The Big Apple’s only casino-hotel takes major step in becoming New York City’s first true integrated resort
Genting-owned Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) has marked a historic first for New York City with the official opening of its new live table games floor.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Tuesday evening featuring hip-hop legend and RWNYC partner NAS, as well as elected officials and community partners, to mark the first time live table games have operated in New York City. A ceremonial first roll of the dice was hosted by Genting chairman KT Lim.
The casino’s newly reimagined gaming floor features 242 new live table games, including blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette.
In addition, more than 2,500 new commercial slot machines have been placed on the second and third floor of the existing Aqueduct Facility.
The number of tables and commercial slot machines will double with the progressive opening of the ground and first gaming floors later in the year.
“With Chairman Lim’s first roll of the dice, we celebrate a milestone that took nearly 15 years of hard work, strong partnerships, and an unwavering belief in what this property could become for New York,” said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East. “Live table gaming is officially open in New York City for the first time ever, and on day one we are contributing to the State’s economy, supporting jobs, and giving back to New Yorkers.
“With our planned $5.5 billion expansion, this is only the beginning of something much bigger for Resorts World and for New York.”
The addition of live table games is the first component of RWNYC’s $5.5 billion investment in the 72-acre Acqueduct site after securing a new licence last December. Future plans include a new 7,000-seat multi-purpose entertainment venue, new hotel and more than 12 acres of new public green space.
RWNYC has also proposed a $2 billion community benefits package, with a commitment to build up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across the five boroughs, and a $100 million infrastructure improvement package.
“After years of careful planning and dutifully navigating the state gaming license process, Queens has officially hit the jackpot with today’s opening of Resorts World’s expansion,” said Queens Borough president Donovan Richards Jr. “From providing top-tier entertainment to investing billions of dollars in benefits into our communities to creating thousands of good-paying union jobs for our neighbors, Resorts World continues to go above and beyond when it comes to making a positive impact in our borough.
“Today marks a momentous step forward in boosting the economic vitality of South Queens, and I congratulate our partners at Resorts World on today’s milestone.”
RWNYC is expected to generate hundreds of million dollars for the state’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) through its $500 million license fee, and new tax revenue for the MTA, as well as additional amounts for the State public education system.
The casino is already one of the largest employers in Queens, and the live table gaming floor expands that footprint further with hundreds of new positions across gaming operations, hospitality, and support services.
In early April, RWNYC began a series of orientation sessions for the 1,250 new employees, onboarding them ahead of the live table game launch. The facility currently has 2,200 employees with 500 more expected by this summer.
“I have stood with Resorts World through every step of this process because I believed in the vision and I believed in their promise to Queens, given their 15-year record of delivering,” said Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. “Today that promise is fulfilled. The jobs are here, the investment is here, and the positive impact on our community starts with the first hand dealt and the first roll of dice.”