United Way of Westchester & Putnam Honors Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts with Community Service Award at Annual Imagine Gala

L to R: Jonathan Cocchiola, VP of Finance Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts and United Way of Westchester & Putnam Board Member, 

Taryn Duffy VP of Public Affairs Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts & Tom Gabriel, President & CEO of United Way of Westchester & Putnam at the eighth annual Imagine Gala

YONKERS, NY – On June 5, 2024, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (‘Empire City’) was honored with the Community Service Award from United Way of Westchester and Putnam Valley (‘United Way’) in recognition of Empire City’s unwavering commitment to giving back to local communities across Westchester County. The prestigious award was presented by Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, at the United Way eighth annual Imagine Gala with hundreds of supporters in attendance.

Empire City continues to put community and corporate social responsibility (‘CSR’) at the forefront of its commitment to New York as the company remains laser-focused on addressing community needs through its charitable support in the areas of public education, food insecurity and workforce development, which make up MGM Resorts’ enterprise-wide philanthropic initiative, Focused on What Matters. United Way has been a longtime philanthropic partner of Empire City supporting programs focusing on public education in Westchester County. Since MGM Resorts acquired Empire City more than five years ago, their funding and support of United Way has increased with additional grant donations, employee volunteering and in-kind donations.

Recent examples of increased support include program grants to support the United Way summer reading programs under its educational philanthropic pillar. United Way has also received support to launch a new program that focuses on youth violence prevention and mental health awareness. 

“United Way of Westchester & Putnam embodies the values of Empire City in supporting our communities and creating life-changing outcomes for our neighbors,” said Taryn Duffy, Vice President of Public Affairs at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “Partnering with nonprofits like United Way enables us to maximize our impact across the region. They are an incredible partner, and we are humbled by this prestigious honor.“ 

Empire City employees frequently volunteer their time to amplify support of United Way. Community volunteerism is a key tenet at MGM Resorts properties across the globe. The company set a goal to exceed 1.12 million employee volunteer hours by 2025 and achieved this figure nearly two years early. Volunteer initiatives with Empire City employees include annually creating over 800 summer reading and activity kits for students in Westchester to support continued learning and prevent the “summer slide”, a tradition Empire City will continue for the third year in a row this summer. 

Last year, Empire City donated 5,000 backpacks in partnership with the United Way to ensure students in Mount Vernon, Yonkers and the Bronx had the critical supplies needed to ensure a successful start to the 2023-2024 school year. 

“Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the community through strong corporate social responsibility initiatives,” said Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of United Way of Westchester & Putnam. “Selecting Empire City as our 2024 Community Service Award recipient was an obvious choice. They are a true example that WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER and being UNITED, we can change the world for the better.”

As one of the largest casino floors in the country, Empire City welcomes more than nine million visitors from across the tri-state region and beyond each year. As the property looks to secure a full-scale commercial gaming license to offer table games with live dealers, retail sports betting and significantly expand dining and amenities, along with a new entertainment venue, the property would create nearly 2,000 new dire hires, generate more than $1 billion in economic activity for the region resulting in the creation of over 10,000 indirect and induced new jobs, and would support further expansion of its corporate social responsibility initiatives and partnerships.

For more information on Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, the company’s philanthropic pillars and commitment to community volunteerism, visit www.empirecitycasino.com.

About Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts

Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the northeast. Featuring nearly 4,700 of the hottest slots, electronic three card poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and sic bo table games, Empire City Casino also offers guests year-round harness racing and international simulcasting; live entertainment including the best party, tribute, and Latin bands; New York’s hottest DJ’s, and more. A selection of dining options will satisfy even the most discerning palate with fan-favorite fare at The Pub, and convenient delicious options at Lil’ Cocina and the Big Kitchen International Food Court. Visit Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts located at 810 Yonkers Avenue (off I-87 at Central Avenue) Yonkers, NY, Westchester County, open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Empire City Casino is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit www.empirecitycasino.com or call 914.968.4200. 

About MGM Resorts International

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 31 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company’s 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company’s subsidiary LeoVegas AB offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®.

Media Contacts: 

Josh Knoller, Nicholas & Lence Communications, (201) 294-9586, josh@nicholaslence.com 

Maria Cray, Nicholas & Lence Communications, (508) 245-6564, maria@nicholaslence.com

Tatiana Diaz  Community Affairs Manager Empire City CasinoPhone: 914-457-2442 E-mail: tdiaz@empirecitycasino.com