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The New York State Gaming Commission announced on Monday that it has approved the licenses to allow MGM to purchase the businesses for $850 million.
The deal was originally expected to be approved earlier this month, but a vote was delayed before MGM could officially purchase the casino and racetrack from the Rooney family, which has owned it since the early 1970s.
According to reports, MGM is likely looking to add a hotel and new entertainment facilities at the site, but nothing has been officially announced. They may also seek a table game license from New York gambling regulators in the casino, though that may be years down the road.
Empire City's 97-acre property sees more than 16 million gaming customers annually. It features more than 5,200 slots and electronic table games, several dining outlets and both live and simulcast horse racing.
“We appreciate the work of the New York Gaming Commission," the Las Vegas-based company said in a statement earlier this month. "We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Empire City’s 1,200 men and women to the MGM Resorts family and begin the work of bringing another world-class entertainment destination to the Northeast.”
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