An advisory committee on Thursday voted to advance a proposal to expand the Empire City Casino in Yonkers, making it the first casino bid in the greater New York City area to clear that hurdle.

The Community Advisory Committee voted 5-0 in favor of MGM Resorts' plan , which includes a $2.3 billion investment towards building a larger casino, along with new restaurants, a theater and a parking garage.

Earlier this month, separate advisory committees shot down three proposals for casinos in Manhattan, effectively killing any plans to put a gambling center in the borough.

Another proposal — a plan to expand the Resorts World Casino in Queens — faces its own advisory committee vote Thursday afternoon.

Each proposal will ultimately need to be granted a license by New York state to move

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