Casino expansion from coast to coast
Bally’s Corp. is pressing ahead with expansion plans in two of the nation’s largest gambling markets, securing local approval in New York for its Bronx casino proposal while unveiling designs for a new resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The moves add to a growing slate of projects, including the company’s $1.7 billion casino under development in Chicago.
In New York, Bally’s Bronx advanced to state review after the local Community Advisory Committee (CAC) voted 5-1 on Monday to recommend the project. The decision came after the panel had requested extensive revisions earlier this month, which Bally’s addressed in a series of 14-page concessions. Committee chair Lisa Sorin said the changes would be “non-negotiable elements” if the project proceeds.
Project | Location | Status | Notes |
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Bally’s Bronx
The DevelopmentsCouncil appointee Danielle Volpe was the sole dissenting vote in both ballots. Volpe was named to the CAC by Council Member Kristy Marmorato, one of the most vocal opponents of the project. The proposal will now go before New York’s Gaming Facility Location Board, which has until Dec. 1 to issue recommendations to the state’s Gaming Commission. Licenses are expected by Dec. 31. Criteria under review include economic activity, local impact, workforce development and diversity frameworks. Bally’s Bronx is the third casino bid to clear the CAC stage, joining MGM Empire City and Resorts World NYC. Manhattan proposals, including Caesars Times Square, Avenir and Freedom Plaza, were rejected. The Bronx project has faced controversy since Bally’s purchased the site from the Trump Organization, which could receive a $115 million bonus if a license is awarded. Mayor Eric Adams has twice intervened in the approval process, decisions that drew attention because of his past dealings with former President Donald Trump. In a statement, Bally’s called the committee vote “a win for the Bronx” that would deliver jobs and “lasting benefits” for the borough. On the opposite coast, Bally’s outlined plans for a new resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The project would rise on the site of the former Tropicana Las Vegas, adjacent to the $1.5 billion stadium being built for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics, which is scheduled to open in 2028. The mixed-use complex calls for two hotel towers with 3,000 rooms, a casino, a 2,500-seat entertainment venue and more than 500,000 square feet of retail and dining space. The resort would also provide direct access to the A’s ballpark. Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim described the site as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine the heart of the Strip.” The company expects development to begin in the first half of 2026, though it has not released cost projections. The 35-acre parcel is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (GLPI), which leases the land to Bally’s for $10.5 million annually. The dual announcements highlight Bally’s growing footprint, but also underscore the financial challenges facing the operator. Its Chicago casino has been delayed several times and is facing a deadline to open by September 2026. The Bronx proposal carries a potential $4 billion price tag, while costs for the Las Vegas resort remain unspecified. Recent Strip projects, including Fontainebleau and Resorts World, opened at costs exceeding $3.7 billion each.
The FutureBally’s reported $174 million in cash against $3.5 billion in debt in the second quarter, though subsequent transactions have shifted its balance sheet. The company has relied on asset sales and leasebacks to generate liquidity, including the $735 million sale of its Twin River Lincoln casino in Rhode Island and a €1.53 billion divestment of its international digital unit. The company also holds a stake in Australia’s Star Entertainment, which is under regulatory scrutiny and has faced license suspensions tied to compliance violations. For Bally’s, the latest approvals in New York and Nevada reflect both opportunity and risk, as it seeks to expand its presence in competitive gaming markets while managing a multibillion-dollar development pipeline and heavy debt load. The Hottest USA Casinos 2025All-American Casino ![]() ![]() American Favorite Big Bonus Trending in the USA ![]() ![]() Hot in USA Growing in USA US Players Accepted US Players Accepted Related News![]() ![]() ![]() Thailand’s Government Considers a New Revamped Lottery ![]() ![]() ![]() NYC Coney Island Bid is Rejected in Predictable Setback ![]() ![]() ![]()
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