Posted on: April 29, 2026, 08:44h.
Last updated on: April 29, 2026, 08:44h.
On Tuesday, New York City marked a significant milestone as it launched its inaugural full-scale casino featuring live table games, with the iconic rapper Nas present as an investor and collaborator in the venture.
The newly unveiled casino is an extension of Resorts World New York City, strategically located in Ozone Park, Queens, adjacent to the historic Aqueduct Racetrack and in proximity to JFK Airport.
This significant upgrade converts Resorts World into the city’s first comprehensive Las Vegas-style casino, boasting over 200 table games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps, alongside more than 2,500 video lottery terminals (VLTs).
According to Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East—the casino’s owner and operator—the venue’s workforce has doubled, now employing over 2,200 individuals, which includes 950 newly hired table-game dealers.
$5.5 Billion Phase 2
This is merely the first phase, as Genting has committed to investing $5.5 billion to elevate Resorts World New York City into a premier integrated resort. This ambitious plan includes a new hotel, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, more than 12 acres of public green space, enhanced shopping and dining choices, and increased gaming capacity.
This expansion will result in a total of 2,000 guest rooms, positioning it as the largest hotel complex in New York City.
The site has a rich history as the home of the Aqueduct Racetrack, a key location for horse racing in New York State. In 2011, Genting was granted the opportunity to construct a racino at Aqueduct following legislation permitting racetracks to host VGTs.
Due to its central location within the most heavily populated area in the U.S., it swiftly emerged as one of the top-grossing slot venues nationwide.
Two More in the Works
In 2013, voters ratified a constitutional amendment allowing for the development of up to seven full commercial casinos across the state. From 2014 to 2015, four casinos were established in Upstate New York, while a 10-year moratorium on new gaming establishments in the downstate area provided a competitive edge to these upstate venues.
In 2022, state legislators expedited the timeline within the state budget. Resorts World was among three projects awarded licenses to operate full-scale casinos in 2025, alongside an $8.1 billion Hard Rock-branded resort proposed by Mets owner Steve Cohen, located near Citi Field ballpark.
Simultaneously, Bally’s is planning to develop a $4 billion venue at the Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx, although both projects remain several years from completion.
The introduction of casinos in New York City poses a potential threat to Atlantic City by diverting a significant portion of its core customer base—day-trippers from the New York metropolitan area. This development has spurred increasing calls for the establishment of casinos in North Jersey, such as at the Meadowlands or Monmouth Park racetracks. However, such a move necessitates approval through a constitutional amendment by New Jersey voters.