By Michael V. Cusenza
Resorts World New York City on Friday officially submitted its bid for a downstate commercial casino license to the State Gaming Commission.
The $5.5 million, 5.6 million-square-foot proposal would transform the casino’s current iteration into a massive integrated resort in South Ozone Park.
According to RWNYC officials, the 73-acre project would deliver “world-class amenities that service the local community, the tri-state region, and international travelers—including many of the 63 million passengers who travel through nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport every year.”
RWNYC noted that table game and full-casino slot machine operations could launch within six months of receiving a Gaming Facility License. An estimated 5,000 union construction jobs would be created; the resort would boast a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slots and 800 table games; 2,000 hotel rooms; a 7,000-seat entertainment venue; more than 7,000 car spaces, over 30 food and beverage outlets, large-scale meeting space, and more than 10 acres of community greenspace.
Rendering Courtesy of RWNYC
According to RWNYC, the 73-acre project would deliver “world-class amenities that service the local community, the tri-state region, and international travelers.”
The new integrated resort would see RWNYC’s current workforce expand from 1,000 existing employees to 5,000 permanent jobs across gaming, hospitality, food and beverage, security, maintenance, and other fields. More than half of these new hires would come from Queens alone and begin work within the first six months of commercial casino operations, the proposal pledges.
“Fifteen years ago, Resorts World made a promise to turn this site into an economic engine for Southeast Queens, New York City, and New York State,” said Robert DeSalvio, president, Genting Americas East, RWNYC’s parent company. “And we succeeded, now generating more casino revenues and taxes each year than any other commercial casino in the U.S. Today is a major milestone for us to propose the world-class Resorts World Integrated Resort and further commit to this partnership and provide new career opportunities and tax revenue almost immediately, as soon as July 2026.”
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen also submitted a plan on Friday for Metropolitan Park, a colossal casino and entertainment hub that would be built near Citi Field.
A total of eight projects have been proposed. The Gaming Commission is set to award up to three licenses.
“The downstate casino gaming expansion brings substantial economic development opportunities with job creation, better entertainment choices for our communities and improved programs to address problem gambling. The selection of licensees must be conducted with absolute integrity, because we need credible operators who will maintain responsible business practices, generate positive economic growth and be mindful of the pitfalls that exist with gambling,” said State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven), chairman of the Senate Committee on Gaming, Racing and Wagering.
“I trust that Gov. [Kathy] Hochul, along with the Gaming Commission and the Gaming Facility Location Board, will maintain the highest standards throughout this entire process,” Addabbo added. “Their leadership, together with their expertise, plays a crucial role in achieving a fair and competitive selection process which will benefit all New Yorkers.
“I remain optimistic that the upcoming licensing process will proceed according to schedule, while upholding our mutual goals for responsible gaming and economic development. I will continue to work with all stakeholders to guarantee the best possible outcomes for our state and local communities.”
