PGAM takes place each March to highlight the help available to those who are struggling with problem gambling, bringing together a variety of stakeholders including public health organisations, treatment providers, advocacy groups and gambling operators.

According to Casino City Times, Empire City will light its porte cochère in blue and yellow to raise responsible gaming awareness during March – blue being the official colour of PGAM and yellow to support the New York Council on Problem Gambling’s ‘Shine a Light’ initiative.

On 14 March, the casino will also host a free problem gambling screening event to raise awareness and promote problem gaming prevention. The event will include a brief questionnaire, educational resources, and specialised trained responsible gaming individuals who will offer best practices and highlight problem gambling initiatives.

Empire City will also spotlight responsible gaming practices in-person with guests and employees, as well as online on its social media platforms.

“Empire City is committed to promoting responsible gaming both through GameSense and through our partnerships to ensure our employees and guests have the necessary tools and resources to facilitate and encourage a fun, safe gaming environment for all to enjoy,” stated Ed Domingo, SVP and General Manager for Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts.

2023 marks the 20th anniversary of PGAM, which takes place in March every year to coincide with the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament, one of the most wagered-on sporting events of the year in the US.

As part of MGM Resorts, Empire City also utilises the responsible gaming program GameSense to promote the message of responsible gambling throughout its venue.

Through GameSense, responsible gaming messaging and tips are shown prominently throughout the gaming floor and QR codes are placed on slot machines to offer access to information and educational materials. 

Employees also receive annual GameSense training and some are also trained as GameSense Advisors to provide immediate support to anyone who may need it.

MGM Resorts recently extended its partnership with GameSense for an additional five years.

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Said to deliver a “new experience” for guests, the new games will offer the most recently released titles, while replacing almost 20 per cent of the nearly 5,000 slots and electronic table games. 

Responsible for the transformation of Empire City’s gaming floor is its Executive Director of Slot Operations, Ryan Munroe, who has developed his career with Empire City for more than a decade. 

“If you think the casino floor looks different, you are right,” stated Munroe. “In my 15 years working at Empire City, I can’t remember a time where we’ve had so many new games hit the gaming floor over a relatively short time period. 

“MGM Resorts continues to make the necessary investments to ensure a top-tier experience for our guests. Empire City also has some of the highest payouts in the industry, which means that more of the money played at Empire City is returned as payouts to our guests.”

The additions include Light & Wonder’s 88 Fortunes Money Coins and Dancing Drums Explosion, Konami Gaming’s Ba Fang Jin Bao and Aristocrat’s Mighty Cash Double Up.

Recent changes by the New York State Gaming Association permitted Empire City to source games from a larger number of vendors than has been possible in the past, allowing titles from Aristocrat Gaming, Konami and Alfastreet.

Munroe also explained that the Empire City Casino will include multiple six-figure progressive jackpots that are unique to the property, rather than the usual progressives that are shared across various casinos. 

Currently, the three highest jackpots available only for Empire City guests include Bally’s Celestial King, which is approaching $600,000, Bally’s Monopoly Millionaire now over $500,000, and IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars at nearly $500,000.

In his current role, Munroe has been actively engaged in MGM Resorts’ preparations to compete for one of the three commercial casino licences currently available in New York.

A commercial casino licence will allow Empire City to transition from a limited lottery facility offering video lottery terminals and electronic table games, to offering live-dealer table games, retail sports betting and Vegas-style slots, for the tri-state area.

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Occupancy will be limited to 25 per cent capacity, with further restrictions including enforcement of face coverings except when eating or drinking, social distancing, additional staff to control occupancy, traffic flow and seating to avoid crowding, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols. 

Following closure earlier in the year due to the ongoing health crisis, hosted, invitation-only access will be available to certain MLife members ahead of September 21.

The group’s ‘Seven-Point Safety Plan’ will also be implemented at the property with the set of protocols including employee and guest screening and temperature checks, physical distancing, barriers installed in areas where distancing presents challenges, limited casino entrance points and increased and enhanced routine cleaning based on CDC guidance.

JUST ANNOUNCED: We are excited to share that Empire City Casino will reopen its doors on Monday, September 21 at 10 a.m. ET. We look forward to welcoming you back, safely.

Plan your visit: https://t.co/w44qBy1LBC pic.twitter.com/d8l2mM3kjz

— Empire City Casino (@EmpireCCasino) September 9, 2020

“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.”

During the temporary closure, Empire City asserts that it remained focused on supporting the community, and continued with a series of donations.

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 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 more than 60 locations located throughout the Bronx; and $25,000 to Feeding Westchester to provide food to residents in Yonkers and Mt. Vernon.

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$850m

MGM Resorts International and MGM Growth Properties have announced the completion of transactions to acquire Empire City Casino, located in Yonkers, New York.

MGM Resorts acquired the property for approximately $850m, with the company agreeing to pay an additional $50m if Empire City is awarded a license for live table games on or prior to December 31, 2022.

Following the purchase MGP secured the developed real property from MGM for in the region of $625m, and leased it back to an MGM subsidiary that is to undertake daily operations.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, commented: “We are pleased to welcome the 1,200 employees at Empire City Casino to the MGM Resorts family.

“Over the past three years, we have established a meaningful presence in the northeast with Borgata in Atlantic City, MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and MGM Springfield in Western Massachusetts.

“With this new addition to the MGM Resorts portfolio, we have now gained a foothold in the high-density New York City region, and we look forward to leveraging the MGM platform to maximise value in this evolving marketplace.”

2024

Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture has announced further details of its integrated resort plans, should it win one of up to three licenses that are set to be issued by the country’s central government, report Asian news outlets.

The confident region, one of only three to confirm its interest in being a host thus far alongside Osaka and Nagasaki Prefecture, has earmarked Wakayama Marina City as its preferred site.

Chosen due to its established infrastructure, its location in close proximity to the Kansai International Airport, in addition to tourist spots such as the Shirahama Hot Springs and the Koyasan World Heritage Site, was also praised.

Wakayama is reported to have set aside $1.8m in next year’s budget for related costs, including IR research and wider financial concerns, with it estimated that an additional four million visitors will be attracted per year, bringing $2.75bn as a result.

It is intended that a grand opening will commence in 2024, alongside Osaka which is widely expected to be successful in its bid to host an IR.

51

Paddy Power Betfair has announced that it has secured number one position in the “fast growing regulated online Georgian market,” via the purchase of a 51 per cent stake in Adjarabet for an initial cash consideration of £101m.

The organisation has also agreed a further stipulation, under the terms of which it expects to acquire the remaining 49 per cent after a period of three years, at a valuation equivalent to seven times of 2021 EBITDA.

In a media statement Paddy Power Betfair released further details of its latest deal: “This acquisition provides the group with exposure to two attractive, fast-growing, regulated markets.

“The online Georgian market is estimated to have grown at a CAGR of 40% from 2016 to 2018 to an estimated £180m of gross gaming revenue, with the nascent Armenian market providing a further growth opportunity.

“We believe that the combination of the market-leading brand and local operational expertise with Paddy Power Betfair’s technology, and leading sports capabilities, positions Adjarabet very well to capitalise on this opportunity.”

1

Las Vegas headquartered Caesars Entertainment has announced plans to debut its first non-gaming hotel in the United States, which is to be located in the Arizona city of Scottsdale.

Falling under the organisation’s new Caesars Republic brand, the four star property is to be developed by HCW Development and operated by Aimbridge Hospitality, with Caesars licensing its brand, in addition to advising on design elements and integrating its total rewards loyalty network.

Stated to tap “into the unique pulse of each host city,” Caesars stressed that no two Republic entity’s are to be exactly alike, with “everything from the décor to the culinary offerings inspired by local traditions and taste-makers”.

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GameSense, an MGM Resorts wide program, strives to align responsible gambling policies with enhanced customer service education, forming part of the latest efforts in promoting such initiatives within the industry.

MGM states that GameSense “will come alive” via personal interactions between guests and trained staff based at the property’s member rewards location.

As well as speaking to trained employees, guests of Empire City Casino will be able to utilise interactive GameSense touchscreens in addition to picking up educational materials and other resources.

Launched nationwide two years ago, with responsible gambling measures “a major focus at every one of the company’s casinos worldwide,” GameSense has already sparked more than 900,000 conversations with guests. 

Through implementing the initiative, responsible gambling education and support will be integrated into Empire City Casino’s guest service culture, designed to help individuals make informed decisions and keep gambling fun.

“It’s exciting to introduce MGM programs, such as GameSense, to our guests,” added Uri Clinton, Empire City Casino President and COO. “This program epitomises the MGM culture – it’s innovative, forward-thinking and puts our guests first. We look forward to introducing GameSense to the community.”

MGM Resorts International and MGM Growth Properties announced the completion of transactions to acquire Empire City Casino earlier this year.

MGM Resorts acquired the property for approximately $850m, with the company agreeing to pay an additional $50m if Empire City is awarded a license for live table games on or prior to December 31, 2022.

Following the purchase MGP secured the developed real property from MGM for in the region of $625m, and leased it back to an MGM subsidiary that is to undertake daily operations of the entity.

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Net revenues for the group during 2019’s first quarter came in at $3.2bn, a 13 per cent boost from £2.8bn, operating income jumped three per cent to £370m (2018: 359m) and adjusted EBITDA increased five per cent to $740m (2018: $701m).

Breaking down the figures further, MGM saw its Las Vegas strip resorts remain consistent at $1.4bn, with its wider regional properties increasing 21 per cent to $804m (2018: $666m), including $78m in contributions from the opening of MGM Springfield on August 24, 2018, and $37m in contributions from the acquisition of Empire City Casino earlier this year.

Furthermore MGM China’s $734m in revenue represents a 25 per cent increase from $595m, incorporating a full quarter of operations following the opening of MGM Cotai, as well as the addition of 25 new-to-market tables at the turn of the year, which provided a combined $301m.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM, said of the first quarter performance: “The first quarter came in slightly better than our expectations, with consolidated net revenues up by 13 per cent and adjusted EBITDA up 5 per cent.

“Our Las Vegas resorts experienced broad and diversified customer demand. Our non-gaming revenues grew by 4 per cent. We had healthy gaming business outside of baccarat, but previously flagged factors such as a very strong baccarat business in the prior year period, and a low win rate in the current period, led to flat revenues and a 10 per cent decrease in adjusted property EBITDA year over year.

“Our regional properties performed exceptionally well with 24 per cent growth in adjusted property EBITDA, or 9 per cent on a same store basis. MGM Grand Detroit, MGM National Harbor and our Mississippi properties had strong quarters.

“MGM Cotai continued to ramp and contributed to the 26 per cent growth in adjusted property EBITDA at MGM China. During the quarter, we were very pleased to receive the extension to our Macau sub-concession to June 2022. We remain deeply committed to Macau’s continued evolution into an international leisure and tourism destination.”

Before adding on the plans and ambitions for future weeks and months: “We remain focused on achieving our 2020 targets of $3.6bn to $3.9bn in consolidated adjusted EBITDA, and significant growth in free cash flow.

“Our strategy to achieve these goals includes the continued ramping up of MGM Cotai, Park MGM and MGM Springfield, and the implementation of the MGM 2020 Plan. MGM 2020 is a company-wide initiative aimed at leveraging a more centralised organisation, to maximise profitability and lay the groundwork for the company’s digital transformation to drive revenue growth.

“We are creating a streamlined, nimble organisation that empowers leaders to make faster decisions. We are excited about our targeted growth opportunities in Japan, sports betting and interactive initiatives. At the same time, we are maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, and creating long term value for shareholders.”

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MGM Resorts acquired the property for approximately $850m, with the company agreeing to pay an additional $50m if Empire City is awarded a license for live table games on or prior to December 31, 2022.

Following the purchase MGP secured the developed real property from MGM for in the region of $625m, and leased it back to an MGM subsidiary that is to undertake daily operations.

Furthermore, MGM has also agreed to give MGP a right of first offer with respect to certain undeveloped land adjacent to the property.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, said of the deal: “We are pleased to welcome the 1,200 employees at Empire City Casino to the MGM Resorts family.

“Over the past three years, we have established a meaningful presence in the northeast with Borgata in Atlantic City, MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and MGM Springfield in Western Massachusetts.

“With this new addition to the MGM Resorts portfolio, we have now gained a foothold in the high-density New York City region, and we look forward to leveraging the MGM platform to maximise value in this evolving marketplace.”

The 97-acre Empire City, located 15 miles from Manhattan’s Times Square serves around 16 million eligible gaming customers in southern New York, and features over 5,200 slots and electronic table games, multiple dining outlets, and both live and simulcast horse racing.

Timothy Rooney, president and CEO of Empire City Casino, explained: “What’s incredibly exciting is the amount of opportunity MGM Resorts will bring to the employees at Empire City, as well as Westchester County, the city of Yonkers, and the State of New York.

“With destinations throughout the world, from resorts to casinos to entertainment, MGM has a tried-and-true formula for success. They know how to build and grow properties that continually raise the bar in entertainment, travel, and leisure, and we are so thrilled to leave Empire City in MGM’s capable hands.

“What’s more, the potential for growth at Empire City has absolutely no boundaries. MGM will truly provide Empire City employees and the property’s guests with the resources and opportunities to make the casino and track into something we haven’t even yet realised. I cannot wait to see what’s to come!”

“Today, we continue to expand MGP’s best-in-class portfolio with the acquisition of the real estate assets of Empire City, expanding our geographic footprint to the New York City metropolitan area,” added James Stewart, CEO of MGM Growth Properties.

“This financially accretive transaction further diversifies our existing market-leading regional portfolio, and provides us with additional growth opportunities with a right of first offer on any potential capital improvements in the future. This is another excellent example of the power of our partnership with MGM Resorts.”

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