Hard Rock’s Russia ties imperil bid for New York City casino: sources

Thursday, March 2, 2023 9:50 PM
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  • Carl Campanile, New York Post

Gaming operator Seminole Hard Rock’s highly anticipated bid for a New York City casino license has been complicated by its business ties to Russia, sources told The Post.

The ubiquitous Hard Rock brand — founded by Americans in London in 1971 and purchased by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 2007 — has long been expected to announce its application for a license, potentially with Mets owner Steve Cohen, to build a casino next to CitiField in Willets Point, Queens.

But it has not yet done so, and sources close to the bidding process say it’s because of the Russia connection to the theme-bar/restaurant and casino chain.