New York: Bally's Bronx casino bid stalls as City Council delays key vote

A proposal by Bally’s to develop a casino on part of the former Trump Golf Links property at Ferry Point in the Bronx has hit a major legislative setback, with the New York City Council declining to advance a key vote on the plan.

The Council, led by Speaker and mayoral contender Adrienne Adams, opted on Wednesday not to bring the measure to the floor, withholding the required “home rule” message that would authorize the state legislature to consider a land-use bill for the project. Without the Council’s approval, the casino bid cannot move forward in Albany.

Bally’s acquired the golf course in 2023 from the Trump Organization and renamed it Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. Under the terms of the acquisition, Bally’s agreed to pay the Trump Organization an additional $115 million if it secures one of the three available state casino licenses.

The delay comes amid swirling political tensions and questions about the president’s indirect financial benefit from the project. Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim criticized what he called a “whisper campaign” by rival casino bidders, accusing them of exploiting anti-Trump sentiment to undercut support for his company’s proposal.

Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim

“They’re saying, ‘If Bally’s wins, Trump benefits.’ That’s crazy,” Kim told The New York Post. “If we don’t get a vote in the City Council, we can’t advance our bid.”

The company’s development plan includes a 500,000-square-foot casino complex, a 500-room hotel with a spa and meeting facilities, retail spaces, a 2,000-seat event center, and two parking structures accommodating up to 4,660 vehicles. Bally’s has also pledged over $600 million in community benefits and infrastructure investment tied to the proposal.

Despite those commitments, Council insiders indicated Bally’s lacks sufficient support among members to move the measure forward. One Council source said the company had not been effective in lobbying and generating momentum for its proposal, while another noted: “We don’t put bills on the floor without the votes.”

A representative for Speaker Adams said that discussions are still ongoing and denied any coordinated effort to block the project. “We’re still working on home rule messages for state legislation. The process hasn’t been completed for this legislative session,” said Council spokesperson Mandela Jones.

The legislative timeline is narrowing. Bally’s must secure city and state approvals before the June 27 deadline to submit bids for the downstate casino licenses. The state legislature’s session is expected to end in mid-June, with the City Council likely to meet once more on June 11.

Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler, who chairs the governmental operations committee overseeing state legislation, said Bally’s will have “another bite at the apple” in the coming weeks.

Render of the proposed casino

In the Bronx, local opinion appears split. Republican Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, whose district includes Ferry Point, has reportedly expressed opposition to the project, though she has not issued a public statement. Meanwhile, several Democrats in the borough are said to be actively working to secure votes in favor of the casino.

State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, who would sponsor the legislation in Albany if the Council grants approval, acknowledged concerns over the Trump payout but described it as part of the deal to remove the Trump Organization from the property.

“So while I hate it, I don’t want him to get anything on it, it was part of the business deal just to get his name out of the situation, get him out of the golf course and out of the Bronx,” Fernandez said.

The City Council recently provided similar approval for legislation supporting Mets owner Steve Cohen’s casino project near Citi Field, which subsequently passed both chambers of the state legislature.