MGM Resorts International‘s subsidiary, MGM Yonkers, has taken the next step towards its goal of creating a commercial casino and entertainment destination in downstate New York.
MGM Yonkers has submitted a $2.3bn proposal to transform its Empire City Casino site as part of its commercial casino license application to the New York Gaming Commission and the Gaming Facility Location Board.
The deadline for interested operators to submit a proposal for one of the three downstate New York commercial casino licences that are available is later today (27 June).
MGM Yonkers plans to fully renovate and expand the existing casino’s gaming areas with an expansive high-limit lounge and a state-of-the-art BetMGM Sportsbook for retail sports betting.
A 5,000-person maximum capacity entertainment venue and accompanying meeting space is also part of the plan, offering performance space for A-list and local acts, but also the ability to accommodate special events, local graduations and other community needs.
In addition, the plan includes three new full-service restaurants, renovating existing food and beverage venues, a parking garage with solar energy arrays and electric vehicle parking spaces.
Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO of MGM Resorts International, commented: “Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway have anchored the entertainment and tourism culture in downstate New York for more than a century.
“Achieving a full casino license will ensure this site will continue to be a cultural and economic force for generations to come.”
2029 target
MGM Yonkers anticipates completing all project elements by mid-2029 if it is awarded one of the three downstate New York commercial casino licenses.
The operator added that the development plans have been “thoughtfully curated to achieve the maximum benefits for the State of New York, City of Yonkers and surrounding counties, while also meeting the needs of the local community”.
Since opening in 2006, Empire City Casino has provided over $5bn to New York State education, including $1.6bn since MGM Resorts assumed ownership in 2019.
If a license is awarded to Empire City, MGM Yonkers projects that 20% of the generated tax revenue will be distributed, with 10% directed to the City of Yonkers, 5% to Westchester County and 5% divided between Rockland and Putnam counties.
The project is also expected to create thousands of direct, induced and indirect jobs for the region, offering career pathways, supporting higher education and prioritising responsible business practices through programmes such as the responsible gaming educational tool GameSense.
MGM Yonkers noted that other benefits the proposal will bring to the area include improving public infrastructure, such as road improvements, water lines and traffic technology. The building itself will also utilise energy-efficient methods to conserve water and harness solar energy.
Deadline looming
As previously mentioned, casino operators interested in one of the three casino licences on offer in downstate New York must submit their proposals today (27 June).
As many as eight operators are reportedly expected to submit applications, including the likes of Caesars Entertainment, Resorts World, Hard Rock International, Bally’s, Rush Street Gaming, Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment and Mohegan, alongside MGM Resorts.
Caesars has plans for a Times Square venue with Roc Nation and SL Green Realty Corporation, Resorts World has its eyes on the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, while Hard Rock is partnering up with Steven Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, for a location near the Mets’ Citi Field.
Rush Street Gaming and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment are part of a team with World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein for a spot called Avenir near the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
Meanwhile, Mohegan is looking to build Freedom Plaza near the United Nations with the Soloviev Group, and Bally’s has plans for Ferry Point in the Bronx next to a public golf course formerly called Trump Links.
However, some operators, such as Wynn Resorts at Hudson Yards and Las Vegas Sands at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, have already removed their hats from the ring.
