MONTICELLO — Empire Resorts yesterday became the first local casino competitor to announce it's paid the million-dollar application fee to the NYS Gaming Commission.

Working with EPR Properties, Empire aims to construct a resort named Adelaar (the Dutch word for “eagle”) on the southeastern edge of the former Concord's Monster golf course near Monticello.

While completed applications aren't due until June 30, the fee must be paid by Wednesday from any group interested in building one of four upstate casinos, including up to two in the Catskills region.

Adelaar is commonly considered a frontrunner for a Catskills casino license.

“We have been working diligently on this project for over three years. Adelaar is a project that is well-positioned to meet the… requirement to be open 24 months after a license is granted,” said Empire Chairman Emanuel Pearlman. “We are continuing our partnership with local upstate stakeholders, and we look forward to providing the New York State Facility Location Board with a comprehensive application package that exceeds the requirements.”

With most permits and approvals already in place, Empire/EPR is planning on building a near-400-room hotel and casino just north of Route 17's Exit 106, which will be reconfigured to accommodate a new dedicated entrance road paralleling Joyland Road.

Whether or not the facility will include a relocated Monticello Raceway continues to be a matter of controversy and uncertainty, with Empire officials saying they're waiting to see what the state will require and local horsemen and racino employees demanding the raceway be part of the new complex.

Other local casino contenders – including Foxwoods Catskills in Liberty – are expected to pony up the million-dollar application fee by Wednesday, a week before they'll also be required to attend a conference with state officials.