MGM's Empire City becomes NY latest casino to reopen

Empire City Casino reopened Monday in Yonkers, New York, nearly six months after the MGM Resorts' property was forced to shut down because of the pandemic.

Empire City's doors reopened at 10 a.m. as it became the state's latest casino to resume operations after the pandemic, The Journal News/lohud reports. The casino can only operate at 25% capacity, in accordance with state guidelines. 

The casino will operate under strict safety protocols, including requiring all guests to wear masks, according to a reopening plan posted on its website. Patrons will also need to complete a health screening and have a temperature check before entry. Hand sanitizer dispensers and washing stations are located throughout the casino as are disinfecting wipes. 

Empire City Casino is NOW OPEN. Game on, safely. https://t.co/7iCLgOZn9e pic.twitter.com/bodoZBHDqr

— Empire City Casino (@EmpireCCasino) September 21, 2020

Valet service and bar service won't be available and some machines won't be available to ensure social distancing. Live racing at Yonkers Raceway on the casino property resumed in June. Spectators are still prohibited from races and no on-site wagering is allowed.

Empire City Casino Senior Vice President of Operations and CFO Ed Domingo called it an “unbelievable" feeling to have staff members and customers back. The top priority for the casino is to keep everyone healthy, he said. “It was a long time coming here in Yonkers and Westchester County.”

The casino, which is the largest private employer in Yonkers, furloughed about 1,000 workers in May as the virus kept Empire City's doors closed. MGM CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle in a May 5 letter called the furloughs "the most challenging period ever faced by our company and industry" and said he was unsure how many employees would return before the end of the year.