Skip to Content
Author: The BCW

BCW’s Ravitz Provides Testimony Supporting Full Gaming License for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts

BCW Executive VP and COO John Ravitz speaking at the  “A Sure Bet for New York’s Future Alliance” press conference held Nov. 17, 2021 at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts

As Westchester County’s largest business membership organization that focuses on economic development and advocacy, the BCW has been a long-time advocate of obtaining a full gaming license for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts.

BCW Executive Vice President and COO John Ravitz provided testimony supporting the full gaming license at a meeting held Monday in Yonkers by the Community Advisory Council. He began by stating that obtaining a full-gaming license for Empire City by MGM Resorts has been and will continue to be the top legislative priority for the BCW.

He noted that Empire City by MGM Resorts has already demonstrated to be a proven winner for the city of Yonkers, the County, and the state, by generating over $300 million dollars in tax revenue each year to fund state education, and millions more for state and local government coffers.

He also pointed out that the enhanced development of the property will make it one of the largest incubators for workforce development, creating 2,000 new jobs for the residents of Westchester and the Bronx, jobs that will change the lives of 2,000 individuals and their families.

Ravitz said Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts has already established solid working relationships with related businesses in the City of Yonkers. “I also hope this Committee will consider is the huge commitment that Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts has made to being a good neighbor to the surrounding community of their property.”

Ravitz pointed out the BCW with its Friends in Labor, Non-for-profits and other community based organizations created “A Sure Bet for New York’s Future Alliance” to demonstrate that allowing Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts a full­ gaming license will be a GAME CHANGER for the city, the county and the state.

He concluded, “As this process continues to move forward, we all must remember how transformative this project will be not just in the immediate future, but for generations to come. Simply put, this is a win-win opportunity for all of us.”.

Read the full text of John Ravitz testimony »

Similar News Items

BCW Member Pace University announced this week the appointment of Ajay Khorana, Ph.D., as Dean of the Lubin School of Business and professor of finance, effective September 1, 2025. Pace President Marvin Krislov praised Khorana’s impressive background in global finance, commitment to student and institutional success, and ability to bridge industry and academia. “Ajay Khorana is a […]

Read Article

In what is encouraging news for developing renewable energy, three new battery energy systems have come online in Westchester County.  Calibrant, the company which owns and operates battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Hawthorne, Yorktown, and Ossining, said the systems are connected with Con Edison’s electric grid and are already producing economic benefits under New […]

Read Article

Congratulations to the City of Yonkers on its selection as one of the 50 finalists of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Sixth Mayors Challenge, a competition to spur local government innovation that improves lives in cities around the world. The City of Yonkers is among ten U.S. cities and the only city selected from New York State. “Thank […]

Read Article

Become A Member

Join the county’s largest and most influential business organization today.

JOIN NOW!
The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping businesses market, learn, advocate, and grow. Over 80 events and programs are offered every year, giving our members ample opportunity to connect and meet with businesses representatives in the Westchester community and beyond.
Back to top