Resorts World NYC Opens Full-Scale Casino at Aqueduct Racetrack
"We are changing the landscape of New York forever with a building that will never close." — Kevin Jones, Chief Strategy Officer
On April 28, 2026, Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) opened a full-scale casino with live table games—including roulette, craps, baccarat, and blackjack—at its facility adjacent to Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. The casino is the first of three licensed downstate casinos to launch under a 2013 voter-approved expansion of gambling in New York state.
Key Details
- The casino was awarded one of three new licenses by the state's gambling commission in 2025, beating competitors including Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts.
- Resorts World already operated a slots and electronic gambling facility at the site, which the company states is one of the most profitable in the world.
- The expansion has created over 1,200 new jobs, with an additional 500 hires expected by summer 2026.
- A sportsbook is under construction and will be the first in New York City.
Statements
Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, said the company obtained the license on December 15 prior, and opened on April 28.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards called the opening "the jackpot" and said Queens becoming an international entertainment hub was his dream.
Rapper Nas, a partner in the project, stated: "This is just the beginning... Queens is where it's at."
Background
The project received criticism from some locals concerned about crime and traffic. For now, the casino operates with a city monopoly, paying 63% state tax on slots revenue and 30% on table game revenue, with a clause to reduce its tax rate to competitor levels once other casinos open.
Two other licensees—Bally's (building on a Bronx golf course purchased from The Trump Organization) and Hard Rock (planning a development near Citi Field)—are not expected to open for several years.
The state projects the three casinos could generate $7 billion in gaming tax revenue over a decade; CBRE projects annual gaming revenues at maturity of up to $5.6 billion under a bull case scenario.