Resorts World New York City Gains Strong Community Backing

Resorts World New York City took a major step toward its $5.5 billion casino expansion this week, winning unanimous support at its first public hearing in Queens.

Good to know

• All 44 speakers at the hearing voiced support for the project.
• The expansion could make RWNYC the first full-scale casino to open in New York City.
• The resort has contributed nearly $5 billion in taxes since 2011.

At Queens Borough Hall, the Community Advisory Committee listened as civic leaders, nonprofit representatives, and neighborhood advocates lined up to back the plan. Not a single speaker opposed the bid, an unusual show of unity in the often-divisive world of casino licensing.

RWNYC has operated at the Aqueduct site since 2011 as a video lottery terminal facility. That decade-plus presence, executives argue, explains the strong community backing.

The $5.5 billion project would convert Resorts World into a Class III casino with table games, high-end amenities, and new entertainment space. If regulators give the green light, the resort could open by July 2026. That would put it a year ahead of MGM Empire City, which currently targets mid-2027.

The current Aqueduct facility is already among the top-grossing gaming venues in the United States, generating about $1 billion annually. Since opening, it has also delivered nearly $5 billion in state taxes.

The transformation plan stretches across the 73-acre site, with 5.6 million square feet of new development. The design calls for:

• 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games
• 2,000 hotel rooms
• A 7,000-seat live entertainment arena
• Over 30 dining outlets
• More than a dozen acres of new community green space

Executives say the project will create 24,000 jobs and bring in hundreds of millions in new tax revenue. The resort’s phased build-out is designed to keep operations running smoothly while minimizing risks.

Jobs, Training, and Community Partnerships

Supporters at the hearing emphasized job creation and economic growth. Genting Americas pointed out that Resorts World New York City is already the largest employer of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO, with average salaries around $80,000. The workforce is also predominantly female and people of color.

The casino also highlighted new programs tied to the expansion, such as a Resorts World Career Center at Jamaica Station and an expanded training partnership with CUNY/York College. The aim is to prepare thousands of local residents for careers in gaming and hospitality.

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