Published on: March 4, 2026, 09:02h.
Updated on: March 4, 2026, 09:02h.
- New York City lobbying firms earned millions from casino bids in 2025
- Four of the ten largest lobbying spenders were linked to downstate New York casino endeavors
The previous year’s intense competition for three downstate New York casino licenses resulted in significant earnings for numerous lobbying firms.
On March 1, the New York City Office of the City Clerk’s Lobbying Bureau released its Annual Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of lobbying activities in the city for the past year.
In 2025, firms advocating for casino licenses ranked among the highest earners in lobbying. Notably, entities tied to casino proposals represented four of the top ten clients by total spending.
Queens Future, LLC, associated with billionaire Steve Cohen’s transformation of Citi Field Ballpark into Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, allocated $1.69 million across 11 lobbying firms. Queens Future was among the three successful bids.
Genting New York, LLC, responsible for converting Resorts World New York City from a racino to a complete casino, invested $1.14 million on three lobbying firms. Resorts World also emerged as a winner for downstate casino licenses.
Bally’s Corporation, which completed the trio of selected casinos, spent $830,661 on 11 lobbying firms to support its Bally’s Bronx casino bid at the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point Park.
Casino Lobbying in New York
Queens Future, Genting, and Bally’s ranked 2nd, 4th, and 6th respectively among the top ten lobbying expenditures in 2025. MADDD Equities, a developer focused on affordable housing, took the lead with over $1.8 million in spending.
TSG Coney Island Entertainment Holdco, LLC was third, investing nearly $1.42 million on lobbying for their $3 billion proposal to revamp the Coney Island Boardwalk. Supported by the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma along with New York-based Saratoga Casino Holdings and Thor Equities, TSG’s project was ultimately not considered by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board after its Community Advisory Board (CAC) voted against it.
The Coney wasn’t the only project dismissed by the CAC; Caesars Palace Times Square, The Avenir at 11th Avenue & 41st Street, and Freedom Plaza near the United Nations Headquarters faced similar rejections. However, these proposals did not rank among the top ten in lobbying expense. MGM Empire City, another bid that was retracted, also did not appear in the top ten lobbying spend list.
Other casino initiatives in NYC, like Wynn Resorts’ Hudson Yards proposal and Las Vegas Sands’ plan for Long Island, incurred minimal lobbying costs.
Casino Lobbying in 2026
With three downstate casinos set to open, substantial lobbying efforts are anticipated in nearby New Jersey throughout 2026, as lawmakers consider the prospect of a new resort in North Jersey.
Entities such as Queens Future, Genting, and Bally’s will likely strive to block a casino at The Meadowlands, as North Jersey is expected to serve as a critical market for these resorts. Hard Rock, which collaborates with Cohen on Metropolitan Park, had previously shown interest in establishing a casino at The Meadowlands, and also operates a venue in Atlantic City.