Resorts World and Empire City Advance in License Race
Two of New York's top existing gaming venues — Resorts World New York City and MGM's Empire City — won unanimous backing from their Community Advisory Committees (CAC) Thursday, clearing a major procedural hurdle as the state moves toward awarding three new commercial casino licences by year-end. With three Manhattan bids recently rejected by their CACs, Resorts World and Empire City are now the first to progress to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board.
CAC approval doesn’t seal a licence, but it does change the dynamics of the contest: both proposals are built on established operations, proven tax contributions and aggressive expansion plans that promise faster ramp-up times and predictable revenue streams for the state.
Financial Muscle: Figures That Push These Proposals Ahead
MGM is proposing a $2.3 billion reinvestment to convert the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway into a full-scale commercial casino and entertainment complex while retaining horseracing and parimutuel operations. Since opening in October 2006, Empire City has generated more than $5 billion for New York State education — including $1.6 billion since MGM Resorts took the reins in 2019. MGM's projections put annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) at between $1.03 billion and $1.39 billion, a roughly 92–129% uplift over current video lottery terminal operations. Read our full review of Empire City Casino for details on games and amenities.
Those numbers matter to both voters and the Location Board: they signal how quickly a new commercial licence could translate into higher state receipts and local economic activity.
Resorts World’s Bold Expansion and Community Pitch
Genting's Resorts World New York City is pitching a $5.5 billion integrated-resort transformation that it says will add about $1 billion in new incremental revenue within a year of completion. RWNYC, which opened in 2011, already ranks as the nation’s highest-grossing VLT property and is New York's largest taxpayer among such venues, contributing more than $4.5 billion to the public education fund. Genting emphasized the community support behind its proposal; Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, highlighted the lack of opposition at the CAC hearing as validation of the project's local benefits. Learn more about the property and its offerings in our Resorts World New York City Casino review.
Players Could See Bigger Floors, New Titles and Enhanced Bonuses
For players, the practical implications are straightforward: approved conversions mean larger gaming floors, new slot titles from partner studios and bigger promotional pools. The two bidders already list top studios on their rosters — Pragmatic Play, Novomatic, Red Rake Gaming, Greentube and Booming Games — which suggests an influx of fresh content and branded video slots once expansions are greenlit. Popular Pragmatic Play releases such as Snakes & Ladders – Snake Eyes Slots and other high-volatility video slots are likely to appear across newly enlarged lobbies.
Both venues also list welcome incentives aimed at new customers: Empire City shows a 500% welcome figure, while Resorts World is promoting a $50 Free Play offer. Payment rails and customer support are in place to match scale; both properties accept major cards and offer live chat plus email support. Keep in mind these welcome packages are often limited-time and subject to terms — prospective players should act quickly when offers are announced and check wagering requirements.
What Comes Next and What to Watch
The licensing path still has several steps. The remaining bidders — Bally’s Bronx and The Coney’s (votes on Monday) and Metropolitan Park (vote on Tuesday) — will face their final CAC meetings early next week. The New York Gaming Facility Location Board will then weigh all approvals and materials before awarding three commercial licences by the end of the year.
CAC approval is a strong signal, but it does not guarantee a licence. Expect sharper scrutiny now: community impact studies, traffic mitigation plans, job commitments and final financial projections will receive close attention from the board and stakeholders. For players and local businesses, the next few weeks will reveal which proposals translate from planning documents into larger venues, expanded gaming rosters and the promotional campaigns that typically follow licensing decisions.
As the process moves forward, watch for updated offers, new game rollouts and formal construction timelines — and remember that the final verdict from the Location Board will determine whether these projections move from promise to reality.