Empire City Casino is seeking one of the downstate New York casino licenses, which it hopes to receive in 2023. Resorts World New York City in Queens and Empire City are the top contenders for two of the three licenses since they only need to upgrade their existing betting properties. But this hasn't been made official hence prompting Empire City Casino to look ahead.
Empire City Casino Hires More Workers
Taryn Duffy, MGM Resorts Northeast Group's Vice President told Westchester Journal News that the casino's full gaming license will create 2,500 jobs. She added that it would get on a hiring spree and boost the region's economy.
Empire City Casino currently sits on 40 percent of its 90-acre land. MGM claims that the gaming venue is capable and ready to transform into a full-scale betting facility due to the excess space.
Duffy stated that they will make more investments in the property once they start providing a wide array of entertainment options to players. She added that they only have to renovate the property to increase their slot machines.
The gaming executive stated that the construction project will need over a thousand construction workers. Still, they will employ an extra 2,500 employees to convert the property from an electronic game and video lottery terminal to a classy casino resort.
The City's Gaming Expansion
The three downstate New York casino licenses details include:
- Resorts World Aqueduct in Queens and Empire City in Yonkers
- RFAs expected by December 31
- Poker, retail bookmakers, slot machines, and table games allowed
The city's commercial casino gaming expansion that began in 2013 offered the existing four upstate gaming operators a decade's exclusivity during which no downstate gaming site will operate. This period will lapse in 2023 and New York has appointed its Gaming Facility Location Board members who will choose three applicants that the New York State Gaming Commission will give Type III casino licenses.
Caesars Entertainment has collaborated with SL Green for its Times Square casino project. It will build the casino by transforming the Times Square 1515 building into a betting site called Caesars Palace Times Square.
Related Companies and Wynn Resorts' project rivals Caesars Entertainment's bid. They are partnering in a proposal for Hudson Yards' undeveloped section.
Steve Cohen, New York Mets owner, is rumored to meet with Hard Rock about developing a gaming venue near Citi Field. Yet, Billionaire Stefan Soloviev is also interested in the casino arena as he proposes to build a freedom museum and a Manhattan casino that has a Ferris wheel.
Thor Equities is the fourth investor that is planning to bid for a casino license. They recently revealed that they are collaborating with Legend, Chickasaw Nation, and Saratoga Casino Holdings.
Other parties including Vito Vossella, Staten Island Borough president propose a gaming site at the defunct New York Wheel Site. Still, Saks Fifth Avenue and Water Club in Kips Bay are other locations likely to join the casino license race.
