Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) won unanimous approval at its first public casino bid hearing Wednesday at Queens Borough Hall.
All 44 speakers who addressed the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) voiced support for the expansion project. The show of unity may owe much to RWNYC’s decade-long presence in Queens, as it has operated as a video lottery terminal facility since 2011.
Key Takeaways
- CAC hearing sees full public backing for Resorts World Casino.
- $5.5-billion expansion could open by July 2026.
- The project would become New York’s largest integrated resort.
Civic leaders, community organizers, and nonprofit groups praised the proposed $5.5-billion expansion to convert RWNYC into a full-scale Class III casino and fill unused space. If approved, the resort could open as early as July 2026, faster than competing proposals, including MGM Empire City, which targets a July 2027 launch.
The current Aqueduct facility is already one of the highest-grossing in the U.S., generating roughly $1 billion in annual revenue and contributing nearly $5 billion in taxes since 2011.
The RWNYC presentation also highlighted new initiatives, including a Resorts World Career Center at
Jamaica Station and an expanded Intro to Gaming Operations program in partnership with CUNY/York College aimed at training thousands of local residents.
Largest integrated resort in New York
The full expansion proposal from Resorts World would transform the 73-acre Aqueduct site into a 5.6 million-square-foot entertainment hub, featuring 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, 2,000 hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, over 30 dining outlets, and more than a dozen acres of community green space. The project is expected to generate up to 24,000 jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue.
RWNYC executives also claimed the resort’s phased build-out over five years would ensure continuity and minimize operational risk.
A number of local partners praised the plan, citing its potential to create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth in Queens. Genting Americas highlighted its longstanding community engagement, noting RWNYC is the largest employer of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO, with average salaries of $80,000 and a workforce that is predominantly of color and female.
Resorts World Las Vegas offers no resort fees this summer
Meanwhile, Resorts World Las Vegas is promoting a summer deal that eliminates resort fees and paid self-parking through Sept. 11. Typically, Strip resorts charge $44 to $57 per night for amenities such as pool access, fitness centers, and Wi-Fi. Resorts World now joins Treasure Island, Sahara, Circus Circus, and Casino Royale among the few Las Vegas properties offering free parking.
The company's strategies underscore its dual focus: expanding its footprint in New York while positioning its Las Vegas resort as a competitive, value-driven tourist destination.
