Steve Cohen's Citi Field Casino Plan Passes To Final Step

By Lauren Hartley, The City

October 1, 2025

Metropolitan Park, the casino slated to be built on Citi Field’s parking lot and backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen, got a critical approval that will bring it to a final round with the state as it decides on new gambling licenses.

The proposal was approved unanimously in a vote Tuesday.

“While the Mets may not make the playoffs, I think we could consider this a home run for Queens,” said Donovan Richards Jr., Queens borough president, before voting in favor of the plan.

“Projects like this are proof that there is no ceiling for the world’s borough,” he said. “We are the heartbeat of the city now. Not Manhattan, not Brooklyn, not any other borough.”

The casino proposal has faced pushback from locals, who have voiced concerns about crime, congestion and a need for housing and other services, not a gambling complex. The development would be built on the 78-acre parking lot next to Citi Field, which is technically state parkland– a point of contention for opponents that argue the site should remain public space.

But those issues didn’t stop the complex from getting the green light from a six-person committee charged with reviewing it before a final step from the state. Even George Dixon, a committee appointee of Sen. Jessica Ramos, who previously voiced her opposition to the casino, voted in favor.

Metropolitan Park is the final casino bid of eight total that were up for consideration by community advisory committees, and the fourth to be approved. The three other projects that have been selected to move forward to the state are Bally’s in The Bronx, MGM Empire City in Yonkers, and Resorts World, also in Queens. Up to three casinos in the downstate area may be awarded licenses by the end of this year.

With Cohen, development partner Hard Rock has pledged $1.75 billion dollars to pay for various local improvements and 25 acres of new park space. In a separate announcement in April, Cohen’s group said they would build 450 units of income-restricted, subsidized housing in Corona if their casino license is approved.

If it’s built, the casino proposal boasts a luxury hotel, convention center, entertainment venue, multiple restaurants and nearly 300,000 square feet of gambling space with 5,000 slot machines and 375 table games.

Karl Rickett, spokesperson for Metropolitan Park, says the group is grateful for the committee’s decision.

“The Community Advisory Committee’s unanimous approval underscores the deep and broad community support behind Metropolitan Park,” Rickett said.

The site is already a national attraction, home to the Mets stadium, the U.S. Open tennis center, and what will become the New York City Football Club’s Stadium.

Alan Sherman, local resident of Kew Gardens Hills who was decked out in Mets apparel to watch the vote take place Tuesday, believes there’s room for two casinos in Queens.

“It’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow and we need more development in Queens,” Sherman said.

This press release was produced by The City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.