Machines don't pay out and when they do they "malfunction" so you don't get paid. Casino is a joke

Spend your money elsewhere. The atmosphere at Empire City Casino in Yonkers is not worth it. A Casino Lieutenant, believed to be affiliated with Yonkers Police, was observed being too harsh with guests and escalating a situation instead of de-escalating it. Guests should not feel intimidated or threatened with removal before an issue is properly resolved, especially in an environment that is supposed to be fun. Even NYPD would likely handle guests with more courtesy and professionalism. The regular staff seemed much nicer and more respectful, which made the Lieutenant's conduct stand out even more. And on top of that, you barely win. Go to Queens instead. Have fun. read more

It's like a giant OTB. Not at all comfortable for horse players. Mgr. just cares about casino, and not the race track. A shame but that's life today. Not enough windows to wager and they're on the top floor. No near by refreshments, too. Does anyone enjoy watching from the rail? We'll, if you do, you have to go up to the top floor to bet.They do not care. This is like watching the races in a TV studio. Not at all is it fan friendly. And management does not care. They hope the track closes do they can add to the casino. Not fun here. read more

The worst of the worst. Stay away from this place and the nightmare casino they have. Parking is horrific. Plan on walking a mile or waiting for a shuttle bus. The casino has the tightest machines possible where it's almost impossible to win anything. The crowd is garbage and you will have people in the casino asking you for $10-20 occasionally. Any win over $600 and they won't pay you unless they take your information for tax purposes read more

I grew up going to this place, so it's not totally new for me, though the Rooney family has been constantly upgrading the place to meet the competition coming from Queens. It was small, and "quaint" years ago, and has now morphed into a big money factory. The bottom line is that the casino itself is HUGE. TRYING HARD This place tries real hard, but there always seem to be things that make a visit trying. I was not happy with the signs at all. They are confusing, in some cases missing, and sometimes poorly placed. Also, some of the staff seem to be on Mars. Two of them fumbled a simple question like, "Where can I get a racing program?" THE $39.95 PRIX FIXE On this latest visit, we hit the Empire Terrace for the $39.95 prix fixe. It was good, and "as advertised." But, when a fellow diner threw them a curve ball, like a simple side order of mashed taters, they messed it up. A server came out and hesitantly served an ugly glop of powdered potatoes, on a gigantic, lonely plate -- 15 minutes before any other food came out! The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake was fantastic. THE ENTERTAINMENT Of course, it is a lot of fun betting on the horses, and watching them out the window! (I was not lucky this evening.) The casino itself is colorful and noisy and "typical." The bands in the lounge are invariably talented and fun to watch. The parking situation is just so-so, as ya gotta take a bus because the lot is SO huge! All in all, it is a worthwhile experience, though I couldn't do it often. THE OTHERS Not all gambling is innocent entertainment. You will undoubtedly notice that there are many, MANY people here who have a very "different" experience than a diner at Empire Terrace might. They appear shabbily dressed, and down on their luck. You won't see them in the restaurants, or dancing to the music from the band. I can't comment on their experience, but I noticed they were fleeced, just like the rest of us. But they didn't seem to have the cash to spare. So, that's here, too, remember. read more

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Many good and many bad things to say about this place. If someone want to risk the money they earned its their own decision. But I have something to say about the food court: Embarrassing. I had one very bad Thai food, with sweet chicken, some rice and a coke. And small chocolates bag. I said goodbye to 25$. But this isn't the bad part yet, the quality of the food was terrible. I maybe tried a bite from the rice and the chicken, and through it to the garbage. So I am asking myself: You invested so much money in a huge casino, what about some good quality food? read more

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I love this place especially in the spring and summer you can sit outside and watch the horse races. Sometimes meet new interesting people like the horse owners. As long as people don't come around telling me about how much money they lost I'm good. I'm especially great when I win read more

This is the first time I have been here! Probably the only time. The idiots on the news were saying it was going to be a billion degrees in NY predicting black outs and mass mania. (We can see NY news at the Jersey shore) We came back to NY with regular summer temperatures in the 90's. I actually came here to sweat out my cold and infection. It wasn't hot enough for me. Anyway so that is why I came. Here is my review of the track. I confess to not knowing the difference between Thoroughbred racing and harness racing. I do not bet on the horses. I love horses and had a great time at Saratoga Race Track which is more of an event. Here at Yonkers Raceway there were mostly people who seemed to be unemployed or having a hard time with life. Entire families came together. At first I thought it was nice. But then I saw small children one little boy in particular maybe 5 years old, sitting in the front yelling at one horse "number 4 ,you is a loser!" He just kept yelling at the horse and all of his cousins joined in. (They looked like cousins) I swear the horse heard them and held his head down low. The whole thing made me sad! It reminded me that horse racing is a dirty business. Not for me but it looks like they are trying to fix it up a bit and it is free. I thought it would be nice to see the horses but I felt sad for them. read more

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One of my favorite past times as a child was to come here every summer, and enjoy the circus that came to town. They had rides, games (that I never won), photo booths, and animal petting zoos. It was amazing... What happened to that? It was replaced by a year round casino. A casino that can either make or break your wallet. I miss the circus. Always pictured taking my son there one day. Now that won't ever happen. 1 star for greed: BRING BACK OUR CIRCUS read more

This isnt a casino!! They lie with the way they advertise the place!! There are no real tables with real dillers there. I saw all the signs in the highways saying: casino close by, and new roulette tables, so i went to check the place. They have a huge amount of slots, but that is it. If u go there, do not think to find a casino! read more

Second time here, they added many new games and the food somewhat got better. Still you will need to pay taxes for winnings higher than 600, which is a scam, but it is what it is. read more

The Empire Terrace restaurant Overlooks the Yonkers Raceway track. The food is not fine, but it is fair and the prices are moderate. The nice thing about eating here is that you can take your time eating and betting on the horses at the same time. Service is fairly slow, but if you are betting it's OK read more

The worst casino i have ever been to. This dull, dismal, grey prison-like casino is nothing but a theft. The machines are new however, you dont stand a chance of winning. The payback, cashback rates are non-existent. If you really want to have a good time and gamble, take the extra ride and go to Atlantic City~ Empire City is horrid. read more

I had not been to the Yonkers raceway since the fair (years ago...) I went to try their award-winning but relatively unknown steakhouse. It was closed (open only Fri & Sat??). Instead, we were pointed to a Cafe & the Terrace. The view from the Terrace was great - overlooking the racetrack & the horses were running. We were seated by a smiling blonde woman who showed us how to operate the TV at our table. The menu was very heavy (real brass I think?). A busboy greeted us, brought a warm bread basket, butter chips & water. The female server followed a minute behind. She fumbled with the specials a bit. I ordered a Coke. They serve Pepsi. I changed to a Pelligrino. My date ordered a ginger ale. APPS - caesar salad for me. Nothing fancy but good. The runner offered fresh ground pepper (nice touch). She ordered the proscuitto & melon. Sliced thin, fresh melon - nice surprise. ENTREES - I got a NY strip. Ordered MR & it was cooked MR. Mashed potato (red skin) & veggie du jour (green beans). Perfect. She got a roasted 1/2 chicken w/mashed & veg. I finished her chicken & it was also very good. DESSERT - the cappuccino machine is a one-touch because it wasn't pretty, but it was hot. We split a chocolate mousse cake (nothing special). I hate reddi-whipped cream...grrrrr! That was the only blemish on a nice dinner. The dining room is massive & there were 12 other tables dining but it seemed like we were alone because it's so vast. The hostess said you cannot get in without a reservation on Saturdays & I'd like to see this place when it's jumping. Go & check it out for yourself - based on this visit, I disagree with the 1st review but hey, it's a casino...you never know. read more

Empire Terrace Restaurant is absolutely the worst combination of service and food I have had anywhere. The credit card machine crashed, and the manager basically freaked out at all the guests (at me less than others, fortunately, but she wasn't competent). The poor waiters apologized for her, but it was too late -- she just couldn't handle her job, and she ruined the evening for just about everyone there. Watching the horses isn't so bad, but it is a shame they are more competent than the people running the restaurant. It makes Empire City even seedier and, even though it is about 10 miles away, I could never EVER go back -- we stopped gaming right after going to the Empire Terrace, because who would want to give these seedy bastards their money? read more

Well it can be very good or very bad. Most of the time it is bad. If you win take the money and run because if you continue to play you will lose what you won and more read more

Have come to yonkers raceway quiet a lot over the last number of years,hundreds of thousands most likely spent,and really never received anything other than a food voucher and a comp play,minimum by any standard,tonight a cashier asked i had a welfare card as a source of id,(what an insult.)host on duty didn't have a clue,gave a free meal voucher for dan rooneys ,except it had already stopped serving 10.45pm (late) Went to the food court grill closed at 11 (should have been twelve as disclosed) This casino can not be excused for its horrible guest service,if you wish to be perceived as a Regurgitate of welfare ,please advertise as same and do not deceive the real players, Disgusted at your perception of customer service. This is from a customer that has spent hundreds of thousands not pennies,CUSTOMERS BEWERE, read more

This place reminded me of a retirement home. The place is dated and filled with older people that exuded desperation. If it wasn't for the guys that came here with me, I would've never tried this place. read more

Now, or in the past, it's a tiny half mile oval in densely populated Westchester. Soft spot in my heart for it, as it was the first place where I saw harness horses working out as I headed to Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving every year up the Deegan. Have not been to the casino yet, and probably won't, as live racing is where it's at. read more

this racetrack was in need of a miracle and that miracle was a casino being built and that casino is empire . while my friends were inside playing some slots i was outside watching the horses run around the semi muddy track and it was fun especially when the horses are reaching the final lap. besides me and a few other horse lovers or gamblers the seating area was empty . i decided to look at the racing schedule and 2 races were still left so i better bet 20 bets on each race and pick longshots which after both races is clear why its called longshots. the race track and area is old and worn but i hear the new owners will either put a new state of the art race track or just tear it down and add more casino space . i hope they keep the race track as i had some good memories of coming here with my buddies and betting 5 dollars a race with cross fingers waiting for my longshot to make me rich(lol). read more

I've lived in this neighborhood for 34 years, and no matter how much money the Raceway raked in, their property always looked like a blighted run-down pile of crap. They just recently built a casino next to the racetrack and FINALLY tore down their old crumbling parking garage, but the new casino building has all the style and ambiance of an ugly gray warehouse and they're creating more traffic in the nearby streets than ever. If you prefer to give your money to businesses that actually care about the local community, stay away from this one. read more

Been to this place 5 years ago, and it was cool, now, its gone done, they do all types of gimicks to attract people, the service and staff there don't care. and will not pay much attention to you, the people that go there are not to be scarey, the payouts are bad, the food sucks, and so on. So why bother to go there? because its close by and people want to get there gambling fix in. Thats about it. read more

Please .... don't even think about going there ! I was there last weekend ,and the bad reviews about this place are totally true ! Boring ,small . read more

Louis L. - sorry you're bitter, but my family has lived in Yonkers for over 40 years. My family has also worked at the track for the Rooneys for over 20 years. If you want to see blight, how about right down the street at the old PS#4. Over the years the track has had a few facelifts, but don't insult the neighborhood with your comments about "a blighted run-down pile of crap" and "an ugly gray warehouse." I've lived all over this country and I have seen much, much worse. read more