Bally’s Corporation aims to establish a casino at a city-owned golf course in the Bronx, previously managed by Donald Trump’s company. This ambitious project is part of Bally’s strategy to secure one of the three available gaming licenses in New York City. The proposal not only comes with a hefty financial price tag for Trump personally, but requires some legislative maneuvering from the state.
In 2023, Bally’s paid Trump $60 million for the rights to operate the public 18-hole golf course on the Bronx shoreline. If Bally’s is successful in winning a gaming license, the company has already agreed to pay Trump $115 million more. This payment is sometimes referred to by the parties as a “gaming event fee.” It’s nonrefundable, underscoring the enormous financial stakes associated with this risky project.
The project faces hurdles. Yet it requires the support of the New York State Legislature in order to pass a home rule bill that permits construction of the casino on public parkland. This legislative approval is a key ingredient for Bally’s plans to make a leap. The race for gaming licenses is getting very competitive. But Bally’s is facing stiff competition from other eager operators who want a piece of the lucrative New York City market.
Bally’s, meanwhile, has been completely unresponsive to questions about their project or what a Bally’s presence would mean for a proposed casino. The Department’s silence leaves us wondering if the company in question is truly prepared to meet the challenges of maneuvering through legislative mandates and community acceptance.
The context of this proposal is important, especially given the frequent and deep personal connections between Trump and the golf course. Trump’s company previously operated the site, and his involvement adds an additional layer of scrutiny to Bally’s plans. As the debate over the regulation of gambling in New York continues to simmer, players on all sides are watching how this new initiative plays out.
Lawmakers will want to focus on a few important things as they weigh Bally’s request. They will look at the community impact, revenue generation potential, and environmental concerns associated with developing public parkland. Not just for this one, but for the dozens of other gaming operations that might want to open shop within city limits.
