technical training programs, culinary and vocational training, and apprenticeship and internships programs. The project is also expected to create an estimated 5,000 union construction jobs.
“We’re proud to have grown with the Queens community for over a decade,” Genting Americas East President Robert DeSalvio said. “When we stood here more than a dozen years ago to break ground on Resorts World New York City, our vision extended well beyond that already-ambitious original plan – today, that vision can soon become reality.
“Since we opened in 2011, we have been proud to work with New York City and state and the local community to deliver thousands of good-paying union jobs; billions of dollars in tax revenue to New York’s schoolchildren; and true partnership to hundreds of local non-profits. With the advent of the newly imagined Resorts World New York City we can, and will, do far more.”
Whether the casino project becomes a reality remains to be seen as more bidders continue jockeying with their own plans for a casino in the city.
