The free-for-all battle for up to three new casino licenses in New York had its first applicant advance past its local community advisory committee, a critical stage that has already eliminated all three proposals for Manhattan.
The committee on Thursday gave unanimous approval to Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Yonkers, just north of New York City. A similar vote will be held on Thursday afternoon to consider a bid from Resorts World at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.
Both Resorts World and Empire City Casino, which operates alongside Yonkers Raceway, have been considered the front-runners for full casino licenses because they already offer some gambling.
If both receive approval from the committees, the casino bids will next be voted on in December by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board and later that month by the Gaming Commission.
