MGM Empire City highlights tax impact, $2.3B expansion in NY casino bid

MGM Empire City on Thursday presented its $2.3 billion expansion plan to its assigned community advisory committee (CAC) as it seeks one of up to three highly coveted downstate New York casino licenses.

MGM, one of eight bidders, presented its case and responded to questions from the CAC, a body tasked with gauging local support. The Yonkers-based racino is the only contender located outside of New York City, and thus faces a five-member CAC, one fewer than NYC-based proposals. Each applicant must secure four affirmative CAC votes to advance in the state-run selection process.

“Let me assure you, Empire has been, is, and will continue to be the best possible corporate citizen it can be to Yonkers, its residents and the community,” said Louie Theros, president and chief operating officer of Empire City, during the meeting.

MGM said its facility has generated more than $5 billion in taxes since opening under a video lottery terminal (VLT) license, with $1.5 billion collected since MGM acquired the property in 2019. The company also stated it has doubled payroll at the site and invested $1 billion in purchases and improvements.

“Simply put, Yonkers and our employees have waited years for this project,” said Theros. “They have earned it and they deserve it.” Theros also emphasized MGM’s ongoing commitment to horse racing at the site, adding that support for racing “will continue."

The proposed expansion includes a revamped casino floor, a new main entrance with porte cochere, and a 5,000-seat entertainment venue, with a targeted July 2027 launch, positioning it as the second-fastest projected rollout among competitors.

Designed by JCJ Architecture, the redesign seeks to fuse urban appeal with a more natural aesthetic. “Our project site sits at a very unique point of convergence,” said JCJ Principal Mike Larson. “It borders both the urban metropolis that is New York City to the south and is a gateway to the natural beauty of the surrounding New York countryside to the north.”

The CAC must hold two public hearings, with the first scheduled for August 11 at 6 p.m. A binding vote on the project is required by September 30.

The state is expected to award up to three downstate licenses, with billions in investment and thousands of jobs on the line as the competition heats up across the New York metro area.