MGM Yonkers Inc., a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International, has formally submitted its commercial casino license application to the New York Gaming Commission and the Gaming Facility Location Board. The proposal details a $2.3 billion plan to transform the current Empire City Casino in Yonkers into a full-scale commercial casino and entertainment destination.
The plans include a complete renovation and expansion of Empire City Casino’s gaming areas, a high-limit lounge, and the addition of a BetMGM Sportsbook for retail sports betting. A new entertainment venue with a 5,000-person capacity is also proposed, alongside meeting spaces designed to host concerts, community events, and local ceremonies.
Additional features include three new full-service restaurants, upgrades to existing dining options, and a parking facility equipped with solar arrays and electric vehicle spaces. MGM Resorts anticipates completing all project components by mid-2029, if the license is awarded.
Empire City Casino has contributed over $5 billion to New York State education since opening in 2006, including $1.6 billion since MGM Resorts’ acquisition in 2019. Under the proposed revenue-sharing model, 20% of tax revenue generated by the expanded casino would be allocated to local jurisdictions: 10% to the City of Yonkers, 5% to Westchester County, and 5% shared by Rockland and Putnam counties.
The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, supported by MGM Resorts’ established workforce initiatives and responsible gaming programs such as GameSense. The submission also outlines infrastructure improvements in Yonkers, including upgrades to roads, water lines, and traffic systems, alongside energy-efficient measures reflecting MGM Resorts’ sustainability commitments.
The application now awaits review by New York regulators as part of the state’s broader process for awarding downstate casino licenses.
“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.
