A major shift in the regional gambling landscape took place today as Resorts World NYC officially became the first casino in New York City to offer table games, opening its doors at Aqueduct Raceway in Queens on Tuesday, April 28.
The casino hotel launched 240 table games including blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette on a reimagined third floor, alongside thousands of slot machines. This marks a significant milestone in the facility's ambitious $5.5 billion expansion, which promises to reshape entertainment options in the New York metropolitan area.
According to Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East, the holding company of the casino, the expansion will generate thousands of jobs for the region. The casino has also committed billions in revenue to state funding priorities, including mass transit and education systems—a detail that underscores the economic stakes involved.
What This Means for Our Community
For North Jersey residents, the opening raises an important question: will you make the trip to Queens, or does Atlantic City remain the preferred destination? The answer may depend on where you live.
David Naczycz, executive director of the Fintech and Sports Wagering Innovation Center based out of Jersey City, offered a practical perspective on the geographic reality. "The trip from Montclair to far east Queens is just as bad as the trip down to Atlantic City, and there's more tolls," he noted, suggesting that the Queens location may not pose as significant a threat to Atlantic City as some fear.
Still, Atlantic City officials are watching closely. Mark Giannantonio, the president of Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City and president of the trade group the Casino Association of New Jersey, has characterized New York City casinos as a potential "threat" to the South Jersey gaming hub.
More Competition on the Horizon
Resorts World NYC is just the beginning. Additional casinos are planned for New York City, including Metropolitan Park near Citi Field in Queens, where the New York Mets play. That project will be funded by billionaire Steve Cohen. Meanwhile, Bally's Bronx won a state casino license in December 2025 and plans to open a facility in the Bronx.
The future expansion of Resorts World NYC includes thousands of additional hotel rooms, a new entertainment venue, an indoor day club with a pool, and additional restaurants—transforming the property into a full-scale resort destination.
The North Jersey Casino Question
As New York City builds out its casino infrastructure, New Jersey politicians and gambling lobbyists continue pushing for casinos closer to home. Officials are advocating for facilities at Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park Racetrack, though any such development would require voter approval through a referendum on a constitutional amendment.
Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) has indicated that plans for North Jersey casinos will likely gain momentum after the FIFA World Cup matches, suggesting that our region's casino conversation is far from over.
For now, North Jersey residents have a new option just across the Hudson River—though whether it's worth the tolls and traffic remains a personal calculation.
