MGM Yonkers’ plans include the full renovation and expansion of Empire City Casino’s existing gaming areas, an expansive high-limit lounge and the addition of a state-of-the-art BetMGM Sportsbook offering retail sports betting. The plan also envisions the addition of a 5,000-person maximum capacity entertainment venue and accompanying meeting space which will welcome a variety of A-list and local performances with the design flexibility to accommodate special events, local graduations and other community needs, MGM Yonkers officials stated.

Additionally, three new full-service restaurants and the renovation of existing food and beverage venues are planned. A parking garage with solar energy arrays and electric vehicle parking spaces is also included in the casino plan. If MGM Yonkers is awarded a commercial casino license, it anticipates completing all project elements by mid-2029.

“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,” said Bill Hornbuckle, president and CEO of MGM Resorts International. Since opening in October 2006, Empire City Casino has generated more than $5 billion for New York State education, including $1.6 billion since MGM Resorts acquired the property in 2019.

If a license is awarded to Empire City, 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 proposal estimates the project will ultimately create thousands of direct, induced and indirect jobs through the new economic activity that the commercial casino license would generate for the region.

On June 25, the Yonkers City Council unanimously approved the required zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment establishing the property at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (810 Yonkers Ave.) as a designated Casino District. The approval paved the way for the expansion of the existing property into a full-scale commercial casino with Class III slot machines, live-dealer table games and retail sports betting, pending New York State approval.

“Yonkers is on its way to winning big in spurring transformative economic growth, job creation, entertainment and more,” said Yonkers Mayor Spano after the Council’s vote. “This vote signals to New York that the Yonkers site has speed to market readiness and is prepared to hit the ground running once licenses are granted. Working with our community members, city leaders and MGM Resorts, we have the support and commitment needed for this project to succeed right out of the gate — providing economic benefits for the city, county and state while making Yonkers a premier destination.”

The other seven casino license applicants include the existing Resorts World New York City casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, Queens; The Avenir at Hudson Yards in Manhattan; Bally’s New York Casino at Ferry Point in The Bronx; Caesars Palace Times Square at 1515 Broadway in Manhattan; Freedom Plaza at 686 1st Ave. in Manhattan; Metropolitan Park adjacent to Citi Field at Willets Point in Queens; and The Coney at Coney Island in Brooklyn.

The Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to make its final decision on casino applications by Dec. 1, 2025 with the New York State Gaming Commission awarding up to three casino licenses and collects a $500-million license fee from each award recipient by Dec. 31, 2025.

Published: July 2, 2025