MGM Resorts & Genting Group Gain Unanimous CAC Approvals

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Two casino operators with Las Vegas ties, MGM Resorts International and Malaysia-based Genting Group, secured necessary Community Advisory Committee (CAC) endorsements Thursday in the New York casino license race.

The unanimous committee approvals relate to their proposals for transforming existing racetrack-based casinos into full-scale commercial resorts. The CAC votes move them closer to obtaining two of three available downstate New York casino licenses to be awarded this year.

Key takeaways:

  • MGM proposes $2.3 billion renovation of Yonkers casino
  • Genting unveils $5.5 billion mega-resort plan at Aqueduct
  • Both projects advance toward New York casino license approvals, aiming for 2026 openings

Casino Giants’ Billion-Dollar Expansion Plans

MGM, which currently runs Empire City Casino in Yonkers, has proposed a $2.3 billion plan to renovate and expand its facility. The renovation includes a high-limit gaming lounge and a new BetMGM Sportsbook. The company highlighted in a press release that these upgrades aim to increase regional economic activity and respond to community priorities. 

MGM’s operational history includes MGM National Harbor in Maryland and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in New Jersey, both ranked highly among U.S. commercial casinos outside Nevada and Mississippi.

Genting’s proposal for its Resorts World New York City property at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens calls for a $5.5 billion redevelopment. This plan features a 5.6 million-square-foot resort comprising 6,000 slot machines, approximately 800 table games, 2,000 hotel rooms and a 7,000-seat entertainment venue. 

Furthermore, the proposal includes expanded dining options and recreational greenspaces. Genting has estimated that this expansion could raise New York state’s annual gaming tax revenue to $1 billion, up from the current $600 million.

New York Casino License Race Heats Up

The CAC approvals are an important milestone in the process for obtaining a New York casino license. They are expected to influence the final decisions anticipated from regulators later this year. 

The licenses to be awarded by the New York State Gaming Commission permit casinos to offer Class III gaming, which includes live dealer table games and a broader range of slot machines beyond current electronic options.

The competition for the third license remains intense. Other applicants include Hard Rock International partnered with Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets, and Bally’s Corporation, backed by the mayor of New York City. Some proposals have encountered local opposition, but MGM and Genting’s unanimous CAC support reflected strong affirmation of their plans.

MGM and Genting Move to State-Level Review

Both MGM and Genting have extensive experience operating outside traditional gaming hubs, bringing established operational capabilities to their New York proposals. The local approvals signify confidence in their ability to deliver complex casino resort projects.

The proposals now proceed to state-level review by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), marking the next phase in the New York casino license race before that board makes recommendations to the gaming commission by December 1. 

This expansion reflects broader trends in diversifying commercial gaming markets across the U.S., presenting opportunities for partnerships and industry growth in one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.