Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioThe first Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting for the MGM Empire City casino proposal in Yonkers took place on July 24. Notably, unlike the other CAC meetings held so far, MGM representatives did not present their bid.
As a result, the CAC hearing was relatively short. The committee elected James Cavanaugh as chair and reviewed precedential guidelines.
The Empire City CAC is also unique in its composition. Because Yonkers falls outside New York City’s boundaries, the committee has only five members, one fewer than the other CACs.
Its members are appointed by the Governor, the County Executive, the State Senator, the State Assembly Member, and the City’s Chief Executive (Yonkers’ Mayor).
MGM Stands Alone in Absence at CAC Meetings
The reasons behind MGM’s decision not to present its project remain unclear. While a formal presentation is not a required step in the CAC process, MGM’s absence stands out. It’s the only developer so far to forgo introducing its proposal directly to committee members.
In contrast, four of the eight applicants have presented their casino vision and answered questions from CAC members.
The Avenir and Freedom Plaza bids were the first to hold CAC meetings, on July 16 and July 17, respectively. The former’s developers, which include Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming, highlighted Silverstein’s community ties and Rush Street’s experience with building casinos in large markets.
Meanwhile, Freedom Plaza’s developer, the Soloviev Group, and its casino partner, Mohegan Gaming, touted affordable housing, job creation, and community-directed funding.
During its July 21 CAC meeting, Resorts World New York City‘s parent company, Genting, promised a “ready-to-go” casino expansion by mid-2026, one year faster than MGM and years faster than the rest.
Resorts World also promised significant economic and social investment, as well as a focus on diversity, education, and small businesses.
The last completed CAC hearing was for Caesars Palace Times Square on July 23. Representatives from the developers, including SL Green Realty, Caesars Entertainment, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, pitched a $250 million community benefits package.
Some of the project’s selling points included community integration, adaptive reuse, job creation, and responsible gambling initiatives. Jay-Z took an active role, calling the proposal “additive, not competitive,” in Times Square and on Broadway.
What Do We Know About MGM Empire City?
MGM’s proposal aims to transform its existing Empire City racing in Yonkers into a full-scale casino.
Empire City and Resorts World are the only racinos among the applicants, and many consider them frontrunners due to their existing presence in the community, tax contributions, and minimal effort required to convert to a casino. Some of MGM’s plans include:
- A redesigned casino floor of over 350,000 square feet.
- A new 9,500-square-foot BetMGM sportsbook lounge.
- A 5,000-seat entertainment venue.
- Five new dining venues.
Notably, the project is the only one that does not include a hotel. Valued at $2.3 billion, MGM’s plan is the smallest among the current bids.
In comparison, Resorts World’s bid is around $5 billion, while Freedom Plaza’s pitch is the most ambitious, with a value of $11.1 billion. Still, MGM estimates the casino conversion will create 2,500 construction jobs and around 2,000 additional permanent jobs.
What’s Next?
As part of the licensing process, the CAC will hold at least two public hearings to gather community feedback. As MGM did not present its plans at the initial meeting, it is expected to do so before one of these hearings.
The CAC will then hold a final public meeting to vote on whether to approve the project by September 30. To move forward, the proposal must secure two-thirds approval from the five-member committee, which translates to at least four affirmative votes. A 3–2 vote would fall short at 60% and result in rejection.
If the CAC approves the bid, it will proceed to a review by the Gaming Facility Location Board. The Board will then review all applications and award three licenses by the end of the year.
