Racinos in Yonkers, Queens Earn CAC Approval in New York Casino License Race

^{Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East, expressed gratitude for the CAC's votes to push the Resorts World New York City racino project forward unanimously. (Photo: courtesy of Resorts World New York)}

Two existing racinos passed their community advisory committees (CACs) with flying colors on Thursday, putting them in excellent position to gain full casino licenses later this year.

Both MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens earned unanimous approval from their CACs, reinforcing their status as favorites in the race for three downstate casino licenses.

Racinos Clear Hurdle that Ended Manhattan Proposals

The approvals stand in sharp contrast to the three bids coming out of Manhattan, all of which were voted down at the CAC stage. Proposals needed a two-thirds positive vote from their CAC to move forward in the process; all three Manhattan-based projects fell to 4-2 votes rejecting the casinos.

On Thursday morning, Empire City bucked that trend, earning a 5-0 vote from its committee. 

“We are grateful to the Community Advisory Committee and our local community for demonstrating their continued support for Empire City Casino,” MGM Resorts said in a statement. “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.”

Empire City and Resorts World NYC have long been considered frontrunners in the licensing battle thanks to their established gambling operations, which can be expanded immediately upon receiving a license. However, local officials also stressed that getting a license will be critical to prevent existing locations like Empire City Casino from becoming obsolete.

“Who is going to continue going to an aging slot parlor that has none of these things?” James Cavanaugh, the CAC member appointed by Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, said, comparing the current electronic gaming at Empire City to the varied offerings venues with a full casino license will be able to offer. “This casino license is existential for the city of Yonkers.”

Four Casino Bids Advance in New York Licensing Race After Final CAC Votes

Later Thursday, Resorts World New York City, operated by gaming giant Genting, also received its own unanimous 6-0 vote from its CAC. Genting leadership has said that it plans to expand its current location into the largest casino in the country should it receive a license.

“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,” Genting Americas East President Robert DeSalvio said in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful to the large number of residents, partners, and supporters who touted this project, without a single person speaking against it.”

While these votes put the two racinos in the driver’s seat for New York casino licenses, the battle isn’t quite over yet. CAC votes advanced Bally’s Bronx and Metropolitan Park, while The Coney is dead as expected. 

The two racinos are widely expected to secure licenses due to their established operations, leaving the final spot likely to come down to Bally’s Bronx or Metropolitan Park.

All CAC-approved bids will now move on to the Gaming Facility Location Board, which will make its recommendations to the New York State Gaming Commission. Licenses are expected to be awarded in late December.