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By: Benyamin Davidsons
Bally’s, the gaming giant, is eying a casino for The Bronx.
As reported by the NY Post, Bally’s Corporation is gearing up to propose a new casino near the Trump Organization’s public golf course at Ferry Point. Sources familiar with the plans told the Post, that Bally’s officials have been discussing with Trump Org, the option of taking on 17 of the 300 acres on the site. Bally’s would want to operate the site as a casino, and would need to place a bid for one of three coveted licenses for full-fledged casinos approved for downstate New York.
The land at the Bronx site is currently owned by the city, and Trump Org has a 20-year contract with the Parks Department to operate it as a golf course. Trump Org, which previously operated casinos in Atlantic City, is now being led by former President Donald Trump’s two sons– Donald Jr. and Eric Trump.
Bally’s plan would use ten acres at the site for a casino, and take on an extra seven acres for green space or other uses such as housing for staffers, as per the Post sources. The sources added, that in the long run Bally’s would be keen to take over the entire land from Trump Org. The 17-acre casino project could potentially create over 15,000 construction jobs and more than 3,500 permanent, high-paying union jobs with salaries starting at $70,000, the sources said.
On Sunday, in a statement to the Post, Bally’s confirmed plans to propose a casino near the course at the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, land which was once a garbage dump. “We are incredibly excited at the prospect of bringing Bally’s community centered approach to gaming and entertainment to The Bronx. At Bally’s, we start with the proposition that the leaders in the community know what is best for their community,” a spokesperson said. “With that guiding principle in mind, we have been engaged in an ongoing series of conversations with local elected officials, community groups and key civic leaders to hear directly from them about what they would like to see from a potential new project,” the statement said. “Our vision, which includes transforming a former waste disposal site and a high-end golf course into a world class entertainment destination, with a focus on workforce housing and new and improved public green space at the center of the project.” Bally’s vowed that Bronx small businesses and residents would have an opportunity to “share in the economic prosperity and access to amenities” provided by the casino “for generations to come.”
“We couldn’t be more grateful at the prospect of writing the next chapter of Bally’s storied history in the Bronx,” the spokesperson said.
The Trump Org made no immediate comment.
Per the Post, the plan is the only one to offer a casino for the Bronx borough. Bronx Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez, said she likes the idea. “It’s really great for The Bronx,” Velazquez said Sunday, excited that the plan could add jobs to the neighborhood. “It’s an opportunity to reimagine what is possible at the site. I’m very proud to have The Bronx part of the conversation.”
Other bid proposals for the new casino include: Related Companies partnership with Wynn Resorts for a casino in Hudson Yards; SL Green developer in partnership with Caesars Entertainment hoping to bring a casino to Times Square; Mets owner Steve Cohen’s plan to add a casino near Citi Field in Willets Point, Queens; and a gaming facility in Coney Island envisioned by a group of partners including Legends, which is co-owned by the Yankees organization. The existing racinos, at Aqueduct race track in Ozone Park, Queens and Yonkers race track, are also expected to submit bids to expand into full-service casinos.
