Resorts World, Empire City Casino Proposals Clear Local Approvals Hurdles

Community advisory commissions (CACs) have signed off on two of the remaining proposals for downstate New York casinos, both representing expansions of existing facilities. Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) in Queens and MGM Empire City in Yonkers both received unanimous approval from their respective CACs, becoming the first proposals to clear the local review process on their way to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board.

Yogonet reported that both venues are considered front-runners due to their existing operations as video lottery terminal (VLT) facilities that have operated for more than a decade. Empire City opened in 2006 at Yonkers Raceway and was acquired by MGM in 2018 for approximately $850 million. Genting-owned RWNYC launched at Aqueduct Racetrack in 2011 and expanded its offerings in 2021 with a 400-key hotel.

The $2.3-billion Empire City proposal entails transforming its VLT venue into a full-scale casino with 183 live dealer games, 14 new restaurants and bars and a 5,000-seat entertainment venue. Genting would spend $5.5 billion to expand RWNYC into what it calls the largest integrated resort in the U.S.

CAC votes on the Coney in Brooklyn and Bally’s in the Bronx are scheduled for Monday. The final CAC vote, for Metropolitan Park near Citi Field in Queens, is scheduled for Tuesday.