Bally’s NYC Casino Faces Deadline with No Council Approval

Bally’s proposal to develop a casino at the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx has hit a major delay. The New York City Council has declined to advance a required “home rule” message, blocking the project from moving forward to the state legislature for approval.

Good to know

• Bally’s needs Council and state approval by June 27 to submit a bid.
• The deal includes a $115 million payout to the Trump Organization.
• Council sources say Bally’s has not gained enough support.

Led by Speaker Adrienne Adams, the Council opted not to bring the proposal to the floor, effectively pausing the entire project. Without the home rule message, the state legislature cannot consider the land-use legislation tied to the casino plan.

A Council spokesperson said talks are ongoing. “We’re still working on home rule messages for state legislation. The process hasn’t been completed for this legislative session,” said Mandela Jones.

Limited Time to Revive the Bid

Bally’s faces tight deadlines. The state legislative session ends in mid-June, and the City Council is expected to meet just once more on June 11. The company must secure approvals before the June 27 deadline to submit a bid for one of New York’s downstate casino licenses.

Councilman Lincoln Restler said Bally’s may still get another opportunity: “There will be another bite at the apple.”

Trump Ties Create Friction

Bally’s bought the golf course from the Trump Organization in 2023 and renamed it Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. The contract includes a $115 million payment to Trump’s company if Bally’s lands a license. That condition has become politically sensitive.

Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim believes rival bidders are using the Trump link to undercut the project. “They’re saying, ‘If Bally’s wins, Trump benefits.’ That’s crazy,” he told The New York Post. “If we don’t get a vote in the City Council, we can’t advance our bid.”

State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, who would sponsor the bill in Albany, called the Trump payout unfortunate but necessary. “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,” she said.

Local Divide and Missed Momentum

The casino proposal includes a 500-room hotel, retail space, a 2,000-seat event center, and parking for over 4,600 vehicles, along with $600 million in community investment. Despite this, Council insiders say Bally’s has not generated enough support. One source said, “We don’t put bills on the floor without the votes.”

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, who represents the district, is reportedly opposed, though she has not made a public statement. Meanwhile, some Democrats in the Bronx are still working to gather support.

The post Bally’s NYC Casino Faces Deadline with No Council Approval appeared first on iGaming.org.