I've noticed many comments bad-mouthing this casino.  If you're comparing this to Las Vegas, then yes Empire is sub-par, but I'm a casual gambler and frankly I've had a blast here.  I've gone twice and the most recent time I was quite successful, with most of my fortune coming from the Family Guy game.  Also, being in New York it's one of a few in this country open to 18-20 year olds.  Security does their job, and a day trip here can be an interesting escape from the big apple.  One thing I wish were different is the minimum bets for table games; roulette is $10 while blackjack is $15, this can be discouraging for responsible gamblers who set a limit for how much they will spend before they leave.  While I like EC, Resorts World is better because it has more food choices and is more convenient (although both can be reached without a car) and less disorienting.  The first time at EC I lost my sense of direction; probably they make it that way as a temptation.