After decades of political lobbying and legal hurdles, New York City has officially welcomed its first full-scale casino. Genting’s Resorts World New York City, located in the Borough of Queens, opened its doors yesterday with a complete suite of live table games, dealers, and world-class amenities.
Lively Atmosphere and palpable Excitement
While the site has operated primarily with slot machines since 2011, the new license allows it to host the full 360 experience: Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Poker. For years, NYC residents had to travel to upstate New York, New Jersey, or Las Vegas for legal table play.
The liveness of the Genting’s Resorts World New York City was noted by players on opening day. One attendee told the New York Times:
“I like the tables, I like the atmosphere. This place is definitely livelier than other casinos, which makes sense because we’re in New York City. Nobody wants to drive two hours to a casino, so you’re going to get a lot of people coming here.”
The $5.5 Billion Redevelopment
The opening marks the first phase of a massive $5.5 billion redevelopment of the Aqueduct Racetrack site. Upon completion, the facility will feature 6,000 slot machines, 800 tables, over 30 restaurants, and 2,000 hotel rooms. The debut was celebrated with a performance by Queens-born superstar rapper Nas, who joined Resorts World executives on stage.
This is the first of three newly authorized casinos to open in the city. Projects from Bally’s (Bronx) and Steve Cohen’s Hard Rock (Queens) are slated for a 2030 debut.
The awarding of these licenses in December followed a fiercely competitive process where giants like Wynn, Caesars, and MGM vied for a spot in the Big Apple, spending tens of millions on lobbying and local endorsements from figures like Jay-Z and Rev. Al Sharpton.
