Bally’s Bronx is one of eight candidates vying for three downstate New York casino licenses. The winners are expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Council Rejects Bally’s Rezoning

On July 14, the Council voted against the zoning change Bally’s needs to build a casino at the site of the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.

The 29-9 vote (with four absentees) was initiated by a motion to disapprove by Republican Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, whose district includes the potential casino site.

Marmorato has voiced strong opposition to the proposal, citing concerns over traffic, public safety, and lack of meaningful community engagement. After the July 14 vote, she said:

“This is not real economic development. This is not housing, a hospital or community improvements. It’s a casino.”

Without zoning approval, Bally’s cannot advance in the licensing process, which includes multiple hearings by Community Advisory Committees and a review by the Gaming Facility Location Board.

Adams Holds Veto Power—and Ties to Bally’s

Mayor Eric Adams could be the savior for Bally’s once again. He has five days to veto the Council’s rejection and move it to the Community Advisory Committee stage.

Last month, Adams helped Bally’s advance to the state legislature with a last-minute home message. The message lowered the threshold needed for the bid to pass by the City Council from a two-thirds supermajority (34 votes) to a simple majority (26 votes).

The Council ultimately passed it with a 32-12 vote, with Marmorato being among those voting against.

A veto by the mayor wouldn’t be surprising. Some of his closest campaign aides have ties to Bally’s. Vito Pitta, Adams’ election attorney, is a lobbyist for the Bally’s proposal. He was at a hearing on the project earlier this month.

Additionally, Frank Carone, the mayor’s campaign chairman and former chief of staff, is a consultant for Bally’s. However, Carone has not lobbied for the operator’s bid.

In a statement, a mayor’s spokesperson said:

“The City Council’s disapproval of this Bronx bid pits boroughs against one another and leaves the Bronx unable to even have a shot at benefiting from the potential of new jobs and new investment in their community.”

Several Bronx community leaders have said they would support the mayor if he vetoes the Council’s decision. The backing could be valuable for Adams, who is facing an uphill battle for re-election this year.

The post New York Mayor Eric Adams Could Keep Bally’s Bronx Casino Bid Alive appeared first on CasinoBeats.

On June 11, the New York City Council voted again on whether to advance the company’s casino proposal to the state legislature. Previously, the Council opted not to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. At the time, some council members stated that Bally’s lacked the necessary support to proceed.

For the project to move forward in Albany for consideration, the Council must approve a “home rule” message that would enable the state legislature to rezone the parkland for commercial use.

Mayor Adams’ Support Tipped the Scale

In a last-minute vote, Mayor Adams issued a home-rule message in support of the Bally’s casino proposal. That message lowered the threshold needed for it to pass from a two-thirds supermajority (34 votes) to a simple majority (26 votes).

The Mayor does not sit on any Community Advisory Committees, such as the one that previously approved the Bally’s project. However, his role is influential as he can appoint board members, deliver a home-rule message, and influence the public narrative.

With Adams’ support, the City Council approved the proposal with a 32-12 vote, with seven abstentions. All Democrat Bronx councilmembers, except one who was absent, voted in favor of the Bally’s casino.

However, Councilwoman Kristy Marmarato, a Republican, whose district includes the potential casino site, voted against it.

She commented: “Voting in favor of this sets the precedent that we reward lobbyists and special interest groups when they go around the local representation in local communities. It absolutely will pave the way for a casino to be built.”

Benefiting Trump or a Fair Process?

Adams’ office says his support aims to ensure a fair and competitive casino selection process. A spokesperson for the Mayor said it does not matter which casino bids win one of the three coveted licenses. The important thing is for New York City to secure at least one of them.

Critics, however, argue the vote directly benefits Trump.

Bally’s purchased the golf course at Ferry Point, where the casino would be, from the Trump Organization in 2023. As part of the deal, Bally’s will pay the Trump Organization $115 million if it wins a license.

Adams’s show of support for the project has sparked speculation about whether the move was intended to benefit Trump, given their recent history.

Earlier this year, the Department of Justice dropped the criminal charges brought against Adams by the Biden administration. Those charges included wire fraud and bribery.

The Mayor has met with the president on a few occasions since the 2022 elections. Adams has repeatedly declined to criticize or speak negatively about Trump.

Adams’ spokesperson, however, denies that the Mayor’s support of the Bally’s casino project has any connection to Trump.

City Council Also Reviewed Coney Island Casino Proposal

While Bally’s bid moves forward, the City Council reviewed another casino application. On June 12, the Council’s Land Use & Zoning Subcommittee held a hearing regarding “The Coney”, a casino proposal in Coney Island.

The project is looking to “de-map” parts of Bowery Street (essentially close a portion of it). It also aims to acquire air rights to construct pedestrian bridges between buildings.

Both supporters and opponents testified in the meeting. Supporters highlighted the creation of 4,000 permanent jobs and 4,500 construction jobs. Additionally, the project will generate $200 million in community trust for local area improvements.

Opponents, including the Central Amusement (Luna Park) and the Coney Island History Project, warned that the casino would damage the historic amusement district.

The subcommittee did not vote on the project. It will continue to deliberate, and if it approves the zoning changes, the Coney will need Council approval before moving to the state.

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