With that final approval, Resorts World plans to have hundreds of table games available by the end of March, 2026.

“Resorts World New York City’s journey to this historic moment represents more than 15 years of work to generate jobs, revenue, and opportunities for our neighbors,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “Resorts World New York City’s $7.5 billion proposal is the only bid that can expand operations in just 90 days, generating billions in new revenue for mass transit and public education over the next four years. We are thankful the Gaming Facility Location Board recognized the tremendous economic impact we will have for New York State.”

RWNYC’s proposed expansion includes a $5.5 billion physical investment in the 72-acre Aqueduct site, adding:

• • A 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slot machines and 800 live table games, for a total 10,800 gaming positions
  • A total 2,000 hotel rooms, building on the 400 existing units at the Hyatt Regency
  • A new 7,000-seat multipurpose entertainment venue
  • More than 7,000 parking spaces, a majority of which will be covered
  • More than 12 acres of new public green space

RWNYC is expected to generate new revenue for New York State between 2026 and 2029, including:

• • $2.5 billion for the MTA through a $600 million license fee and $1.9 billion in new revenue
  • $2 billion for the State public education system, building on nearly $5 million delivered since RWNYC opened in October 2011
  • $506 million to support New York State’s racing industry

For the first phase of the casino, expected to open towards the end of March next year, RWNYC will immediately begin hiring and training up to 2,000 employees. RWNYC’s proposed $2 billion community benefits package also includes a historic commitment to build up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across the five boroughs; a state-of-the-art Resorts World Innovation Campus, featuring a sports and media complex shaped by Queens native and NBA legend Kenny “The Jet” Smith; a community investment fund; and a $100 million infrastructure improvement package.

About Resorts World New York City (RWNYC): the only VLT casino-hotel in the five boroughs, has contributed nearly $5 billion to New York’s public education system since opening in 2011. Over the same period, it has provided more than $2 billion to the New York Racing Association, sustaining tens of thousands of jobs across the State’s equine industry. RWNYC also fulfils the long-standing objective of transforming the historic Aqueduct Racetrack into the nation’s largest gaming destination outside Las Vegas, with approximately 5,500 slot and electronic table games machines.

RWNYC welcomes an average of five million guests each year, offering a comprehensive gaming, entertainment, and dining experience. In 2021, the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York City opened, bringing total investment at the site to approximately $1.1 billion. Guests now enjoy a range of dining options, including the RW Prime and the Good Friends Noodle House.

RWNYC is operated by the Genting Group, a global company founded in 1965 with destination resort operations in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Las Vegas, Bimini, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Genting brings more than six decades of experience in the travel and leisure sector, employing approximately 30,000 people and serving more than 50 million guests annually worldwide.

“Hip Hop has always reflected the culture of New York City, from its emergence in the Bronx to Queens’ own, Nas,” said Kevin Jones, Chief Legal and Chief Strategy Officer at Resorts World New York City. “We are so excited to support the opening of The Hip Hop Museum as a tribute to where Hip Hop has come from as well as where it is headed. Resorts World New York City believes in our cultural institutions, which make this city so special, and are proud to be their partner.”

“Building this Hip Hop Museum is something our culture has needed for a long time,” said Nas. “It’s powerful to see a space being created to preserve that history and to educate and inspire the next generation. Being able to contribute alongside Resorts World to help bring this vision to life is an honor. This museum stands as a reminder of where we came from, and a celebration of everything Hip Hop continues to be.”

“Receiving this generous $2 million donation from Nas and Resorts World at our benefit gala was a major highlight of the evening,” said CEO and Founder of The Hip Hop Museum, Rocky Bucano. “His generosity supports our capital campaign, and brings us closer to opening our doors in 2026. Nas is leading by example which inspires others to preserve Hip Hop’s global legacy, and to help us celebrate and protect this powerful culture.”

For photos and videos of the announcement, click here.

The Hip Hop Museum is the global rhythmic epicenter for connection, collaboration, community and creativity on all things Hip Hop culture. The museum will fittingly make its home in The Bronx, where Hip Hop first emerged more than 50 years ago. Its mission is to sit at the intersection between an appreciation of Hip Hop’s past and the need to always innovate and contribute something to its future.

The museum is slated to open in 2026, when Resorts World New York City has said it can also open as an expanded casino. On Tuesday, Resorts World New York City submitted its supplemental bid to the Gaming Facility Location Board that promised a total investment of $7.5 billion and approximately 100,000 jobs. Included in that sum is $2 billion in community support that includes:

• $750 million toward the construction of up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across New York City
• $750 million toward the Resorts World Innovation Campus, which will be anchored by a sports and media complex developed by Kenny “The Jet” Smith
• $300 million toward the debt and equity raise for the Innovation Campus Community Investment Fund
• $150 million to expand the long-running RW Gives philanthropic program
• $50 million in upfront seed capital for the Innovation Campus Community Investment Fund

New Yorkers from Staten Island to Long Island will also benefit from the economic activity Resorts World New York City seeks to generate. With a commercial casino license in hand, the company projects it will pay up to $18.8 billion in state and local taxes over the first 10 years of expanded operations. Those funds will support the MTA – including $600 million upfront in its proposed license fee – as well as the state education system, which has already received more than $4.5 billion from Resorts World New York City – solidifying it as New York’s biggest taxpayer.

Resorts World has also sought to ensure its success was shared with its neighbors. RW Gives, which launched in 2011 as the company’s philanthropic arm, has invested more than $10 million into more than 300 cultural, community, and educational groups across New York State. This program will only grow with Resorts World New York City’s expansion, at a rate of $5 million annually for the next 30 years.

“World Like No Other is about reflecting what we already know,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “The people of New York are 100 percent behind this project because it will deliver real benefits, right away.”

The multifaceted campaign will roll out over the coming month, debuting across Resorts World New York’s owned social channels and on-property branding. A high-profile anthem film, on-property VIP speakeasy, large-scale out of home takeovers, elevated programming at all on premise venues including Bar360 and Liberty Bar will follow, all designed to celebrate the energy, diversity, and ambition that make New York City a World Like No Other.

“World Like No Other reflects our commitment to delivering an experience that’s authentic, bold and unmistakably New York,” said Kevin Jones, Chief Legal and Strategy Officer. “RWNYC is the ‘All-Borough Bid’ because it embodies the vision of uniting the entire city under one banner, and World Like No Other will showcase that spirit.”

A key highlight of the initiative is the debut of All In, a luxe, invite-only speakeasy set to make its mark as a late-night destination for private events and VIP guests. The first slate of events includes Nas’ exclusive Halloween Party and the much-anticipated launch of Issue 2 of Queens Get The Paper, the brand’s signature publication.

Additional details to come, but the World Like No Other campaign will also feature:

• Social & Digital Relaunch
• Queens Feast – an event designed to feed the community while celebrating the diverse flavors of New York

The announcement of this new campaign comes on the heels of RWNYC’s submission of its supplemental application to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board, reaffirming its position as the state’s strongest contender for a full commercial casino license.

The financial numbers RWNYC presented are simply staggering and stand head-and-shoulders above the competition:

• Between spending $5.5 billion developing the site and $2 billion on community benefits, the company is spending an astounding $7.5 billion on and around the project.

• Resorts World New York City is projected to deliver unmatched scale, the highest Gross Gaming Revenue, the highest casino taxes of any applicant – regardless of how many licenses are awarded and to what combination of the three remaining bidders – generating up to $4 billion by 2031 in the high-case scenario in which one casino license is awarded.
• State and local tax payments for the initial 10 years of operations will total up to $18.8 billion.
• New York State’s largest taxpayer also upped the ante on its license fee, pledging $600 million – $100 million more than required by the state.

And unlike any competitor, Resorts World New York City’s speed-to-market capabilities means it can increase its scale, create more jobs, and generate more tax revenue for the state by Summer 2026.

The financial numbers RWNYC presented today are simply staggering and stand head-and-shoulders above the competition.

1. Between spending $5.5 billion developing the site and $2 billion on community benefits, the company is spending an astounding $7.5 billion on and around the project.
2. Resorts World New York City is projected to deliver unmatched scale, the highest Gross Gaming Revenue, the highest casino taxes of any applicant – regardless of how many licenses are awarded and to what combination of the four remaining bidders – generating up to $4 billion by 2031 in the high-case scenario in which one casino license is awarded.
3. State and local tax payments for the initial 10 years of operations will total up to $18.8 billion.
4. New York State’s largest taxpayer also upped the ante on its license fee, pledging $600 million – $100 million more than required by the state.

And New Yorkers won’t have to wait long to visit the city’s newest attraction. Among the competitors vying for up to three downstate gaming licenses, a fully permitted Resorts World New York City stands alone in its readiness to scale operations and start generating benefits for the city and state starting with a June 29, 2026 opening date – at least four years before two other bidders are predicting to open their doors.

“This is more than a bid—it’s a promise kept to the people of New York,” said Robert DeSalvio, President, Genting Americas East. “No other project will come online faster, generate more financial impact, create more jobs or send more revenue to the state’s education fund, the MTA and local communities than Resorts World New York City.”

An updated economic analysis shows Resorts World New York City will create more than 100,000 construction, permanent, indirect and induced jobs, as it realizes the proposed 5.6-million-square-foot integrated resort – the largest in the United States. The historic development will include a spacious 500,000-square-foot casino hosting 10,800 gaming positions, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, 30 new dining options, day clubs and spas, and more than 12 acres of greenspace, as well as $2 billion in community investments.

“Resorts World is on the verge of turning Queens into a global destination – one all New Yorkers deserve,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “The jobs, economic opportunity, and amenities in this proposal will change families for generations to come, faster and at a larger scale than anyone else.”

Further, Resorts World’s bid is the only submission that is fully committed to keeping revenue within the Empire State. While all other bids have close business ties to New Jersey’s Atlantic City, Resorts World has a clear commitment to New York State – beyond the five boroughs. It is the only bidder with existing partner facilities in Upstate New York, meaning an awarded license will also uplift communities in Sullivan and Orange Counties through increased tourism, jobs, and shared resources. To accomplish that goal, Resorts World will provide $70 million in complimentary incentives for gamers to visit Resort World Catskills, to enjoy amenities such as Monster Golf Club.

“All my experiences with Resorts World have shown me that they walk the walk when it comes to keeping gaming and tourism dollars in New York State. We are so excited to see them move forward,” said New York State Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay, representing for the Catskills region. “Resorts World has put forth a clear plan that ensures both upstate and downstate thrive, yet again demonstrating their commitment to our community.”

As the State Gaming Facility Location Board evaluates final submissions, Resorts World New York City continues to stand out not just as the strongest candidate—but as the only one that’s ready to deliver now. Unlike other proposals that remain years away from opening, Resorts World New York City is already operational and poised for rapid expansion. Upon receiving a full commercial license, Resorts World New York City will immediately begin construction and hire 1,000 new team members for the June 2026 opening.

In its first four years of casino operations, Resorts World New York City is projected to deliver $5 billion in casino taxes and direct billions of dollars to the MTA within the first five years of licensure alone. This is billions more than some competitors are expected to generate even years after opening their doors.

The supplemental submission comes on the heels of unanimous approval without amendment not only from the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) votes—but the people of Queens. Over the course of two hearings, elected officials, community leaders, union workers, and partners unanimously testified in support of the project.

Charts and numerical analyses from Spectrum Gaming that provide supporting documentation for all numbers herein.

“Resorts World came to me with a clear goal of fostering tomorrow’s athletes, media personalities and leaders both on and off the court,” said Kenny “The Jet” Smith. “Their investment in this center will help us teach the next generation the nuances of the game, whether they’re on the bench or in the broadcast booth, 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.”

“Last night was about celebrating and thanking the Queens community for their support,” said Resorts World Chief Legal and Strategy Officer Kevin Jones. “Since breaking ground nearly fifteen years ago, Resorts World New York City has been intentional in its mission to serve as a community pillar here in Queens. To the large number of local organizations, elected officials, unions, and others who have touted our proposal, we are incredibly grateful and don’t take your support for granted as we embark on this once-in-a-generation project.”

For renderings of The Jet Center, click here.

More than a sports facility, The Jet Center will prepare the next generation of leaders by combining athletics with education, mentorship, and exposure to the broader business of sports. Designed for athletes and non-athletes alike, the campus will open doors to new opportunities, strengthen youth pathways, and position Queens as a destination for growth, opportunity, and excellence. The investment underscores Resorts World’s commitment to serving as a true community partner with The Jet Center’s impact set to be felt across the borough, the city, and the state.

The Jet Center will serve as the centerpiece of the Resorts World Innovation Campus proposed for the 73-acre site. It would stand alongside a health and wellness center geared toward serving Hotel and Gaming Trades Council members, as well as a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics center.

Over the course of two public hearings, more than 100 community members spoke in support of both Resorts World’s record as well as the merits of the proposal. The bid has also garnered the backing of Queens hip-hop legend Nas who recorded a video as part of Resorts World’s bid that paid homage to the World’s Borough and the facility’s mission to advance its communities. The proposal will now go to the Gaming Facility Location Board, where Resorts World will lay out its vision for the future of Queens.

With a commercial casino license in hand, Resorts World can:

• Create 24,000 jobs – 5,000 permanent, 5,000 union construction, and 14,000 indirect and induced.
  • Resorts World would be operational by July 2026 thanks to its unparalleled speed to market capabilities.
• Provide $1 billion in new, incremental revenue to New York State in 2026, as well as send $1 billion to the MTA within the first five years of licensure.
• Develop 12 acres of new, public greenspace designed in partnership with the community.
• Deliver a 7,000-seat multipurpose entertainment venue, large-scale event and meeting space, and 30 new dining options including concepts by Chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Scott Conant.

To learn more about the future of this site, click here.

About Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) is the Big Apple’s only casino-hotel and has generated more than $4.5 billion for the State’s public education system since 2011. RWNYC fulfills the decades-long mission to turn the historic Aqueduct Racetrack into a gaming destination with approximately 6,500 slot machines and electronic table gaming. An average 8 million guests pass through RWNYC’s doors annually, where they enjoy an extraordinary gaming, entertainment, and dining experience. In 2021, the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport hotel at Resorts World New York City opened its doors — bringing the total investment at the site to $1.1 billion. Guests can choose from several dining options including the recently reopened RW Prime and Good Friends Noodle House. RWNYC is operated by the Genting Group, a global company founded in 1965, with destination resorts in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Las Vegas, Bimini, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Genting has more than 50 years of experience in the travel and leisure industry and collectively employs approximately 30,000 people while offering an unparalleled resort experience to over 50 million visitors a year worldwide.

Resorts World New York City today received unanimous support from the Community Advisory Committee – a critical step in the company’s plan to create a $5.5 billion integrated resort, the largest in the United States. The proposal will now go to the Gaming Facility Location Board, where Resorts World will lay out its vision of generating 24,000 new jobs, $1 billion in new incremental revenue by next year, and billions of dollars in economic activity beginning as soon as next July.

“On behalf of the entire Resorts World team, I want to thank the Community Advisory Committee for recognizing the impact we will have not only on Queens but all of New York City and State,” said Robert DeSalvio, President, Genting Americas East. “We are incredibly grateful to the large number of residents, partners, and supporters who touted this project, without a single person speaking against it. This is a testament to our mission – solidified over the last 15 years – to be the best neighbor possible here in Queens.”

Immediately after the vote, RWNYC will host NBA legend and Queens native Kenny “The Jet” Smith to unveil “The Jet Center” – a state-of-the-art sports and media complex that will serve as the centerpiece of the Resorts World Innovation Campus.

Indeed, more than 100 community members spoke in support of both Resorts World’s record as well as the merits of the proposal New York City’s only casino has put forward. That included community organizations, elected officials, members of organized labor, and other partners – many of whom have worked with Resorts World since it broke ground in October 2010.

During its July 21^st presentation to the Committee, and at subsequent public hearings, Resorts World officials highlighted the community and economic benefits of its proposed expansion. With a commercial casino license in hand, Resorts World can:

• Create 24,000 jobs – 5,000 permanent, 5,000 union construction, and 14,000 indirect and induced
  • Resorts World would be operational by July 2026 thanks to its unparalleled speed to market capabilities
• Provide $1 billion in new, incremental revenue to New York State in 2026, as well as send $1 billion to the MTA within the first five years of licensure
• Develop 12 acres of new, public greenspace designed in partnership with the community
• Deliver a 7,000-seat multipurpose entertainment venue, large-scale event and meeting space, and 30 new dining options including concepts by Chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Scott Conant

The bid has also garnered the backing of two of Queens most famous native sons: hip-hop legend Nas and two-time NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith. In June, Nas recorded a video as part of Resorts World’s bid that paid homage to the World’s Borough and the facility’s mission to advance its communities. Smith meanwhile has been the driving force behind “The Jet Center” – a state-of-the-art sports and media complex that will be the centerpiece of the Resorts World Innovation Campus. Later today, the Inside the NBA host will appear at Resorts World to officially unveil “The Jet Center” and discuss the driving forces behind it.

“Resorts World New York City recognizes that we have to get to work today to prepare tomorrow’s workforce,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “The Resorts World Career Center and the Resorts World Dealer Experience Center will directly engage our neighbors and all New Yorkers about what they can expect working at an integrated resort of this size and caliber. We are so excited to take this next step in creating more opportunities in new fields, so New Yorkers can maximize their potential.”

On Tuesday, September 16^th, New York City’s only casino will launch the Resorts World Career Center at Jamaica Station, located on Sutphin Boulevard between Archer and 94^th avenues. Queens residents, commuters, and anyone interested in working at RWNYC will be able to walk in and learn about the litany of options available to them at the facility. The Career Center will be open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

At the same time, Resorts World will also launch the “Resorts World Dealer Experience Center” within its grand lobby. Participants will be able to take part in a two-hour seminar that overviews how to enter the gaming industry, the commitments and benefits of being a dealer, and what they would learn over a 10-week training program. The course will be available Tuesdays through Saturdays in three sessions: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Such a proactive workforce development program is crucial should RWNYC be awarded a full commercial casino license later this year – as RWNYC is the only operator that could launch expanded operations as soon as July 2026. In a matter of months of award, Resorts World could convert its casino floor of approximately 5,500 video lottery terminals and electronic table games to one with 4,000 slots and ETG and 250 Las Vegas-style live table games. That will require RWNYC to expand its existing team of 1,000 to 3,500 in a host of fields.

Beyond the final 500,000-square-foot gaming floor – which upon completion will be the largest in the United States with 6,000 slots and ETGs and 800 live table games – RWNYC has proposed a fully integrated resort that will include a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, large-scale event space, 2,000 hotel rooms, and a dozen acres of greenspace. This transformation of the 73-acre site will require a permanent workforce of 5,000, with construction creating another 5,000 union construction jobs. RWNYC’s unparalleled speed-to-market as a full commercial casino is also expected to yield another 14,000 indirect and induced jobs, as the resort itself generates more incremental revenue for New York State.

The casino has laid the foundation for this work in the last several years, namely through the free “Intro to Gaming Operations” course. The six-week curriculum, developed in partnership with CUNY/York College, gives current employees and Queens residents a 360-degree view of what it’s like to work in a casino, providing students with an in-depth understanding of how myriad departments work together. Interest in the course has been so strong that Resorts World and CUNY/York added a second course this summer – the eighth cohort to go through the course since it launched in 2021. Graduation for that cohort was this past Saturday, with a ceremony held at RWNYC, has led to nearly 150 people receiving their certificates in the last four years.

Resorts World New York City has received its last major land use approval for its $5.5 billion vision to create an integrated resort at Aqueduct, ensuring work can immediately begin on this community-driven proposal if granted a commercial gaming license.

On Friday, the New York State Franchise Oversight Board voted 5-0 to accept the final environmental impact statement and finding statement for Resorts World’s next phase, which will ultimately create a 5.6-million-square foot destination just minutes from JFK Airport. This unanimous vote marked the final necessary approval to transform the 73-acre Aqueduct site, where Resorts World has operated as New York City’s only casino since 2011.

“This seal of approval from the Franchise Oversight Board means we can literally get to work a day after receiving a commercial gaming license,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “We have made speed to market a priority to create the highest and best value for New Yorkers, whether it’s through jobs or revenue, and we’re living up to that promise. We are grateful to the State for this action, and we hope we can hit the ground running this December.”

Approval under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) came just days after Resorts World executives presented the vision for Aqueduct to its Community Advisory Committee. Joined by celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Scott Conant, the team laid out its proposed expansion, which has been developed over the last 15 years in partnership with the local community.

If granted a commercial gaming license by this December, Resorts World will have the ability to expand its operations as soon as July 2026. The permanent workforce will more than triple in that time, as visitors will be able to enjoy 4,000 slot machines and electronic table games as well as 250 live table games. Once completed, Resorts World will become the largest commercial casino in the United States with 6,000 slots and ETGs and 800 table games across a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor.

The integrated resort will also deliver a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena, hundreds of thousands of square feet of large-scale meeting space, a dozen acres of community park space, and 2,000 hotel rooms. Five-thousand union construction jobs will be created, alongside 5,000 permanent positions, with an expected 14,000 induced jobs coming online as a result.

Resorts World’s ability to transform its property right away will deliver new, incremental revenue to the State as soon as possible. This ability to expand operations within six months of licensure will allow Resorts World to more than double its current gross gaming revenue from the current $1 billion to $2.2 billion by 2027. The MTA alone is expected to receive $1 billion in fees and revenue generated at the integrated resort within the first five years of receiving a license.