Empire Resorts, Inc. and Monticello Raceway Management, Inc. Participate in National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ-GM:NYNY) (“Empire”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Monticello Raceway Management, Inc. (“MRMI”) are participating in National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (“NPGAM”).

The National Council on Problem Gambling (“NCPG”) sponsors the NPGAM campaign, a grassroots public awareness and outreach campaign. The goal of this campaign is to educate the general public, and health care professionals, about the warning signs of problem gambling and to raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally. The campaign was previously held during the first week of March to coincide with March Madness, one of the most widely bet upon events in the U.S. Now, the campaign takes place during the entire month of March.

“MRMI’s efforts to incorporate this important information on problem gambling into their staff education during NPGAM exemplifies the proactive approach to problem gambling that we hope casinos will realize and we commend them for their continued willingness to address this issue” said New York Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director, Jim Maney.

The MRMI Responsible Gaming Committee (“RG Committee”), which is comprised of the Assistant General Managers of Casino and Marketing and Racing and Facilities, Directors of Finance, Food & Beverage, IT, Pari-Mutuel, Security and Surveillance and the Chief Compliance Officer (Chair)(who is also the Chair of the NCPG Membership Committee), organized creative activities, to last throughout the month, that aim to educate employees about responsible gaming and how it applies to the work they do every day. Activities include responsible gaming contests with games such as word search, cryptogram, scavenger hunt and a game to identify underage individuals from a series of photos. Informational posters are displayed in back-of-house areas and there is a display of information and materials in the MRMI employee dining room. The posters and MRMI’s responsible gaming materials form the basis of the scavenger hunt to teach and test employee knowledge in a fun and exciting way. Additionally, MRMI unveiled its revised Responsible Gaming web page which provides information, tools and links for assistance. The Responsible Gaming web page can be located by following the Responsible Gaming link on Empire’s website, www.empireresorts.com, Monticello Casino’s website www.monticellocasinoandraceway.com or Monticello Raceway’s website at www.monticelloraceway.com.

“You cannot see compulsive gambling in a person’s eyes. There are no track marks. You cannot smell it on their breath. It's a secret disease, a hidden illness,” said Nanette Horner, Empire’s Chief Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chair of the RG Committee. “Therefore, we are very excited about the New York Council on Problem Gambling’s new Problem and Responsible Gambling training for casino employees. This training will help our employees to be aware of signs and symptoms that could indicate an issue of problem gambling. We want our guests to have an enjoyable and responsible gaming experience.”

Horner was the first Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board where she was responsible for the review of research and exploration of programs related to the prevention, awareness, education and treatment of gambling problems. “Empire and MRMI applaud the State’s Responsible Play Partnership in its efforts and we look forward to participating in the Problem Gambling Forum,” Horner said.

About Empire Resorts, Inc.

Empire Resorts owns and operates, through its subsidiary Monticello Raceway Management, Inc., the Monticello Casino & Raceway, a harness racing track and casino located in Monticello, New York, and is 90 miles from midtown Manhattan. For additional information, please visit www.empireresorts.com.

About New York Council on Problem Gambling

The New York Council on Problem Gambling is a not-for-profit independent corporation dedicated to increasing public awareness about problem and compulsive gambling and advocating for support services and treatment for persons adversely affected by gambling. Learn more about the New York Council on Problem Gambling at www.nyproblemgambling.org.

Empire Resorts, Inc.Charles Degliomini, [e-mail]