Mayor Eric Adams stepped in at the crucial moment to support Bally’s proposal for a casino in the Bronx, ensuring the project stayed alive despite local opposition. On Wednesday, June 10, 2025, the New York City Council voted 32-12, with seven abstentions, to approve a home-rule resolution that clears the way for the project to proceed. This legislation allows Bally’s to move forward with its plan to transform a portion of President Trump’s former golf course in Ferry Point Park into a massive casino complex.

Bally’s casino complex: a $4 billion investment:

The home-rule resolution was pivotal, as the state legislature needed to consider a bill that would alienate the parkland for casino use. Typically, such resolutions require a two-thirds majority to pass, but Mayor Adams intervened by issuing a formal message of support. This lowered the voting threshold to a simple majority, facilitating the passage of the resolution.

The Bally’s proposal includes a sprawling $4 billion development featuring a 500,000-square-foot casino, a 500-room hotel, an events center, retail spaces, and two parking garages capable of holding 4,660 vehicles. If approved, the development will create thousands of jobs and provide significant economic benefits for the local community and the city as a whole.

The project is part of Bally’s bid for one of the three downstate casino licenses that New York State is expected to issue in late 2025. Should Bally’s win one of these licenses, it will not only bring the new casino to The Bronx but also contribute a reported $115 million to the Trump Organization as part of the deal to purchase the golf course in 2023.

Despite broad support from most of the Bronx’s City Council members, including Majority Leader Amanda Farías, the proposal faced stiff opposition from Councilmember Kristy Marmorato, whose district includes the Ferry Point golf course. Marmorato, a Republican, argued that the proposal was flawed and criticized the process for what she described as undue outside interference and the influence of special interest groups.

Marmorato’s stance against the casino was echoed by her colleagues in the Bronx, as some Republicans, including Council Minority Leader Joanne Ariola, voted against the project. Marmorato voiced concerns that local representation was being undermined, suggesting that lobbying efforts were circumventing the interests of local communities.

However, Mayor Adams’ office defended the mayor’s stance, emphasizing that he was supporting a fair and competitive process that could bring multiple new casino projects to New York City, each contributing to local jobs and economic growth. “Mayor Adams supports a fair process with as many competitive casino bids in New York City as possible,” said a spokesperson from the mayor’s office, as reported by the New York Post.

The Trump connection: controversy or opportunity?

One of the most controversial aspects of the Bally’s Bronx proposal is its connection to former President Donald Trump. Bally’s purchased the golf course from Trump’s organization in 2023 for $60 million, with an additional $115 million potentially going to the Trump Organization if Bally’s secures a casino license.

Bally’s CEO Soo Kim had previously expressed frustration over allegations that the project’s connection to Trump was fueling political opposition. Kim denied that the company was influenced by Trump or his supporters, emphasizing that the casino proposal was about bringing economic benefits to The Bronx and New York City as a whole.

While the political optics surrounding the Trump connection have drawn criticism, Bally’s has worked to position itself as a responsible community partner. The company has funded a free shuttle bus service to connect the golf course with nearby transportation hubs and has invested $8.5 million to save a local Catholic school from closure.

With the City Council’s approval, the Bally’s project now heads to Albany for further consideration. The state legislature must decide whether to approve the parkland alienation and grant the casino license. If Bally’s succeeds, it will join other casino operators vying for a piece of the lucrative New York market, which has seen significant interest from companies like MGM, Wynn, and Hard Rock.

The competition for downstate casino licenses is fierce, and Bally’s faces challenges not only from rival casino operators but also from local political dynamics. However, with three other bids already withdrawn, Bally’s may have a better chance than originally anticipated. As the deadline for submissions approaches, the company is optimistic that it can navigate the political hurdles and secure a license for its Bronx casino.