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

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                                    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): July 8, 2004
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                              EMPIRE RESORTS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (845) 794-4100
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         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)







ITEM 5.     OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

            On July 8, 2004, Empire Resorts, Inc. issued a press release, a copy
of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

       (c)       Exhibits

      99.1       Press Release of Empire Resorts, Inc. dated July 8, 2004.

                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                                 EMPIRE RESORTS, INC.
Dated: July 9, 2004

                                             By: /s/ Scott A. Kaniewski
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 Name:  Scott A. Kaniewski
                                                 Title: Chief Financial Officer

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