Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Resorts World at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens have become the first applicants to advance past local advisory committees in New York State's casino licensing process.
According to the New York Times, both proposals received unanimous approval from their five-member community advisory panels, following the elimination of all three Manhattan bids.
Empire City Casino, operated by MGM Resorts, currently functions as a racino and has proposed a $2.3bn expansion including a 10,000-square-foot BetMGM Sportsbook, additional restaurants and an entertainment venue.
Committee representatives acknowledged local concerns about policing and flooding but concluded these issues should not prevent the project from proceeding.
Resorts World, managed by Genting, has proposed a $5.5bn expansion to create the country's largest casino, featuring a 500,000-square-foot gambling floor and hundreds of table games.
The next step will be a vote in December by the state Gaming Facility Location Board, followed by the Gaming Commission. Other applicants under review include projects in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, several of which have faced community opposition.
Both MGM Resorts and Genting have offered additional local investments to support the proposals, including infrastructure upgrades and community projects.
Frank Jereis, Yonkers Democratic Party ED, stated, "It will undoubtedly be a successful project and casino for years to come, not only for Yonkers, but for the entire region."
Empire City Casino opened in 2006 while Resorts World opened in 2011 near JFK Airport
