Resorts World New York City has officially entered a new era. On April 28, 2026, the long-standing Queens property transitioned from a slots-only racino into a full-scale commercial casino, introducing live table games for the first time in New York City.
The move marked a significant milestone—not just for the operator, but for the broader New York gaming landscape. With blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, and more joining an already dominant slot floor, Resorts World NYC is now uniquely positioned as the city’s only full-service casino, at least for the next several years.
Based on the most recent report from the New York State Gaming Commission, the casino is off to a good start. It already looks like the project is delivering on the hope that it would improve the local economy and support the mass transit system in and around Queens.
A Strategic Head Start in a Competitive Market
The timing of the launch is especially important given New York’s process to award three highly coveted downstate casino licenses. Authorized by state lawmakers in 2022, these licenses will allow for two additional commercial casinos in the New York City metropolitan area, including:
- Hard Rock Metropolitan Park (Steve Cohen/Hard Rock-backed): Early pre-construction and site prep work underway as of March 2026 (e.g., parking lot clearing near Citi Field). Construction is reportedly running several months behind the original “shovel-ready” January 2026 target for major work. Full opening targeted for 2030 (or June 2030 in some plans). Includes casino, hotel, entertainment, parks, and more on 50 acres.
- Bally’s Bronx: Land acquisition advanced (e.g., $157 million deal closed in early 2026 for key parcels at the former Trump golf course site in Ferry Point). Planning and entitlement work are ongoing; full build from the ground up with an opening eyed for 2030. Includes casino, hotel, arena, etc.
This creates a rare window for Resorts World NYC. By upgrading early, the property effectively secures a multi-year monopoly on full-scale casino gaming in the five boroughs, giving it a valuable opportunity to build customer loyalty and refine operations ahead of future competition.
The buildout is expected to continue through 2031, targeting 800 tables and 6,000 slots—numbers that would rank among the highest in the U.S.
First-Week Performance: Slots Shine, Tables Lag Expectations
Initial performance data from the casino’s first six days (April 28–May 3) offers a mixed but encouraging picture.
- Table games (242 tables) generated approximately $4.9 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR), equating to about $3,400 per table per day.
- This fell short of analyst expectations, which had projected closer to $7,500 per table per day.
- A lower-than-normal hold rate of around 14% (versus a typical ~20%) contributed to the softer results. Even when normalized, performance reached about $4,759 per table per day—still below projections.
In contrast, the slot and electronic gaming segment continued to dominate:
- Slot GGR reached roughly $23.5 million for the same period.
- This represented a 20.5% increase compared to the equivalent week in the prior year.
Overall, total GGR rose approximately 46% year-over-year, driven largely by slot performance and heightened interest surrounding the introduction of live table games.
Building on an Already Powerful Base
Even before adding table games, Resorts World NYC was one of the highest-grossing slot properties in the United States, frequently generating more than $50 million in monthly net win. The expansion builds on that foundation by diversifying its offering and increasing its appeal to a broader audience.
The launch also brought operational and economic benefits:
- More than 1,000 new jobs were created.
- Existing gaming space was upgraded to accommodate live tables.
- Increased foot traffic and media attention boosted overall visitation.
However, the slower-than-expected ramp-up for table games highlights some early challenges. Factors such as higher minimum bets, player familiarity with table games, and typical early-stage volatility in hold percentages may have influenced initial results.
Early Trends and Long-Term Outlook
While full monthly figures for May 2026 were still emerging at the time of writing, early indicators suggest that slot performance remains strong, while table games are gradually gaining traction.
Looking ahead, the long-term outlook for Resorts World NYC remains highly optimistic. Plans for a broader integrated resort—including expanded gaming space, a hotel, and additional amenities—could push annual GGR beyond $2 billion once fully developed. The property is also expected to generate substantial tax revenue, supporting state priorities such as education and transportation infrastructure.
A Solid Start With Strategic Upside
Resorts World NYC’s first month as a full casino can be characterized as a clear success, albeit with some growing pains. Strong slot growth and overall revenue gains demonstrate the power of its existing customer base and market position. Meanwhile, table games—while initially underperforming expectations—are likely to improve as operations stabilize and player adoption increases.
Most importantly, the property’s early transition gives it a critical advantage in a market that is set to become far more competitive later this decade. For now, Resorts World NYC stands alone as the city’s only full-scale casino—an enviable position that could pay dividends well into the future.
