New York City Council Democrats are expected to allow Mayor Eric Adams' veto to stand on a key measure related to Bally's proposed casino at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx, according to multiple sources familiar with internal deliberations. The veto, issued last week, reversed the Council's prior rejection of a land use permit, which Bally needs to remain eligible for a state gaming license.
Key Takeaways
- New York City Council Democrats are unlikely to override Mayor Adams' veto that revived Bally's Bronx casino bid.
- Council leaders cited limited time, lack of support, and state-level control over casino licenses as reasons to stand down.
- Coney Island's casino project also advanced with its first public advisory committee meeting.
Council Democrats, during a recent closed-door meeting, concluded that there is not enough time or political support to override the veto. According to the sources, internal discussions acknowledged the logistical and procedural challenges of organizing a veto override before early next week, the legal deadline for acting on mayoral land use vetoes.
Mayor Adams defended his veto because Bally's should stay in contention while the state weighs applicants for three downstate casino licenses. His position has faced criticism due to connections between the casino operator and two of his close political advisers who have worked with Bally's.
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams hasn't commented on the behind-closed-doors negotiations. Still, Speaker Adams' spokesman Benjamin Fang-Estrada criticized the mayor's intervention, saying any lobbying for casino bidders was his decision.
Though the Council publicly decried the veto, insiders noted there was no political will at the moment to engage in a high-stakes override fight, given the state's ultimate power to grant the casino licenses.
Timing was also an issue, with most Council members being away for the summer.
Coney Island casino plan moves ahead with public input
As the Bronx casino bid remains politically charged, another New York City casino project progressed last week. On July 30, the developers of a proposed Coney Island casino held their first Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting, offering a public glimpse at their vision for the site.
Led by a consortium including the Chickasaw Nation's Global Gaming Solutions, Legends Hospitality, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and Thor Equities, the development team pitched their proposal as a revitalization project. Their presentation included a promotional video linking the project to Coney Island's history as the "people's playground" and featuring the tagline, "It Just Makes Sense."
The casino, planned for Surf and Stillwell Avenues, would form the centerpiece of a broader entertainment resort. Developers stated the gaming facility would take up about 25% of the total development area. The rest would be public areas and facilities designed for year-round visitors and the local population.
However, the committee members were dubious about the actual effect on locals and wondered whether the prospective gainers would actually see any benefits. The CAC's comments will be a factor in whether the project overcomes an area obstacle and gets a place at the table with the state in the competitive New York casino license game.
