Officials, union leaders push for expansion of Empire City Casino in Yonkers

WCBS880, Kristie Keleshian, 3/27/2021

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Downstate officials and union leaders announced their support for expanding MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino in Yonkers, saying it will help revive the state’s economy.

Supports hope to see the casino get a full-scale casino license, retail, mobile sports betting and live table games. They’re calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers to back the plan.

John Ravitz, executive vice president and COO of the Business Council of Westchester, described the casino’s expansion as a win-win.

“The jobs that will be created with the full-gaming license and the sports betting will not just be the dealers at the tables, we’ll be creating jobs and career paths for people who want to do more in hospitality, who want to do more in finance and IT and security,” Ravitz said.

Union leaders and officials say the expansion will bring an estimated 13,000 jobs, $75 million in additional wages and $1 billion in economic impact to the downstate region.

“The clearest path to provide significantly more revenue for the state, offer good jobs and support the local community is for Empire City Casino to become a full-scale casino complete with retail and mobile sports betting and live table games,” Ravitz said.