Resorts World NYC is breaking ground today on Phase 2 of its massive expansion in Queens, pushing the project closer to its goal of becoming the largest integrated gaming resort in the United States. The latest phase at Resorts World New York City includes a new hotel tower and a 7,000-seat concert arena, building on the property’s recent move from racino to full commercial casino.
This milestone comes just days after Resorts World NYC brought an additional 1,400 slot machines online as part of a first-floor expansion. If its strong start wasn't enough, the next move further solidifies its position as New York City’s leading gaming destination.
With live table games already in play and new construction starting on-site, Resorts World is using its Aqueduct footprint to scale faster than any other casino project in the downstate market.
This is all happening despite the ongoing dispute over taxes. For now, both moves are strengthening Resorts World’s position as New York City’s premier casino destination.
From Racino to Full Casino in New York City
Resorts World New York City opened in 2011 as a racino, offering only video lottery terminals at the former Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park/South Ozone Park, Queens. For years, it operated without live table games but still generated billions in revenue for New York State education programs.
That changed in April 2026, when Resorts World NYC opened New York City’s first full commercial casino with live blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette across approximately 240 tables, plus about 2,500 commercial slot machines.
2026: The Pivotal Expansion Year
This year is the turning point for Resorts World NYC’s long-term vision. Now that the property has transitioned from a VLT-only racino to a full commercial casino, it is reconfiguring existing space to add live table games and expanded slot offerings.
Resorts World continues to roll out additional commercial slot machines in phases, with the recent 1,400-slot expansion representing a key step in building toward its long-range target of thousands more gaming positions.
What Phase 2 Brings to Resorts World NYC
Phase 2 is part of a multi-phase expansion plan valued at roughly 5 to 5.5 billion dollars, aimed at transforming Resorts World NYC into what could be the largest integrated gaming resort in the country if fully built out. The current phase focuses on major above-ground assets.
The most critical elements of this next phase include a new hotel tower that will help bring the total room count to around 2,000 and a 7,000-seat arena designed for concerts, sports, and large events, plus additional parking infrastructure and public-facing amenities.
Beyond this second phase, Resorts World NYC’s master plan calls for a large-scale integrated resort built in stages through roughly 2029–2031. The vision includes up to about 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games, making it one of the largest casino operations in the United States by some measures.
The broader resort concept also features more than 30 dining and retail outlets, expanded meeting and event space, spa and day club experiences, a central plaza, public green space across 10–12 or more acres, and community-oriented features like workforce housing and a sports or innovation campus.
Hotels and Amenities at Resorts World
Resorts World NYC already offers a 400-room Hyatt Regency adjacent to JFK Airport, giving it a strong base of on-property lodging for casino guests and travelers. Plans for a second tower, under a luxury brand such as Crockfords, aim to add roughly 1,600 additional rooms, bringing the total to around 2,000 hotel keys when fully completed.
Together with the new arena, expanded restaurants, retail, and meeting facilities, these hotel additions strengthen Resorts World’s pitch as a full-service resort and entertainment complex, not just a casino.
Economic Impact and Community Benefits
Resorts World New York City has already generated billions of dollars for state education since its 2011 opening, and the full casino conversion is expected to boost tax revenue further, including dedicated funds for transit and other public services. The integrated resort project is projected to create tens of thousands of jobs across construction and permanent roles, including more than 1,200 positions tied to the initial live table games phase alone.
In addition to jobs and tax revenue, the expansion plan includes community benefits such as workforce housing, public green space, infrastructure upgrades, and a stated commitment to local hiring and investment across New York City’s five boroughs.
Resorts World’s Head Start Over Other NYC Casinos
The New York State Gaming Commission awarded three downstate casino licenses in December 2025, but Resorts World NYC has a significant head start because it was already operating a racino at Aqueduct. Resorts World converted to a full casino in April 2026 and is now deep into expansion, while its competitors remain in earlier development stages.
Metropolitan Park in Flushing, a roughly 8.1 billion-dollar project led by Hard Rock and Mets owner Steve Cohen, and Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point, a 4 billion-dollar integrated resort plan, are both targeting around 2030 openings, leaving Resorts World as the only fully operational downstate commercial casino through at least the late 2020s.
2026 Landscape: Resorts World vs. Metropolitan Park and Bally’s Bronx
Resorts World NYC is the only downstate licensee with active casino operations, live table games, and visible on-site expansion, including today’s Phase 2 groundbreaking. Metropolitan Park in Queens is focused on pre-construction, permitting, and early site work, with test piling and foundational work facing some schedule slippage and a targeted June 2030 opening.
Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point is in a similar stage: land acquisition and approvals wrapped up in early 2026, with construction required to start within roughly 18 months and a full opening also projected around 2030. That makes 2026 a clear advantage year for Resorts World NYC, which is already ramping up gaming positions, hotel inventory, and future amenities.
New York’s Casino Future
Taken together, Resorts World NYC and the other two downstate casino projects are expected to generate billions in tax revenue over the coming decade and reshape entertainment, tourism, and employment in the New York City region. Resorts World’s ability to expand on an existing site, rather than building from scratch, has allowed it to move faster and deliver casino revenue sooner than its competitors.
As Phase 2 construction begins and more elements of the integrated resort come online, Resorts World New York City is poised to remain the center of gravity for gaming and entertainment in the city—especially for players, travelers, and locals looking for a full-service resort experience without leaving Queens.
