Bally’s has moved a step closer to finalizing its plan for a New York casino license after the city council approved a legislative measure.
Here at ReadWrite, we previously covered how the council’s lack of progress had frustrated efforts to develop a casino on a section of the former Trump Golf Links site at Ferry Point in the Bronx.
Previously, New York City Council adjourned a hearing on the matter, kicking the can down the road, but now that the ‘home rule’ message has been approved, Bally’s can repurpose part of the site for the major gaming facility if their application is successful.
The home rule message required 34 votes to be passed, without the backing of the Mayor, but the incumbent in the role, Eric Adams, gave his support, meaning that only a simple majority would be needed.
Ultimately, the resolution passed with a vote of 32 for and 12 against, with seven abstentions.
Bally’s took ownership of the golf course in 2023 and subsequently renamed it, Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point.
As part of the deal, the U.S. betting and entertainment giant agreed to pay the Trump Organization a further $115 million if it was able to acquire one of three available New York state casino licenses.
That opens up a contentious issue, and opposition, with President Trump seemingly gaining a significant, indirect, financial boost to his private company from the delivery of a casino at Ferry Point.
At present, we are only at the license application stage, but if that comes to pass, the rest will be a fait accompli.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams endorsed local legislation that would ease the path for Bally’s to build a casino in the Bronx. https://t.co/2hBhlXefVb
— Bloomberg (@business) June 11, 2025
Contenders for the three downstate casino licenses in New York
On the site, the major project has outlined provisions for a 500,000-square-foot casino complex, a 500-room hotel with a spa and meeting facilities, retail offerings, a 2,000-capacity event center, and parking for up to 4,660 vehicles.
A significant obstacle was thought to be political support, but now the issue has been cleared by New York City Council, Bally’s is free to complete the application process, which it intends to do.
The entertainment giant is now directly in the running for one of three downstate casino licenses in New York, with at least seven applicants still in contention.
Recently, a poll revealed almost two-thirds of Manhattan residents are in favor of Freedom Plaza, the bold mixed-use destination designed by the Soloviev Group and its operator partner, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment.
Other contenders include Resorts International’s Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World in Queens, while there is also the proposal from Caesars Palace Times Square, in partnership with SL Green Realty Corp. and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s Metropolitan Park venture, which would deliver a casino next to Citi Field.
The process commenced three years ago with final submissions due on June 27, ahead of decision time at the end of this year.
Each five-year license will cost $500 million.
Image credit: Bally’s
