Resorts World bets on casino expansion
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Resorts World New York City pitched their $5 billion proposal for a downstate casino license on Thursday. Eagle photo by Ryan Schwach/Rendering via Genting
By Ryan Schwach
The owners of Resorts World New York City in Southeast Queens unveiled their proposal for a massive casino expansion and entertainment complex on Thursday, marking the latest proposal soon to be officially submitted to the state’s Gaming Commission and the second planned for Queens.
Resorts World, the “racino” owned and operated by Malaysian conglomerate the Genting Group, announced the $5 billion proposal to bring an expanded casino, a hotel, an entertainment venue, and community space to the area around their current buildings.
The proposal hinges on Resorts World securing one of three downstate casino licenses expected to be handed out this year by the state. The proposal will compete with seven other expected proposals, including one from New York Mets owner Steve Cohen to bring one to Citi Field’s parking lot.
Due to its existing operation, Resorts World is seen as a favorite to receive one of the three licenses.
Resorts World’s plans include an expanded casino, which they say would be open within months of getting the license, 1,600 new hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, clubs, spas, restaurants and 10 acres of green space.
“We’re proud to have grown with the Queens community for over a decade,” Robert DeSalvio, the president of Genting Americas East. “When we stood here more than a dozen years ago to break ground on Resorts World New York City, our vision extended well beyond that already-ambitious original plan – today, that vision can soon become reality.”
Also, the proposal includes a large-scale meeting room, the largest EV charging installation on the East Coast and what officials called an “innovation center” which includes a basketball training program named for Queens-native Kenny Smith, and a community wellness center.
The company also proposed “Aqueduct Park”, which would bring an additional $5 billion for housing, green space, mass transit improvements and 3,000 housing units for Resorts World workers.
The “new 24/7 community to complement the existing neighborhood” would be built on the land currently occupied by the Aqueduct Racetrack. The racetrack would be moved to the new Belmont Racetrack, which has been given the greenlight to move forward by Governor Kathy Hochul in last year’s budget.
It’s unclear if Aqueduct Park would move forward if Genting were not to get a casino license. Officials with the casino proposal did not answer questions from reporters during Thursday’s presentation.
Gambling on a license
Opened in 2011, Resorts World New York City has long touted its connection with Queens and the elected officials representing it.
A number of those officials were present at Thursday’s announcement, as were celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and Queens-born hip-hop legend Nas.
“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent, and build up the next generation of leaders,” Nas, who grew up in the Queensbridge Houses, said.
“Clearly, with this project, the world is ours," he said in reference to his 1994 single, “The World is Yours.”
State Senator Joseph Addabbo, the chair of the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, made it clear that he was in strong support of the proposal for the racino that was, for many years, inside his district.
“We’d have a ribbon cutting tomorrow,” he said.
Addabbo and other elected officials praised the proposal but also Resorts World as a good neighbor in the community.
“Resorts World casino has not only been part of economic development, as we talked about, but community development,” said Borough President Donovan Richards. “Resorts World has been a true partner in every sense for this community.”
Richards – who finally got to use his “Queens get the money” catchphrase in front of Nas, who coined the phrase – said Resorts World helps with education and community funding, and helped the community during Hurricane Sandy and the COVID pandemic.
Queens officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and community members expressed their support for Resorts World’s bid for downstate casino license, which includes an expanded casino, a hotel, an entertainment venue, and community space to the area around their current buildings. Eagle photo by Ryan Schwach
Local leaders also told the Eagle they see community benefits to Resorts World’s plan.
“They have been here for so many years, and there hasn’t been any negatives," said Community Board 9 chair Sherry Algredo, who lives close to the racino. “It is an enhancement to the community.”
But Resorts World will have competition, and not just in the downstate region, but in the World’s Borough.
Cohen unveiled his $8 billion Metropolitan Park plan in November.
Officials supporting Resorts World said on Thursday that the Southeast Queens plan had a leg up on the plan to the north. Resorts World, if granted a license, would be able to build on a pre-existing site and wouldn’t likely need to seek further approval for any zoning changes, where as Cohen would be building from scratch on a concrete lot that is technically designated as parkland.
To change that designation, Cohen needs the support of local lawmakers, State Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry and State Senator Jessica Ramos. Aubry has issued his support for the Mets owner’s plan but Ramos has yet to decide and has been holding public town hall meetings debating the proposal for months.
But the Queens proposals also have some things in common.
Both pitched the plan with community amenities at their center, including the music venues, open space and cultural locations – none of which will be built if neither group is allowed to build a casino.
