NEW YORK (WABC) -- The first two downstate casino proposals to receive Community Advisory Committee approval advanced in separate votes in Yonkers and Queens on Thursday.

Unlike three Manhattan casino proposals, all defeated in identical 4-2 votes , the casinos in Yonkers and at Aqueduct Raceway in Queens both survived the crucial vote, which advances them to the state's four-member Gaming Facility Location Board, set to choose up to three locations in the New York City region on Dec. 1.

The Empire City Casino and Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct have attracted less local opposition than the Manhattan proposals, which were all rejected by the community panels, tasked with reviewing each plan and weighing public sentiment.

Not only are the two the first two applicants to emerge

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