New York Mayor Eric Adams Could Keep Bally’s Bronx Casino Bid Alive

After the New York City Council rejected Bally’s Bronx Casino rezoning application, the $4 billion project seemed to be at the end of the road. However, Mayor Eric Adams could give it a lifeline with a veto, and his past support and close ties with Bally’s suggest he might.

Bally’s Bronx is one of eight candidates vying for three downstate New York casino licenses. The winners are expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Council Rejects Bally’s Rezoning

On July 14, the Council voted against the zoning change Bally’s needs to build a casino at the site of the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.

The 29-9 vote (with four absentees) was initiated by a motion to disapprove by Republican Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, whose district includes the potential casino site.

Marmorato has voiced strong opposition to the proposal, citing concerns over traffic, public safety, and lack of meaningful community engagement. After the July 14 vote, she said:

“This is not real economic development. This is not housing, a hospital or community improvements. It’s a casino.”

Without zoning approval, Bally’s cannot advance in the licensing process, which includes multiple hearings by Community Advisory Committees and a review by the Gaming Facility Location Board.

Adams Holds Veto Power—and Ties to Bally’s

Mayor Eric Adams could be the savior for Bally’s once again. He has five days to veto the Council’s rejection and move it to the Community Advisory Committee stage.

Last month, Adams helped Bally’s advance to the state legislature with a last-minute home message. The message lowered the threshold needed for the bid to pass by the City Council from a two-thirds supermajority (34 votes) to a simple majority (26 votes).

The Council ultimately passed it with a 32-12 vote, with Marmorato being among those voting against.

A veto by the mayor wouldn’t be surprising. Some of his closest campaign aides have ties to Bally’s. Vito Pitta, Adams’ election attorney, is a lobbyist for the Bally’s proposal. He was at a hearing on the project earlier this month.

Additionally, Frank Carone, the mayor’s campaign chairman and former chief of staff, is a consultant for Bally’s. However, Carone has not lobbied for the operator’s bid.

In a statement, a mayor’s spokesperson said:

“The City Council’s disapproval of this Bronx bid pits boroughs against one another and leaves the Bronx unable to even have a shot at benefiting from the potential of new jobs and new investment in their community.”

Several Bronx community leaders have said they would support the mayor if he vetoes the Council’s decision. The backing could be valuable for Adams, who is facing an uphill battle for re-election this year.

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