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): May 4, 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.)
204 State 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 April 4, 2004, Empire Resorts, Inc. issued the attached
press release.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release dated May 4, 2004
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: May 4, 2004
By /s/ Robert A. Berman
Robert A. Berman
Chief Executive Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Charles Degliomini
Empire Resorts, Inc.
845-794-4100 x 470
cdegliomini@empireresorts.com
KEY FEDERAL AGENCY ENDORSES CAYUGA NATION
PLANS FOR AN INDIAN CASINO IN THE CATSKILLS
(Monticello, NY May 4, 2004) Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:NYNY)
today acknowledged that it had received information concerning
the Cayuga Nation of New York?s (the Nation) fee to trust
application for gaming purposes. The company confirmed that
this information is consistent with reports that the application
has been recommended for approval by the Eastern Regional Office
of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The proposed Cayuga
Catskill Resort is to be developed and managed by Empire Resorts,
Inc. and is to be located on approximately 30 acres of land adjacent
to the Monticello Raceway, in Sullivan County New York --
just 90 minutes from New York City.
The BIAs findings include recommendations that the subject
property be taken into trust for the benefit of the Cayuga Nation
and that the development of a Native American gaming establishment
at Monticello Raceway be found to be in the best interest of the
Cayuga Nation, and would not be detrimental to the surrounding
community. The application is still subject to further reviews
in Washington prior to final approval by the Secretary of Interior.
In addition, concurrence must be received from the Governor of the
state of New York and a gaming compact must be executed between the
Nation and the State of New York.
About Empire Resorts, Inc.
Empire Resorts, Inc (NASDAQ: NYNY - News) is involved in the operations
and development of gaming activities in New York. It currently operates
Monticello Raceway, a harness track in the Catskills area of New York,
and is working to develop it into a multi-dimensional gaming resort,
including horse racing, video lottery terminals and a Native American
casino, to be known as the Cayuga Catskills Resort. The New York State
Lottery has approved the raceway as a site for the installation of 1,800
VGM's. Construction is underway for these facilities, which are expected
to open on June 30th, 2004. The Cayuga Nation of New York is currently
seeking approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for its request to
obtain a site adjacent to the Raceway for the Cayuga Catskills Resort. For
more information visit www.empireresorts.com
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Empire Resorts business
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that
involve risks and uncertainties, including the need for regulatory
approvals, financing and successful completion of construction. For a
full discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual
results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements,
see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the
most recently ended fiscal year.