Senate Leader Stewart-Cousins Supports MGM Empire City Casino Conversion; NYC Licenses Accelerated
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Senate Leader Stewart-Cousins supports MGM Empire City Casino Conversion and Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to expedite the process of bidding for at least three additional casinos in NYC or the neighboring suburbs.
Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM Empire City intend to apply for full casino licenses. Seven of the state’s 11 upstate casinos are owned by Native American tribes. Four casinos opened after a 2013 constitutional change. Other downstate casino operations are prohibited until 2023. Hochul”s plan would eliminate fines downstaters would otherwise pay owners of upstations.
According to officials, gaming in downstate New York is full of potential. Genting-owned company claims it has received “unconditional support” from various community leaders over the previous decade. Resorts World has the backing of Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Senators Leroy Comrie and Joe Addabbo Jr., and Stacey Pheffer Amato, the Assemblywoman.
