Resorts World New York City, the only casino in the Big Apple, has announced its ambitious plan to expand its gaming and entertainment offerings. The casino, which is located at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, hopes to secure one of the three downstate casino licenses that will be awarded by the state in 2024. If successful, Resorts World NYC will be able to offer live table games such as blackjack, baccarat, poker and craps, in addition to its existing video lottery terminals and electronic games.
A snazzy 7,000-seat entertainment venue
One of the highlights of the expansion plan is a snazzy 7,000-seat entertainment venue that will host global superstars and attract more visitors to the casino. The venue will be similar to the Resorts World Theater in Las Vegas, which has featured performances by Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryant, Tiesto, Ludacris, D.L. Hughley, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Theo Von. The casino has not revealed the names of the A-list entertainers who will grace the stage in Queens, but hinted that they will have roots in the borough. A celebrity chef will also be brought in to guide the food service at the gaming facility.
The entertainment venue will be part of a larger development plan that is projected to create 10,000 jobs and generate more revenue for the state. Resorts World NYC has invested $1.1 billion into its current facility at Aqueduct Racetrack, from initial construction to the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport, which opened in 2021 and delivered the first four-star hotel to the area in generations. The casino is also the state’s largest taxpayer and has contributed more than $4 billion to the state’s public education fund since it opened in 2011.
A sports academy named after Kenny “The Jet” Smith
Another feature of the expansion plan is a sports academy named after Kenny “The Jet” Smith, a Queens hoops legend who won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets. The academy will be part of a Genting Innovation Campus, which will receive a $50 million investment from the casino giant to cover start-up costs. The campus will foster tomorrow’s athletes, student athletes and leaders both on and off the court.
“Resorts World came to me with a clear goal of fostering tomorrow’s athletes, student athletes and leaders both on and off the court,” Smith, the LeFrak City native and Archbishop Molloy alum, said in a statement. “Their investment in this Academy will help us teach the next generation the nuances of the game on and off the court, as well as the social, economic, and cultural impact of sports. I’m thrilled to partner with them to improve the borough that raised me and take it to the next level.”
A competitive bid for a full-scale casino license
Resorts World NYC is not the only casino operator that is eyeing a full-scale casino license in the downstate region. The state legislature authorized up to three licenses in 2013, but they cannot be issued until 2024 at the earliest. The licenses are expected to be highly coveted and competitive, as they will allow the operators to offer live table games, sports betting, and online gaming, which are currently prohibited or restricted in the state.
Other potential bidders include Empire City Casino in Yonkers, which is owned by MGM Resorts International, and Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia, which is operated by Delaware North. Both casinos also offer video lottery terminals and electronic games, but lack live table games. There are also proposals to build new casinos in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Long Island, which could pose a threat to the existing casinos in the region.
Resorts World NYC believes that its expansion plan will give it an edge over its competitors, as it will offer a comprehensive gaming and entertainment experience that will appeal to a wide range of customers. The casino also claims that it has a proven track record of delivering economic benefits to the state and the local community, and that it will continue to do so with its new plan.
The casino will unveil more details about its expansion plan at a press conference on Thursday, which will be attended by state and local officials, as well as the celebrities who will be involved in the project.