Resorts World, Empire City Win CAC Backing in NYC

Two of New York’s strongest existing gaming venues cleared a major hurdle this week: Resorts World New York City and MGM Empire City each received unanimous backing from their Community Advisory Committees (CACs) to advance to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board. That board will decide which three commercial casino licences are awarded before year-end — a high-stakes milestone that could reshape gaming and entertainment in the region.

Massive investments, ambitious revenue targets — and some hard questions

MGM’s plan calls for a $2.3 billion reinvestment to transform Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway into a full-scale commercial casino and entertainment complex, while maintaining the racetrack and pari-mutuel operations. MGM projects the enlarged venue would deliver between $1.03 billion and $1.39 billion in annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) — a 92% to 129% lift over current video lottery terminal operations. Since opening in 2006, Empire City has contributed more than $5 billion toward New York State education, including $1.6 billion under MGM’s ownership.

Those numbers are impressive, but they demand scrutiny: projected GGR depends on construction timelines, market competition, and regulatory approvals. If Empire City captures the forecasted upside, players could see expanded game offerings and higher-stakes tables; if not, timelines and job promises could stall. Read our Empire City Casino review for a closer look at the venue’s capabilities and player options (/bonus/reputable/empire-city-casino).

Resorts World’s $5.5B pivot and the power of local support

Genting’s Resorts World NYC is proposing a $5.5 billion integrated resort expansion that the company says will deliver roughly $1 billion in new incremental revenue by next year. RWNYC already sits at the top of the state’s VLT properties and has contributed more than $4.5 billion to the public education fund since its 2011 opening. Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, noted that the CAC process produced unanimous community support — a rare public victory in these contests that strengthens Resorts World’s bid.

Still, scaling a VLT property into an integrated resort brings complexity: zoning, infrastructure upgrades, and neighbourhood impacts will be under the microscope as the proposal moves forward. For a snapshot of Resorts World’s current offerings and incentives, see our Resorts World New York City Casino review (/bonus/pragmatic-play/resorts-world-new-york-city-casino).

Players stand to gain — new games, bigger promos, and local entertainment — but move fast

If either proposal wins final approval, players can expect a broader mix of slots and table games, larger jackpot pools, and more on-site entertainment. Expanded venues typically attract top-tier suppliers — from Pragmatic Play to Novomatic and Booming Games — which means fresh titles, tournaments, and live-dealer options. For example, Booming Games’ Greek Legends demonstrates how modern video slots blend layered features and free spins to boost engagement (/slots/online-slots/greek-legends-slots).

Operators are already advertising player incentives tied to their bids: Empire City lists a headline 500% welcome bonus, while Resorts World highlights a $50 Free Play promotion. Those early-bird incentives often have tight windows and specific wagering conditions, so prospective players should act quickly and review terms before committing.

What’s next — more CAC votes and a tightly watched decision timeline

Three other Manhattan-area bids had CAC setbacks earlier this week, and the remaining proposals face final CAC votes early next week: Bally’s Bronx and The Coney’s on Monday, and Metropolitan Park on Tuesday. After CAC outcomes, the Location Board will weigh community input, economic projections, and operational readiness before making its three licence awards.

The process favors projects with solid fiscal forecasts and clear community backing, but the board’s decisions will also hinge on mitigation plans for traffic, workforce development, and local concerns. Investors, municipal leaders, and players will be watching closely as proponents move from local endorsement to the regulatory finish line.

Both Resorts World and Empire City now carry momentum into the next round. If their forecasts hold and regulatory approvals follow, New Yorkers could see dramatic upgrades to two familiar destinations — and a new era of gaming and events across the state.