A key round of decisions in New York’s competitive downstate casino race produced sharply different outcomes on Monday, September 29. While Bally’s proposal for a $4 billion resort in the Bronx secured near-unanimous backing from its community advisory committee, a rival bid to transform Coney Island into a year-round gaming destination collapsed after a decisive rejection.
Bronx Project Clears a Critical Hurdle
Bally’s Corporation gained momentum with overwhelming support from its six-member community advisory committee. Representatives appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, and Assemblymember Michael Benedetto all voted in favor. The sole dissenting voice came from Councilmember Kristy Marmorato’s appointee, Danielle Volpe, who has consistently warned that the casino would bring crime, traffic, and disruption to the neighborhood.
The Bronx plan envisions a 500,000-square-foot casino complex built on the site of Bally’s Golf Links, just off the Whitestone Bridge in Throggs Neck. The project would feature a 500-room hotel, a 2,000-seat event venue, and parking for nearly 5,000 cars. The Trump Organization, which once owned the golf course, could receive $115 million if Bally’s secures one of the three licenses available.
Committee chair Lisa Sorin, representing Borough President Gibson, highlighted the long-term promise: “The question is whether the collective benefits for the Bronx — jobs, revenue, investment, and long-term economic mobility — outweigh the localized burdens, and whether those burdens can be mitigated credibly, forcibly, and transparently.” Sorin concluded that the benefits would prevail, casting her vote in favor.
The Bronx proposal now competes with previously advanced bids from MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens, with a final decision expected by the end of the year.
Coney Island Plan Fails to Gain Support
In contrast, Coney Island’s much-debated $3.4 billion project was struck down in a 4-2 vote by its community advisory committee. Appointees from Adams and Hochul supported the bid, but other committee members — including Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Councilmember Justin Brannan, and Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny’s appointee Marissa Solomon — opposed it. Solomon, voicing her longstanding concerns, stated: “Coney Island really makes up part of the soul of New York and especially for the working people of this city, it’s an irreplaceable treasure.”
The plan from developer Thor Equities would have stretched across 1.4 million square feet along the boardwalk, with a casino, 500-room hotel, convention center, retail, restaurants, and a performance venue. Proponents promised 4,000 construction jobs, 4,500 permanent jobs, and $1.8 billion in annual gross gaming revenue. They also pledged $200 million in community funding and tens of millions for emergency services and infrastructure. Supporters argued the casino would help counter local unemployment rates and draw visitors year-round, instead of just during summer months.
Yet opposition dominated public hearings and community engagement. Critics feared higher rents, heavier traffic, and unfulfilled promises from developers. Solomon emphasized that of 938 written comments received, only 17 supported the project. “I hope that we continue to recognize what a unique and valuable place that Coney Island is … and make sure Coney Island remains the people’s playground,” she said.
The Bronx project has also faced vocal criticism from residents concerned about losing green space at Ferry Point Park, where much of the development would be situated. “Ferry Point Park is one of the few green spaces in The Bronx. Replacing it with a casino threatens the environment and takes away recreational space we all need,” said Co-op City resident Al Quattlebaum during an August meeting, according to The City.
To win local backing, Bally’s has pledged $625 million in community benefits, including $100 million for parks, $75 million for infrastructure, and $10 million for a new police substation. They also intervened to save a Catholic school once attended by Jennifer Lopez. Soo Kim, chair of Bally’s Corporation, described the advisory committee’s approval as an encouraging milestone: “The affirmative vote is a signal that we have been able to address many of those concerns and now we look forward to the next steps of state selection.”
By contrast, Coney Island opponents celebrated the outcome as a defense of their neighborhood. Longtime resident Kouichi Shirayanagi argued the project was inappropriate for a community already facing poverty and housing challenges: “I don’t want gambling to be a normalized activity to the kids who are growing up in a place like this.” Others, however, lamented what they called a “missed opportunity” to revitalize the district with new investment.
With The Coney rejected, and three Manhattan bids already dismissed earlier in the process, the race now centers on the Bronx, Yonkers and Queens. A final advisory committee vote for a proposal near Citi Field is still pending, after which the state will make its selections.
