NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- After New York gave the green light to more casinos downstate, Bally’s is eyeing the Bronx for a potential gaming center—at the site of Donald Trump’s golf course.
The entertainment company is in talks with the Trump Organization about using 17 acres at the 200-plus-acre Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, sources told the New York Post on Sunday.
Bally’s confirmed the report, saying in a statement to the Post: “We are incredibly excited at the prospect of bringing Bally’s community centered approach to gaming and entertainment to The Bronx.”
The public golf course in Throggs Neck is run by the Trump Organization under a 20-year concession agreement with the city Parks Department. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio tried to sever that contract for Trump’s “criminal” role in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, but last year a state Supreme Court judge sided with Trump.
According to the report, Bally’s would eventually like to acquire the entire property, but for now it’s looking to use 10 acres for a casino and the other seven for green space that could include worker housing. The company vowed area residents will “share in the economic prosperity and access to amenities” from any potential project.
In its statement, Bally’s said it has 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.”
“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,” the statement continued.
The Trump Organization didn’t immediately return a request for comment from the Post.
Last month, New York State opened bidding for three downstate casinos. Bally’s is said to be the only gaming company considering a casino in the Bronx.
Other potential casino sites that have been proposed by different entities include Hudson Yards, Times Square, Coney Island and Willets Point near Citi Field.
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