To fill financial gaps and provide more local jobs, New York state should pull the lever on a full-scale gaming license for Empire City Casino in Yonkers, a newly formed alliance contended Thursday morning.

A group of 30 businesses, labor unions and community organizations have joined forces to raise the pressure on state lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to grant Empire City the license that would allow for live table games and retail and mobile sports betting.

The consortium of groups called “A Sure Bet For New York’s Future” is co-chaired by Business Council of Westchester executive vice president John Ravitz, Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body president Tom Carey and Bronx Chamber of Commerce president Lisa Sorin.

“Empire City has been a proven winner for New York state,” Ravitz said during a Zoom press conference, calling the decision “no-brainer.”

MGM Resorts bought Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway in early 2019 for $850 million.

MGM leadership has signaled since its purchase they would like to become a full-scale casino. But a moratorium is in place until 2023 that would prevent Empire City from applying for a full license.