Yonkers was caught off guard this week when MGM Resorts unexpectedly withdrew its proposal to transform the existing Empire City Casino into a full-scale gambling destination. As reported by the 6sqft, the announcement came shortly after MGM Empire City advanced as a top contender in the casino license race, with their proposal making it to the final round. Citing a "newly defined competitive landscape" and reduced license terms as primary factors, MGM's exit alters the ongoing bidding process for downstate casino licenses in New York.
According to Gothamist, MGM's proposal was one of four competing for up to three licenses to be awarded by the state and initially included plans to expand the gaming area and add new amenities. However, strong competition within a limited geographic area and a reduction in license duration from 30 to 15 years led to MGM’s withdrawal, adding complexity to the bidding process.
The remaining candidates for the casino licenses are Bally's Bronx proposal at the former Trump-owned Ferry Point Park, along with bids from Resorts World New York City and Metropolitan Park, both in Queens. With only three projects left in the running, speculation about the outcome has increased, especially amid Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins’s concerns about potential outside influence. "Frankly, this decision makes little sense — especially after MGM had just been celebrating its advancement through the first round of the process," Jenkins remarked, in a statement obtained by Gothamist, hinting at potential influence exerted by former President Donald Trump's interests.
Meanwhile, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano expressed disappointment, labeling the MGM's reversal as "nothing short of a betrayal" to the community, and urged an independent investigation into the process. Spano voiced concerns to 6sqft that the halt might unjustly benefit the Bally's Bronx proposal, which has financial ties to Trump. "It’s also no secret that Bally’s has a deal with Donald Trump that they will pay him an additional $115 million if they can open a casino there. People need to be assured that there is no linkage between MGM’s decision and the massive financial benefit to Donald Trump," Spano stated.
With MGM’s departure, the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board will proceed with the selection process under new circumstances. Despite MGM’s withdrawal, the competition for casino licenses in downstate New York remains ongoing.
