Bally’s Plans for New York Casino May Be Put on Ice

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 17, 2023

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The Bally’s Corporation is eyeing the development of a casino resort at the Ferry Point Golf Links in the Bronx. However, recent election results may pose challenges to this plan.

Bally’s, headquartered in Rhode Island, is banking on securing one of the anticipated three downstate casino licenses to be granted by New York officials in the coming year. The proposed location for the integrated resort is the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point.

In a surprising turn of events, Kristy Marmorato, 45, achieved a historic victory by becoming the first Republican in four decades to secure a New York City Council seat representing the Bronx. Marmorato’s win involved unseating the incumbent, Marjorie Velasquez, in District 13.

The two political figures hold contrasting views on the prospect of a casino in the Bronx. While Velasquez supports Bally’s proposal, Marmorato stands in opposition to the initiative.

Prior to the November 7 election, Marmorato voiced her opposition to the casino, citing the Bronx’s elevated asthma rates and foreseeing potential environmental challenges.

Upon assuming office in January, Marmorato will join the ranks of the New York City Council as the seventh Republican among its 51 members.

The Ferry Links Golf Course, situated on a former landfill, remained vacant for decades after being transferred to the New York City Parks Department for redevelopment in the mid-1960s.

In 2000, under Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration, a plan emerged to construct a golf course on the 220-acre site, with golf legend Jack Nicklaus enlisted to design the 18-hole course.

However, the project faced significant delays, largely due to environmental concerns such as methane gas emanating from the old landfill.

Over the subsequent decade, the city invested millions in cleanup efforts to prepare the site for redevelopment. Construction finally commenced in 2011, bringing Nicklaus’ design to life.

During this period, the Trump Organization secured a lease from New York to operate the course, coupled with an agreement to construct a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse and events facility.

The Ferry Links golf course, managed by the Trump Organization, opened its doors in 2015. Earlier this year, Bally’s acquired the lease for an impressive $60 million, a move unexpected by the Trump Organization, according to Executive Vice President Eric Trump.

Despite their initial lack of intention to sell the management rights, Bally’s presented an offer too lucrative to decline.

As Bally’s embarks on plans for a casino resort at the Ferry Links site, it faces challenges garnering support. The New York Gaming Facility Location Board holds the authority to grant the highly sought-after downstate licenses, with MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World New York City in Queens considered strong contenders.

The competition for the third and final gaming license is expected to be fierce, with seven to ten bids vying for approval. Critical to the success of a casino bid is the support of the relevant Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

In the case of Bally’s, the Bronx’s CAC comprises key figures such as New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D), NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D), State Senator Nathalia Fernandez (D-District 34), Assemblyman Kenny Burgos (D-District 85) and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. The sixth seat is held by the city councilmember, a position that, from January 1 onward, will be occupied by Republican Marmorato.