Resorts World New York City is preparing to break ground on an expansion that will reshape the gaming landscape in Queens. For years, the property has ranked among the busiest racinos in the country, yet it has lacked the table games that define a full casino experience. That gap is set to close, and the ripple effects will be felt far beyond the casino floor.
From Racino to Full Casino
The current model leans on slots and video lottery terminals. Those machines keep the building buzzing, but they also send table game players to Atlantic City, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut. Construction on the expansion aims to reverse that habit by adding live dealers, poker rooms, and traditional pits. For city residents, it means a genuine casino night without the need for a highway trip.
According to Bonus Finder, Resorts World’s performance as a racino positioned it as a leading candidate for a full license. The state is not gambling on an unproven newcomer. It is scaling a site that already delivers customers and revenue. That calculation combines economics with politics, which is how most major decisions in New York are made.
Competition Across the City
The New York State plan includes awarding three full-scale commercial casino licenses in the downstate region. Resorts World’s edge is its existing footprint and steady crowd. Even so, the race remains open. Times Square’s proposal arrives with entertainment partners and star power. Hudson Yards promotes a sleek complex that integrates gaming, retail, and culture. The Avenir courts attention with its scale and ambition.
Bonus Finder has closely tracked these bids and highlighted where each plan appears solid and where it faces headwinds. The decision will reveal whether New York prefers a proven operator that can move fast or a new concept that promises to reinvent the urban casino. The answer may decide how gaming fits into the city’s entertainment map for a decade.
Local Reaction and Concerns
Queens residents carry the most weight here. Supporters highlight the creation of thousands of construction jobs, long-term roles in the hospitality sector, and increased foot traffic for nearby businesses. Those are tangible benefits. They also come with trade-offs that neighbors will notice first, such as late-night noise and weekend congestion around key intersections.
Public meetings reveal a familiar split. Some want the momentum and the tax dollars. Others worry about problem gambling and cultural drift. The outcome will depend on how clearly safeguards are enforced and how transparent the operator remains regarding timelines, hiring practices, and community investment.
Why now? And why Queens?
New York cannot continue to watch its gambling revenue drift to other states. Atlantic City has benefited for years, and Pennsylvania and Connecticut have welcomed New Yorkers with open arms. Expanding a busy Queens property generates more activity at home and provides the state with a clearer path to new tax revenue.
Bonus Finder experts framed the expansion as part of a broader strategy to stop that outward flow. With a proven operator scaling up, Albany can point to predictable revenue and a concrete timeline. The move is pragmatic. It is also a test of whether the city can add a major entertainment engine while protecting the character of its neighborhoods.
| The Community Advisory Committee unanimously approved advancing Resorts World’s bid on September 25, 2025 |
Process and Timelines
Licensing in New York moves through layers of evaluation and local review. That slows flashy ideas and favors bids with an existing footprint. Resorts World fits that mold, which is one reason the project has momentum. Even so, political currents shift, and rival proposals will continue to lobby for attention.
A clear construction schedule will matter as much as design. The faster a project can convert from approval to activity, the easier it is to hold public support. That is where an established operator can lean on experience. It knows how to build, staff, and open without losing pace.
What does Queens stand to gain?
The impact extends beyond the casino floor. Hotels, restaurants, and event spaces stand to benefit from increased visitation. Transit patterns may shift as weekend traffic grows. The borough’s reputation as an all-purpose destination could strengthen, especially if the expansion brings in more shows and culinary options alongside gaming.
None of that is automatic. The benefits materialize when operations align with community expectations and when planning takes into account factors such as noise, parking, and late-night movement. That balance is difficult, but it is achievable with clear communication and measurable commitments.
The Next Chapter
No single project will define gaming in New York City. The next two to three years will likely bring movement across multiple bids. Still, a successful expansion in Queens would set a template. It would demonstrate how a busy racino transitions to full casino status while remaining an integral part of the neighborhood fabric.
The story is evolving, and the details matter. Queens is at the center of that map right now, and the stakes are easy to see.
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