MGM Resorts Worldwide unveiled Wednesday the corporate’s imaginative and prescient for what its Empire Metropolis On line casino would possibly appear like if the property is awarded one of many three downstate New York gaming concessions that would offer privileges for slot machines, desk video games, and sports activities betting.
MGM Resorts Worldwide’s rendering of Empire Metropolis ought to the racino be awarded a full-scale on line casino license. New York officers are anticipated to start fielding bids for the three downstate licenses subsequent yr. (Picture: MGM Resorts Worldwide)
In a press release Wednesday, MGM mentioned ought to it acquire one of many downstate full-scale on line casino licenses, the corporate would utterly overhaul Empire Metropolis. The venture would come with increasing the property’s gaming flooring and bringing a 5,000-seat leisure venue to Yonkers.
A BetMGM Sportsbook, meals and beverage retailers by celebrated cooks, cocktail bars and lounges, and technologically superior assembly amenities would even be included.
MGM Resorts has an extended and proud historical past of delivering world-class leisure and gaming experiences, and we couldn’t be extra excited to construct on that monitor file at MGM Empire Metropolis,” mentioned Invoice Hornbuckle, MGM president and chief govt officer. “A full-scale on line casino and leisure vacation spot will present unparalleled experiences, create 1000’s of jobs, increase the state’s economic system, and be a game-changer for the whole area.”
Empire Metropolis is presently a video lottery terminal racino. MGM acquired the property in 2019 for $850 million in hopes of in the future transitioning the racino right into a Las Vegas-style on line casino resort. That day might quickly be right here.
New York On line casino Favorites
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board subsequent yr will start fielding functions for the three downstate on line casino licenses it has to situation.
The gaming permits had been licensed by way of state laws handed in 2013. The gaming growth included a 10-year moratorium on the downstate licenses being granted to permit the 4 upstate casinos additionally licensed within the laws to open freed from competitors from the New York Metropolis area.
Empire Metropolis and Resorts World New York Metropolis, one other racino providing VLTs, are thought of the front-runners for 2 of the on line casino licenses. 9 different bids are being prepped from main on line casino giants, together with Las Vegas Sands on Lengthy Island, Caesars Leisure in Occasions Sq., Exhausting Rock Worldwide in Queens, and Wynn Resorts in Hudson Yards.
MGM’s unveiling of its Empire Metropolis property, ought to it obtain one of many on line casino concessions, didn’t include a lot fanfare. Particulars had been additionally reasonably scant.
In contrast to different bids pledging to develop distinctive points of interest and neighborhood advantages like reasonably priced housing, MGM mentioned solely {that a} full on line casino would improve jobs and develop taxes in Yonkers.
“Empire Metropolis is Yonkers’s largest tax contributor and one among its largest non-public employers. Future growth plans will considerably increase workforce numbers with 1000’s of direct hires and over 10,000 anticipated oblique and induced jobs. The property presently spends tens of hundreds of thousands yearly on native items and providers, conserving New York {dollars} within the state,” the MGM assertion learn.
On line casino Enlargement
Empire Metropolis is MGM’s largest gaming flooring in its US portfolio. Measuring 160,00 sq. ft, the racino presently gives 4,600 VLT and digital desk sport positions.
Upon receipt of a on line casino license, MGM says it is going to additional broaden its Empire Metropolis on line casino flooring, however by how a lot, and what number of slots and desk video games can be featured wasn’t detailed.
Every downstate on line casino license prices a one-time $500 million payment. Profitable corporations should spend one other $500 million, at minimal, on their resort initiatives.
