Casino proposals for Yonkers and Queens approved by Community Advisory Councils
Community Advisory Councils in Yonkers and Queens have voted in favor of casino proposals in their communities.
It's the first time Community Advisory Councils in downstate New York have approved proposals. Three Manhattan plans were rejected.
The final decision on which locations will get a casino will be made by a state commission in December.
MGM Empire City proposal moves forward in Yonkers
In Yonkers, the vote was unanimously in favor of a full casino license for MGM Empire City.
The move brings Yonkers one step closer to actually getting approved for one of three downstate casinos.
"We are grateful to the Community Advisory Committee and our local community for demonstrating their continued support for Empire City Casino. For more than 100 years, Yonkers Raceway and Empire City have been intertwined with the City of Yonkers. We look forward to continuing to drive well-paying jobs for local residents and providing hundreds of millions of dollars in annual education revenue to the State of New York," MGM Resorts said in a statement.
Empire City has had video slots and gaming since 2006, but the Community Advisory Committee vote means table games may be on the way. MGM says it's ready to start construction within months of getting a license, and would add 183 live dealer games to an expanded casino floor, along with 14 new restaurants and bars, and a 5,000 seat venue for concerts and shows.
The proposal is expected to bring in more than $50 million a year to Yonkers in taxes and revenue. The casino is also pledging to create a fund to support nearby small businesses.
Empire City has already been successful, experts say.
"They've brought in more without table games than most casinos in Las Vegas do," casino expert Alan Woinski said. "The fact that they're so successful already means they deserve it."
Woinski said since Empire City is already up and running it won't meet the kind of opposition a brand new facility might.
Resorts World New York City proposal approved in Queens
It comes on the same day a Community Advisory Council in Queens voted in favor of a full casino license for Resorts World New York City.
If it is selected, the $5.5 billion integrated resort would be at the existing casino, bringing added slot machines, gaming tables, hotel rooms, an arena, parking, community greenspace, and 24,000 jobs, 5,000 of which would be permanent.
"On behalf of the entire Resorts World team, I want to thank the Community Advisory Committee for recognizing the impact we will have not only on Queens but all of New York City and State," said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East. "We are incredibly grateful to the large number of residents, partners, and supporters who touted this project, without a single person speaking against it. This is a testament to our mission – solidified over the last 15 years – to be the best neighbor possible here in Queens."
Resorts World New York City would be the largest integrated resort in the U.S.
Ozone Park residents seemed pleased the proposal passed.
"I think it's a good opportunity for the neighborhood to build it up, for the economy, the people that live around here," said Jackie Patti of OZ Auto Body and Towing.
"We need work. We need jobs," resident Yessenia Gonzalez said.
Resorts World will now lay out its plan to the gaming facility location board, a part of which includes a $1 billion boost to the local economy by next year.
"There's good and bad in everything. It's a gamble. It's definitely a gamble," John Patti said. "I hope it does more of a positive impact than a negative."
A proposal to build a casino across from Citi Field in Queens also remains under consideration, but that vote is expected take place Tuesday. That proposal includes a Hard Rock hotel and entertainment center.
Click here for more information about the various downstate casino proposals.