Bally’s Bronx Casino Bid Has Deep Adams, Trump Ties
Posted on: September 26, 2025, 08:49h.
Last updated on: September 26, 2025, 08:49h.
- Developer Steve Witkoff has White House ties and is a Bally’s consultant
- He suggest Mayor Adams consider becoming a US ambassador
- The mayor’s campaign chair also has a role at Bally’s
Bally’s quest to bring a casino to the Bronx reaches to Gracie Mansion and the White House.
A member of Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign team as well as a high-level member of the Trump Administration are believed to have taken part in talks to potentially bring the mayor on as US ambassador to Saudi Arabia as part of a plan to thin the New York City mayoral field in hopes of preventing a victory by frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (D).
Politico reports developer Steve Witkoff brokered the ambassadorship talks in which Adams adviser and reelection Chairman Frank Carone took place. Witkoff’s financial disclosures indicate he’s a Bally’s consultant. The regional casino operator reportedly hired Carone in 2023. He now runs Oaktree Solutions — a lobbying outfit that worked with multiple companies that pursued downstate casino licenses.
Bally’s political investments have paid off to some extent. In July, the New York City Council voted 29-9 to reject a land-use application essential to the gaming company’s effort to possibly redevelop Ferry Point for commercial use. Adams saved the bid by vetoing the council’s vote.
Bally’s Bronx Casino Site Long Controversial
The Bronx site on which Bally’s is proposing a gaming venue was previously known as Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point with that course operated by the Trump Organization. In 2021, then Mayor Bill de Blasio — a Democrat — attempted to scrap the city’s agreement with the company due to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol. A court later ruled against the de Blasio.
In late 2023, Bally’s paid Trump’s company $60 million for the remainder of its lease term. That agreement features calling for the gaming to pay the Trump Organization another $115 million if it wins one of the three New York City-area casino licenses up for grabs. While the golf course now bears the Bally’s name, there’s belief in some circles that the bid is ill-fated due to the site’s Trump ties — a situation compounded by the possibility of the $115 million payment.
Adams has consistently said he doesn’t have preferences in the casino competition with his office telling Politico opinions to the contrary are inaccurate and amount to conspiracy theories. Conversely, some New York political observers argue Adams’ vetoing of the city council vote and a former staffer working for Bally’s are bad looks.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that the White House dangled a job in front of Adams to compel to drop out of the mayoral race. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa said he’s been offered money from wealthy people to get out, too. Prevailing wisdom indicates the president would like to see both candidates abandon their bids in hopes of vaulting former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ahead of Mamdani.
Fate of Bally’s Bronx Casino Will Soon Be Known
The New York City casino race is taking shape. On Thursday, community advisory committees (CACs) in Queens and Yonkers voted to advance proposals by Resorts World New York and MGM Resorts International — widely believed to be two of the leaders for the three permits.
More clarity will emerge on Tuesday, Sept. 30 when CACs in the Bronx and Queens vote on the Bally’s project and Metropolitan Park, which is being pitched by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International. Metropolitan Park is widely viewed as ahead of Bally’s in the competition.
It’s possible for both Bally’s and Metropolitan Park to be approved by the respective CACs because the committees are making recommendations to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), which has the final say on what companies get the permits.
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