Key Highlights
- Resorts World by Genting launched NYC’s inaugural full-service casino in Queens on April 28, situated adjacent to Aqueduct Racetrack
- The venue now features live table games including Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Poker, expanding beyond its slots-only format operational since 2011
- This marks the first of three authorized gaming facilities to launch, with Bally’s Bronx and Hard Rock Metropolitan projected to debut in 2030
- The debut represents the initial phase of an ambitious $5.5 billion transformation that will ultimately feature 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, over 30 dining establishments, and 2,000 hotel accommodations
- Hip-hop artist Nas headlined the launch celebration following extensive lobbying campaigns and legal proceedings that culminated in three casino licenses being granted in December 2024
New York City residents seeking an authentic casino experience no longer need to venture outside the city limits. On April 28, Genting’s Resorts World unveiled the metropolis’s inaugural full-service casino in Queens.
The gaming establishment sits beside the Aqueduct Racetrack property, which faces closure. Since 2011, Resorts World had operated a slot machine-exclusive facility at this location.
The venue now boasts live dealer table games spanning Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Poker. Professional dealers staff the gaming floor, delivering the complete casino atmosphere patrons have anticipated.
Resorts World Queens stands as the pioneer among three gaming establishments recently granted licenses through New York’s Gaming Commission. These authorizations were distributed last December.
The remaining two authorized venues include Bally’s planned facility in the Bronx and Steve Cohen’s Hard Rock Metropolitan, also designated for Queens. Both properties anticipate 2030 launch dates.
Massive $5.5 Billion Transformation Underway
The present launch constitutes merely the opening phase of an expansive development initiative. The comprehensive Aqueduct site transformation commands a $5.5 billion investment.
Upon completion, the destination will house 6,000 slot machines alongside 800 table gaming options. The complex will additionally showcase more than 30 culinary venues and 2,000 hotel accommodations.
Queens native and hip-hop legend Nas delivered a performance during the inaugural festivities. He entertained attendees with his classic track “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That).”
Patrons attending the launch celebration voiced enthusiasm about accessing an authentic casino within city boundaries. One participant told the New York Times the energy surpassed other gaming venues due to the distinctive New York City environment.
Another visitor remarked that people had anticipated this development for years. They emphasized that nobody prefers driving two hours to reach gaming facilities.
Extended Lobbying Campaign and Legal Challenges
The journey toward authorized gaming establishments in New York City proved lengthy and complex. State officials initially approved full-service casinos within city limits in 2013.
What ensued encompassed years of lobbying campaigns, legal disputes, and public debate. Gaming industry titans competed intensely to secure one of merely three available authorizations.
Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International ranked among the corporations vying for licenses. These entities invested tens of millions into lobbying initiatives.
Celebrity support factored significantly throughout the authorization process. Nas, Jay-Z, and civil rights advocate Rev. Al Sharpton numbered among prominent figures endorsing different proposals.
The rivalry intensified because only three licenses existed for the entire New York City market. Every applicant recognized the metropolis as a vast, underutilized gambling territory.
Community members and elected officials deliberated the advantages and concerns of introducing casinos citywide for years. The proceedings attracted international gambling industry attention.
New York’s Gaming Commission ultimately distributed the three licenses in December 2024. Resorts World acted most expeditiously to launch live dealer table gaming on April 28.
