Last updated: March 20, 2024
MGM’s zoning petition for Empire City in Yonkers signals its bid for a downstate New York casino license, highlighting Empire City’s potential as a frontrunner due to its size, revenue contribution, and MGM’s ambitious renovation plans, despite competition and regulatory uncertainties
Given the anticipation of the upcoming downstate New York casino license issue, MGM Resorts International is preparing to compete for one of the three licenses. The company recently presented this petition for zoning to the City of Yonkers, which precedes the proposed resolution for New York regulators.
The courthouse at 24 Clinton Street accepted a petition from DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, LLP. The petitioners proposed developing a casino around Empire City. At present, this venue acts like a standalone slots park.
Both facing the Empire Fortune City Casino license are significant elements, especially. It is the largest gaming space in the country, presently almost all the place, with 6 out of the Top 10 gaming floors in the United States. Moreover, it earns a big name in terms of the city’s pride because it is among the most prominent private companies working there, accounting for most of the city’s tax revenue. Attorney Mark Weingarten highlighted these strengths in the zoning request document”: “Empire City Casino is primarily utilized for gaming, horse racing and countless other types of entertainment.”
Nevertheless, the date allowed for issuing the licenses still needs to be clarified, as the possibility of this year might also be postponed to 2025. Resorts World New York and Empire City might grab the licenses permanently. While the battle for gender equality has gained ground, there is still a long way to go. Returning to rigid regulatory bodies, agencies have yet to voice their concerns publicly. At the same time, approximately ten other companies, including industry giants, seek to secure their licenses.
Empire City and Resorts World New York, which only some might underestimate even with the competition, can be the best place for individuals to hang out and bet. The fact that they live in their local communities, existing regulatory connections, and sites located beyond Manhattan are positive assets. MGM plans to revamp the Empire City casino in New York by renovating the existing campus, building a new sports facility, creating a Las Vegas Strip-style gaming section, new restaurants, and a BetMGM sportsbook. However, some citizens doubt the changes due to a previous scandal involving an MGM executive and its connection to the holding company of resorts, Genting.
With MGM’s significant investment and these ambitious plans, Empire City positions itself as a strong contender for a downstate New York casino license. However, the competition remains fierce, and the final decision rests with the state regulators.
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