NYC Mayor overturns City Council's verdict, enabling Bally's Bronx casino proposal to progress uninterrupted
Mayor Eric Adams Overturns City Council's Veto on Bally's Bronx Casino Project
In a significant turn of events, Mayor Eric Adams' veto on July 30, 2025, has breathed new life into the Bally's casino project in the Bronx, New York City. The veto has overturned the City Council's rejection of the zoning changes necessary for the $4 billion casino and hospitality complex, potentially paving the way for the project to move forward.
The initial rejection by the City Council, which potentially threatened to kill the project, was due to a practice known as member deference. This practice allows the entire council to defer to the local member on local land use matters. In this case, the local councilwoman, Kristy Marmorato, has been fiercely opposed to the Bally's project.
However, Adams' veto has signalled strong city executive support for the Bally's Bronx casino development. The veto stands, as the City Council appears unlikely to override it, meaning the zoning and land use approvals remain in place for the project.
The Bally's casino project, which is currently being pursued by the casino company Bally's, is still in the process of seeking a state license. The overall licensing and approval process is ongoing, with critical decisions forthcoming by the end of 2025. The Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to recommend licensees by December 2025, and the final Gaming Commission approvals are expected by year-end.
The decision was reported by Spectrum News NY1 and Courtney Gross. The Bally's casino is located in the Bronx, and the zoning change rejected by the City Council was crucial for the casino company to proceed with the project. The veto enables the casino company to pursue a gaming license and move the project forward.
In his statement on Wednesday, Mayor Adams stated that he was trying to even the playing field for Bally's. He aimed at allowing the casino company to compete for a state license, and the veto was made in relation to the Bally's casino project.
This development marks a significant step for the Bally's casino project, which has faced local opposition but now has the backing of the city executive. The project's future will be determined by the state's licensing process, with critical decisions forthcoming in the coming months.
The veto by Mayor Eric Adams has provided a pathway for the Bally's casino project to progress, as the zoning changes essential for the casino's development are now in place. The Bally's casino, being the focus of the project, intends to continue its pursuit of a gaming license, leveraging the city's executive support as it moves forward with casino games within the casino-and-gambling complex.
