A SURE BET FOR NEW YORK’ BRING FULL GAMING AND SPORTS BETTING TO EMPIRE CITY CASINO -MGM YONKERS

The Yonkers Times, 3/7/2021

A Sure Bet for New York’s Future” Alliance Launches & Calls on Governor and Legislature to Support a Full Gaming License and Access to Mobile Sports Betting for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Yonkers.

“A Sure Bet for New York’s Future” announced the creation of the new local alliance in support of a full gaming license and access to mobile sports betting for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts and touted its benefits for Yonkers, the Bronx, and the greater Westchester region.

Nearly 30 businesses, community organizations, and labor groups in Westchester and the Bronx have formed the new alliance. They include: the Business Council of Westchester, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body.

A full-scale casino license, complete with retail and mobile sports betting and live table games, will create thousands of new, family-sustaining union jobs, while generating millions in additional annual wages and tax revenue that would directly benefit local communities. The alliance is also focused on ensuring that the region is not left behind as the state considers implementing mobile sports betting.

“A full-scale casino license for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Yonkers is a no brainer,” said John Ravitz, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Business Council of Westchester. “The brick and mortar is already in place. A full-scale casino license will enhance the existing facility and is a clear path to providing significantly more revenue for the state, offering union jobs, and supporting the entire region. And if New York is going to legalize mobile sports betting, MGM Resorts must be able to compete for a license. BetMGM is one of the top mobile sports betting platforms in the country, and New York needs and deserves the best operators.”

“There is overwhelming support among Bronx residents, community leaders, and businesses for Empire City to become a full-scale casino because we already have benefitted from Empire City’s presence,” said Lisa Sorin, President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “A full-scale casino license for Empire City will no doubt have a direct impact on the Bronx. We urge the Governor and the Legislature to allow Empire City to develop into a full-scale casino so we can start to see the jobs and the revenue our state needs this fiscal year.”

“A full-scale casino license at Empire City will support the creation of thousands of new union jobs from the more than $1 billion impact it will have on the region,” said Thomas Carey, President of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body. “Think of all of the union jobs this will create for business and our Building and Construction Trades Brothers and Sisters as well as Food Service employees, security, and the endless opportunities as we advance. If Albany wants to prioritize economic recovery, they must allow Empire City to apply for a full-scale casino license as soon as possible.”

The Alliance co-chairs sent a letter to Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Heastie, asking that a defined process be put in place to allow Empire City Casino to be able to pursue a full-scale commercial casino license so that the state can immediately benefit from this turnkey private economic development project.

The Alliance launched with nearly 30 members, which will continue to grow. Alliance members to-date include:

100 Hispanic Women of Westchester

Big Brothers Big Sisters of FSW

C&F Consulting Engineering, P.C.

Dan Schorr, LLC

Delbello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, LLP

Forme Medical Center and Urgent Care

Green Grass Real Estate

HV Gateway Chamber

IAFF Local 628 Yonkers Firefighters

IQ Contracting Inc & Associates

Kings Capital Construction

KVL Audio Visual Services Inc.

LOCAL 3 IBEW / Westchester Central Labor Body

Marx Realty, Cross County Shopping Center

MPac

Nicholas & Lence Communications

Norcom Solutions

NorthMarq Capital, LLC

Progressive Computing Inc.

Robert Martin Company

Signarama

Skyqueen Enterprises

The DeLuca Group

United Black Clergy of Westchester

Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body

Yankwitt LLP

Yonkers Avenue Dental

Yonkers Chamber of Commerce

Zeidel & Associates P.C.

To learn more about the Alliance and/or join as a member visit: www.thebcw.org/alliance