Talk about taking a bite out of The Big Apple.
New York casinos generated $194.9 million in commercial gaming revenue in October 2026, up 248% from the same month a year earlier. Behind that sharp increase is a major change in the state’s gambling market: Resorts World New York City now operates as a full commercial casino with live table games.
The Queens property brought in $134.3 million during October, accounting for more than two-thirds of the statewide commercial casino total. Its results show how much the New York City market has changed the revenue picture.
However, the headline increase needs context. October’s growth does not mean that every commercial casino in New York suddenly tripled its business. Much of the jump reflects the addition of a large property to a reporting category that previously covered only four upstate casinos.
What Drove New York Casino Revenue Higher?
Resorts World New York City’s move from a video lottery terminal facility to a full commercial casino is the main reason for October’s surge.
The property received one of three downstate commercial casino licenses in December 2025. It ended its video lottery terminal operations on April 27, 2026, and introduced live table games the following day.
That transition changed both the property’s gaming options and how its revenue appears in statewide commercial casino results.
In October 2025, the commercial casino comparison included only Rivers Casino Schenectady, Resorts World Catskills, Del Lago Resort and Casino, and Tioga Downs. By October 2026, it also included Resorts World NYC, which has already broken ground on phase 2 of its expansion plan.
As a result, the 248% increase reflects a larger commercial casino market—not simply stronger performance at the same set of properties. And now there's talk of running a ferry from NYC to Atlantic City.
How October’s Casino Revenue Breaks Down
Slots and electronic table games produced the largest share of October’s revenue. Live table games delivered the strongest percentage growth.
Live table game revenue rose especially quickly because Resorts World NYC added a major new source of business to that category. Its contribution helps explain why table game growth outpaced the increase from slots and electronic table games.
The sports betting figure covers on-site wagering at the commercial casinos. It should not be read as New York’s statewide mobile sports betting total.
Resorts World NYC Leads New York Casinos
Resorts World New York City generated approximately $89.3 million from slots and electronic table games in October. Live table games added roughly $45 million, bringing the property’s total to $134.3 million.
That result placed the Queens casino well ahead of the state’s four longer-established commercial properties.
The casino also continued expanding its gaming offerings. In late October, it opened a high-limit International Room with dozens of additional tables.
The timing matters when interpreting the monthly results. An expansion that opened late in October was available for only part of the reporting period. October’s figures alone therefore cannot show its full-month impact.
Upstate Casinos Also Report Gains
Although Resorts World NYC dominated the statewide results, all four upstate commercial casinos reported year-over-year increases.
Rivers Casino Schenectady led the upstate group in both revenue and percentage growth. Resorts World Catskills also posted a double-digit increase, while Del Lago and Tioga Downs recorded smaller gains.
These results provide a more useful picture of growth at established properties. The upstate casinos improved, but their increases were much more modest than the statewide headline suggests.
How October Compared With September
October followed another strong month for New York’s commercial casino market.
In September 2026, statewide revenue reached $184.3 million, up approximately 220% year over year. Resorts World NYC contributed about $126.7 million of that total.
Both statewide revenue and the Queens property’s revenue increased in October.
The two months show the same broad pattern: Resorts World NYC accounts for most of the sharp rise in reported commercial casino revenue, while the upstate properties form a smaller share of the expanded market.
What the Results Mean for New York’s Casino Market
October’s report highlights two different developments.
First, New York’s commercial casino market has become much larger because it now includes full casino gaming at Resorts World NYC. That change makes statewide year-over-year comparisons look unusually dramatic.
Second, the four established upstate casinos also grew, even though their gains were less striking.
For readers tracking New York casinos, separating those developments is essential. Total statewide revenue shows the size of the expanded market. Same-property comparisons show how casinos performed against their own earlier results.
As the downstate market develops, both measures will matter. October’s numbers demonstrate the immediate influence of the Queens casino, but they do not yet establish the long-term pace of growth for the broader industry.
