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Bally’s plan to turn the Ferry Point golf course into a $4 billion casino resort just got a “yes” from its local Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
That 5-1 vote means the proposal moves to the next stage in New York’s race for three downstate casino licenses.
“We are grateful to the Community Advisory Committee, our local elected officials, small business leaders, unions, and the many Bronx residents who shared their feedback throughout this process,” Bally’s said in a statement. “The affirmative vote is a clear signal that we’ve been able to address key community concerns and build real momentum together.”
One “no,” five “yes,” and plenty of side-eye
Not everyone is cheering this step forward. Danielle Volpe, repping City Councilmember Kristy Marmorato, wasn’t sold. She flagged the usual worries: more traffic, less green space, and whether Bally’s actually has the cash to pull it off.
The rest of the panel? They’re looking at jobs, tax revenue, and community perks. What this means is that money talks, and $32 million a year in local benefits is a pretty loud voice.
So what’s on the table?
For a spot as huge as this, we can expect that the pitch isn’t small. Bally’s is promising:
- A 500,000-square-foot casino
- A shiny 500-room hotel
- A 2,000-seat event space
- Shops, restaurants, and parking lots big enough to swallow a Yankees game crowd
On top of that, Bally’s is throwing in local hiring, safety support, and some green space upgrades. Basically, the company is saying, “We’ll make it rain; just let us build.”
Trump’s payday in the mix
Bally’s took the Ferry Point golf course from the Trump Organization for $60 million, but that’s just the start. If the Bronx casino wins one of the downstate licenses, Bally’s will owe an extra $115 million to Trump’s company.
That detail alone turns the project into a political chessboard. Regulators and neighbors won’t just be judging Bally’s casino plans. They’ll be watching whether this extra payoff is fair, because Trump’s name is tied to the deal.
When Bally’s rebranded the site, the “Trump Links” signage was removed. They sent a message that the company wanted to move past the old legacy. Still, the financial ties are not gone. The paperwork behind the scenes keeps Trump in the mix whether the name is on the gate or not.
Rivals on the table
Even with that baggage, Bally’s still has another challenge in front.
It’s now running alongside MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World in Queens. Both have long been considered favorites.
Meanwhile, Queens is also high up there. Steve Cohen and Hard Rock are pushing the $8 billion Metropolitan Park bid, which is still waiting for its final CAC vote. Over in Brooklyn, the Coney Island bid was just voted down, taking it out of the race. Just last week, New York rejected the $11B Freedom Plaza casino and resort bid.
So that leaves three neighborhoods still fighting: Bronx, Queens, and Yonkers. While Bally’s now has a head start, there are still no guarantees yet.
What happens next?
Winning the community advisory committee was just the opening round. The real decision rests with the state Gaming Facility Location Board, which will choose who gets the three licenses.
This time the board will look at more than just what the companies are offering; they’ll bring into consideration job creation, economic impact, and whether the local community is really behind the project.
The GFLB will judge with four big criteria:
- Economic impact (70%)
- Local site and neighborhood effects (10%)
- Workforce enhancement (10%)
- Diversity & inclusion plans (10%)
The schedule? The board aims to make recommendations Dec. 1, 2025, and then the State Gaming Commission will issue licenses by Dec. 31, but these dates could shift to early 2026.
