Hole-in-one or illegal “penalty” shot, a looming scandal in which the Trump Organisation is set to make millions of dollars may soon engulf New York City’s casino deal of the century.
The Trump Organisation, Inc., U.S. President Donald Trump’s privately-owned holding company for around 250 Trump business ventures and investments, is set to make millions of dollars from Bally’s Bronx casino-resort bid, which has just been given approval to proceed to the final licensing stage.
Bally’s won the vote by a so-called Community Advisory Committee (CAC), 5-1, yesterday (September 29) to go forward with its US$4 billion (£2.97bn) proposal to build a 500,000-square-foot casino, 500-room hotel, event center and retail space alongside its Golf Links course at Ferry Point.
The Rhode Island-based casino-resort heavy-hitter acquired the golf course from the Trump Organisation in 2023, and under the terms of the lease the president’s holding company will receive at least US$115 million (£85.52m) in a bonus payment if the casino project is given the final go-ahead by state licensing officials this December.
Controversy
The Bally’s casino-resort proposal is one of three bids that have been approved by their respective New York borough CACs.
A fourth and final proposal, out of 10 original licence bids, by New York Mets owner Steven Cohen and Hard Rock International to develop a US$8 billion (£6bn) casino at Citi Field goes before its CAC today.
The proposal is expected to clear the committee.
But Bally’s ongoing bid for one of three casino licences on offer has already become mired in controversy.
Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, who was the lone dissenting voice in the Bally’s CAC vote, said through her proxy: “The residents most directly affected don’t want this casino.”
And she argued that if the casino went ahead valuable green space in the borough would be lost.
Corruption
Another potentially controversial aspect of the Bronx bid was the involvement of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has been plagued by allegations of corruption, and who recently sought the support of Donald Trump for his now-abandoned mayoral re-election campaign.
The other five Bronx CAC Representatives–appointed by New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto–all voted “aye” on the Bally’s proposal.
“The potential for this project is significant,” affirmed Gibson’s surrogate, while Fernandez’s proxy added: “We can build an economic engine that puts the Bronx in control of its own future.”
Bally’s welcomed the decision.
Final Approval
“This project is about jobs, opportunity, and investment — a win for the Bronx that will deliver thousands of good-paying union jobs and lasting benefits for the community,” they said in a statement.
“Bally’s is betting on the Bronx, and we look forward to working with our neighbors (sic) every step of the way as we move on to the state selection process.”
Bally’s Bronx bid joins MGM’s US$2.3 billion (£1.82bn) proposal to expand its Yonkers Empire City Casino and Resorts World’s US$5.5 billion (£4.35bn) plan to enlarge its existing casino in Queens in the final approval stage, scheduled for this December 1.
We await the Cohen/Hard Rock decision later today.
