Legendary Hard Rock Cafe’s expected New York casino bid is in doubt – and Russia may be to blame

Sources told The Post that gaming operator Seminole Hard Rock’s long-awaited bid for a New York casino license has been complicated by its business ties to Russia.

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

But that hasn’t been done yet, and sources close to the bidding process say it’s because Russia is linked to a chain of themed bars/restaurants and casinos.

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order last year barring any government agency from entering into contracts with a firm doing business in Russia shortly after President Vladimir Putin’s military forces invaded Ukraine.

Hochul’s order, noting that New York City has the largest ethnic Ukrainian population in the United States, states: “The state will not allow itself to act as a market player to support Russia’s unwarranted war and the killing of innocent Ukrainians.

“All affected government entities are instructed to refrain from entering into any new contract or renewing any existing contract with an entity doing business in Russia.”

She and Mayor Eric Adams also called for the withdrawal of all state or pension funds from Russia.

Hard Rock has two franchised restaurants in Russia, one in Moscow and one in St. Petersburg, which has its own Facebook site.

Hard Rock said in a statement this week that the issue is now irrelevant.

“Hard Rock does not own or operate any real estate in Russia. The independent company Hard Rock Cafe in Moscow closed a few months ago. The independent operator of the Hard Rock Cafe in St. Petersburg agreed to stop work on March 13, ”a company representative said.

“With the start of the war, Hard Rock International joined millions of people around the world in condemning the unprovoked attack on Ukraine and its people. At that time, Hard Rock promised to suspend all future investment and development in Russia and donate all profits from the two affiliates in Russia to humanitarian causes in Ukraine.”

Supporters of a free Ukraine said it was dangerous to play such Russian roulette.

The Yale School of Management has released a report card identifying firms that have severed business ties with Russia and exposing other firms still doing business there.

He gave Hard Rock an “F” rating, calling it one of 238 companies that were “digging around” and “just continuing to do business as usual in Russia” and “rejecting demands to exit or downsize”.

Meanwhile, Hard Rock was politically active.

Gaming firm executives contributed $50,000 to Hochul’s re-election campaign before her executive order was signed and later held a fundraiser for her, eventually putting at least $100,000 into her 2022 election, funding reports show. campaigns and published reports.

Hard Rock also spent $110,000 lobbying state legislators regarding casino gaming before the executive order was signed, and at least $120,000 after it, according to state lobbying data.

The representative of Khokhul replied: “As part of the decisive actions of the Governor of Khokul aimed at supporting Ukraine and against Russia’s unjust war, the Governor issued Decree No. 16 (UP 16), prohibiting state bodies and authorities from entering into contracts with enterprises doing business in Russia, which does not guarantee investments will help Russia. In order to comply with EP 16, affected government entities must obtain confirmation from bidders as part of a request for a new contract or renewal of an existing contract that the business does not deal with the Russian government, including those on the federal sanctions list. “.

A spokesperson for the State Gambling Commission said no date had yet been set for the casino to apply, and that Hard Rock and other potential bidders had yet to submit formal bids.

“No applications have been submitted for consideration – and will not be submitted before the deadline to be determined. In addition, we do not comment or provide opinions on any potentially proposed projects,” said Brad Maione of Gaming Commission.

Hard Rock Cafe in St. Petersburg opened in 2018. Hard Rock Cafe Moscow, a short drive from Red Square and the Kremlin, opened in 2003.

Other gaming operators are vying for one of three casino licenses in the lower state.

Gaming giant Bally’s is betting on the Bronx with a casino at the Trump Organization’s public golf course at Ferry Point.

Owners of existing arcades at Ozone Park’s Aqueduct Racecourse, Genting/Resorts World and Empire City MGM’s Queens and Yonkers Racecourse are expected to apply to expand their offerings to include table games.

Meanwhile, Mets owner Cohen is eyeing a casino near the team’s stadium in Flushing, Queens. A 25,000-seat professional football stadium is also planned nearby.

Other planning bids to operate the casino include a partnership of companies associated with Steve Ross/Wynn Resorts for Hudson Yards, the Times Square landlord team SL Green/Caesars Entertainment, and a consortium promoting a Coney Island gaming establishment whose partners include Legends, co-owned is the Yankees organization.