MONTICELLO, N.Y.–March 27, 2017–Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ-GM:NYNY) (“Empire” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) today announced the appointment of Ryan Eller as President and Chief Operating Officer of Empire effective immediately.

In his new role, Mr. Eller will oversee the development of the Company’s resort casino in Sullivan County, New York and the Company’s operations at the Monticello Casino and Raceway. Mr. Eller brings to the Company extensive experience in the design, development and operation of casinos, VGM facilities such as Monticello Casino and Raceway and integrated resort projects. During the four years prior to joining the Company, Mr. Eller served in various executive officer positions with Genting New York LLC (“Genting NY”), which operates Resorts World Casino New York City (“RWNYC”). During his tenure at Genting NY, Mr. Eller oversaw RWNYC’s planning with respect to a $315 million expansion to add 1,000 video lottery terminals, a new hotel and convention complex. Concurrently with his position at Genting NY, Mr. Eller served as senior vice president of development of Genting Americas Inc. (“Genting Americas”).

In his role with Genting Americas, Mr. Eller oversaw the design and development of the Resorts World Las Vegas integrated resort, a $4 billion project on the Las Vegas Strip. From 2012 to 2013, Mr. Eller served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise, a wholly-owned enterprise of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which operates three casinos including the Pearl River Resort, a fully integrated casino and resort facility. From 2007 to 2012, Mr. Eller served as treasurer and executive director of finance of PCI Gaming Authority, a business enterprise created by the Poarch Bank of Creek Indians, where he helped design, open and operate three casino and hotels representing capital investments over $600 million. From 2006 to 2007, Mr. Eller served as regional manager, planning and analysis at Caesar’s Entertainment, Inc.

Mr. Eller served in the United States Marine Corps from 1997 to 2004 where he attained the rank of Major, holds an MBA with honors from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy.