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NYC Council backs proposal for Bronx casino — state legislators likely to approve
By
Paige Oamek
and
Jon Campbell
Published Jun 11, 2025
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Trump Ferry Point / Facebook
By
Paige Oamek
and
Jon Campbell
Published Jun 11, 2025
Share
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New York City’s push for a Bronx casino cleared a key hurdle Wednesday and appears headed for approval in Albany, multiple sources tell Gothamist.
But the casino still has to win a coveted license from the state gaming commission.
The competition to build a casino in the city has been fierce and has sparked a number of local disputes about where they should be sited. The state is expected to award three downstate casino licenses by the end of this year and Bally’s is one of at least 11 groups competing for the licenses.
The golf course has met resistance from neighbors and local leaders but much of the Council supported the measure and worked with the mayor’s office for smooth passage of the “home rule message” Wednesday.
City Councilmember Kristy Marmorato, who represents the district, voted against the measure and attacked the mayor and her City Council colleagues for pushing it through over her objections.
“Our community will not be steamrolled by special interests, and I will not stop until this harmful proposal is defeated for good,” said Marmorato in a statement following the Council vote.
NY1 reported in April that Marmorato’s brother is working for a competing casino company. She has said the Bronx shouldn’t be a place for gamblers to gravitate, but supporters of a Bronx casino say it will be an economic boon.
Though the site is now home to a city-owned golf course, Bally paid Donald Trump’s company $60 million to acquire the lease. If the casino bid is approved, it would pay another $115 million.
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams supports the measure and said Wednesday she was willing to “set Donald Trump aside” and move “towards economic equity in the district.”
Both the Senate and Assembly are prepared to approve the measure before the end of the legislative session in the coming days, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter.
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Paige Oamek
Paige Oamek is a reporter on Gothamist & WNYC's day-of general assignment desk.
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Jon Campbell
Jon Campbell covers the New York State Capitol for WNYC and Gothamist. Prior to that, he covered the Capitol for more than a decade for the USA TODAY Network. He has twice earned the Walter T. Brown Memorial Award, an honor given annually by the Legislative Correspondents Association alumni for outstanding state government coverage. Jon grew up in the Buffalo area and graduated from the University at Albany. Got a tip? Email Jon at [email protected] or Signal at JonCampbellNY.90.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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