Resorts World, Empire City Near Casino Licenses

Resorts World New York City and MGM’s Empire City secured unanimous approvals from their Community Advisory Committees Thursday, moving both proposals to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board. The board will decide which three commercial casino licenses the state awards by year-end, and Resorts World and Empire City are now the first bidders to advance in the process.

These approvals come after three rival Manhattan bids were rejected by their CACs earlier this week, narrowing the field and leaving the remaining applicants under greater scrutiny.

What each bid would build and keep

MGM plans a $2.3 billion reinvestment to transform Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway into a full-scale commercial casino and entertainment destination while retaining its historic horseracing track and parimutuel operations. Since opening in October 2006, the venue has funneled more than $5 billion to New York State education, including $1.6 billion after MGM took the reins in 2019.

Genting Group’s Resorts World NYC proposes a $5.5 billion integrated resort expansion, aiming to generate about $1 billion in new incremental revenue by next year. Opened in 2011, RWNYC is the nation’s top-grossing VLT property and one of New York State’s largest taxpayers, contributing over $4.5 billion to the state’s public education fund. Learn more about Resorts World New York City Casino here.

Projected revenue and community impacts

MGM’s enlarged Empire City projects annual gross gaming revenue between $1.03 billion and $1.39 billion, a 92 per cent to 129 per cent increase over current video lottery terminal operations. Those figures form a central part of the Location Board’s evaluation, alongside job creation, local investment, and neighborhood impacts.

Resorts World says its expansion will produce substantial incremental revenue and reinforce its role as a major taxpayer and employer in Queens. Both proposals stressed community benefits during CAC hearings, and Resorts World’s leadership highlighted unanimous community support in remarks after the vote.

What happens next and the remaining votes

The Location Board now evaluates the advancing bids before making final license awards. Remaining proposals — Bally’s Bronx, The Coney’s, and Metropolitan Park — face final CAC votes early next week, with Bally’s Bronx and The Coney’s scheduled for Monday, and Metropolitan Park on Tuesday. The board’s calendar and final decisions will determine which projects proceed to construction and when.

As the process moves forward, the Location Board will weigh economic forecasts, community feedback, and operational plans to select three licensees to expand New York’s commercial casino footprint and deliver anticipated tax and employment benefits statewide.