New York City Casino Bidders Fueled Record Lobbying Spend in 2024

Posted on: March 5, 2025, 01:50h. 

Last updated on: March 5, 2025, 02:04h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The casino companies vying for the three downstate New York gaming licenses to be awarded this year spent millions on lobbyists who petitioned city officials on their behalf.

New York City casino lobbyist spending
Billionaire Steve Cohen was the top spender on lobbyists in New York City in 2024. Cohen wants to bring a casino resort to Willets Park in Queens where his MLB New York Mets play ball. (Image: AP)

The New York City Council Clerk’s Office recently published its Lobbying Bureau Annual Report. The 66-page document provides data on how much money was spent in the city on lobbyists last year.

2024 was an unprecedented year, as total lobbying in New York City reached a record high of more than $138.3 million. The extraordinary spending, a year-over-year increase of more than $7 million, was fueled by the gaming industry and those who wish to become a part of NYC’s forthcoming casino market.

Six of the top 10 expenditures were linked to casino companies and individuals like billionaire Steve Cohen.

In a partnership with Hard Rock International, Cohen is seeking to bring a multibillion-dollar Hard Rock hotel and casino to his Mets MLB ballpark in Queens. Cohen’s entities spent more on NYC lobbying than any other organization last year. Cohen’s Queens Future, LLC, doled out $1,862,534.67 to 14 lobbying firms.

Cohen’s lobbying money has apparently worked, as a city council committee is set to consider a critical land-use change needed to allow a casino development at Willets Point tomorrow on Thursday, March 6. 

Casino Spending

The NYC report detailed that 636 lobbyists filed statements for 2024. Those lobbyists worked on behalf of 2,267 clients. Lobbyists paid $208,100 in registration fees with the city.

Along with Queens Future, five other clients seeking one of the three casino licenses ranked among the top 10 lobbying spenders.

Malaysia-based Genting Group ranked second with $990K. Genting hopes to overhaul its Resorts World New York City racino property in Queens near JFK International Airport into a full-scale casino with slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting.

Third was Bally’s Corporation, which has proposed an integrated resort casino development in the Bronx near the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point, which it manages on the city’s behalf.

Fourth in casino lobbying was the East River Realty Company, LLC, which is seeking a casino license on Manhattan’s East Side just south of the United Nations Headquarters. East River Realty, aligned with the Soloviev Group and its gaming partner, Mohegan, spent $613K on lobbying.

TSG Coney Island Entertainment Holdco, LLC, from Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation, and Legends, is seeking a gaming concession for a casino resort development in Coney Island. The LLC spent $488,377 on the pursuit.

Wynn Resorts, another interested New York City casino developer, spent $411,009 lobbying for its casino proposal at Hudson Yards.

The NYC report explained that the top targets for lobbyists were NYC council members and their staff, Mayor Eric Adams and his office, the planning department, and community boards. 

Favorite Sits Out Lobbying

MGM Resorts is considered the favorite for one of the concessions. MGM has operated the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway since 2019.

MGM wasn’t listed in the 2024 city lobbying report. Other casino firms expected to bid that weren’t major lobbyist spenders last year include Las Vegas Sands and Caesars Entertainment. 

MGM has presented plans to invest $5 billion to overhaul the racino that currently houses slot-like video lottery terminals and electronic games into a full-fledged casino seemingly pulled off the Las Vegas Strip and placed just north of Manhattan.