Resorts World New York City launches city's first live table games
Next Tuesday, April 28, 2026, will mark a milestone in New York's entertainment history with the official opening of Resorts World New York City as the city's first casino authorized to offer live table games. The complex, located at the iconic Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, is preparing to welcome its first bettors after completing a series of compliance tests supervised by the New York State Gaming Commission. This authorization will allow, for the first time, high-end live betting to become a reality within the limits of the Big Apple.
From its inaugural day, the casino will make available to its visitors more than 240 gaming tables, including classics such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat. However, the plans of the operating company, Genting Americas East, go far beyond this initial launch. The strategic objective is to consolidate the complex as the largest casino in the United States, projecting a gaming floor of more than 46,000 square meters that will house a massive offering of gaming positions in a luxury environment.
Robert DeSalvio, president of the operating firm, highlighted the uniqueness of this project, stating that the city has never witnessed a proposal of this magnitude. With a current workforce exceeding 2,200 employees, the company estimates the creation of thousands of new jobs over the next three years as the resort expands towards its final vision of an integrated resort complex. This expansion not only seeks to boost the local labor market but also to establish an unprecedented standard of hospitality in the region.
The opening of Resorts World provides a competitive advantage over other large-scale regional developments. The establishment is one of three locations selected to operate casinos in the southern part of the state, significantly ahead of competitors such as Bally’s in The Bronx or Hard Rock next to Citi Field, whose inaugurations are estimated for 2030. It is important to note that this institution is not new to the sector, as it has been operating slot machines since 2011, during which time it has contributed more than $5 billion in tax revenue allocated entirely to the state education system.
The future growth plan includes an impressive infrastructure that features 6,000 slot machines and a total of 800 live gaming tables. To complement the gambling offerings, the complex will add 2,000 international-class hotel rooms, a concert hall with a capacity for 7,000 people, and more than 12 acres of public green spaces. Additionally, the creation of an Innovation Campus is planned, which will house the Jet Center sports facility, in homage to New York basketball figure Kenny Smith.
Political support for the project has been notable, with figures such as Governor Kathy Hochul emphasizing the positive impact that the generated tax revenues will have on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the strengthening of public education. The launch event, which promises to be a grand cultural celebration, will feature the special participation of rapper Nas, who will perform the ribbon-cutting and the ceremonial roll of the first dice, symbolizing the beginning of this new chapter for the gaming and tourism industry in New York.
Tags: United States, USA, New York Casinos, Resorts World New York, Resorts World New York Casino