Bally’s Boss Soo Kim Levies Accusations That NYC Bid is Being Shunned Because of Trump
Posted on: May 29, 2025, 08:00h.
Last updated on: May 29, 2025, 09:23h.
- Bally’s wants to build a casino resort in the Bronx
- Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim says The Trump Organization’s possible benefit from the casino is lengthening its odds
- Bally’s needs NYC officials to allow a casino development at the Ferry Point Park
Bally’s Corp. Chairman Soo Kim believes his company’s bid for a downstate New York casino license is being discriminated against because of President Donald Trump’s loose involvement.
In 2023, Bally’s acquired the golf course lease at Ferry Point Park from The Trump Organization in a private deal reportedly worth $60 million. The transaction additionally included a condition that guarantees The Trump Organization an additional $115 million should Bally’s gain the right to build and open a casino resort on the land owned by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Bally’s manages the 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course in the Bronx’s Throggs Neck neighborhood as the Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. When Trump ran the course, it was called the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.
Bally’s has presented plans for a multibillion-dollar destination with a 500K-square-foot casino featuring 5,100 slots and table game positions, plus a 500-room hotel, on a portion of the Ferry Point Park grounds. The golf course wouldn’t be impacted by the project, which would additionally include a 2,000-seat event center, a full-service spa, and parking structures with capacity for nearly 4,700 vehicles.
Kim Blasts City Officials
This week, New York state lawmakers passed legislation to rezone parkland in Queens that clears the way for billionaire Steve Cohen to move forward his casino bid at his Citi Field MLB ballpark. Kim hasn’t yet been so fortunate to receive government approval to allow his casino vision to come into focus.
Before Kim and Bally’s can bid for one of the three downstate New York gaming concessions that come with slot machines, live-dealer table games, and sports betting entitlements, city officials must agree to allow a portion of the city-owned Ferry Point Park to be used for such an enterprise.
On Wednesday, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens), one of 45 Democrats on the 51-member lawmaking body, obstructed a vote on the Bally’s Bronx casino appeal. Kim told the New York Post that Adams’ actions are only the latest in a string of events supposedly showing the council’s bias against the project simply because The Trump Organization stands to benefit should it be awarded a gaming concession.
They’re saying, ‘If Bally’s win, Trump benefits.’ That’s crazy,” Kim said. “If we don’t get a vote in the City Council, we can’t advance our bid.”
Kim and Bally’s paid $60 million to acquire the golf course operation to provide the company with an avenue to bid for a NYC casino license. Bally’s certainly didn’t pay the $60 million simply to run a golf course on the city’s behalf.
City officials rejected the notion that they’re working to block the Bally’s project.
We’re still working on home rule messages for state legislation,” said council spokesperson Mandela Jones. “The process hasn’t been completed for this legislative session.”
NYC councilors receive an annual salary of $148,500. As council speaker, Adams is paid more at $164,500. State lawmakers in Albany are paid $142K per year.
Clock Ticking
The New York City Council’s 2025 legislative session runs through September, but the New York Gaming Facility Location Board has set a June 28 deadline for bids to be submitted.
In January, the Bally’s Bronx casino fielded a favorable environmental impact assessment from the New York City Office of the Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce.
“The Proposed Actions would not result in an immediate or long-term loss of environmental resources, since the Proposed Development would not negatively affect any nearby natural resources, and the Development Site has been previously developed as a municipal solid waste landfill before the landfill was closed and redeveloped as a Golf Course with supportive uses,” the review found.
Last Comments ( 2 )
The plan includes a 500-room hotel tower? That's interesting because the Bally's Chicago flagship destination casino project also includes a 500-room hotel tower! With a multi-billion price tag, Bally's might want to first check with Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI) to confirm GLPI's prior concurrence. Champagne dreams on a beer budget. Save reviewing every recent Tripadvisor review of Bally's Atlantic City for another day. You'll only see why after you take a very quick look.
No doubt his claims have some basis. NY is as corrupt as any third world nation, if not worse. How much has ballys spent on lobbyists, lawyers, campaign contributions and any other form of payment? Also, I would,bet that Ballys has been asked to contract with certain entities, asked by the governing bodies for sure and they said no and now their “bid” will be rejected. The Hard Rock guys no you have to comply with every request from the lobbyists, powers to be and the power players. If you don’t do as they say, you will end up like ballys and the sands. All just my opinion of course