Yonkers and Queens Casino Proposals Win Key CAC Votes

Both Yonkers and Queens casino proposals have been approved by their respective community advisory councils (CAC), making them the first proposals to be accepted in downstate New York. The two approvals come as all three Manhattan bids were rejected. 

In Yonkers, the council’s vote was unanimous, backing a full casino license for MGM Empire City, which has operated video slots and gaming since 2006. 

MGM says it is ready to begin construction within months of receiving a license. The project involves expanding the gaming floor to include 183 live-dealer table games, 14 new restaurants and bars, and a 5,000-seat entertainment venue.

MGM Resorts expressed its gratitude to the council in a statement following the decision, 

“For more than 100 years, Yonkers Raceway and Empire City have been intertwined with the city. We look forward to continuing to drive well-paying jobs and provide hundreds of millions of dollars in annual education revenue to New York State.”

The project is expected to generate $50 million annually for Yonkers through taxes and revenue, and MGM has pledged to establish a fund to support nearby small businesses. 

On the same day, the Queens Community Advisory Council voted in favor of granting Resorts World New York City a full casino license. The $5.5 billion proposal would expand the existing facility at Aqueduct Racetrack into the largest integrated resort in the US, adding gaming tables, hotel rooms, parking, community greenspace, and an arena. It promises 24,000 jobs, including 5,000 permanent positions, and a $1 billion local economic boost by next year.

A state commission will make the final decision on casino licenses in December, selecting three winners from the remaining five bids. 

Manhattan casino plans falter

While Yonkers and Queens moved closer to casino approvals, the news disappointed supporters of three high-profile Manhattan proposals, all of which suffered defeat.  

The Freedom Plaza plan, which was to be located near the United Nations, lost a 4–2 vote by the advisory committee. The project, which the Mohegan Tribe backed, would have included casinos, hotels, housing, and parks, but will no longer advance to the next stage.  

Last week, councils also rejected plans for Caesars Palace in Times Square and The Avenir in Hudson Yards, citing community concerns about congestion and a lack of sufficient information. Caesars and its partners expressed disappointment but vowed to maintain their presence in New York.

With the Manhattan proposals eliminated, five casino bids are left. Bally’s Bronx, The Coney in Brooklyn, and MGM Empire City in Yonkers are all still in contention for the three casino licenses in the state, along with two in Queens: Resorts World and Metropolitan Park at Citi Field.