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The excitement surrounding the three final bids for three possible downstate casino licenses has been tempered slightly by the news that the US Tennis Association has begun legal action over the Queens Metropolitan Park project.
New York’s 13 commercial casinos already contribute more than $1 billion in taxes, and the creation of 3 new licenses to be issued in downstate NY sparked massive interest. Multi-billion dollar proposals that would regenerate local areas and create thousands of jobs were put forward, but only three now remain.
The central locations of the remaining three proposals, Bally’s Bronx project, the Metropolitan Park project in Queens, and Resorts World’s Queens project, mean that they will enjoy significant footfall and have he potential to generate billions for the city.
While it could be years before construction is complete and operations begin, it could also reignite the debate about licensed online operations in the state. Online casinos are a relatively hot topic across the US, with limited opportunity for consumers to access licensed markets in comparison with online sportsbooks.
Offshore operations are an option that is proving popular around the world, with US consumers improving access as well as bettors in other prohibitive regions. Even countries with open betting markets, like the UK, have seen offshore operators grow in popularity. Safe UK options give players an opportunity to explore non-Gamstop sites, with a great selection of games and fewer limits. What's more, international players, New Yorkers included, can access such websites and check out what their features look like.
As things stand in New York, consumers have to make do with land-based casinos, but the new operations will prove to be popular among locals. While the three remaining projects have had a lot of support from local businesses, councillors, and the public, there have also been critics concerned about their impact on the local area.
The United States Tennis Association runs the National Tennis Center and has not only voiced its concerns regarding the Metropolitan Park casino bid, but has also raised a lawsuit that accuses the current Mayoral administration of Eric Adams of ignoring obligations over its lease.
Flushing Meadows is one of the premier tennis facilities in the US, hosting events like the US Open, and is home to the National Tennis Center. It is run by the USTA, who lease the land from the city, with a superiority clause inserted that gives them priority over other land users.
The US Open, in particular, should take precedence over other events, and the USTA claims that the casino proposal violates restrictions. During the US Open, the USTA controls hospitality, concessions, and parking, something that could be compromised by the new operation if it goes ahead.
The lawsuit accuses the current administration of overstepping obligations, refusing to show them any draft agreement that confirmed the superiority clause remained in place. Rather than monetary compensation, the USTA is asking for an injunction to stop the deal from being finalized, with fears that they might lose rights after the deal is struck.
A temporary block has been put in place for now, with the judge agreeing that there is the potential for the lease rights of the USTA to be overridden, with fears that traffic, parking, and event scheduling could be affected
The USTA is not overly opposed to the casino proposal, but is seeking assurances that it won’t be negatively affected when it is in operation.
Brendan McIntyre, the USTA spokesperson, has already spoken of the organization’s support of any project that benefits New York state, and Queens in particular. Demands that the agreement already in place is respected should not be a major stumbling block, with the only real issue being the upheaval in the mayoral office, with Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect, taking over from Adams on January 1st.
The new mayor will be keen to ensure the development that is worth $1.75 billion, which will improve transportation and the infrastructure around Metropolitan Park, does not fall at the final hurdle, especially when there are only three projects now in the running for the three licenses.
With so much at stake, getting this issue resolved sooner rather than later will be in everyone's best interests. However, the project may have to wait until the new year for this to happen.