Resorts World NYC Draws Unanimous Support at Hearing

Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) received unanimous backing at its first public hearing Wednesday, strengthening its position in the race for one of three available downstate casino licenses.

The hearing, held at Queens Borough Hall, drew 44 speakers before the community advisory committee. All expressed support for RWNYC’s $5.5 billion expansion proposal, which would convert the existing video lottery terminal (VLT) facility into a full-scale casino with slots and table games.

 

Key Points

1. Unanimous Community Support: All 44 speakers at the Queens Borough Hall hearing endorsed Resorts World NYC’s $5.5 billion casino expansion.

2. Fastest Launch Timeline: RWNYC could begin operations by July 2026, a year ahead of competitors, leveraging its existing VLT facility.

3. Economic Impact: The casino is New York State’s largest taxpayer, generating $1 billion annually, with plans to create thousands of local jobs.

 

Community Ties Boost Support

RWNYC has operated as a VLT facility since 2011, making it one of two existing properties competing for a license, alongside MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers. That long-standing presence appeared to pay dividends. Civic leaders, community organizers, and nonprofit representatives spoke in favor, with no union representatives or unaffiliated residents raising objections.

Katha Cato, executive director of the Queens World Film Festival, described RWNYC as a consistent local partner. “If you attend a meeting with Queens Economic Development Corp., Queens Rising, Queens Chamber, at the library or any of our cultural gems, they are not only in the room, they are advocating for all of us,” she said. If licensed, RWNYC says it could begin operations as early as July 2026, making it the fastest project in the field. By comparison, MGM has projected a July 2027 launch.

Kevin Jones, chief legal and strategy officer for parent company Genting Americas, argued that RWNYC’s ability to convert quickly gives it a competitive advantage. “We have the fastest speed to market of anyone, and we have the ability to open in six months from licensure, by next summer,” he said. The proposed integrated resort would span 5.6 million square feet and feature 2,000 hotel rooms, 6,000 slot machines, and 800 table games. If fully built, it would become the largest casino in the U.S. by machine count. RWNYC is already one of the country’s top-grossing gaming facilities, generating about $1 billion in annual revenue. Since opening in 2011, it has paid nearly $5 billion in taxes, making it the largest taxpayer in New York State. Company officials say expansion would increase both revenue and tax contributions.

Local business leaders emphasized the economic implications. “New York City’s next frontier of work is here, and it’s gaming,” said Tom Grech, CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow our economy and create thousands of middle class jobs in the communities that need them most.”

 

New Initiatives Announced

Executives also highlighted new community initiatives, including a Resorts World Career Center opening September 16 at Jamaica Station to prepare for hiring “thousands of new team members.” The company also expanded its free “Intro to Gaming Operations” program at CUNY/York College.

RWNYC’s bid comes as Genting restructures its broader New York portfolio. On August 15, its Empire Resorts subsidiary agreed to sell several non-core assets at Resorts World Catskills, including hotels, a golf course, and entertainment venues, for $525 million. Proceeds will be used to reduce debt and acquire more than 1,500 acres of nearby land with development potential. Genting said the move reinforces its “long-term commitment to improve its competitive position within the New York State gaming market and the broader northeastern U.S. region.”

 

We have the fastest speed to market of anyone, and we have the ability to open in six months from licensure, by next summer.

Outlook

With strong community support, a proven revenue track record, and the fastest projected timeline, RWNYC’s bid is positioned as one of the most competitive in the downstate casino licensing process. The state will ultimately decide among eight bidders for three licenses, a process expected to intensify in the coming months.