Empire City Casino tops list for five awards in annual survey

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts hit the industry awards jackpot this summer, winning five awards from Strictly Slots Magazine as part of its annual Best of Racino Awards.

Strictly Slots, which covers the latest highlights in gaming, racing and casino properties around the world, conducts the annual survey of readers who select their favorite racinos across a wide range of categories to identify the best of the best.

In addition to winning Best Casino for its welcoming environment and exciting gaming and entertainment atmosphere, readers voted Empire City to the top spot in the categories of Friendliest Racino, Best Variety of Slots/VLTs, Best Race & Sports Book and Best Online Racing.

“We are honored to receive this recognition directly from customers as it reflects our commitment to delivering top-tier hospitality and entertainment for our guests,” said Ed Domingo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “With one of the largest gaming floors in the country and the largest in the MGM Resorts portfolio of properties, Empire City Casino continues to prioritize and invest in our property and customer experience.”

Since MGM Resorts acquired Empire City Casino in January 2019, the company has made significant upgrades to the property and experience for its nine million annual visitors. Among the highlights include a new state-of-the-art VIP gaming floor, the integration of Empire City into MGM Resorts’ world class rewards program, MGM Rewards, as well as the successful launch of online sports betting in New York with its exclusive mobile and retail sports wagering partner, BetMGM.

Empire City also invested $500,000 to renovate historic Yonkers Raceway last summer, the first investment in the harness track in more than 15 years. Renovations included resurfacing and regrading the entire track with mostly recycled materials, raising the turns as much as a foot and placing 14-degree banks to eliminate any unevenness in specific locations. The extensive renovation all included the installation of all-new LED track lighting to improve the visibility and overall racing experience.