MGM Withdraws Yonkers Casino Bid: Mayor Demands Investigation

MGM's Casino Application Withdrawal

• ⚡ MGM has withdrawn its application for a $2.3 billion casino expansion project in Yonkers, just hours before the state's deadline.
• 💡 The company cited a "newly defined competitive landscape" and a recent guideline change affecting license duration as reasons for the difficult decision.

Mayor's Reaction and Demands

• 💔 Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano expressed feeling "blindsided" and called MGM's withdrawal a "betrayal."
• 🔍 Spano is calling on Governor Hokll to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.

Financial Implications and Potential Conflicts

• 💰 Officials in Yonkers had been anticipating significant job creation and millions in new tax revenue from the project.
• 📈 Court documents reveal a potential $115 million payment to the Trump Organization if Bal's Corporation obtains a gaming license, a detail that concerns Mayor Spano.

Remaining Casino Bids

• 🎲 With MGM's withdrawal, there are now three casinos competing for three available licenses.
• 📍 The remaining applicants are Metropolitan Park Casino (Queens), Resorts World New York City Casino (Queens), and Bal's Casino (Bronx).
• 🗓️ The New York Gaming Commission is scheduled to meet later today to discuss the applications.