For more than a century, Yonkers Raceway, today known as Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, has been a cornerstone of the City of Yonkers. Generations have worked there, gathered there, and relied on the property as part of Yonkers’ identity and economy. Now, this site is on the cusp of its most transformative moment yet: the chance to secure a full commercial casino license.
This project will not simply add live-dealer table games or a sportsbook. It will result in billions in private investment, create thousands of good-paying union jobs, and give Yonkers and Westchester a sustainable revenue stream that strengthens schools, public safety, and infrastructure for decades to come. But there’s a critical truth that too many residents don’t realize: this project will only move forward if the state hears loud and clear support from the community. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Empire City already boasts the sixth-largest gaming floor in the nation and has been operating as a casino for nearly 20 years. With a full license, it can transform quickly into a world-class destination casino. The ripple effects of that transition are profound.
Thousands of permanent union jobs will be created, creating new positions in hospitality, culinary arts, marketing, finance, IT, security, and gaming. These are careers with benefits, training, and advancement opportunities inside a Fortune 500 company. Another 6,500 union construction jobs will be created. For local families, this means pathways to stability and mobility, without needing to leave Yonkers or Westchester for career opportunities.
Empire City’s partnerships with SUNY Westchester Community College and the Hotel Trades Council will establish a Dealer School, opening doors for young people and mid-career workers alike. MGM’s tuition support program means employees can also pursue nearly free college degrees while working. This isn’t just a project, it’s a pipeline for long-term prosperity.
Across the region, businesses of all sizes stand to gain significantly. MGM already contracts with dozens of local suppliers, but a full casino license will multiply that demand: product manufacturers and suppliers, print shops, transportation providers, service providers, and countless other local enterprises will see new business.
And the tax benefits? Substantial. A full license means hundreds of millions annually for education statewide, with direct revenue-sharing to Yonkers and Westchester County. That can mean stronger schools, improved infrastructure, and relief for local taxpayers. Instead of higher property tax bills to fund public services, Yonkers could have a reliable, recurring stream of private-sector dollars.
MGM’s plans include a state-of-the-art entertainment venue that could host nationally recognized performers year-round. Imagine world-class shows in Yonkers, drawing visitors not just from Westchester but across the Tri-State area. Restaurants, shops, hotels, and attractions across the region would share in the benefit.
This would be a new cultural anchor, one that complements our local identity and makes Yonkers a true destination.
But there’s the catch: New York will award up to three downstate casino licenses. Competing projects are already lobbying hard, many tied to Manhattan-based developments with priorities that do not center on Yonkers or Westchester.
Empire City is unique. It is already operating, already unionized, already part of the community. It is ready to convert quickly, meaning the jobs and revenue will arrive years faster than other proposals. But readiness alone will not carry the day. State law requires that the Community Advisory Council (CAC) confirm broad-based public support. If that support is absent or muted, the license can and will go elsewhere.
On September 16th, the CAC will hold public hearings, and written testimony will be accepted via email. This is where Yonkers’ future will be decided. It is not enough for a few stakeholders to speak up; the state must hear from ordinary residents, business owners, parents, and workers. Without visible, vocal support, this once-in-a-generation opportunity will slip away.
Empire City has been part of Yonkers for more than 126 years. A full casino license is the next logical chapter in that history. It means jobs, tax relief, entertainment, and investment, all in a project designed for and with this community. The choice is now in our hands. Do we want the revenue, the jobs, and the cultural spotlight to stay here in Yonkers, or watch them go elsewhere?
This September, let’s make sure Albany hears us. Attend a public hearing. Submit a written comment. Talk to your neighbors. Because the future of Yonkers won’t be decided by chance, it will be decided by whether we raise our voices to secure it.
