Labor groups push for full Empire City Casino license
The ‘A Sure Bet for New York’s Future’ alliance has held a virtual rally in support of a full gaming license – including sports betting – for MGM Resort’s Empire City Casino in Yonkers, New York.
Notable labor and community groups, including the Teacher’s Federation, have all thrown their support behind the project, drawing attention to the economic and social benefits it would provide to an area still feeling the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Think of all of the additional union jobs this would create for the building and construction trades men and women,” said Thomas Carey, president of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body. “A full-scale license means the transition would happen immediately, so we would start to see all of this impact for our unions, and our communities, very quickly.”
Whilst labor support for expanding the casino project has been strong in the state, the addition of voices from more community-centric interests has been a newer development.
A Sure Bet for New York’s Future was launched in early March, and has increased its membership more than twofold since. At present more than 60 unions, businesses, faith groups and community organizations have joined the cause. The group projects that should Empire City Casino be awarded a full gaming license and sportsbook capabilities, it would create 13,000 jobs, $75m additional wages, $400m in investment, and provide a $1bn economic boost to the region.
“A full-scale license for Empire City would go a long way toward revitalizing the region. In 2019, Empire City Casino generated $307m that went directly to education funding in our state,” said Samantha Rosado-Ciriello, president of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. “And because gaming revenues in New York are directed to the education fund, this means our state will get the resources it needs to adequately support our children’s education.”
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