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Resorts World New York City has broken ground on Phase Two of its $5.5 billion integrated resort expansion less than three months after opening as New York City’s first casino with live table games.
The project marks the next step in Genting Group‘s effort to transform its Queens property into one of the largest gaming, entertainment and hospitality destinations in the United States.
“In less than three months after opening our doors as the first casino in New York City’s history, we are already moving toward a day when the city will have a first-of-its-kind integrated resort,” Genting Group Executive Chairman Lim Kok Thay said in a press release.
“Not only are we keeping every commitment we made in our proposal to the state, but we are running well ahead of schedule in starting to build outside of our existing building.”
Hotel tower, arena headline ambitious second phase
Phase Two includes several major developments across the 72-acre campus.
Plans call for the addition of a second 400-room hotel tower alongside the existing Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York City. The expansion will also include a 7,000-seat multipurpose arena designed to host concerts, sporting events, community gatherings and other live entertainment.
Another centerpiece of the project is the Kenny “The Jet” Smith Sports and Media Academy. Genting said the facility will open three years earlier than originally planned and will be relocated to a more central location within the resort campus to improve accessibility.
Additional improvements include a central public plaza, more than 10 acres of green space and a new parking structure equipped with thousands of solar panels as part of the property’s sustainability strategy.
Future phases are expected to add a 1,200-room Crockfords luxury hotel, bringing the resort’s total room count to 2,000. Once complete, the project is expected to include more than 30 restaurants and create approximately 10,000 jobs, including about 5,000 union construction positions.
Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, said enthusiasm surrounding the project has continued through the licensing process and the first months of casino operations.
“Today, that same excitement is present as we break ground on Phase Two, which will bring new infrastructure, new parking and the next wave of hotel rooms that will support two million square feet of new gaming, entertainment and hospitality space in the years ahead,” DeSalvio said.
RWNYC Gaming growth boosts tax revenue projections
The groundbreaking comes as Resorts World NYC continues to expand its gaming operations following its April opening.
According to Genting, the property generated approximately $170 million in casino taxes and racing support payments during its first 12 weeks of operation. Company executives said that figure is more than 30% higher than the same period a year ago, before the facility received a full commercial casino license.
The casino added 1,400 slot machines on July 21 and plans to increase its gaming inventory to 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games. Genting has projected that annual tax contributions could eventually approach $1 billion, including funding for public education, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York’s horse-racing industry.
The company also says Resorts World has invested more than $1.1 billion in Southeast Queens over the past 15 years, generated more than $5 billion for New York’s public education system and employs roughly 2,500 workers, with more than half residing in Queens.
Queens leaders praise jobs and investment
Local elected officials welcomed the start of construction, emphasizing the project’s economic and community benefits.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said the expansion will create additional union jobs, entertainment opportunities and community resources for borough residents.
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. said every new hotel room, entertainment venue and public amenity strengthens the local economy and creates opportunities for residents and small businesses.
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. added that Resorts World has built a reputation over the past 15 years as a reliable community partner that has consistently followed through on its commitments.
With construction now underway on Phase Two, Genting is betting that Resorts World NYC can further cement its position as one of the nation’s highest-grossing casino properties while becoming a centerpiece of New York City’s growing gaming and entertainment sector.
The project could also strengthen the company’s position should lawmakers eventually authorize NY online casinos, a move that many industry observers believe could become a future source of gaming tax revenue for the state.
