The Trump Organization secured a lucrative deal with the city to extend the lease of the golf course by 20 years in 2015. However, the former New York Mayor, Bill de Blasio attempted to ax that agreement in 2021, drawing from the controversial events of the January 6th riot at the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Nonetheless, no criminal court has declared the 45th president guilty of any crimes related to the said event. Consequently, in April 2022, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge declared that de Blasio’s attempt to dissolve the agreement was unfounded.
The online evidence suggests a change in the leaseholder. The now altered end date of the lease is set for September 21, 2023, slightly shorter than the original 2035 cutoff date. Despite the apparent transition, Bally’s isn’t directly mentioned.
While it’s widely anticipated that Bally’s has taken over the lease, it’s also expected that the gaming company will erase the Trump name from the golf course. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democrat, is among those reported to be thrilled at the prospect of the Trump name’s removal, even expressing satisfaction that the Trump “name will no longer deface city parkland.” Meanwhile, The New York Parks Department also voiced their preference for the new leaseholders, hoping for a continued excellent golfing experience for New Yorkers under the Bally’s banner.
The less celebrated aspect of this transition is that Bally’s isn’t traditionally a golf company. Rather, their acquisition of the lease is leveraged heavily towards establishing a casino hotel on the property. Their interest in the development of a New York casino hotel has been public knowledge since as early as 2021.
In the current competitive landscape, Bally’s is among numerous operators jostling for one of the three downstate casino permits set to be granted next year. It’s still unclear where Bally’s stands in the race exactly. However, it’s widely believed that the permits will likely be secured by MGM’s Empire City Casino Yonkers and Resorts World New York in Queens. This speculation leaves just a single permit available.
It remains to be seen if Bally’s proposed site outside of Manhattan will be viable enough to give them a competitive edge over prime contenders such as Las Vegas Sands (Long Island) and Wynn Resorts (Manhattan).
