Does Political Opposition to Physical Casino Projects Effect Online Gambling? | Prescott eNews

There is currently much discussion about the ongoing battle between New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen and State Senator Jessica Ramos regarding the proposed “Metropolitan Park” casino-entertainment complex.

The project’s contentious element revolves around the inclusion of a casino. Senator Ramos has refused to implement legislation allowing the required rezoning to progress. We will look more closely at this political opposition and whether it’s reflected in political attitudes to online casinos in the US.

What is the Metropolitan Park project?

The $8 billion Metropolitan Park project aims to transform 50 acres of neglected land consisting of lots around Citi Field stadium into an entertainment venue and casino complex. If completed, the project would attract visitors to the area throughout the year rather than just during the baseball season.

People visiting the venue could enjoy drinking at bars, dining at restaurats, and playing at the casino. This last experience is the cause of current issues.

What is the issue with the rezoning to allow the project to continue?

Changing the land’s use from parkland to the proposed entertainment and casino concept involves rezoning, which requires legislation. Senator Ramos does not feel that a casino is a positive addition to her district. She has suggested an alternative convention center and hotel project. However, Cohen is not in favor of this. As he attempts to take the fortunes of the Mets forward from what was a disappointing 2023 season, he feels that the Metropolitan Park project is part of doing so.

It’s possible for another state senator to introduce a bill to aid Cohen’s plan. However, senators are usually reluctant to interfere with projects that another senator feels are important in their district. So, it seems that Senator Ramos will have the final say, although Cohen has far from given up yet.

A question that is being asked about the situation is how it will effect online gambling in the US, if at all.

Could similar political dynamics effect the growth of online casinos?

Seven US states currently regulate online casinos: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Rhode Island. While the growth of online casinos is slow, this is not directly connected to the concerns expressed by Senator Ramos, as there is no physical presence involved.

In fact, there is an opposite thought process in place. Many industry professionals and politicians believe that an extension of the online casino industry has a negative impact on the survival and growth of land-based casinos. This is a belief held by Rob Norton, president of Cordish Gaming, a company that is involved with land-based and online casinos. He cites the example of sports betting in Maryland, where, since online betting was legalized, visitor numbers at the company’s Maryland Live! Casino have fallen by 65%. He believes that extending the regulation of online casinos would make matters worse.

Other industry professionals take the opposite view. They believe that the online industry can work alongside land-based casinos. There does not seem to be anything to prevent this according to JustGamblers, as the gambling experts extoll the virtues of a regulated industry, which concentrates on customer safety, fairness, and the provision of responsible gambling measures.

This provision of customer protection addresses another concern that is restricting the growth of online casinos and is also part of many political debates concerning the creation of land-based casinos. This concern centers on the potential for problem gambling. Regulated casinos provide help to players that reduces this risk and helps to alleviate concerns that have an effect on the growth of online gambling and land-based gambling in the US.