New York has taken a historic step in expanding legal gambling, officially approving three full-scale commercial casino licenses in New York City. For the first time, NYC will be home to destination casino resorts offering live table games, luxury hotels, entertainment venues, and thousands of new jobs.
After years of debate, bidding, and regulatory review, state officials finalized the winning proposals in December 2025, setting the stage for a major shift in how, and where, New Yorkers gamble.
The New York State Gaming Commission officially granted the three casino licenses on December 15, 2025, following recommendations from the Gaming Facility Location Board earlier that month.
Each license came with a $500 million fee, immediately generating significant revenue for the state, with funds earmarked for education and transportation projects such as the MTA.
New York regulators selected three casino proposals for New York City, spanning Queens and the Bronx and ranging from expansions of existing facilities to large ground-up developments. Each project is expected to reshape its surrounding neighborhood while expanding access to regulated casino gaming.
Location: Jamaica, Queens
Operator: Genting Group
Type: Expansion of existing racino
Estimated opening: Late 2026 to early 2027
Resorts World New York City is uniquely positioned among the three approved projects, as it already operates as a slots-only racino adjacent to Aqueduct Racetrack. With the approval of a full casino license, the property is set to transition into a complete Las Vegas style casino resort, making it the first of the new NYC casinos expected to open.
The existing footprint, infrastructure, and regulatory familiarity give Resorts World a significant advantage in speed to market. Rather than starting from the ground up, the Genting Group will expand and upgrade an already established gaming and hospitality complex.
Planned features include:
Live dealer table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat)
Expanded gaming floor
Additional hotel rooms
New dining, nightlife, and entertainment options
Resorts World’s location near JFK Airport has long made it a gateway casino for both domestic and international visitors, and the expansion is expected to strengthen that role. The property is already one of the highest-grossing gaming facilities in the United States by slot revenue alone, and it’s now set to become one of the major parts of New York’s gambling landscape.
Because the casino is an expansion rather than a new development, the project faces fewer zoning and land-use hurdles than the other approved sites. Much of the work will focus on interior renovations, gaming floor expansion, and regulatory certification for live table games. This streamlined path is why Resorts World is widely expected to open its full casino operations well ahead of its competitors.
Genting Group has consistently emphasized long-term investment in Queens, positioning Resorts World NYC as both a major employer and a stable source of tax revenue for the state. Once fully operational, the property is expected to serve as New York City’s first true full-scale casino, setting the benchmark for the projects that follow.
Location: Willets Point, near Citi Field
Backed by: Hard Rock International and Mets owner Steve Cohen
Type: Ground-up destination resort
Estimated opening: 2029-2030
Metropolitan Park is the largest and most ambitious of the three approved casino projects, envisioned as a year-round entertainment and community destination rather than a standalone gaming facility.
Located on underutilized land surrounding Citi Field in Willets Point, the project aims to transform what is currently dominated by surface parking lots into a fully integrated mixed-use development. The site’s proximity to major transit links, including the 7 subway line and Long Island Rail Road, has been a central selling point for state officials and developers.
Planned features include:
A Hard Rock–branded casino and hotel
Concert and entertainment venues
Restaurants, bars, and retail space
Public parks and green space
Transit and infrastructure improvements
Beyond gambling, the developers have emphasized that Metropolitan Park is designed to operate as a 365-day destination. When complete, the venue will draw visitors for concerts, dining, and events even outside of baseball season. The inclusion of significant public parkland has also been positioned as a key community benefit for Queens residents.
However the project requires extensive construction and land development, which means it will take several years to complete. Willets Point has long been the subject of redevelopment plans, and Metropolitan Park represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to reshape the area in decades.
Before major construction can begin, the project must complete final zoning approvals, environmental reviews, and infrastructure planning.
Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen have consistently framed the development as an economic engine for Queens, highlighting expected job creation, tourism growth, and long-term tax revenue for New York State. If completed as proposed, Metropolitan Park would become one of the most prominent casino-entertainment complexes on the East Coast.
Location: Ferry Point, Bronx
Operator: Bally’s Corporation
Type: Ground-up casino resort
Estimated opening: Around 2029
The Bally’s Bronx casino represents the borough’s first full-scale commercial casino and one of the most significant private developments in recent Bronx history. Planned for the Ferry Point area, the project aims to transform underutilized land into a modern casino and entertainment complex while anchoring long-term economic development in the borough.
Unlike Resorts World’s expansion model, Bally’s Bronx is a ground-up development, requiring extensive site preparation, zoning coordination, and infrastructure planning. The project site sits near major roadways, including the Hutchinson River Parkway, positioning it to attract visitors from both New York City and the wider tri-state area.
Planned features include:
Full casino gaming floor
Hotel and conference facilities
Event space and nightlife venues
Dining and retail options
Bally’s has emphasized a community-focused approach, highlighting commitments to local hiring, workforce development, and long-term partnerships with Bronx-based organizations. State officials have repeatedly cited these commitments as a key factor in the project’s approval, particularly in a borough that has historically seen fewer large-scale private investments than other parts of the city.
The development timeline reflects the scope of the project, and before construction begins in earnest, Bally’s must complete final land-use approvals, environmental reviews, and transportation planning.
Once operational, the casino is expected to become a major regional draw, generating thousands of jobs and delivering consistent tax revenue to New York State and local programs.
The approval of three full-scale casino licenses in New York City marks a turning point for gambling in the state. For decades, casino gaming was largely confined to upstate resort destinations and neighboring states, but these developments bring destination-style casinos directly into the nation’s largest city.
Until now, full-scale casinos in New York were limited to upstate resort destinations. These approvals bring Las Vegas-style casino gaming directly into the nation’s largest city.
Upstate casinos and neighboring states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut) may feel pressure as NYC residents no longer need to travel to gamble.
The three projects are expected to:
Create thousands of construction and permanent jobs
Generate billions in long-term tax revenue for New York
Boost tourism, hospitality, and entertainment industries
While the newly approved casinos are centered on in-person gaming, their arrival could have meaningful ripple effects across New York’s broader gambling ecosystem. The expansion of land-based casinos in New York City is likely to increase pressure on lawmakers to revisit the legalization of online casino gaming, particularly as neighboring states continue to generate significant revenue from iGaming.
The new developments may also strengthen partnerships between physical casino operators and New York’s legal sportsbook brands, further integrating retail casinos with the state’s already well-established online sports betting market.
At the same time, the scale of these projects is expected to bring increased attention to responsible gambling measures, potentially expanding funding for player protections, education, and support programs statewide.
With licenses approved, developers now move into zoning, construction, and regulatory compliance. New Yorkers won’t see these casinos open overnight. But the big story is that after much speculation around new casinos opening in NY, the process is now officially underway.
As Resorts World prepares to open first, the foundation is being laid for a new era of gambling in New York City that is expected to develop and evolve further over the coming decade.
