Bally’s Bronx Casino Progress Pushes Trump’s Company Toward a Big Payday

Bally’s Corporation has taken another step to bring a $4 billion casino complex to the Bronx, gaining crucial backing from a local advisory group this week. This decision keeps the project in the running for New York’s competitive race for three downstate casino permits and sets up the Trump Organization to receive $175 million.

Bally’s Bronx Casino Plan Advances With 5–1 Vote

The group overseeing the Bronx proposal voted five to one to move forward with the plan for a full-scale casino and resort at the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. The plan will now go to the state Gaming Facility Location Board, which will pick the final winners by December, reported New York Magazine.

Bally’s plan for the area involves a 500,000-square-foot casino, a high-end hotel with 500 rooms, a 2,000-seat venue for shows, and various shops and restaurants. The company describes it as a game-changing investment that could create thousands of union jobs and provide a steady income for the borough. Spokespeople for Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and state lawmakers expressed backing, calling the project a chance for sustained economic expansion in a neighborhood often overlooked in major building deals.

Not everyone saw eye to eye on this. The appointee of Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato cast the only opposing vote, pointing out resistance from people living nearby and worries about turning public park space into a business area. The local community board had earlier turned down the plan in a non-binding vote, showing doubts about how large-scale gambling might affect the community.

Bally’s Bronx Project Survives Setbacks Thanks to Mayor’s Veto

Getting to this stage has been quite political. Bally’s bought the lease for the Ferry Point golf course from the Trump Organization in 2023, promising to pay $60 million right away and another $115 million if they get a gaming license. This deal has faced criticism from those who dislike Trump, who say it lets the former president’s company make money without doing any work.

The casino project almost fell apart in July when the City Council voted against changing the zoning of the site. Mayor Eric Adams brought it back to life with a veto allowing Bally’s to keep trying to get its license. City Hall has stressed that the decision showed the mayor’s wider backing for all casino plans across the five boroughs, not any personal ties.

With big players like Resorts World in Queens, MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers, and Mets owner Steve Cohen’s “Metropolitan Park” project still in the running, the race is tight. However, Bally’s recent win puts it among the top contenders.