Empire City, Resorts World Clear Key Hurdle in NYC

Two of New York’s highest-producing video lottery terminal (VLT) properties cleared a major regulatory gate Thursday when their Community Advisory Committees (CAC) gave unanimous approval for advancement. MGM’s Empire City at Yonkers Raceway and Genting’s Resorts World New York City now move on to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, which will decide who receives three commercial casino licences by year-end.

Three Manhattan bids were knocked back earlier in the week, leaving those two operators as the first to progress to the next phase of the licensing contest. With track records already on display, both proposals present a powerful mix of capital and projected revenue that the board will weigh alongside local impacts.

Massive reinvestment plans promise bigger venues — and bigger numbers

MGM is proposing a $2.3 billion transformation of the Empire City Casino into a full commercial casino and entertainment complex while retaining its historic horseracing and parimutuel operations. Empire City has been a consistent contributor to state coffers since opening in October 2006, delivering more than $5 billion to New York State education — including $1.6 billion since MGM took over in 2019. The proposal forecasts annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) between $1.03 billion and $1.39 billion, roughly a 92–129% uplift over current VLT figures.

Genting’s Resorts World NYC is pitching an even larger buildout: a $5.5 billion integrated resort expansion expected to generate about $1 billion in incremental revenue within a year of opening. Since 2011, RWNYC has emerged as the nation’s top-grossing VLT property and New York State’s largest taxpayer among those venues, contributing more than $4.5 billion to public education.

Read our review of Empire City Casino for the venue’s history and offerings, and check the Resorts World New York City Casino profile for details on its long-term performance and community footprint.

What players stand to gain — and what to watch

For players, approved expansions mean bigger gaming floors, upgraded entertainment options, and more variety from leading providers. Existing software partners on these platforms include Pragmatic Play, Booming Games, Greentube, Novomatic, and Red Rake Gaming — a line-up that supports popular titles across themes and bet ranges. Expect larger progressive pools, more live and electronic table options, and special promotions tied to launch windows.

Both operators already run player incentives: Empire City advertises an aggressive 500% welcome bonus, while Resorts World lists a $50 free-play incentive for new accounts. These offers often come with tight windows and terms, so players should act quickly if interested and review the fine print.

At the same time, the proposals carry assumptions worth scrutinizing. Forecasted GGR gains are sizable and hinge on successful upgrades, market capture, and sustained consumer demand. Local impacts — traffic, workforce changes, and community services — will remain a key focus for the Location Board and community stakeholders.

The licensing timeline tightens — votes ahead for others

The CAC votes for three remaining New York bids are scheduled for early next week: Bally’s Bronx and The Coney’s on Monday, followed by Metropolitan Park on Tuesday. The Location Board will collate CAC recommendations and make final award decisions before the end of the year, keeping the process on a compressed timeline.

As the contest narrows, operators with proven revenue streams and deep-pocketed development plans appear advantaged, but regulators will balance fiscal benefits against neighborhood-level concerns and equitable geographic distribution.

Final take: momentum — but not certainty

Unanimous CAC approvals give Empire City and Resorts World clear momentum and put both projects on track for the critical Location Board review. The proposals combine heavy capital commitments with strong historical revenue performance, which strengthens their candidacy. Still, projections and community impacts will face close scrutiny as New York decides which venues will shape the state’s next era of commercial gaming.