Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano urged New York state to grant a gaming license for the city’s casino in his annual State of the City address Wednesday.
In a speech titled “Destination: Yonkers,” Spano said getting a full gaming license for MGM Empire City Casino is “make or break” for Yonkers. Empire City, which currently operates as a slot machine parlor, is already Yonkers’ largest private employer. MGM has been working on a more than $2 billion plan to renovate the casino, and if it gets one of three gaming licenses issued by the state this year, it would make way for gaming tables and a full-on concert venue.
Spano, a Democrat, says the upgrade would generate thousands of local jobs and more than $1 billion in economic activity.
