Bally's Trump Links La strategia di sviluppo del casinò sta affrontando ostacoli amministrativi
Il tempo non gioca a favore di Bally's mentre cerca di trasformare 17 acri a Trump Golf Links nel Bronx in un casinò hotel.
Bally's, un operatore di casinò del Rhode Island, e la Trump Organization, un'entità aziendale controllata dalla famiglia di Donald Trump, hanno un accordo per cui Trump trasferirà 17 acri di terreno a Bally's. Tuttavia, il Dipartimento dei Parchi della Città di New York sembra prendere tempo per il trasferimento della licenza, mettendo Bally's sotto pressione a causa del processo di 40 giorni.
La finestra di 40 giorni è cruciale poiché le società che fanno offerte per le tre licenze per casinò dell'area di New York City devono presentare le loro proposte ai regolatori statali entro sei settimane. Inoltre, Bally's deve anche considerare i rimanenti 12 anni della licenza della Trump Organization per il terreno di Ferry Point.
Per ottenere un permesso per il gioco d'azzardo a New York, Bally's ha bisogno di un accordo di almeno 70 anni, come riportato dal New York Post. Ad esempio, Las Vegas Sands ha ottenuto l'approvazione per un affitto di 99 anni al Nassau Coliseum di Uniondale.
Sentimento anti-Trump
Despite Trump's history of high-end real estate development in New York City, he faces criticism from local and state politicians and some voters. In January 2021, former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio attempted to terminate the city's contract with Trump Golf Links due to Trump's alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, incident at the US Capitol Building.
However, the court ruled in favor of the Trump Organization, allowing the golf course to continue operating. Regarding Bally's Bronx casino plans, there doesn't appear to be any anti-Trump sentiment at play. Instead, it appears to be a bureaucratic issue and the Parks Department's lack of experience in dealing with 70-year lease arrangements.
Sfide per Bally's
Bally's is facing another challenge as the land they intend to use is currently labeled for non-park purposes. This requires a change in legislation, which may be challenging to obtain in the New York Legislature. For instance, New York State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D- Queens) recently announced she will not propose a bill to change the land designation near Citi Field, as New York Mets owner Steven Cohen wants to use it for a casino hotel.
The legislature is set to adjourn on June 8, leaving Bally's with a limited timeframe to gather political support for a change in the Ferry Point land designation.
Strategia di Bally's
Bally's has a few potential strategies to gain favor in Democrat-controlled New York. For instance, they have indicated they would remove the Trump name from the golf course if they secure a gaming license. Additionally, Bally's has a backup plan to consider a patch of land near Citi Field that does not have a park designation, according to the Post.
It's unclear if Bally's could potentially partner with Cohen for this alternate location, as it's widely believed that Cohen's preferred casino partner is tribal gaming behemoth Hard Rock International. If Bally's pursues this path, they may face strong opposition from Cohen unless they can reach a compromise.
Despite the ongoing legal and bureaucratic challenges, Bally's could use the news of potential anti-Trump sentiment in the New York Legislature to their advantage. They could leverage this perception to negotiate for a change in the Ferry Point land designation.
Additionally, the news of Bally's plan to remove the Trump name from the golf course, if they secure a gaming license, could attract support from those opposed to Trump's involvement in the project.