Bronx Councilwoman’s Family Ties Raise Casino Conflict of Interest Questions
Marmorato’s Brother Worked for Sands, Which Is Competing With Bally’s in NY
Family Matters?
A storm is brewing in New York’s casino news cycle as Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato faces accusations of a potential conflict of interest.
Her opposition to Bally’s $4 billion betting casino complex at Ferry Point Park has raised eyebrows given her family’s ties to Las Vegas Sands, a competitor for one of three downstate licenses.
This is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of high-stakes development battles and gambling regulations that are reshaping the city.
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Unpacking the Core Dispute
Marmorato, the first Republican in decades to be elected in the Bronx, is at the center of the controversy because of her brother’s work as a consultant for Sands.
Although his work was for the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island and not the Bronx, critics say the overlapping timeline creates an appearance of bias.
Bally’s is seeking to rezone for its massive project on the East River which includes a 500-room hotel, a 2,000-seat event center, and a legit gambling site for games like blackjack for money.
By opposing the project publicly Marmorato has effectively blocked a key step for Bally’s. Under New York’s “member deference” tradition, local council members have a lot of power over land use decisions in their districts.
Her stance does mirror community concerns about traffic, public safety, and parkland being turned into a cash casino. Marmorato calls the claims “reckless” and says she’s with the residents who are worried about a tourist-driven development.
Delving Into Key Aspects
Marmorato’s brother worked for Sands from December 2022 to April 2024, which overlaps with her election campaign and first few months in office. Sands CEO Rob Goldstein once complained about the state’s slow pace of licensing for new casinos while Bally’s was racing to get local support for its project.
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Adding to the complexity, Bally’s Bronx project promises 4,000 union jobs and hundreds of millions in local community funding.
However, opponents say it will bring more trouble than treasure given the Bronx’s existing congestion, pollution, and underfunded neighborhoods.
Trump’s $115M Bonus and Cohen’s New Bill
While Marmorato and Bally’s duke it out in the Bronx, the bigger picture reveals more. Former President Donald Trump could get a $115 million “gaming event fee” if Bally’s gets the license at Ferry Point, thanks to clauses in his old golf course.
Over in Queens, Mets owner Steve Cohen recently got momentum for his proposed “Metropolitan Park” near Citi Field. A new bill would rezone parking lots as commercial land, paving the way for another casino-anchored megadevelopment.
Cohen’s plan is an $8 billion partnership with Hard Rock, which includes expanded public space, a performance venue, and thousands of local jobs. Meanwhile,
The next few months are crucial: New York’s gaming commission has to decide by the end of 2025. Will Marmorato’s family ties continue to cloud the issue?
Given the recent stall on online casino legislation, this might be the biggest casino story in the Big Apple’s gambling landscape, so stay tuned!
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