Resorts World NYC Adds 1,400 Slots And Breaks Ground On Phase Two
Resorts World New York City has added 1,400 slot machines and broken ground on the second phase of its $5.5 billion expansion, moving quickly to build on its early lead in New York City's new commercial casino market. New York residents still cannot play at licensed online casinos, so many turn to sweepstakes casinos instead, but the Queens property is now the state's biggest bricks-and-mortar bet.
New Slots Bring The Total To 3,900
The reopened floor made the venue New York City's first full-fledged commercial casino, and the operator expects it to lift gross gaming revenue and the taxes it pays to the state.
The machines have proved popular since the launch, generating more than $230 million in gross gaming revenue in the property's first 11 weeks, according to Resorts World. "Since the moment we opened, our slot machines have been incredibly popular with the public," said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East. He added that monthly slot revenue is already running ahead of the site's highest-ever month under its previous video lottery operation.
Breaking Ground On A $5.5 Billion Phase Two
Less than three months after its grand opening and ahead of schedule, the operator broke ground on phase two of the $5.5bn integrated resort and unveiled new renderings of the project. The next stage adds a 400-room hotel tower and a 7,000-seat entertainment venue for concerts and live events.
KT Lim, executive chairman of parent company Genting, described the project as one of the largest private investments in the history of New York City. The pace of the build shows how much is riding on the site as operators compete to define the city's brand-new casino market, which the company has called a first-of-its-kind integrated resort for the area.
What Comes Next For The Queens Resort
Resorts World won one of the downstate commercial casino licenses in December 2025 and is redeveloping the Aqueduct Racetrack site in South Ozone Park, Queens. It has operated video lottery terminals there for years, and the commercial license now lets it run full casino table games and slots at scale.
With phase two under way and slot revenue climbing, the next milestone will be the opening of the hotel tower and arena, which Resorts World says will turn the site into a year-round destination for gaming, entertainment and events.
For now, New York's online players remain limited to social and sweepstakes sites while the retail market races ahead.
Inside New York City's Casino Race
The opening is part of a wider shift in New York, where regulators have opened the downstate area to full commercial casinos for the first time. Resorts World was among the first to turn an existing gaming venue into a full casino, giving it a head start while rival projects are still in planning. Its site next to the Aqueduct Racetrack, close to JFK Airport, and the customer base it built during its video lottery years give it a ready-made audience.
For the city, the promise is jobs, tourism and extra tax revenue. For the operator, the aim is to lock in loyal players before newer resorts open their doors, which explains why it has pushed phase two forward so quickly.
