Less than three months after its grand opening, and well ahead of schedule, Resorts World New York officially broke ground on Phase Two of its $5.5 billion integrated resort.
Key Takeaways
- Resorts World won approval for one of New York City’s casino licenses in December 2025.
- The casino held its grand opening on April 28, with plans to add slot machines and additional table games throughout the year.
- Phase Two of the property’s expansion will feature additional hotel rooms, a sports complex and a multi-purpose arena.
Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) was one of three casinos approved to receive a New York City casino license last December. This was after the Genting Group, the parent company of Resorts World, upped its proposal, adding a $2 million community fund and $5.5 billion for expanded site development to its bid.
Resorts World officially opened its casino doors to New Yorkers on April 28. With the official closure of Aqueduct Racetrack last month, the property became available for Phase Two of Resorts World expansion project.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account"The excitement around this project hasn't stopped since the day we submitted our bid,” said Robert DeSalvio, President, Genting Americas East. “It carried us through our licensing process and through the first 12 weeks of operating New York City's first live table games. Today, that same excitement is present as we break ground on Phase Two, which will bring new infrastructure, new parking, and the next wave of hotel rooms that will support two million square feet of new gaming, entertainment, and hospitality space in the years ahead.”
The next phase
Phase Two will include an additional 400-room hotel tower to add on to the current Hyatt Regency, the Kenny “The Jet” Sports and Media Complex, a 7,000 seat multi-purpose arena, 1,200 additional hotel rooms under the luxury Crockfords brand, the central plaza, and a state-of-the-art parking garage.
The expansion will add two million square feet of new gaming, entertainment, dining, retail, and convention space to the existing one-million-square-foot property.
A number of government officials weighed in on the importance of the Resorts World project, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
"Today's historic groundbreaking is about delivering for Queens families who have long deserved good-paying union job opportunities, safe spaces for their children to grow and world-class entertainment all right in their own borough,” Richards said. “That's exactly what we're delivering for our neighbors with Phase Two of Resorts World's expansion. In real time, we are leveling the playing field when it comes to prosperity and culture. It has been an honor to partner with Resorts World on bringing this community-centered expansion to life and I look forward to the ribbon cutting in the not-too-distant future."
Resorts World New York is already making meaningful contributions to the community. The property added 1,400 slot machines on July 21 and will be adding more gaming tables by the end of the year.
With these additions, RWNYC expects to grow casino tax and racing support payments to a billion dollars a year, including $425 million for education, $425 million for the MTA and $150 million in support for the state’s horse-racing industry.
