Resorts World New York City broke ground on the second phase of its $5.5 billion expansion Wednesday morning, which will include a new hotel tower and a 7,000-seater multipurpose arena for concerts.
Located near the former Aqueduct racetrack in South Ozone Park, Resorts World was one of three casino bids to win a downstate gaming license from the state’s Gaming Commission last December, alongside the Bally’s development in the Bronx and fellow Queens site Metropolitan Park near Citi Field.
Resorts World, which opened in South Ozone Park as a “racino” next to the now-closed racetrack, featuring slot machines but no table games in 2011, expanded its operations in April to offer 240 table games, including blackjack, craps and roulette. The casino also offers over 2,500 slot machines after installing 1,400 new machines as part of its first-floor expansion, unveiled a day before Wednesday’s groundbreaking.
The second phase of Resorts World’s $5.5 billion expansion features plans for a 400-key Hyatt tower hotel and a new luxury Crockfords hotel featuring 1,200 rooms, adding to the existing 400-room Hyatt Regency opened at the property in 2021. Once completed, Resorts World NYC will boast 2,000 hotel rooms in South Ozone Park.
Resorts World also broke ground on a 7,000-seater multipurpose arena on Wednesday as well as a new central plaza and a new parking garage.
The full expansion is projected to create 10,000 jobs, including an estimated 5,000 union construction jobs. Resorts World said the expansion will add 2 million square feet of new gaming, entertainment, dining, retail and convention space to the existing one-million-square-foot property in South Ozone Park.
Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech at Wednesday’s groundbreaking. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud.
KT Lim, executive chairman of Resorts World parent company Genting, said the expansion represents one of the largest private investments in the history of New York City and paid tribute to the partnership between Resorts World and local government.
“This groundbreaking has happened because of the strength of our partnership with the state, the city, the unions, and this community,” Lim said at Wednesday’s groundbreaking. “We are deeply grateful for that partnership.
“What began as a decade-long dream to build a global international gaming entertainment and dining destination in Queens is now about to be realized in front of us.”
He further described the groundbreaking ceremony as a “promise renewed” and gave his “full commitment” to deliver on Resorts World’s “grand vision” for the area.
“I can tell you with confidence that this is only the beginning of what is to come next,” Lim said.
Kevin Jones, Resorts World’s chief strategy officer, said the casino has become the highest-grossing casino in the country since the opening of live table games three months ago, adding that Resorts World NYC has tripled its workforce from 1,000 to 3,000 in that time.
The casino is anticipated to bring in $425 million in tax revenue for both state education and transit by the end of the year, according to Resorts World. The integrated resort will also bring in $125 million in tax revenue this year for the state’s horse racing industry.
“This is just the beginning,” Jones said. “There’s a lot more coming.”
Resorts World has paid $170 million in casino taxes in its first 12 weeks of full operations, the company said.
Once the $5.5 billion expansion is completed, Resorts World will boast 800 table games and 6,000 slot machines in addition to 12 acres of open public space and a state-of-the-art community center named after NBA legend Kenny “the Jet” Smith. Jones said the expansion would be completed with union labor, transforming the local community.
Several elected officials were present at Wednesday’s groundbreaking, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; Assembly Members Alicia Hyndman, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Brian Cunningham and Lester Chang; State Sens. Joseph Addabbo and James Sanders; and Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers.
State Sen. James Sanders. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud.
Richards said Queens had “hit another jackpot” with the launch of the second phase of the Resorts World expansion.
“The first part back in April with all the new table games was easy, but now the real expansion begins,” Richards said.
He said the new hotel rooms would further grow Queens’ reputation as a top tourist destination, while the Jet Center would give local children a chance to “play ball” and “grow as people.”
“That is what this groundbreaking today is symbolic about,” Richards said. “It’s about delivering for a community that has long needed opportunities for our children, for workers and our families.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud.