Empire City Casino hoping to strike gold with full commercial gaming license approval

A local gaming resort casino is hoping lady luck is on its side this new year.

News 12 Staff

Jan 5, 2022, 12:53 PM

Updated 1,067 days ago

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A local gaming resort casino is hoping lady luck is on its side this new year. Empire City Casino is in the process of obtaining a full commercial gaming license that casino officials say would generate billions of dollars in revenue for the Bronx.
Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts marked its 15-year anniversary as the sixth largest gaming floor in the country. The Yonkers-based casino is hoping for some big changes to mark the milestone.
The casino currently operates with a license that allows for only electronic games on the casino floor with virtual hosts and dealers. Empire City Casino is seeking a full-scale gaming license from the state's gaming commission, which would mean gaming tables would be manned by real people.
Ed Domingo, of Empire City Casino, says the economic impact of a full gaming license would not only benefit Yonkers, but also the Bronx. At least 30% of the casino's workforce is from the Bronx.
Empire City, on average, spends about $30 million annually on local suppliers. One of its longtime vendors is Manhattan Beer located in Hunts Point.
Lisa Sorin is with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and she says allowing Empire City to become a full-scale casino would create thousands more jobs for those in the Bronx.
The casino is hoping for the odds its favor for state approval. Empire City says if granted a full-scale gaming license, it would generate well over a billion dollars a year in revenue for the area.