Organization and Nature of Business	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Nature of Business	Organization and Nature of Business Overview Empire Resorts, Inc. (“Empire,” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “us,” “our” or “we”) was organized as a Delaware corporation on March 19, 1993, and since that time has served as a holding company for various subsidiaries engaged in the hospitality and gaming industries. Our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, Montreign Operating Company, LLC, doing business as Resorts World Catskills ("Montreign Operating"), owns and operates Resorts World Catskills, a casino resort (the "Casino"), which opened to the public on February 8, 2018. The Casino is located in Sullivan County, New York, approximately 90 miles from New York City. Montreign Operating is the sole holder of a gaming license (a "Gaming Facility License") issued by the New York State Gaming Commission ("NYSGC") in the Hudson Valley-Catskill region, which consists of Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties in New York State. In addition to the Casino, Empire Resorts Real Estate I, LLC ("ERREI") and Empire Resorts Real Estate II, LLC ("ERREII" and, together with Montreign Operating and ERREI, the "Project Parties"), each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Montreign Operating, are developing an entertainment village (the "Entertainment Project") and a golf course (the "Golf Course Project" and, together with the Casino and the Entertainment Project, the "Development Projects"), respectively, at the site of a four-season destination resort in Sullivan County, New York. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Monticello Raceway Management, Inc. ("MRMI"), we own and operate Monticello Casino and Raceway, which began racing operations in 1958 in Monticello, New York, which is proximate to the Casino. Monticello Casino and Raceway currently features a video gaming machine ("VGM") and harness horseracing facility. We also generate racing revenues through pari-mutuel wagering on the running of live harness horse races, the import simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred horse races from racetracks across the country and internationally, and the export simulcasting of our races to offsite pari-mutuel wagering facilities. Recent Events Kien Huat 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter On November 6, 2018, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter”) with Kien Huat Realty III Limited ("Kien Huat") pursuant to which Kien Huat committed to provide equity financing in support of the general corporate and working capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries. Pursuant to the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter, Kien Huat agreed to purchase up to $126 million (the "Commitment Amount") of Series F Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series F Preferred Stock") of the Company on the terms set forth in the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter and in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations of the Series F Preferred Stock, which the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 5, 2018. Kien Huat committed to purchase the Commitment Amount of the Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to the following schedule: (i) up to $12 million no earlier than November 9, 2018, (ii) up to $20 million no earlier than February 15, 2019, (iii) up to $20 million no earlier than May 15, 2019, (iv) up to $15 million no earlier than August 15, 2019, (v) up to $37 million no earlier than November 15, 2019 and (vi) up to $22 million no earlier than March 15, 2020. The Company agreed to use its reasonable efforts to secure third-party financing in an amount equal to the Commitment Amount and the Commitment Amount will be reduced by the amount of any third-party financing raised by the Company. However, any equity financing raised by the Company from any person entering into a commercial agreement relating to online gaming and sports betting at the Casino in an amount up to $29 million will not reduce the Commitment Amount. Kien Huat will be entitled to a funding fee in the amount of 1% of the portion of the Commitment Amount funded by Kien Huat. Unless earlier terminated by mutual agreement, the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the Company's receipt of third-party financing in the Commitment Amount or (b) April 15, 2020. Basis for Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 include the accounts of Empire and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") applicable for interim periods, and therefore do not include all information necessary for complete financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Our financial statements require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the Company’s opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The results of operations for our interim periods may not be necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be achieved for the entire year. Liquidity and Capital Resources The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis that contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. Historically and prospectively, our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources have been, and will continue to be, cash generated from operations, borrowings from banks and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities. Based on our current level of operations and our expected results of operations of the Casino and the remaining Development Projects as they are completed,we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our principal debt arrangements and the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter will be sufficient to meet the working capital requirements and the expected remaining costs of the Development Projects over the next 12 months. We cannot be certain that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that our anticipated earnings from the Development Projects will be realized, or that future borrowings will be available under our existing debt arrangements or otherwise to enable us to service our indebtedness, make anticipated capital expenditures and satisfy working capital needs. As a result, we may need to raise additional capital or incur additional indebtedness, including by issuing securities from our Shelf Registration Statement (as defined below), which has a current availability of approximately $333 million, to finance our plans for growth and general corporate purposes. Our future operating performance and our ability to service our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 for a discussion of the risks related to our liquidity and capital structure.

Organization and Nature of Business

Overview

Empire Resorts, Inc. (“Empire,” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “us,” “our” or “we”) was organized as a Delaware corporation on March 19, 1993, and since that time has served as a holding company for various subsidiaries engaged in the hospitality and gaming industries.

Our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, Montreign Operating Company, LLC, doing business as Resorts World Catskills ("Montreign Operating"), owns and operates Resorts World Catskills, a casino resort (the "Casino"), which opened to the public on February 8, 2018. The Casino is located in Sullivan County, New York, approximately 90 miles from New York City. Montreign Operating is the sole holder of a gaming license (a "Gaming Facility License") issued by the New York State Gaming Commission ("NYSGC") in the Hudson Valley-Catskill region, which consists of Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties in New York State.

In addition to the Casino, Empire Resorts Real Estate I, LLC ("ERREI") and Empire Resorts Real Estate II, LLC ("ERREII" and, together with Montreign Operating and ERREI, the "Project Parties"), each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Montreign Operating, are developing an entertainment village (the "Entertainment Project") and a golf course (the "Golf Course Project" and, together with the Casino and the Entertainment Project, the "Development Projects"), respectively, at the site of a four-season destination resort in Sullivan County, New York.

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Monticello Raceway Management, Inc. ("MRMI"), we own and operate Monticello Casino and Raceway, which began racing operations in 1958 in Monticello, New York, which is proximate to the Casino. Monticello Casino and Raceway currently features a video gaming machine ("VGM") and harness horseracing facility. We also generate racing revenues through pari-mutuel wagering on the running of live harness horse races, the import simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred horse races from racetracks across the country and internationally, and the export simulcasting of our races to offsite pari-mutuel wagering facilities.

Recent Events

Kien Huat 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter

On November 6, 2018, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the “KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter”) with Kien Huat Realty III Limited ("Kien Huat") pursuant to which Kien Huat committed to provide equity financing in support of the general corporate and working capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries. Pursuant to the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter, Kien Huat agreed to purchase up to $126 million (the "Commitment Amount") of Series F Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series F Preferred Stock") of the Company on the terms set forth in the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter and in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designations of the Series F Preferred Stock, which the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 5, 2018. Kien Huat committed to purchase the Commitment Amount of the Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to the following schedule: (i) up to $12 million no earlier than November 9, 2018, (ii) up to $20 million no earlier than February 15, 2019, (iii) up to $20 million no earlier than May 15, 2019, (iv) up to $15 million no earlier than August 15, 2019, (v) up to $37 million no earlier than November 15, 2019 and (vi) up to $22 million no earlier than March 15, 2020. The Company agreed to use its reasonable efforts to secure third-party financing in an amount equal to the Commitment Amount and the Commitment Amount will be reduced by the amount of any third-party financing raised by the Company. However, any equity financing raised by the Company from any person entering into a commercial agreement relating to online gaming and sports betting at the Casino in an amount up to $29 million will not reduce the Commitment Amount. Kien Huat will be entitled to a funding fee in the amount of 1% of the portion of the Commitment Amount funded by Kien Huat. Unless earlier terminated by mutual agreement, the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter will terminate upon the earlier of (a) the Company's receipt of third-party financing in the Commitment Amount or (b) April 15, 2020.

Basis for Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 include the accounts of Empire and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") applicable for interim periods, and therefore do not include all information necessary for complete financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Our financial statements require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the Company’s opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The results of operations for our interim periods may not be necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be achieved for the entire year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis that contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. Historically and prospectively, our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources have been, and will continue to be, cash generated from operations, borrowings from banks and proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities. Based on our current level of operations and our expected results of operations of the Casino and the remaining Development Projects as they are completed,we believe that cash generated from operations and cash on hand, together with amounts available under our principal debt arrangements and the KH 2018 Preferred Stock Commitment Letter will be sufficient to meet the working capital requirements and the expected remaining costs of the Development Projects over the next 12 months. We cannot be certain that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that our anticipated earnings from the Development Projects will be realized, or that future borrowings will be available under our existing debt arrangements or otherwise to enable us to service our indebtedness, make anticipated capital expenditures and satisfy working capital needs. As a result, we may need to raise additional capital or incur additional indebtedness, including by issuing securities from our Shelf Registration Statement (as defined below), which has a current availability of approximately $333 million, to finance our plans for growth and general corporate purposes. Our future operating performance and our ability to service our debt will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. See “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 for a discussion of the risks related to our liquidity and capital structure.