Resorts World New York City has announced $5.5 billion expansion plan to build the state’s largest integrated resort. The $5.5 billion proposal would include hotel, arena, gaming floor and green space. If approved, the expanded facility could open as early as July 2026.
Submitted to the six-member Community Advisory Committee (CAC), the ambitious plan would redevelop the 73-acre Aqueduct site in Queens into a 5.6 million-square-foot entertainment and hospitality destination. Key features of the proposed expansion include up to 2,000 hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, over 30 food and beverage outlets, a luxury spa, and more than a dozen acres of publicly accessible green space. The site would also house more than 7,000 parking spaces to accommodate guests.
24,000 jobs to be generated
If given the green light, the project promises to generate up to 24,000 jobs and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city and state, according to Resorts World. “We’re proud to have grown with the Queens community for nearly 15 years,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East, the operator behind Resorts World. “What the Community Advisory Committee heard today was a vision for a transformative project that will be a game-changer for this borough, the city, and the state.”
DeSalvio also highlighted the operator’s long-standing commitment to the local community. “Since Resorts World was granted operations of the Aqueduct site in 2010, we have sought to be a neighbour that Queens deserves, providing 1,000 good union jobs, investing millions of dollars into our neighbours, and building lasting bonds with the community,” he said. “But we also made them a promise to do more—and today’s proposal lays out just how we will.”
Kevin Jones, Resorts World’s Chief Legal and Strategy Officer, described the expansion as “almost risk-free,” noting that all land-use approvals for the site have already been secured. Resorts World NYC first opened in Jamaica, Queens in 2011, just minutes from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Since then, it has operated as a slot-only racino but has been vying for one of three full-scale commercial casino licences expected to be awarded in downstate New York.
The renderings of the proposed development, designed by architecture firm Perkins Eastman, showcase a sleek, modern resort surrounded by landscaped public areas. The proposal now awaits a decision from the CAC, which is tasked with reviewing and recommending casino licence applicants in the New York City area.
Downstate New York’s casino plan
New York’s gambling scene has long captured the imagination of visitors and residents alike. So, when plans for expanding the city’s casino footprint were unveiled a few years ago, it sparked widespread interest and hope for economic growth. A major step toward extending legal gambling outside of the upstate regions where casinos have historically been concentrated was taken in April 2022 when New York state formally announced plans to issue three full-scale commercial casino licences for the Downstate region.
Despite the delays, interest in Downstate licences remains strong. By the final proposal deadline, eight groups had submitted bids after addressing community and logistical concerns. Notably, three bidders with extensive experience in the Asian casino industry are competing for the licences. Among them, Malaysia’s Genting Group, which already operates casinos in Malaysia, Singapore, Las Vegas, and upstate New York, is a leading contender. Genting plans to expand and upgrade its existing Resorts World NYC in Queens into a world-class integrated resort.
