MGM is expected to announce plans to expand on the 97-acre property with a hotel and more entertainment options in the near future.

MGM Executive Uri Clinton will serve as president and chief operating officer of Empire City, and this will be the company’s first entertainment property in New York, with 5,300 machines and the largest harness track in the state. MGM will truly provide Empire City employees and the property’s guests with the resources and opportunities to make the casino and track into something we haven’t even yet realized. What’s more, the potential for growth at Empire City has absolutely no boundaries. They know how to build and grow properties that continually raise the bar in entertainment, travel and leisure, and we are so thrilled to leave Empire City in MGM’s capable hands. “With destinations throughout the world, from resorts to casinos to entertainment, MGM has a tried-and-true formula for success. “What’s incredibly exciting is the amount of opportunity MGM Resorts will bring to the employees at Empire City, as well as Westchester County, the City of Yonkers and the State of New York,” said Timothy Rooney, president and CEO of Empire City Casino. The Rooney family has owned the raceway since 1972. A slight delay from the NYS Gaming Commission earlier this month tied up the vote until this week, when the commission approved the licenses without comment.Ĭommission Chairman Barry Sample thanked the Rooney family “for the many years they’ve contributed to the health of the harness racing industry in the state,” and welcomed MGM to New York. Last year, MGM announced its intention to buy Empire Casino and the racetrack for $850 million.

With this new addition to the MGM Resorts portfolio, we have now gained a foothold in the high-density New York City region and we look forward to leveraging the MGM platform to maximize value in this evolving marketplace.” “We are pleased to welcome the 1,200 employees at Empire City Casino to the MGM Resorts family,” said Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts.” Over the past three years, we have established a meaningful presence in the northeast with Borgata in Atlantic City, MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and MGM Springfield in Western Massachusetts. After the commission’s approval, MGM completed the transactions for the acquisition of Empire City Casino in Yonkers. This week, the New York State Gaming Commission approved the licenses required to allow the sale and operation of Empire City Casino & Yonkers Raceway to MGM resorts.

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