
Empire City Casino Contributes Over $5B to New York Education Since MGM Takeover
MGM Resorts' Empire City Casino has generated over $5 billion for New York's education system since its 2019 acquisition. The Yonkers-based facility, purchased for $850 million, operates over 4,400 video lottery terminals (VLTs) with impressive daily earnings of $356 per machine.
Revenue distribution from Empire City Casino breaks down as follows:
- 39.5% retained by Empire City
- 50.5% allocated to New York State Education Fund
- 10% goes to gaming manufacturers and Gaming Commission
The casino contributes approximately $25 million monthly to education, representing 30% of all VLT casino contributions statewide. Additionally, it generates substantial funding for harness racing and local government operations.

Gambler at casino slot machine
MGM's Future Plans for Empire City include:
- Converting to a full-scale casino (pending license approval)
- Adding live dealer table games
- Introducing retail sports betting
- Installing Vegas-style slot machines
- Building a 5,000-seat entertainment venue
- Adding new dining options and a late-night lounge
Recent improvements already completed include:
- Racecourse enhancements
- New VIP gaming room
- Employee dining area upgrades
- LED lighting installation
If granted a commercial casino license ($500 million fee), the proposed transformation would:
- Create 2,500 direct jobs
- Generate $1+ billion annual economic impact
- Support 10,000+ indirect and induced jobs
- Transform into MGM Empire City entertainment destination
The property currently maintains 4,448 VLT positions and continues to be a significant revenue generator for New York State's education system and local economy.
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