Adams Revives Bally's Casino Bid by Vetoing Council's Vote to Block It

New York Times

5 days ago

Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday gave new life to a gambling company's bid to build a casino in the Bronx, overriding the City Council's rejection of a zoning change critical to the $4 billion project.
His move may help President Trump: If the company, Bally's, were to win approval, it would pay $115 million to the Trump Organization, the former operator of the site. Mr. Adams, however, cited a different objective, saying in a statement that by vetoing the Council's rejection of Bally's land-use application, he was creating an even playing field for all the contenders seeking casino licenses in the New York City area.
The City Council now has 10 days to override the mayor's veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
Mara Davis, a City Council spokeswoman, said in a statement that 'the mayor's words have no credibility' and that 'the Council will consider its next steps on this land-use application.'
The Council, following a tradition of abiding by local members' wishes on land-use matters, voted overwhelmingly against the necessary zoning change earlier this month. Kristy Marmorato, the Republican city councilwoman whose district includes the proposed Bronx site, has described the plan as a 'predatory development,' though the bid has won support from other Bronx elected officials. She had no immediate comment on Wednesday.
By the end of this year, New York State is poised to award up to three full-scale casino licenses in New York City and its environs, and the competition is fierce. There are bids to put casinos on Manhattan's West Side and East Side, as well as a Jay-Z-backed proposal for Times Square; there is a Queens proposal from the New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen, another bid for Coney Island, and bids from two existing slot-machine venues at racetracks in Queens and Yonkers.
Mr. Adams, the former chair of the State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, is an ardent supporter of bringing gambling to New York City.
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