NEW YORK – A historic milestone for gambling in the Big Apple was celebrated Tuesday as Queens welcomed the city’s first complete casino operation featuring live dealer table games.
The expanded Resorts World facility officially launched its new gaming floor, which houses over 200 live dealer tables offering blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette, alongside more than 2,500 slot machines. The venue had previously operated only as a slots-only establishment.
Additional gaming tables and slot machines are scheduled to come online throughout the year. Future development plans call for constructing a hotel, dining establishments, a 7,000-capacity entertainment complex, and over 12 acres of public green space across the 72-acre property.
“With our planned $5.5 billion expansion, this is only the beginning of something much bigger for Resorts World and for New York,” stated Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, a division of the Malaysia-based Genting Group that operates the casino in Queens.
The Queens location has operated for over ten years adjacent to Aqueduct Racetrack, situated near John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Tuesday’s grand opening celebration included company leadership, government officials, and community members who participated in a ceremonial dice roll. Rapper Nas, who holds a partnership stake in the development, joined the festivities.
This facility represents one of three developments that recently secured state gaming licenses to operate comprehensive casinos within New York City limits.
Mets owner and billionaire Steve Cohen has unveiled plans for an $8.1 billion Hard Rock casino complex adjacent to Citi Field in Queens, which would feature entertainment venues, hotel accommodations, and retail shopping.
Bally’s has outlined approximately $4 billion in development at Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx, incorporating hotel facilities, event spaces, conference rooms, dining options, and additional amenities.
However, these two competing projects remain several years from completion.
The three approved developments emerged victorious from intense competition for coveted New York City area gaming licenses, defeating multiple rival proposals including three potential Manhattan casino locations.
Currently, four complete casinos offering table games operate upstate, while the state manages nine additional gaming facilities without live dealer options, most located far from Manhattan.
