After a years-long process to license three casinos in downstate New York, the first of those will officially unveil table games next week.
Resorts World at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens was one of the three projects to receive a license. Since the property was already permitted for slot machines for over a decade, it could quickly transition to live table games.
Resorts World will open more than 200 table games on April 28. The games will include blackjack, craps baccarat, and roulette on a renovated third floor. According to the New York Post, Queens native and rapper Nas will be in attendance for the ribbon cutting. He will also christen the new games with the throw of the first dice.
“New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning for April 28,” said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, the Malaysian-based company that owns the property. “Once final testing is complete, live table games will be open and operating right here in Queens for the first time in the history of New York City. We are ready to welcome New Yorkers to this exciting new experience.”
Casino Expects To House 6,000 Slots Eventually
Tuesday’s opening is the first of a several-phase expansion totaling $5.5 billion. Plans call for 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games once the expansion is complete.
Additionally, Genting will add 1,600 hotel rooms to the current 400, and built a new 7,000-seat entertainment venue. The project will also include 12 acres of public green space, a spa, and more.
As a slot parlor in operation, the casino had an advantage over other new projects, allowing the casino to begin offering expanded gaming options quickly. The two other licensees have to build out the entire property from the ground up. On the other hand, Resorts World only needed to renovate an existing property.
The other projects aren’t expected to open until 2030. With the expansion, Resorts World will add 1,250 jobs, including 950 table games dealer positions.
Poker Room Part Of Project?
It’s not yet known if the property will house a poker room, but that seems likely. The company operates a poker room at its Resorts World Catskills location, which is the closest upstate property to New York City.
Some users on Reddit have said the casino will eventually have a poker venue. One commenter even said management had plans for major tournament series, which could possibly attract large numbers of players.
However, most commenters said the company planned to roll out its poker room as part of subsequent phases.
Along with the Resorts World project, the state also approved Bally’s plan for a casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx and Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposal for a casino adjacent to Citi Field in Queens.
