Resorts World New York City is set to launch the next phase of its $5 billion expansion, transforming the Queens casino near the Aqueduct Racetrack into what is planned to be the largest integrated gaming resort in the United States. The expansion includes a second 400-room hotel tower, a 7,000-person concert arena, and additional slot machines.
This development follows the recent unveiling of the casino's first-floor expansion, which added 1,400 slot machines to its existing offerings. The property, owned and operated by the Malaysian-based Genting Group, was awarded a state gaming license earlier this year to offer live table games, complementing its nearly 4,000 slot machines. The casino now features Blackjack, craps, and roulette across 240 tables.
The expansion plans also include completing the Kenny “The Jet” Sports and Media Complex, a new luxury Crockfords hotel to join the existing Hyatt Regency, a central plaza, and a new parking garage equipped with solar panels. With the addition of the new hotel tower, Resorts World aims to eventually offer 2,000 hotel rooms.
Resorts World New York City, already a significant employer in Queens, anticipates creating an additional 500 to 2,700 jobs by the end of summer as part of the expansion. The casino estimates it will generate $10.8 billion in state and local tax payments over the first decade of operation.
This expansion positions Resorts World ahead of two other newly licensed casino developments in New York City: one planned by Steve Cohen and Hard Rock near Citi Field in Queens, and another by Bally's at Ferry Point in the Bronx. Unlike its competitors, Resorts World already had an operational facility, allowing for a quicker transition to its expanded gaming resort model.
The project also includes a proposed $2 billion community benefits package, with commitments to develop up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across the five boroughs and a $100 million infrastructure improvement package. The casino projects that its $500 million gaming license fee, along with new revenue streams, will contribute $2.5 billion to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and $2 billion to the state's public education system. Since its opening in 2011, Resorts World has reported generating over $5 billion for New York State's public education system.