Latest news with #Bally'sCorp.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McKee nominates Bally's DEI executive to join R.I. Commerce board
Tracey Wiley, executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Bally's Corp., was nominated by Gov. Dan McKee to the Rhode Island Commerce Corp. board of directors. (Courtesy photo) Gov. Dan McKee is betting on a top executive at Bally's Corp. to help steer the state's quasi-public economic development agency. McKee announced his nomination Wednesday of Tracey Wiley, executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Bally's, to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation board of directors. If approved by the Rhode Island Senate, Wiley will replace board member Dave Chenevert, whose three-year term expired in February. State law allows appointed members of boards and commissions to continue serving beyond the expiration of their terms until a replacement is named. 'Tracey brings a track record of business acumen and experience that speaks for itself,' McKee said in a statement. 'Her background as an entrepreneur and champion of small businesses offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Commerce Corporation Board. I look forward to working with her to make our state a more prosperous place for residents, workers, and our economy.' As part of the 12-member Commerce board of directors, Wiley will help decide how the agency awards its tax credits and economic incentives for small and large businesses, along with marketing initiatives and a student loan repayment program for graduates who work in in-demand fields. McKee also serves as an ex-officio member of the board, only voting to break a tie. For example, in 2022, McKee cast the tie-breaking vote to redirect state tax dollars to help pay for the development of the Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket. Wiley in a statement addressed the importance of entrepreneurship and 'diversity of thought.' 'Both our small and large businesses, drawn from all corners of our communities, stand as a testament to this, acting together as the driving force behind economic strength and continued growth,' Wiley said. 'I am deeply honored by this appointment from Governor McKee to the Commerce Board and am committed to championing the spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, as we forge a future of shared prosperity.' Wiley joined Bally's as a consultant in 2021 and the following year assumed a permanent role leading DEI for the company's 19 casinos and resorts, including in Tiverton and Lincoln, according to her resume obtained by Rhode Island Current. Prior to that, Wiley worked for six years for the state of Virginia, heading its newly created Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. Under her direction, the state agency grew its share of contracts awarded to women and minority-owned businesses, and oversaw the distribution of $100 million in federal pandemic grants to 3,000 small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wiley also started her own company, Rainmaker Industries Group LLC, in 2021, which she continues to lead today as 'chief experience officer,' according to her LinkedIn page. Her resume describes the LLC as a consultancy of 'a collection of her work to leverage relationships for the sole purpose of elevating communities of color and creating access to models that build generational wealth for a diverse people.' A community activist and 25-year survivor of multiple sclerosis, Wiley serves as chairwoman of the board of trustees for the Virginia and West Virginia chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She also serves on the board for professional NBA and WNBA teams, the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, and formerly headed the board of directors for Boston-based former nonprofit Interise, which helps disadvantaged and low-income businesses. She earned a bachelor's degree in speech communications from Old Dominion University. Wiley was also nominated by McKee on April 11 to join the Governor's Workforce Board. The Rhode Island Senate voted to confirm that appointment on May 8. The Senate has not yet scheduled a vote on Wiley's nomination to Commerce, Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson said Wednesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New York's casino sweepstakes could put $115M in Donald Trump's pocket
A high-stakes contest to decide who gets to build a casino in New York City could potentially result in a $115 million jackpot for President Donald Trump. The Republican stands to win big if state officials award one of three available gaming licenses to Bally's Corp., which wants to open a casino at a city-owned golf course that used to be run by Trump's company. In 2023, Bally's paid Trump $60 million for the rights to operate the public 18-hole course on the Bronx shoreline, near where the East River meets the Long Island Sound. The gaming company promptly took down the massive 'Trump Links' sign that was, at one time, all but impossible to miss for drivers going the Whitestone Bridge, and renamed the course Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point. But under a little-noticed side deal, Bally's promised to pay Trump another $115 million if Bally's were to get a license to open a casino on site. The letter disclosing that deal was included as an evidence exhibit in a trial over New York state's allegation that Trump habitually lied about the worth of his assets in financial statements given to banks. The letter says the $115 million payment would be nonrefundable and describes it as a 'gaming event fee.' Bally's did not return requests for comment. Trump's interest in Bally's project could be a wildcard in New York's casino sweepstakes. At least 11 bidders have said they are competing for the right to build what would be the first, full-service casino in the city and its nearest suburbs. The race has drawn in big players: Caesars Palace has a plan to build a casino in Times Square; the company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue wants to put a casino atop their luxury department store in Manhattan; and Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, is proposing a casino right outside the baseball team's home stadium in Queens. Another two bidders are hoping to expand on existing operations. MGM Resorts wants to do a major upgrade of its existing Empire City 'racino,' located at a horse track in the suburb of Yonkers. The gaming company Genting wants to do a multibillion expansion of its Resorts World racino adjacent to the Aqueduct horse track in Queens. Those two gambling venues are now limited by law to slot machines and certain other machine-run games. It is unclear how Trump's link to one of the bidders might affect the selection process. Applications are supposed to be submitted to a state board by late June. First, they will be considered by community advisory committees made up of appointees of the governor, mayor and state and local officials. Their job will be to weigh any local support or opposition. The proposals then go back to the state's gaming board, which expects to award the licenses by the end of the year. Applicants also have to get various zoning or land-use approvals depending on the location and scope of their projects. Bally's project is also expected to require the state Legislature to pass a bill allowing the company to build their casino on public parkland. The federal government does not play any role in the state's casino license selection process. The Trump Organization did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. Trump remains highly unpopular among many public officials in New York who will be in a position to influence the process, and it is possible that antipathy could wind up being a handicap for Bally's bid. There's also a chance someone might try to use Trump's financial interest as a bargaining chip. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration policy, federal funding for the city's subway system and a tolling program in Manhattan. The Trump administration is also trying to revive a plan to build a natural gas pipeline through New York that was halted in 2017 by state environmental regulators. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, meanwhile, has been under intense pressure to prove his political independence after the Justice Department moved to drop his corruption case so he could assist with the Trump administration's immigration agenda. Trump, whose Trump Organization runs more than a dozen golf courses around the world, first acquired the rights to manage Ferry Point in 2012. The city spent more than $120 million to build the Jack Nicklaus-designed course on an old landfill, envisioning an East Coast version of the famed Pebble Beach links in California and major championships that never materialized.
The Hill
02-04-2025
- Business
- The Hill
New York's casino sweepstakes could put $115M in Donald Trump's pocket
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A high-stakes contest to decide who gets to build a casino in New York City could potentially result in a $115 million jackpot for President Donald Trump. The Republican stands to win big if state officials award one of three available gaming licenses to Bally's Corp., which wants to open a casino at a city-owned golf course that used to be run by Trump's company. In 2023, Bally's paid Trump $60 million for the rights to operate the public 18-hole course on the Bronx shoreline, near where the East River meets the Long Island Sound. The gaming company promptly took down the massive 'Trump Links' sign that was, at one time, all but impossible to miss for drivers going the Whitestone Bridge, and renamed the course Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point. But under a little-noticed side deal, Bally's promised to pay Trump another $115 million if Bally's were to get a license to open a casino on site. The letter disclosing that deal was included as an evidence exhibit in a trial over New York state's allegation that Trump habitually lied about the worth of his assets in financial statements given to banks. The letter says the $115 million payment would be nonrefundable and describes it as a 'gaming event fee.' Bally's did not return requests for comment. Trump's interest in Bally's project could be a wildcard in New York's casino sweepstakes. At least 11 bidders have said they are competing for the right to build what would be the first, full-service casino in the city and its nearest suburbs. The race has drawn in big players: Caesars Palace has a plan to build a casino in Times Square; the company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue wants to put a casino atop their luxury department store in Manhattan; and Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, is proposing a casino right outside the baseball team's home stadium in Queens. Another two bidders are hoping to expand on existing operations. MGM Resorts wants to do a major upgrade of its existing Empire City 'racino,' located at a horse track in the suburb of Yonkers. The gaming company Genting wants to do a multibillion expansion of its Resorts World racino adjacent to the Aqueduct horse track in Queens. Those two gambling venues are now limited by law to slot machines and certain other machine-run games. It is unclear how Trump's link to one of the bidders might affect the selection process. Applications are supposed to be submitted to a state board by late June. First, they will be considered by community advisory committees made up of appointees of the governor, mayor and state and local officials. Their job will be to weigh any local support or opposition. The proposals then go back to the state's gaming board, which expects to award the licenses by the end of the year. Applicants also have to get various zoning or land-use approvals depending on the location and scope of their projects. Bally's project is also expected to require the state Legislature to pass a bill allowing the company to build their casino on public parkland. The federal government does not play any role in the state's casino license selection process. The Trump Organization did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. Trump remains highly unpopular among many public officials in New York who will be in a position to influence the process, and it is possible that antipathy could wind up being a handicap for Bally's bid. There's also a chance someone might try to use Trump's financial interest as a bargaining chip. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration policy, federal funding for the city's subway system and a tolling program in Manhattan. The Trump administration is also trying to revive a plan to build a natural gas pipeline through New York that was halted in 2017 by state environmental regulators. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, meanwhile, has been under intense pressure to prove his political independence after the Justice Department moved to drop his corruption case so he could assist with the Trump administration's immigration agenda. Trump, whose Trump Organization runs more than a dozen golf courses around the world, first acquired the rights to manage Ferry Point in 2012. The city spent more than $120 million to build the Jack Nicklaus-designed course on an old landfill, envisioning an East Coast version of the famed Pebble Beach links in California and major championships that never materialized.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New York's casino sweepstakes could put $115M in Donald Trump's pocket
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A high-stakes contest to decide who gets to build a casino in New York City could potentially result in a $115 million jackpot for President Donald Trump. The Republican stands to win big if state officials award one of three available gaming licenses to Bally's Corp., which wants to open a casino at a city-owned golf course that used to be run by Trump's company. In 2023, Bally's paid Trump $60 million for the rights to operate the public 18-hole course on the Bronx shoreline, near where the East River meets the Long Island Sound. The gaming company promptly took down the massive 'Trump Links' sign that was, at one time, all but impossible to miss for drivers going the Whitestone Bridge, and renamed the course Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point. But under a little-noticed side deal, Bally's promised to pay Trump another $115 million if Bally's were to get a license to open a casino on site. The letter disclosing that deal was included as an evidence exhibit in a trial over New York state's allegation that Trump habitually lied about the worth of his assets in financial statements given to banks. The letter says the $115 million payment would be nonrefundable and describes it as a 'gaming event fee.' Bally's did not return requests for comment. Trump's interest in Bally's project could be a wildcard in New York's casino sweepstakes. At least 11 bidders have said they are competing for the right to build what would be the first, full-service casino in the city and its nearest suburbs. The race has drawn in big players: Caesars Palace has a plan to build a casino in Times Square; the company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue wants to put a casino atop their luxury department store in Manhattan; and Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, is proposing a casino right outside the baseball team's home stadium in Queens. Another two bidders are hoping to expand on existing operations. MGM Resorts wants to do a major upgrade of its existing Empire City 'racino,' located at a horse track in the suburb of Yonkers. The gaming company Genting wants to do a multibillion expansion of its Resorts World racino adjacent to the Aqueduct horse track in Queens. Those two gambling venues are now limited by law to slot machines and certain other machine-run games. It is unclear how Trump's link to one of the bidders might affect the selection process. Applications are supposed to be submitted to a state board by late June. First, they will be considered by community advisory committees made up of appointees of the governor, mayor and state and local officials. Their job will be to weigh any local support or opposition. The proposals then go back to the state's gaming board, which expects to award the licenses by the end of the year. Applicants also have to get various zoning or land-use approvals depending on the location and scope of their projects. Bally's project is also expected to require the state Legislature to pass a bill allowing the company to build their casino on public parkland. The federal government does not play any role in the state's casino license selection process. The Trump Organization did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. Trump remains highly unpopular among many public officials in New York who will be in a position to influence the process, and it is possible that antipathy could wind up being a handicap for Bally's bid. There's also a chance someone might try to use Trump's financial interest as a bargaining chip. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration policy, federal funding for the city's subway system and a tolling program in Manhattan. The Trump administration is also trying to revive a plan to build a natural gas pipeline through New York that was halted in 2017 by state environmental regulators. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, meanwhile, has been under intense pressure to prove his political independence after the Justice Department moved to drop his corruption case so he could assist with the Trump administration's immigration agenda. Trump, whose Trump Organization runs more than a dozen golf courses around the world, first acquired the rights to manage Ferry Point in 2012. The city spent more than $120 million to build the Jack Nicklaus-designed course on an old landfill, envisioning an East Coast version of the famed Pebble Beach links in California and major championships that never materialized.
Associated Press
02-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New York's casino sweepstakes could put $115M in Donald Trump's pocket
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A high-stakes contest to decide who gets to build a casino in New York City could potentially result in a $115 million jackpot for President Donald Trump. The Republican stands to win big if state officials award one of three available gaming licenses to Bally's Corp., which wants to open a casino at a city-owned golf course that used to be run by Trump's company. In 2023, Bally's paid Trump $60 million for the rights to operate the public 18-hole course on the Bronx shoreline, near where the East River meets the Long Island Sound. The gaming company promptly took down the massive 'Trump Links' sign that was, at one time, all but impossible to miss for drivers going the Whitestone Bridge, and renamed the course Bally's Golf Links at Ferry Point. But under a little-noticed side deal, Bally's promised to pay Trump another $115 million if Bally's were to get a license to open a casino on site. The letter disclosing that deal was included as an evidence exhibit in a trial over New York state's allegation that Trump habitually lied about the worth of his assets in financial statements given to banks. The letter says the $115 million payment would be nonrefundable and describes it as a 'gaming event fee.' Bally's did not return requests for comment. Trump's interest in Bally's project could be a wildcard in New York's casino sweepstakes. At least 11 bidders have said they are competing for the right to build what would be the first, full-service casino in the city and its nearest suburbs. The race has drawn in big players: Caesars Palace has a plan to build a casino in Times Square; the company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue wants to put a casino atop their luxury department store in Manhattan; and Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, is proposing a casino right outside the baseball team's home stadium in Queens. Another two bidders are hoping to expand on existing operations. MGM Resorts wants to do a major upgrade of its existing Empire City 'racino,' located at a horse track in the suburb of Yonkers. The gaming company Genting wants to do a multibillion expansion of its Resorts World racino adjacent to the Aqueduct horse track in Queens. Those two gambling venues are now limited by law to slot machines and certain other machine-run games. It is unclear how Trump's link to one of the bidders might affect the selection process. Applications are supposed to be submitted to a state board by late June. First, they will be considered by community advisory committees made up of appointees of the governor, mayor and state and local officials. Their job will be to weigh any local support or opposition. The proposals then go back to the state's gaming board, which expects to award the licenses by the end of the year. Applicants also have to get various zoning or land-use approvals depending on the location and scope of their projects. Bally's project is also expected to require the state Legislature to pass a bill allowing the company to build their casino on public parkland. The federal government does not play any role in the state's casino license selection process. The Trump Organization did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. Trump remains highly unpopular among many public officials in New York who will be in a position to influence the process, and it is possible that antipathy could wind up being a handicap for Bally's bid. There's also a chance someone might try to use Trump's financial interest as a bargaining chip. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has clashed with the Trump administration over immigration policy, federal funding for the city's subway system and a tolling program in Manhattan. The Trump administration is also trying to revive a plan to build a natural gas pipeline through New York that was halted in 2017 by state environmental regulators. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, meanwhile, has been under intense pressure to prove his political independence after the Justice Department moved to drop his corruption case so he could assist with the Trump administration's immigration agenda. Trump, whose Trump Organization runs more than a dozen golf courses around the world, first acquired the rights to manage Ferry Point in 2012. The city spent more than $120 million to build the Jack Nicklaus-designed course on an old landfill, envisioning an East Coast version of the famed Pebble Beach links in California and major championships that never materialized.
