Mayor Adams' Statement on Veto of City Council Decision Depriving Bronx of Chance at Downstate Gaming License

July 30, 2025

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after vetoing the New York City Council’s disapproval of the only application to build a casino in the Bronx, preventing the borough from competing for a downstate casino license:

“A casino in New York City would bring good-paying union jobs and an economic boost to the surrounding community, which is why I have long advocated for a fair process with as many competitive bids as possible. In stark contrast, the City Council’s disapproval of the Bally’s Bronx bid deprives the Bronx of the ability to even compete for a $4 billion private investment that would deliver 15,000 union construction jobs, 4,000 permanent union jobs, and more than $625 million in community benefits — including millions in funding for schools, parks, youth programs, nonprofits, and public safety — if selected by the state.

“The City Council’s decision to treat the Bronx differently than other boroughs goes against the publicly stated, in-favor positions of the Bronx borough president and other councilmembers representing working-class neighborhoods across the Bronx. By rejecting the land use application for this casino bid while approving three others in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, the City Council is putting its finger on the scale — and this is precisely the type of action that leads New Yorkers to lose faith in their elected leaders.

“For all of these reasons, and at the direct request of both chairs of the City Council Land Use Committee and Subcommittee on Zoning — both of whom represent districts in the Bronx — I have decided to veto the City Council’s land use decision, which will re-level the playing field and allow the Bronx to have a seat at the table, rather than give an unfair advantage to the other bidders and boroughs.

“To make myself abundantly clear, this is not an endorsement or expression of support giving a leg up to any casino bid over the others as the City Council has tried to do, but an action I feel is necessary to best ensure a fair and competitive process. May the best applications win.” 

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