By Ryan Schwach
The first full-fledged casino in New York City opened on Tuesday in Queens, less than six months after the state approved the creation of two gaming facilities in the borough and one on its door step.
Resorts World New York City officially opened a suite of table games at its pre-existing “racino” in Southeast Queens on Tuesday, making it the first casino to operate in the modern history of the five boroughs.
When the full project is complete, it will be the largest gaming facility in the country.
The opening marked a new chapter in Queens’ casino saga following a years-long, competitive approval process that resulted in the state gaming commission handing coveted downstate gaming licenses to Resorts World and Metropolitan Park in Queens and Bally’s in the Bronx at the foot of the Whitestone Bridge.
Supporters of Queens’ projects believe the casinos could make the borough a new economic powerhouse and a global destination, keeping travellers within its borders after they arrive at one of the city’s two airports, both of which are located in Queens.
“I have always dreamt of Queens being an international entertainment hub,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said from Resorts World’s lobby on Tuesday. “This certainly is part of that puzzle.”
The “reimagined” third floor of the existing Resorts World building opened with over 240 table games that will offer blackjack, craps, baccarat and roulette. The floor also features thousands of slot machines.
“It’s not just the first commercial casino, this is going to be a tectonic shift where the center of entertainment in New York, where the center of gaming entertainment is going to be right here in this building,” said Resorts World Strategy Chief & Legal Officer Kevin Jones.
Genting Group, which owns Resorts World, was one of eight developers to initially throw their hat in the ring to secure a downstate license.