The New York City Council has rejected a zoning change Bally’s needed for its project
The race for a downstate New York casino license appears to have narrowed once again, with Bally’s Corporation facing what many consider a serious, if not fatal, setback in its bid for a $4 billion casino project in the Bronx.
On Monday, the New York City Council voted 29-9 against the land-use changes needed for Bally’s proposal to move forward. The vote, led by Republican Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, effectively blocks the project and signals a major roadblock that the company may not be able to overcome. Marmorato said the process had been flawed from the start and claimed Bally’s came in “too late” with “promises too vague” to regain the trust of the local community.
Bally’s Chairman and CEO Soo Kim called the outcome “incredibly disappointing” and expressed frustration, claiming the company had met the council member’s requests. He described the situation as “sort of nutty,” pointing to the difficulty of navigating local politics despite efforts to address concerns.
The setback aligns Bally’s with other high-profile companies that have recently exited the competition for one of three available casino licenses in downstate New York. Both Las Vegas Sands and Saks Fifth Avenue dropped their bids in April, citing shifting priorities and regulatory uncertainty, including the potential introduction of online casinos.
Marmorato remained firm in her opposition, stating that the proposed casino wasn’t aligned with her district’s needs. Her office called the project “a predatory development,” emphasizing that the community deserves better economic opportunities than a casino. She said she was proud to follow through on a promise to reject the project, even in the face of pressure and last-minute offers from Bally’s.
With Bally’s likely out, only seven bidders remain in contention for the coveted licenses. The shrinking field reflects the challenges facing companies attempting to build large-scale gaming projects in New York’s politically complex and heavily scrutinized landscape.
