Resorts World NYC Wins Key Approval for Casino Expansion

Genting’s Resorts World New York City has secured a key approval to transform its Queens property into what would become the first full-scale commercial casino in New York City, advancing a $7.5 billion plan that could significantly alter the city’s gaming, tourism, and local economy. The state’s Gaming Facility Location Board endorsed the proposal this week, forwarding it to the New York State Gaming Commission for final consideration. The commission has until December 31 to ratify the recommendation. If approved, Resorts World plans to launch hundreds of table games by the end of March 2026.

Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, described the decision as the culmination of more than 15 years of planning and investment. He argued that the project is the only proposal capable of scaling up operations within 90 days and emphasized that it would generate substantial funding for public education and mass transit over the next four years.

 

Aspect	Details
Project	Resorts World New York City Expansion
Approval	State Gaming Facility Location Board endorsement; pending Gaming Commission final approval by Dec 31
Investment	$7.5 Billion total; $5.5 Billion physical expansion
Casino Features	500,000 sq. ft. gaming floor, thousands of slot machines and table games
Hotel	2,000 rooms, building on existing Hyatt Regency tower
Entertainment	7,000-seat venue
Community Benefits	$2 Billion package: workforce housing, innovation campus, infrastructure, and community fund
Economic Impact	$2.5B for MTA, $2B for public education, $500M+ for NY racing industry (2026–2029)
Employees	Up to 2,000 for first phase
Projected Opening	Late March 2026

 

Developments

The expansion plan calls for a $5.5 billion investment across the 72-acre Aqueduct site. Key features include a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with thousands of slot machines and table games, 2,000 hotel rooms building on the existing Hyatt Regency tower, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, extensive parking facilities, and over a dozen acres of public green space.

State projections indicate that between 2026 and 2029, the expanded casino could provide $2.5 billion to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, including a $600 million licence fee and nearly $2 billion in anticipated revenue. Additionally, the project is expected to contribute $2 billion to public education and over $500 million to the New York Racing Association, the governing body for the state’s horse racing industry.

Resorts World plans to begin hiring and training up to 2,000 employees for the first phase of the casino, slated to open in late March 2026. The company has also outlined a $2 billion community benefits package. This includes support for the development of up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across the city’s five boroughs, creation of a Resorts World Innovation Campus featuring a sports and media complex led by Queens-born NBA star Kenny “The Jet” Smith, a community investment fund, and a $100 million infrastructure program.

The project also signals a broader shift in New York City’s approach to gambling. Currently, Resorts World NYC, operated by Malaysia-based Genting Group, is the only video lottery terminal (VLT) casino-hotel within the five boroughs. Since opening in 2011, it has contributed nearly $5 billion to public education and more than $2 billion to the New York Racing Association, attracting roughly five million visitors annually. The site includes a 400-room Hyatt Regency hotel, which opened in 2021, alongside a variety of dining and entertainment venues.

 

With final approval, we could launch hundreds of table games by the end of March 2026, generating billions for transit, education, and local communities.

 

The Future

Analysts note that the expansion could position Queens as a new hub for tourism and entertainment, potentially boosting local businesses and creating thousands of jobs. However, critics have raised concerns about the social impact of large-scale gambling, including problem gambling and potential strain on local infrastructure.

With final approval pending from the Gaming Commission, the project represents one of the largest private investments in New York City in recent years. If realized, the expanded Resorts World could redefine the city’s entertainment landscape while delivering significant revenue streams to public services and community initiatives.