New York City Council Democrats Won’t Override Mayor’s Support of Bally’s Bronx

A vote on a potential override of Mayor Eric Adams' veto, which permitted the Bally's Bronx request to proceed, is not anticipated by the Democratic-controlled New York City Council.

Adams rejected a 29-9 City Council resolution last Wednesday that prohibited the rezoning of a portion of the city-owned Ferry Point Park for commercial use.  Since purchasing the operations from The Trump Organization in 2023 for an estimated $60 million, Bally's Corp. has been in charge of managing the city-owned Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point.

The Republican NYC Councilor Kristy Marmorato, whose 13th District encompasses the Bronx, was supported by the councilors who voted on Bally's land-use application. Marmorato has been adamantly opposed to permitting the construction of a Las Vegas-style casino on the public parkland.  In response to arguments that the Bronx should receive the same complete attention for such an economic opportunity as other targeted boroughs, Adams vetoed the council's vote.

Adams' veto can be overridden by the City Council with 34 votes, or a two-thirds majority.  According to "multiple sources familiar with the matter," the Democrats, who have 45 of the council's 51 seats, will not attempt an override, according to the New York Daily News.

Given that many councilors are on vacation, insiders believe it would be challenging for Democratic leaders to secure the necessary votes.  There are also proponents and opponents of the Bally's Bronx idea on both ends of the political spectrum.

Adams' Criticism

It is unlikely that the mayor will be elected to a second and final four-year term.  In the midst of numerous scandals and controversies, including a federal prosecution that has since been dropped on charges that he accepted bribes from Turkey, the once-popular Democrat has turned independent.

Adams' tenure in the Gracie Mansion is expected to expire on January 1, 2026, according to the 2025 NYC mayoral odds.  Some have questioned his decision to revive the Bally's Bronx bid after the City Council rejected the land-use application, thereby ending the $4 billion project.

There are rumors that Adams is trying to gain favor with President Donald Trump's administration in order to get appointed in the upcoming year.  As a condition of selling the Ferry Point Golf Links, Bally's Bronx would pay The Trump Organization $115 million if it were to obtain one of the three downstate New York casino licenses.

Additionally, there are rumors that Adams is giving back to two of his longstanding advisors and allies: Frank Carone, the mayor's former chief of staff and campaign chair, and attorney Vito Pitta.  The Bally's NYC bid is being worked on by Pitts and Carone.

Speaker of the Council Attacks Adams

The leadership of the New York City Council has not verified the rumors that they will not ask for a vote to overturn Adams' veto.  However, in response to the mayor's actions, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) released a statement.

"If the mayor wants to do the casino applicant’s work for them and carry their water with all his conflicts of interest, that’s his decision,” a spokesperson for the speaker told the New York Daily News.

There are eight offers for the three open casino concessions, including Bally's Bronx.  The Avenir (Rush Street Gaming, Greenwood Gaming), The Coney (Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings), Resorts World New York City (Genting), Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park (Hard Rock International), Caesars Palace Times Square (Caesars Entertainment), and Empire City Casino (MGM Resorts) are the other locations.

The winners should be announced by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board by December 1.  A two-thirds majority vote from each project's Community Advisory Committee is required before the application is presented to the state board.