The Bronx gets to roll the dice — at least for a while longer.
Bally’s won approval from a state siting board Monday to move into the next round with its bid for one of three gaming licenses to open a casino at the golf property formerly operated by President Trump’s firm at Ferry Point in The Bronx.
The community advisory group voted 5-to-1 in favor of advancing the proposal, with the appointee of Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato the lone dissenter.
Illustration of the Bally’s casino proposed on a city-owned golf course, in The Bronx. AP
The bid now goes to the state gaming gaming facility location board for further review.
Meanwhile, another bid for a casino in Coney Island was soundly rejected by a separate community advisory committee. Four of the six members voted against it.
Representatives appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Borough President Vanessa Gibson, state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Assembly Michael Benedetto voted “aye” on Bally’s proposal this morning.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams cutting the ribbon at Bally’s Golf Link. Brigitte Stelzer
“The potential of his project is significant,” said Lisa Sorin, the rep for BP Gibson, who also is president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Alex Perco, the rep for Fernandez said, “We can build an economic engine that puts The Bronx in control of its own future.”
But Danielle Volpe, the rep for Marmorato, noted that Community Board 10 voted against the proposed casino and cited intense neighborhood opposition as reasons to reject it.
Illustration of Bally’s proposed casino in the Bronx with a large glass building and a smaller building with green plant features. Ballysbronx.com
“The residents most directly affected don’t want this casino,” Volpe said.
The City Council in July voted against zoning changes to advance the Bally’s casino plan, but Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the action. The Council did not override the veto.
Volpe also objected to redesignating city parkland for a casino, without making up for the loss in green space.
“The residents most directly affected don’t want this casino,” Volpe said. REUTERS
Bally’s acquired the lease for the Trumps Link golf course in 2023 — now called Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. The Trump Organization would more quickly get a $115 million payout from Bally’s that it is owed for the property, which has rankled some anti-Trumpers.
The firm hopes to build a 500,000-square-foot casino on the Bronx site by its golf course along with a 500-room hotel with a spa and meeting space, retail shops, a 2,000-seat event center and two parking garages with capacity for up to 4,660 vehicles.
Illustration of the Bally’s casino proposed on a city-owned golf course in The Bronx. AP
Mets owner Steven Cohen and Hard Rock’s proposal to build a casino complex next to Citi Field will be voted on by its siting board Tuesday. The bid is expected to clear the committee.
The state Gaming Commission will make the final decision on awarding up to three casino licenses by year’s end.
Two slots parlors at Aqueduct and Yonkers race tracks also cleared the initial hurdle on their bids to win casino licenses for an expansion to offer live table games.
Bally’s was pleased its casino bid advanced.
“The affirmative vote is a clear signal that we’ve been able to address key community concerns and build real momentum together. This project is about jobs, opportunity, and investment — a win for the Bronx that will deliver thousands of good-paying union jobs and lasting benefits for the community, ” Bally’s said in a statement..
“Bally’s is betting on the Bronx, and we look forward to working with our neighbors every step of the way as we move on to the state selection process.”
