Resorts World New York City is set to make history next week, announcing plans to officially launch live table games on April 28, pending final approval from the New York State Gaming Commission.
The Queens-based property, located next to Aqueduct Racetrack, will become the first commercial casino in New York City’s history to offer live dealer table games, marking a major milestone in the state’s evolving gaming landscape.
New York casinos have been in the works for years, as Resorts World received strong community backing for theirs last summer.
Hundreds of table games, thousands of slots
The newly reimagined third floor of the Aqueduct Racetrack will feature more than 240 table games and over 1,500 gaming positions, including blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette.
In addition, the casino will continue operating thousands of slot machines, with more gaming options expected to come online later in 2026.
Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, said in a statement:
“New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning for April 28. Once the gaming commission’s final testing is complete, live table games will be open and operating right here in Queens for the first time in the history of New York City.”
Job growth tops 2,200 employees
The launch is also being framed as a major workforce expansion. Resorts World said it has already doubled its staff to more than 2,200 employees, following the addition of roughly 1,250 new jobs tied to table game operations.
That includes about 950 newly trained dealers, many of whom recently completed orientation ahead of the opening. The company expects total employment to exceed 2,700 workers by summer as development continues.
Resorts World also highlighted its workforce training pipeline, including its “Introduction to Gaming” program and dealer school, which have trained hundreds of local residents in recent years.
Opening ceremony to feature executives, celebrities
To mark the occasion, Resorts World will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 28 featuring Genting Chairman KT Lim, hip-hop artist Nas, and various elected officials and community leaders.
The event will include a ceremonial first roll of the dice, symbolizing the start of table game operations at the property.
First mover in NYC casino race
The launch positions Resorts World as the first full-scale casino operator in New York City, ahead of other downstate projects that remain in development, DeSalvio said.
“This is a transformational moment for Resorts World New York City. We cannot wait to share it with our fellow New Yorkers.”
The opening is also expected to offer 2,500 slot machines, with thousands more coming throughout 2026.
