The Turn To Tara team got a first look at what's in store for one of the largest gaming floors in the nation should MGM be granted a full-scale New York casino license.

 

Empire City Casino General Manager Ed Domingo told Tara Rosenblum that if given the opportunity of winning one of three downstate casino licenses, the historic Yonkers site will undergo a total transformation.

The plan includes a sparkling new casino floor, celebrity chef restaurants and even a Las Vegas-style sportsbook. The hallmark of the plans includes a new entertainment venue to fit 5,000 fans.

"World-class acoustics, incredible sight lines, where literally the worst seat in the house is going to feel like you're sitting on top of the stage.  You're gonna be able to do comedy shows... large-scale bands, even to the point of high school graduations," says Domingo.

 

The revamp would cover 600,000 square feet of development - roughly the length of six city blocks in Manhattan.

There are at least 10 other gaming operators eyeing the chance for a full-scale casino license across Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx.  

MORE: GOING FOR THE JACKPOT: Casino operators all in on making the Big Apple the next big-time gaming center

Domingo says he still likes his odds.

"I think what they've put forward here is a package that provides something new and exciting, but that really will create impact in the local community, that will create billions of dollars of economic activity...in addition to the thousands of additional employees," says Domingo.