Bally’s Plans Bronx Casino on Trump Golf Course: Controversy and Opportunity

New York City authorities are once again under the spotlight after the Bronx City Council delayed voting on Bally’s ambitious proposal. The company plans to transform Donald Trump’s former golf course into a large-scale casino complex featuring a hotel, retail zones, and entertainment facilities.

The proposed casino would occupy a 46,000-square-meter site and include a 500-room hotel, several restaurants, retail stores, and extensive parking. However, the scale is not what sparked the criticism—it's the financial arrangement between Bally’s and Trump Organization. Bally’s has agreed to pay up to $115 million if the project secures a gaming license, a condition that has caused tension among lawmakers and local residents.

Opponents argue that such an arrangement may represent a conflict of interest and could compromise the licensing process’s integrity. They describe Bally’s offer as a “pay-for-play” scheme, especially concerning given Trump’s potential return to politics. Community activists and council members have also expressed concerns that a casino could lead to increased crime, strain local infrastructure, and lower living standards in the area.

Supporters, on the other hand, emphasize the project’s economic potential. Preliminary estimates suggest that construction and operations could create up to 2,500 jobs and generate millions in tax revenue. Bally’s representatives insist the project will remain transparent and fully comply with all New York State Gaming Commission requirements.

The project has also caught the attention of other potential investors. With only three casino licenses left unclaimed in the state, competition is intensifying. Bally’s continues to campaign actively, attending public hearings and working to secure both political and community support.

The next city council session on the proposal is scheduled for June 11. The decision could shape the project’s future and prompt a broader re-evaluation of the Trump Organization’s involvement in public-private ventures.

Regardless of the outcome, the Bally’s Bronx project has already become a symbol of the intersection between business, politics, and public interest in a city where every move is closely scrutinized.