Queens Casino: Asian American Non-Profits Back $8B Project by Steve Cohen

The proposed Metropolitan Park development in Queens, New York, is causing a stir but has now gained significant backing from the Asian American community. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock are pushing the project, which aims to convert 50 acres of parking lots and 25 acres of open space into a massive casino and entertainment complex. Three of the longest-running Asian American community organizations have signaled their support for the $8 billion venture to secure economic benefits for their members.

This support comes at a critical time, as polls indicate strong opposition among local Queens residents, particularly within the Asian American population. Critics warn of rising rents, mass displacement, and an increase in gambling addiction. Brian Chen, chief strategy officer of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), emphasizes that having a seat at the table is essential to ensuring the promised benefits for the community are actually delivered. He views his organization as a liaison between the developers and the locals.

Numbers and facts

The Metropolitan Park project is a massive investment. With a budget of $8 billion, it is expected to create 23,000 new jobs. These positions will span the construction phase as well as the later operation in the hospitality and casino sectors. According to Brian Chen, these will be well-paying union jobs that could offer real prospects for immigrant families. The CPC is one of 18 local community organizations that have already signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) as part of the application process submitted to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board.

In addition to the CPC, Korean Community Services (KCS) and the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC) have signed these MOUs. Through these, the developers from Hard Rock and Steve Cohen commit to collaborating on workforce development and local hiring quotas. Nevertheless, skepticism remains high. Many community voices fear that social costs could outweigh economic gains, as gambling addiction often has devastating consequences in low-income immigrant neighborhoods.

Background

The site in Queens is one of the most sought-after locations for new commercial casino licenses in New York State. The New York State Gaming Commission unanimously approved a commercial license for the Hard Rock Metropolitan Park last December. Brian Chen acknowledges that community concerns are valid but sees the necessity of making the most of the situation.

"We recognize and respect that there have been different perspectives within the community, particularly around gaming and its potential impact on families, and, obviously, those concerns shouldn’t disappear simply because the project has been approved." - Brian Chen, Chief Strategy Officer of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC)

Chen emphasizes that while the CPC does not take a formal position for or against the casino as part of the overall development, it recognizes the threat of problem gambling as very real. The organization aims to ensure the Met Park team works with experts specialized in addiction prevention to protect the community from the negative effects of gambling.

Why it matters for German players

In Germany, the situation is regulated fundamentally differently compared to the massive resort plans in the USA. Through the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), Germany has established a very strict framework to protect players from the exact problems feared in Queens. While huge entertainment hubs are emerging in New York, the focus in Germany is on individual protection in the digital space. For German players, this means they should only play with providers listed on the official whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL).

The limits in place in Germany, such as the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros via the LUGAS system and the one-euro stake limit per spin for virtual slot games, serve to prevent addiction. Hard limits like these are often not found in this form in the USA. Those playing in Germany benefit from a state-monitored system that provides a secure environment, while the discussions in Queens show how difficult social control can be when opening large new land-based casinos without comparable protection mechanisms.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license, the debate in New York underscores the importance of their role as responsible providers. Transparency and close cooperation with local counseling centers, as demanded by the CPC in Queens, are already legally anchored in Germany. German providers must show that they view player protection measures not just as a nuisance but as a quality feature. While organizations in the USA must now fight for a seat at the table to protect players, licensed German online casinos have already institutionalized this process through strict licensing requirements. This builds trust with customers and ensures the long-term stability of the legal market against unregulated black market offerings.