Resorts World New York City officially opened its live table games casino floor in Queens on Tuesday, marking the debut of the first full scale New York City Casino. This milestone comes more than a decade after state voters first approved the expansion of gambling. The facility is located in South Ozone Park next to the Aqueduct Racetrack and near John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The expansion adds more than 240 live table games to the property, including blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette. While the site has operated slot machines and electronic gaming for over ten years, the new additions transform it into a full scale New York City Casino. Genting, the Malaysia based company that owns the property, secured one of three downstate licenses awarded through the state gambling expansion process. Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, noted that the company moved quickly to welcome guests to the new floor after receiving the license in mid December.
This opening provides the facility with a temporary monopoly on live table games in the five boroughs. Other licensed projects are not expected to open for several years. These include a development by Bally in the Bronx and a Hard Rock project near Citi Field, both of which are anticipated to begin operations in 2030. Under its current agreement, the Queens New York City Casino pays a tax rate of 63 percent on slot revenue and 30 percent on table games, though these rates may be adjusted once competitors begin operations.
The current debut represents the first phase of a broader five billion dollar expansion plan. Future developments for the New York City Casino include a new hotel wing, a 7,000 seat entertainment venue, a spa, and an indoor day club with pools. The project has already created more than 1,200 new jobs, including roles for table game dealers. Hundreds of additional hires are expected by the summer. State officials estimate that the three downstate casinos could generate seven billion dollars in tax revenue over the next decade. At the opening ceremony, local leaders and entertainers gathered to celebrate the economic impact the project is expected to have on the surrounding community and the broader metropolitan region.
