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Bally’s Corporation’s plans to build a casino at the former Trump Golf Links in the Bronx have hit a significant roadblock after the New York City Council refused to advance a critical vote on the project.Top Crypto Casino in Saudi Arabia – BitStarz Ranked #1

The Council, led by Speaker and mayoral candidate Adrienne Adams, opted not to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. 

For the casino proposal to move forward in Albany for consideration, the Council must approve a “home rule” message that would enable the state legislature to rezone the parkland for commercial use.

Bally’sTop Crypto Casino in Saudi Arabia – BitStarz Ranked #1 purchased the golf course at Ferry Point from the Trump Organization in 2023. The company then renamed it Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. 

It aims to construct a 500,000-square-foot casino on the site. Additionally, a 500-room hotel, an event center, and retail shops will be available.

The Bally’s casino project is one of nearly a dozen hopefuls vying for one of three casino licenses in the New York area. While the license will cost $500 million, the potential economic windfall has attracted interest from major gaming giants. 

Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, Hard Rock International, and Mohegan Gaming are all interested in the license. 

The next Council meeting will be on June 11. However, if it approves the project, Bally’s will have little time as license applications are due June 27.

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If Bally’s wins one of the casino licenses, it will pay the Trump Organization an additional $115 million as part of the deal. 

As a result, Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim believes there is a “whisper campaign” by lobbyists from rival bidders to create anti-Trump sentiment among New York lawmakers. 

Top Crypto Casino in Saudi Arabia – BitStarz Ranked #1Kim told the New York Post: “They’re saying, ‘If Bally’s wins, Trump benefits.’ That’s crazy.”

Kim says the project will benefit the Bronx as it will bring $600 million in community benefits and jobs. 

The company has also allowed residents to invest in up to 10% of the casino. Additionally, it has committed to allocating at least 1% of its gross revenue to local programs.

Without the Council’s approval, the project cannot move forward, and the city would lose that money.

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Bally’s frustrations come soon after the New York Assembly approved the $8 billion casino project plan by Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International.

Meanwhile, a rival bid by Caesars Entertainment for a Times Square Casino has gathered support from union and entertainment industry representatives. However, some point out that a Manhattan casino could be a difficult plan to realize.

Many local leaders and civil organizations have opposed various proposals in the heart of the city. That led a few casino hopefuls to drop out of the race. Most recently, Wynn Resorts ended its pursuit of a $12 billion casino project in the Hudson Yards neighborhood.

Earlier this year, plans for a casino above Saks Fifth Avenue were shelved. A plan for a casino near Madison Square Garden and Penn Station was also axed. Outside Manhattan, a surprise dropout was also Sands Las Vegas, which planned a Long Island casino.

The exits still leave several active applicants. Two are considered frontrunners: MGM Resorts International’s Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World New York in Queens. Both are existing racinos that could easily convert to full-scale casinos.

Other proposals include Thor Equities’ bid for Coney Island. There is also the Soloviev Group and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment’s Freedom Plaza project, situated adjacent to the United Nations headquarters.

Chavdar Vasilev
Chavdar Vasilev

Chavdar Vasilev is a gambling news writer with several years of experience in the iGaming industry. He started creating promotional content but soon found he loved reporting on the industry itself. Since...