Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) has received its final environmental approval, paving the way for a massive $5.5 billion expansion. TheState Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) approval means that the Genting Group-owned casino can begin work immediately, pending a commercial gaming licence due as early as December 2025.
On 25 July, the New York State Franchise Oversight Board voted unanimously in favour of accepting RWNYC’s final environmental impact statement and finding statement. This means the company has received its last major land use approval to get started with its ambitious $5.5 billion plan to create an integrated resort at Aqueduct. This vote marked the final green light under SEQRA.
Since opening its doors in 2011, RWNYC has operated as the only casino in New York City, situated at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. It currently offers video lottery terminals and electronic table games, serving millions of visitors annually. The plan, years in the making, is the result of nearly 15 years of community engagement, planning, and negotiation with local leaders. The new integrated resort at Aqueduct is expected to operational by July 2026 and be a game-changer for the entire state’s economy. Celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Scott Conant are among the high-profile names backing the project.
“This seal of approval from the Franchise Oversight Board means we can literally get to work a day after receiving a commercial gaming license,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “We have made speed to market a priority to create the highest and best value for New Yorkers.”
Economic impact: Billions in new revenue
The expansion is expected to more than double RWNYC’s current $1 billion in gross gaming revenue to $2.2 billion annually by 2027. Additionally, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is forecast to receive over $1 billion in fees and revenue generated at the integrated resort within the first five years of licensure.
Last week, RWNYC announced the $5.5 billion expansion plan to build the state’s largest integrated resort. The proposal would include hotel, arena, gaming floor and green space. 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.
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.”
Downstate New York’s casino plan
New York’s casino expansion plans have reignited interest in the city’s gambling industry, long admired by both locals and tourists. In April 2022, the state announced that it will be issuing three full-scale commercial casino licences for the Downstate region—marking a shift from the traditional upstate focus. Despite regulatory delays, competition remains fierce, with eight proposals submitted by the final deadline. Among the frontrunners is global casino operator, Malaysia’s Genting Group. Genting aims to transform its existing Resorts World NYC in Queens into a world-class integrated resort, reinforcing New York’s position as a premier gaming and entertainment destination.
