Empire City Casino Seeks to Accelerate Its Full-Casino License, a Move at the Top of the BCW’s Legislative Priorities

Empire City Casino in Yonkers, which is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International, hopes to receive a full-casino license in a year or two – a move that has been one of the BCW’s top legislative priorities. In his first local interview since becoming president and CEO of Empire City, Uri Clinton delves into the benefits and what could be in store during an interview with the Westchester County Business Journal.

“We’re seeking to accelerate downstate gaming, which would allow us to make more meaningful investments in this property,” Clinton told the Business Journal during an interview on June 21. “The state would derive tremendous benefits economically as well as providing new entertainment venues. There is a question on the process, a question on the timing, and people want to make sure that the constituents downstate are part of the overall discussion.”

The Business Council of Westchester, which has strongly advocated for a full-gaming license at Empire City Casino, is excited to present an exclusive opportunity to hear directly from MGM Resorts International’s Chairman and CEO Jim Murren as the keynote speaker at the BCW Annual Dinner on October 10, 2019, at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook, N.Y.

“This is such an exciting time for Empire City Casino, and the Business Council of Westchester stands strongly behind the granting of a full-gaming license in Yonkers,” said John Ravitz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the BCW. “The benefits to the local, state and business communities would be monumental, plus the added funding for the schools. We all are looking forward to hosting Jim Murren at our annual dinner, and the BCW will continue to advocate for a speedy approval of a full-gaming license at Empire City.”

MGM bought Empire City and Yonkers Raceway from longtime owners the Rooney family for approximately $850 million. Empire City has estimated that another 2,829 jobs would be created on top of the 1,200 already at the Yonkers facility if they receive their full license. That would add about $130 million to the current $45 million annual payroll. “Why would we wait until 2023 when we can do that right now and have economic development now that the state can use,” Clinton told the Business Journal.

Read the full interview here.

This year’s BCW Annual Dinner with MGM’s Jim Murren will again be held at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook. Cocktail reception will start at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program from 7-9 p.m. For information on sponsorships, contact Charlene Nixon, Senior Director of Membership, at Cnixon@thebcw.org. To register or for more information about the dinner, please visit thebcw.org.