In a shocking turn of events, billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen’s bid to open a casino in Queens has failed to garner support from New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The proposed casino, which was set to be located in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens, has been met with fierce opposition from local residents and community leaders who fear the negative impacts of gambling on their neighborhood.
Cohen, who is the owner of the New York Mets, had been hoping to capitalize on the recent legalization of sports betting in New York by opening a casino that would also offer sports betting services. However, Governor Hochul has made it clear that she does not support the project, citing concerns about the potential harm that gambling could have on the local community.
In a statement released earlier today, Governor Hochul said, “While I support economic development and job creation in our state, I cannot in good conscience support a project that could potentially harm the residents of Queens. I believe that we must prioritize the well-being of our communities above all else, and I do not believe that a casino in Willets Point is in the best interest of the people of New York.”
The news of Governor Hochul’s opposition to the casino bid has sent shockwaves through the business community, with many questioning the future of the project. Cohen, who had been optimistic about the prospect of opening a casino in Queens, is now left scrambling to salvage his investment.
Local residents and community leaders have welcomed Governor Hochul’s decision, with many expressing relief that their concerns about the project have been heard. “We have been fighting against this casino for months now, and we are grateful that Governor Hochul has taken a stand against it,” said local activist Maria Rodriguez. “We believe that a casino in Willets Point would have been disastrous for our neighborhood, and we are relieved that it will not be moving forward.”
While the future of the casino project remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Steve Cohen’s bid to open a casino in Queens has hit a major roadblock. Only time will tell what the next steps will be for the controversial project, but for now, it seems that the people of Queens can breathe a sigh of relief that their voices have been heard.
