New York State's four full-size casinos continue to show steady growth as the Empire State prepares to add three more casinos to the mix.
The New York State Gaming Commission provided its latest report on the performance of the state's commercial casinos. It typically includes upstate and downstate full-service ones, including:
- Del Lago Resort & Casino
- Resorts World Catskills
- Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady
- Tioga Downs Casino & Racing
The report shows that more than $53 million in revenue was generated in February, marking an increase of over 4% compared to the same time last year.
Meanwhile, the downstate casino projects approved in December are making headway.
Most Popular New York Casino Games in February
In February, slot machines, including electronic table games, brought in the most money — a whopping $40.6 million. That's an impressive 11.7% increase from last year! It shows just how popular slots are among casino-goers.
While slots were winning big, table games did not have as great a month.
Revenue from games like blackjack and roulette fell by 17.4%, making only $11.7 million. There could be a few reasons for this drop, such as players preferring slots, seasonal trends, or economic factors.
Poker brought in $771,013, while sports betting at the casinos added $129,552 this month. Even though they aren't the major money-makers, they still show that there's a wide range of activities for visitors.
Rivers Casino Leads the Way
Out of the four casinos, Rivers Casino in Schenectady had the best performance.
It made almost $18 million, which is an increase of 8.4% from last year. Its slot machine earnings were especially impressive, shooting up 14.3% to $14.6 million. However, its table games dropped by more than 20% to $2.8 million.
Downstate Casinos Beginning to Take Shape
All of this is happening while New York prepares for a significant expansion in its gaming landscape. The progress of the downstate casino projects has become a focal point of interest, and here's where they all currently stand:
Resorts World New York City (Queens) – Fastest to Open
- Location: An expansion of the existing racino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica/South Ozone Park, Queens (Genting Group).
- Investment: $5.5–7.5 billion.
- Key features: A massive 5.6 million sq ft integrated resort with approximately 6,000 slots and 800 table games, a new hotel with 1,600–2,000 rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, more than 30 dining and retail options, over 7,000 parking spaces, and more than 12 acres of public green space.
- Timeline & status: Construction started immediately after licensing. The first phase, which includes the full casino floor with hundreds of table games, is on track for a March–June 2026 opening — the quickest of the three projects. The full build-out continues into 2030.
- Impact: Approximately 21,650 construction jobs and 5,000 permanent jobs; $2 billion in community benefits.
Hard Rock Metropolitan Park (Queens)
- Location: Situated on a 50-acre site that used to be the Citi Field parking lots in Willets Point, Queens. This is a partnership between NY Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International.
- Investment: $8 billion.
- Key features: Full casino and sportsbook, a 2,300-room hotel, a live music venue, restaurants and bars, a Queens food hall, and 20–25 acres of new public park space, athletic fields, plazas, bike paths, and solar-powered parking.
- Timeline & status: Construction preparation began in February 2026. The full project, including the hotel and park, is targeting a 2030 opening with a grand opening eyed for June 30, 2030.
- Impact: A major economic boost for Queens, focusing on strong community engagement and green space next to Citi Field.
Bally’s Bronx (Bronx)
- Location: At Ferry Point Park, the site of the former Trump Links golf course in Throgs Neck, Bronx. Bally’s recently closed on 16–20 acres for $157 million as of March 2026.
- Investment: $4 billion.
- Key features: A casino floor of approximately 500,000 sq ft, a 500-room hotel with spa and meeting space, a 2,000-seat entertainment venue, two parking garages with 4,660 spaces, dining options, and parkland improvements.
- Timeline & status: Land was secured in March 2026. Construction must begin within approximately 18 months, targeting a late-summer 2026 start pending zoning. The full opening is targeted for 2030.
- Impact: This is billed as the largest private investment in Bronx history, with approximately 15,000 construction jobs and 3,700 permanent jobs.
As these ambitious projects take shape, they not only promise to transform the downstate region but also set the stage for a new era of economic growth and entertainment opportunities across New York.
New York Casinos Continue to Grow
The strong February numbers came after a solid January, during which the casinos earned nearly $59 million — an increase of almost 9% from the previous year. It seems February might have been a little less successful due to fewer days in the month, changing weather, or other seasonal factors.
It's important to remember these reports only cover the four full-scale casinos, excluding racetrack-based video lottery facilities, tribal casinos, and the substantial online sports betting market.
The bottom line is that New York casinos remain popular, and adding the downstate projects will only push these numbers even higher.
