Bally’s Bronx Casino Project Advances After Mayor Adams Backs Council Vote

This content was produced in partnership with Pokerstrategy.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams stepped in to help push through a critical City Council vote that keeps Bally's casino development plans alive in the Bronx. The council voted 32 to 12, with seven members abstaining, to pass a home rule resolution that allows state lawmakers to consider converting public parkland at Ferry Point into a casino site.

The vote typically would have required a two-thirds majority of 34 votes to pass, but Adams' last-minute support reduced that threshold to a simple majority of 26 votes. The gaming industry has seen significant growth nationwide, with sites and operators now ranked by experts at PokerStrategy to help players choose reliable platforms. This ranking system has become valuable for consumers looking to understand which establishments meet high standards for security and fair play.

Bally's bought the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in 2023, paying a reported $60 million. The company wants to build a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor and a 500-room hotel with spa services. The development would also feature shopping areas, a 2,000-capacity concert hall, and parking for nearly 4,700 cars. Should Bally's get one of three downstate casino licenses expected this year, the Trump Organization would collect another $115 million from the purchase deal.

Local Councilmember Kristy Marmorato, a Republican representing the Ferry Point area, opposed the measure and criticized what she called a "disgraceful process." Marmorato told her colleagues that constituents in her district were ignored and accused Bally's of going around local representation to drum up support from special interest groups.

Mayor Adams' spokesperson William Fowler said the mayor's backing was not meant to favor Bally's specifically but to support a competitive process citywide. Fowler told reporters that Adams wants to see as many competitive casino proposals in New York City as possible, each bringing union jobs and economic benefits to communities.

Bally's has worked to build local support through community outreach efforts. The company funded a shuttle service between the golf course and transit hubs. Working with Attorney General Tish James, Bally's bought Preston High School, a Catholic all-girls school facing closure, for $8.5 million.

The council's approval now sends the matter to Albany, where state lawmakers must act quickly. The state legislative session is nearing its end, and casino license applications are due to the Gaming Commission by June 27. State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and Assembly Member Michael Benedetto have sponsored the parkland alienation bill needed for the project to move forward.

Bally's faces competition from at least seven other casino proposals across the region. Two downstate licenses will likely go to existing racinos at Yonkers Raceway and Aqueduct Racetrack. Other active proposals include Steve Cohen's $8 billion Metropolitan Park project near Citi Field in Queens and various Manhattan locations.

The council vote against the local member's wishes breaks with the tradition of member deference, where lawmakers typically support the position of the district representative on land use matters. Several council sources described opposition to the home rule message as coming from members who oppose casinos generally, those reluctant to go against the local representative, and concerns about community opposition.

Community Board 10 voted against the Bally's proposal in March by a 29 to 5 margin. Critics have raised concerns about the Trump Organization connection and the conversion of public parkland for private commercial use.

With the council hurdle cleared, Bally's must now navigate state approval processes while competing against well-funded rivals for the limited casino licenses. The company faces tight deadlines as it works to finalize all land use requirements before the June 27 application deadline.

If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.