New York Mets owner Steven Cohen’s designs on bringing a casino hotel to the Citi Field area are drawing the ire of Queens immigrant groups. They claim a gaming venue will prey on their communities.
The Fed Up Coalition pointed out that Flushing, Queens, is home to an array of immigrants, many of whom are Asian — a demographic the civic group alleges is targeted by the gaming industry.
He (Cohen) is targeting the Asian community who will be spending the money at the casino, and we know this means they will be losing their hard-earned money,” said Sarah Ahn, an organizer with the Fed Up Coalition, in an interview with Documented.
Surveys conducted by groups with ties to Cohen, who made his fortune in the hedge fund universe, indicate there’s support for a Citi Field casino among locals, including minorities. However, much of that support is derived from the promise of the Willets Point redevelopment, including ample green and park space and entertainment options beyond those offered by a gaming venue.
The Fed Up Coalition pointed out that Flushing, Queens, is home to an array of immigrants, many of whom are Asian — a demographic the civic group alleges is targeted by the gaming industry.
He (Cohen) is targeting the Asian community who will be spending the money at the casino, and we know this means they will be losing their hard-earned money,” said Sarah Ahn, an organizer with the Fed Up Coalition, in an interview with Documented.
Surveys conducted by groups with ties to Cohen, who made his fortune in the hedge fund universe, indicate there’s support for a Citi Field casino among locals, including minorities. However, much of that support is derived from the promise of the Willets Point redevelopment, including ample green and park space and entertainment options beyond those offered by a gaming venue.