Resorts World New York City’s (“RWNYC”) $7.5 billion proposal to create the largest integrated resort in the United States today received approval from the Gaming Facility Location Board – the penultimate step needed to realize the transformative project. The New York State Gaming Commission now has until December 31, 2025, to ratify the recommendation, which serves as the ultimate approval to open the first commercial casino within the City of New York.
With that final approval, Resorts World plans to have hundreds of table games available by the end of March, 2026.
“Resorts World New York City’s journey to this historic moment represents more than 15 years of work to generate jobs, revenue, and opportunities for our neighbors,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “Resorts World New York City’s $7.5 billion proposal is the only bid that can expand operations in just 90 days, generating billions in new revenue for mass transit and public education over the next four years. We are thankful the Gaming Facility Location Board recognized the tremendous economic impact we will have for New York State.”
RWNYC’s proposed expansion includes a $5.5 billion physical investment in the 72-acre Aqueduct site, adding:
- a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slot machines and 800 live table games, for a total 10,800 gaming positions;
- a total 2,000 hotel rooms, building on the 400 existing units at the Hyatt Regency;
- a new 7,000-seat multipurpose entertainment venue;
- more than 7,000 parking spaces, a majority of which will be covered;
- more than 12 acres of new public green space.
RWNYC is expected to generate new revenue for New York State between 2026 and 2029, including:
- $2.5 billion for the MTA through a $600 million license fee and $1.9 billion in new revenue
- $2 billion for the State public education system, building on nearly $5 million delivered since RWNYC opened in October 2011
- $506 million to support New York State’s racing industry
For the first phase of the casino, expected to open towards the end of March next year, RWNYC will immediately begin hiring and training up to 2,000 employees. RWNYC’s proposed $2 billion community benefits package also includes a historic commitment to build up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across the five boroughs; a state-of-the-art Resorts World Innovation Campus, featuring a sports and media complex shaped by Queens native and NBA legend Kenny “The Jet” Smith; a community investment fund; and a $100 million infrastructure improvement package.
About RWNYC
Resorts World New York City (RWNYC), the only VLT casino-hotel in the five boroughs, has contributed nearly $5 billion to New York’s public education system since opening in 2011. Over the same period, it has provided more than $2 billion to the New York Racing Association, sustaining tens of thousands of jobs across the State’s equine industry. RWNYC also fulfils the long-standing objective of transforming the historic Aqueduct Racetrack into the nation’s largest gaming destination outside Las Vegas, with approximately 5,500 slot and electronic table games machines.
RWNYC welcomes an average of five million guests each year, offering a comprehensive gaming, entertainment, and dining experience. In 2021, the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York City opened, bringing total investment at the site to approximately $1.1 billion. Guests now enjoy a range of dining options, including the RW Prime and the Good Friends Noodle House.
RWNYC is operated by the Genting Group, a global company founded in 1965 with destination resort operations in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Las Vegas, Bimini, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Genting brings more than six decades of experience in the travel and leisure sector, employing approximately 30,000 people and serving more than 50 million guests annually worldwide.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
