Senator Mayer Presses for Maximum Community Benefit with MGM Yonkers Deal

A state law put a seven-year moratorium on casino expansion in New York, and the clock started March 1, 2016, according to the Gaming Commission.

The law was aimed at giving the upstate casinos a chance to succeed before the New York City area could get into the market.

Yet if MGM wants to expand, it could make the case to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature to drop the moratorium — or least give it an assurance it will get one of the three remaining casino licenses.

Sen. Shelley Mayer, D-Yonkers, said she has yet to be briefed on MGM's plans but would be willing to consider a change in the law after she talks to the company.

"When they come to us with their plan, I’m going to evaluate what they need to achieve the maximum benefit not only for MGM, but the community," she said.