UNITED STATES
                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                      WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                       ____________________

                             FORM 8-K

                          CURRENT REPORT
              Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2004

                       EMPIRE RESORTS, INC.
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware              1-12522            13-3714474
 (State or other jurisdiction  (Commission       (IRS Employer
          of incorporation)    File Number)  Identification No.)

              Route 17B, Monticello, New York  12701
              Address of principal executive offices

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(845) 794-4100  ext 478

      ______________________________________________________
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)



Item 5.   Other Events.

     On  January  14,  2004, Empire Resorts, Inc. ("Empire")  and
Monticello Raceway Management, Inc. ("MRMI") were notified by the
New  York  Lottery  that it had completed its initial  review  of
their  respective Video Lottery Agent Applications and have  been
temporarily licensed while the New York State Police completes  a
background investigation. Such applications were submitted on the
basis  of  the  consolidation  of interests  between  Empire  and
Catskill  Development,  LLC  and  various  affiliates  that   was
completed on January 12, 2004.

     Also  on  January  14, 2004, the New York State  Racing  and
Wagering  Board (the "Board") advised MRMI that it  had  approved
the Monticello Raceway track and simulcast applications for 2004.
The  Board also reviewed information concerning the consolidation
transaction  prior  to  the approval.   The  Board  assigned  224
programs for specified dates, with a maximum of twelve races  per
day.   Additional races are to be approved by the Board on a case
by  case basis.  The track and simulcast licenses are conditioned
upon  compliance with all applicable provisions  of  the  Racing,
Pari-Mutuel   Wagering  and  Breeding  Law,   board   Rules   and
regulations  and  the requirements set forth  in  the  track  and
simulcast applications.

                            SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of  1934, Empire has duly caused this report to be signed on  its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                   EMPIRE RESORTS, INC.
Dated: January 15, 2004

                                   By: /s/ Robert A. Berman
                                       Robert A. Berman
                                       Chief Executive Officer