(Yonkers, NY – September 9, 2020) – Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (“Empire City”) today announced that it will reopen in a limited capacity to the public at 10:00am on Monday, September 21st, following closure earlier this year amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Hosted, invitation-only access will be available to certain MLife members ahead of September 21st. Upon re-opening, there will be restrictions on capacity and food and beverage availability, per state regulation.
“This has been an unimaginably difficult and challenging time, and as we reopen our doors and welcome back team members and guests, we owe our gratitude to all healthcare and essential workers and those providing resources to the community,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President of MGM Resorts. “It’s been several months since we were forced to close, so it is with strong emotion that we welcome our team members back to work. Health and safety remain our first priority, and our commitment to New York has never been stronger.”
Health & Safety
MGM Resorts’ comprehensive “Seven-Point Safety Plan” is a multi-layered set of protocols and procedures designed in conjunction with medical and scientific experts to mitigate the spread of the virus, protect customers and employees and rapidly respond to potential new COVID-19 cases. As time passes, the company will continue to evaluate and evolve its safety protocols. Key initiatives from the MGM Resorts plan, as well as protocols specific to Empire City, include:
- Employee screening, temperature checks and COVID-19 specific training
- Guest screening and temperature checks with limited casino entrance points
- Masks required in all areas for both employees and guests (and provided free of charge)
- Physical distancing policy for all guests and employees
- Physical barriers installed in areas where distancing presents challenges
- Standalone handwashing stations designed by MGM Resorts and conveniently located on the casino floor
- Increased and enhanced routine cleaning based on CDC guidance, with electrostatic sprayers utilized in many large public areas to apply disinfectant efficiently
- Restaurant digital menus available to view on personal mobile devices via QR codes
- Virtual waiting lists for restaurant guests with text message notification when tables are ready
- MGM Resorts has compiled an internal team and processes to respond if a guest or employee tests positive for COVID-19. If a guest tests positive after visiting an MGM property, they are asked to alert the company through a special email address (covid19@mgmresorts.com). The company will immediately report any positive test results to the local health department.
Per the New York State Gaming Commission, Empire City will initially reopen at 25% capacity of the first-floor public spaces, inclusive of employees and guests.
A glimpse at what guests can expect:
- GAMING – Empire City’s gaming floor of slots and electronic table games will be open. To promote physical distancing, numerous machines have been disabled and chairs have been removed.
- DINING – The Pub, Empire City Chophouse, and The Big Kitchen international food court will be open for dining. Food and beverage are prohibited on the gaming floor.
- BARS & BEVERAGE SERVICE: In accordance with state guidelines, bars on property will remain closed and beverage service on the casino floor is not permitted.
- YONKERS RACEWAY – Live racing resumed at Yonkers Raceway in June, and will continue to follow a revised racing schedule without spectators. State guidelines prohibit on property wagering at this time.
- PROPERTY ENTRANCE – Entrance to the property will be limited to the Yonkers Avenue entrance. The Central Avenue General Parking entrance and Clark Street Valet entrance will remain closed.
- PARKING/VALET – Complimentary self-parking will be available for guests; valet parking and shuttle service will not be operational at this time.
For a full list of offerings, please visit empirecitycasino.com. Empire City will continue to work closely with medical experts and state officials to determine how to safely and appropriately offer more amenities and entertainment to guests when possible.
During the temporary closure, Empire City remained focused on supporting the community. The property donated 25,000 pounds of food, equivalent to 20,000 meals, to Caritas of Port Chester. A donation by MGM Resorts of $150,000 to New York’s Health Research, Inc. (HRI) was designated for first responders and essential workers to provide $5,000 grants to qualifying households. The money will provide reimbursement for expenses such as health care bills, childcare, lodging, transportation, PPE and more. MGM Resorts also donated $25,000 to the Bronx Community Relief Effort to provide meals to Bronx residents in need, as well as grants to small businesses, allowing them to bring some of their employees back to work; $25,000 to the World Central Kitchen to continue the work with Nourish New York to help provide fresh produce and daily meals through 60+ locations located throughout the Bronx; and $25,000 to Feeding Westchester to provide food to residents in Yonkers and Mt. Vernon.
With the reopening of Empire City on Monday, September 21st, MGM Resorts will have reopened all of its domestic properties, with the exception of Park MGM and Four Seasons in Las Vegas, following temporary closure earlier this year amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Park MGM is expected to reopen within the next 30-45 days.
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About Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts
Empire City Casino is one of the largest entertainment and gaming destinations in the northeast. Featuring 4,700 of the hottest slots, electronic three card poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and sic bo, Empire City Casino also offers guests year-round harness racing at Yonkers Raceway and international simulcasting; live entertainment including the best party, tribute and Latin bands; comedy, New York’s hottest DJ’s, and more. A plethora of dining options will satisfy even the most discerning palate with classic steakhouse cuisine at Empire City Chophouse, fan favorite fare at The Pub; Alley 810, a craft cocktail lounge with retro bowling lanes; and convenient delicious options at Lil’ Cocina and the International Food Court. Visit Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway located at 810 Yonkers Avenue (off I-87 at Central Avenue) Yonkers, NY, Westchester County, open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Empire City Casino is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit www.empirecitycasino.com or call 914.968.4200.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 29 unique hotel and destination gaming offerings in the United States and Macau, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry such as Bellagio, MGM Grand, ARIA and Park MGM. The Company’s 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” initiative, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements and "safe harbor statements" that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in MGM Resorts’ public filings with the SEC. MGM Resorts has based forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements MGM Resorts makes regarding how and when its properties will re-open and its ability to mitigate the spread of the virus. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential for additional future outbreaks of the virus, the general economic conditions and market conditions in the markets in which MGM Resorts operates and competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, the design, timing and costs of expansion projects, risks relating to international operations, permits, licenses, financings, approvals and other contingencies in connection with growth in new or existing jurisdictions and additional risks and uncertainties described in MGM Resorts’ Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking statements, MGM Resorts is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements.
Media Contact
Taryn Duffy
tduffy@empirecitycasino.com