Key Takeaways
- • Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International secured New York State Gaming Facility Location Board approval on December 1, 2025, for the $8.1 billion Metropolitan Park casino project adjacent to Citi Field in Queens, with final New York State Gaming Commission sign-off expected before year-end.
- • The project requires an initial $500 million licensing fee and is projected to generate billions in tax revenue, create 23,000 union jobs, and deliver over $1 billion in community benefits upon completion in June 2030.
- • Metropolitan Park will span 50 acres of Citi Field parking lot and feature a Hard Rock Hotel with casino, sportsbook, restaurants, bars, a 5,650-seat music venue, Taste of Queens Food Hall, and 25 acres of public green space, plus infrastructure improvements including an ADA-accessible 7-line subway station renovation.
- • Cohen, with a $23 billion net worth, had previously stated the project would not proceed without a casino license, overcoming earlier obstacles including parkland designation disputes and USTA (United States Tennis Association) objections.
- • The approval positions Metropolitan Park as one of three downstate New York casino licenses awarded, alongside Bally's proposed Bronx facility and Resort World's Aqueduct Racetrack expansion near JFK Airport.
Summary
Steve Cohen's Metropolitan Park casino project achieved a critical regulatory milestone on December 1, 2025, when the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board approved the $8.1 billion development for a downstate casino license. The project, executed in partnership with Hard Rock International, will be constructed adjacent to Citi Field in Queens and represents one of the largest hospitality-gaming developments in the New York region. While the Gaming Facility Location Board has endorsed the proposal, the New York State Gaming Commission must provide final approval before year-end, according to Sports Business Journal reporting.
The project architecture is ambitious in scope. Spanning 50 acres of the existing Citi Field parking lot, Metropolitan Park will feature a Hard Rock Hotel anchored by a full-service casino and sportsbook, dining venues, bars, and a 5,650-seat music venue. The development also includes a Taste of Queens Food Hall intended to celebrate regional culinary identity. Beyond the commercial components, the project commits 25 acres to public green space and infrastructure enhancement, including a renovated, ADA-accessible subway station on the 7 line. Completion is targeted for June 2030.
The economic and employment metrics underscore the project's significance for New York State. The Gaming Facility Location Board validated projections for billions in tax revenue generation, 23,000 union jobs, and over $1 billion in community benefits. Operators must pay an initial $500 million licensing fee. Cohen, whose net worth is estimated at $23 billion, had previously indicated he would not advance the project without securing the required gaming license, signaling the stakes involved in the approval process.
The path to approval involved overcoming substantial regulatory hurdles. Metropolitan Park officials faced challenges related to parkland designation issues and a dispute with the USTA regarding the proximity to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, located within adjacent Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The approved project is now designed to create connectivity between Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the tennis center, Citi Field, and Flushing Bay, addressing integration concerns that emerged during review.
The approval positions Metropolitan Park as a cornerstone of New York's newly authorized downstate casino framework, alongside two other licensed projects: Bally's proposed facility in the Bronx and Resort World's expansion at the Aqueduct Racetrack near JFK Airport. The Gaming Commission's anticipated final endorsement before December's close will clear the path for project financing and construction commencement.
The project architecture is ambitious in scope. Spanning 50 acres of the existing Citi Field parking lot, Metropolitan Park will feature a Hard Rock Hotel anchored by a full-service casino and sportsbook, dining venues, bars, and a 5,650-seat music venue. The development also includes a Taste of Queens Food Hall intended to celebrate regional culinary identity. Beyond the commercial components, the project commits 25 acres to public green space and infrastructure enhancement, including a renovated, ADA-accessible subway station on the 7 line. Completion is targeted for June 2030.
The economic and employment metrics underscore the project's significance for New York State. The Gaming Facility Location Board validated projections for billions in tax revenue generation, 23,000 union jobs, and over $1 billion in community benefits. Operators must pay an initial $500 million licensing fee. Cohen, whose net worth is estimated at $23 billion, had previously indicated he would not advance the project without securing the required gaming license, signaling the stakes involved in the approval process.
The path to approval involved overcoming substantial regulatory hurdles. Metropolitan Park officials faced challenges related to parkland designation issues and a dispute with the USTA regarding the proximity to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, located within adjacent Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The approved project is now designed to create connectivity between Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the tennis center, Citi Field, and Flushing Bay, addressing integration concerns that emerged during review.
The approval positions Metropolitan Park as a cornerstone of New York's newly authorized downstate casino framework, alongside two other licensed projects: Bally's proposed facility in the Bronx and Resort World's expansion at the Aqueduct Racetrack near JFK Airport. The Gaming Commission's anticipated final endorsement before December's close will clear the path for project financing and construction commencement.
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