Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) has unveiled new financial projections showing it could deliver $2.5 billion to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) over the next four years if selected for one of New York’s downstate casino licenses. The estimated contributions would exceed the $1.8 billion the MTA expects to receive from three new licenses and related tax payments between 2026 and 2029.
If the New York Gaming Facility Location Board grants approval by December 1, 2025, and the state Gaming Commission issues a license by the end of that year, RWNYC could begin full operations as early as March 2026. The plan includes a $600 million licensing fee—$100 million above the state’s required amount—alongside $1.9 billion in gaming tax revenue during the first four years of operation.
Early Launch and Financial Impact
As one of three contenders vying for a coveted downstate gaming license, RWNYC’s proposal stands out for its immediate readiness. Unlike competitors Bally’s Bronx and Metropolitan Park, which would need years to develop infrastructure, Resorts World could transition from its existing racino setup in South Ozone Park to a full-scale casino within months of licensing.
The early start is expected to give the MTA a head start on receiving revenue, well ahead of other projects that are unlikely to open before mid-2030. MTA’s current budget anticipates $500 million annually in 2026 and 2027, $600 million in 2028, and $200 million in 2029—totalling $1.8 billion. Resorts World’s projected $2.5 billion contribution would therefore provide a $700 million surplus above these forecasts.
Genting Americas East President Robert DeSalvio emphasized the broader scope of the proposal, stating, “This is not just a casino expansion. It’s a transformative economic development project that will keep New York City moving in every way. Resorts World New York City is the only bidder who can deliver a steady flow of new revenue for the MTA starting in 2026.”
Community and Education Benefits
Beyond funding public transportation, RWNYC projects an additional $2 billion for the state’s public education system and $500 million in contributions to the New York Racing Association. The company has already contributed nearly $5 billion to education since opening in 2011 and billions more to support New York’s equine sector.
The development plan includes transforming the current facility into a 5.6 million-square-foot integrated resort, featuring a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games, 2,000 hotel rooms, and a 7,000-seat entertainment venue. The expansion will create 5,000 new permanent jobs and an additional 5,000 union construction positions, with over half of the workforce expected to come from Queens.
Community leaders have expressed strong support for the proposal. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. praised the project’s potential, saying in the company’s press release, “The planned expansion of Resorts World New York City will inject critical capital into the MTA at a time when conversations around the future of public transportation swirl the loudest.”
State Senator James Sanders Jr. added, “This investment from Resorts World isn’t just about gaming — it’s about growth. We have a safe bet with one project that will provide support to the MTA right away.”
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato echoed that sentiment, noting, “The fact that Resorts World’s expansion can provide this much support to the MTA on its own is a testament to the leadership we’ve seen from them for 14 years. This proves what we already knew, Resorts World is the only project that can truly deliver for our commuters.”
Other local officials have also acknowledged the casino’s track record. Assembly Member Alicia L. Hyndman remarked, “Private-sector support for our public works has never been more essential. Resorts World has stepped up to fill the gap and will continue to do so.”
Community Board 10 Chair Betty Braton applauded RWNYC’s collaboration with the neighborhood over the years, saying, “They’ve engaged the community every step of the way to improve accessibility at Aqueduct. Now, they stand to take that to an entirely new level.”
With MGM Yonkers no longer pursuing a commercial license, Resorts World New York City would stand as the sole operational full casino in Downstate New York if selected, generating billions in revenue for both transit and education.
