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): July 16, 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
                                                           --------------

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







ITEM 5.     OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

            On July 16,  2004,  Empire  Resorts,  Inc.  issued  a press  release
announcing the pricing of $65 million of 5 1/2% convertible senior notes. A copy
of the press release 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 16, 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 19, 2004

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

                                       2