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But last month’s economic windfall is no aberration.
Since the beginning of the year, the casino has generated $122 million for schools – or one third of education dollars generated by all nine racetrack casinos in New York, according to the New York State Gaming Commission.
Empire City’s strong showing thus far in 2013 builds upon an equally impressive year in 2012.
In April, a state report found Empire City Casino to be among the most successful racetracks and casinos in the country, producing nearly a half billion dollars in economic activity last year after attracting more than 8 million visitors.
In addition, the casino remains one of the city’s largest private employer, giving jobs to nearly 1,400 people, 97 percent of whom live in New York.
"As we grow and expand everyone benefits,” said Timothy Rooney, Jr., General Counsel at Empire City Casino. “By investing in Yonkers and Empire City, we create new jobs and provide critically needed revenue for our schools, communities and state during difficult economic times."
The education dollars distributed by the casino in May come after Empire City generated an estimated $51 million in gross gaming revenue. And with the New York haveing the highest tax rate in the nation, 69 percent, the casino paid out nearly half their revenue to education.
Since opening in October 2006, New York State schools have directly received nearly $1.8 billion through Empire City, the casino reports.
But it hasn’t been just the schools benefiting from the casino’s output.
In addition to funding for education, Empire City also generated over $5 million to the racing and breeding industry in May.
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