Published on: September 26, 2025, 08:49h.

Updated on: September 26, 2025, 08:49h.

• Developer Steve Witkoff has connections to the White House and serves as a consultant for Bally’s
• He advised Mayor Adams to consider a position as a US ambassador
• The mayor’s campaign chair is also affiliated with Bally’s

Bally’s initiative to establish a casino in the Bronx has ties reaching Gracie Mansion and the White House.

A key figure from Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign and an influential member from the Trump Administration are reportedly engaged in discussions about potentially appointing Adams as the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia. This is part of a strategy to narrow the field of candidates for the New York City mayoral race and reduce the chances of frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (D) winning.

Politico has reported that developer Steve Witkoff facilitated these discussions, which included Adams’ advisor and campaign chair Frank Carone. Witkoff’s financial records reveal he has a consulting role with Bally’s. In 2023, Bally’s enlisted Carone, who now leads Oaktree Solutions—a lobbying firm that collaborated with several entities vying for downstate casino licenses.

Bally’s political engagements have yielded some positive results. In July, the New York City Council voted 29-9 to deny a land-use application central to Bally’s efforts to redevelop Ferry Point for commercial purposes. However, Adams reversed this decision by vetoing the council’s ruling.

Bally’s Bronx Casino Proposal Faces Ongoing Debate

The location under consideration for Bally’s casino was formerly known as Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, which was managed by the Trump Organization. In 2021, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, sought to terminate the city’s agreement with Trump’s company in response to the events of January 6, 2021. A court eventually ruled in favor of Trump.

Adams has maintained that he does not have a preference in the casino selection process, with his office informing Politico that claims to the contrary are unfounded conspiracy theories. However, some political analysts in New York argue that Adams’ veto of the city council decision and the employment of a former aide at Bally’s may present a concerning image.

Recently, there were reports suggesting that the White House offered Adams a job to entice him to withdraw from the mayoral race. Concurrently, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa claimed to have received financial inducements from affluent sources to step down as well. The prevailing thought is that the president prefers both candidates to exit, which could pave the way for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to surpass Mamdani.

Bally’s Bronx Casino Decision Imminent

The competition for New York City’s casino licenses is intensifying. On Thursday, community advisory committees (CACs) in Queens and Yonkers approved proposals from Resorts World New York and MGM Resorts International, which are seen as frontrunners for the three available permits.

More information will be revealed on Tuesday, September 30, when the Bronx and Queens CACs deliberate on the Bally’s project and Metropolitan Park, which has been proposed by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International. Metropolitan Park is generally regarded as having an advantage over Bally’s in this competitive landscape.

It’s feasible for both Bally’s and Metropolitan Park to gain approval from their respective CACs, as these committees only offer recommendations to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), which ultimately decides which companies will receive the permits.