Adams' Veto on Bally's Casino Plan to Stand Amid Council Inaction
New York City Council Democrats are expected to let Mayor Eric Adams' veto stand on a key land use measure related to Bally's proposed casino at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx. The veto reversed the Council's prior decision to reject the land use permit Bally's needs to remain eligible for one of three downstate casino licenses being issued by New York State.
Council Democrats, during a recent private meeting, agreed there was insufficient time and political support to override the veto before the early-week legal deadline.
Adams has maintained his veto, insisting Bally's should still be in the running for the state's selection. The operator has been criticized for its relationship with two of Adams' most trusted political operatives, who have lobbied for Bally's.
While Council members publicly protested the veto, internal discussion reportedly focused on the procedural difficulties of holding an effective override vote during the summer recess, with many members absent.
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has not publicly commented on the talks. However, Council spokesman Benjamin Fang-Estrada blasted the mayor for placing himself in the process of lobbying on behalf of the bidders for a casino.
“If the mayor wants to do the casino applicant’s work for them and carry their water with all his conflicts of interest, that’s his decision,” he said in a statement.
In spite of earlier disapproval from the Council, officials admitted that the state's ultimate power over licensing deterred challenges to the mayor's veto.
DraftKings avoids regulatory fine in New York
While Bally's continues to pursue licensing opportunities in New York, another of our best sports betting sites, DraftKings, recently resolved a separate legal issue in the state.
DraftKings has avoided a proposed class action lawsuit in the state after a federal judge ruled that its "$1,000 Deposit Bonus" promotion did not violate state law.
The case was filed by Nerye Aminov, who alleged the promotion misled him into depositing $500 under the belief he would receive a full $1,000 bonus. Instead, he received $100. On July 28, Judge Margo K. Brodie of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York dismissed the case, finding that DraftKings had sufficiently disclosed the bonus requirements.
The terms, which required a $5,000 deposit and $25,000 in wagers within 90 days, were visible in a comparable font next to the main offer. Judge Brodie ruled that clear disclosures meet legal standards under New York's General Business Law and common law.
She also rejected Aminov's claims of unjust enrichment and misrepresentation, stating that these had been effectively abandoned when the plaintiff did not contest DraftKings' dismissal motion.
While the company avoided the fine in New York, it still has to pay $450,000 to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for accepting sports bets funded by credit cards. Between March 10, 2023, and February 13, 2024, DraftKings processed 1,160 illegal bets totaling over $83,000.
The use of credit cards for gambling is banned under Massachusetts law and gaming regulations.
