For New Yorkers who used to pack their bags for Atlantic City or Connecticut to play a hand of blackjack, the trek is officially over.
Resorts World New York City in Queens has officially kicked off a historic, $5.5 billion expansion. Not only has the destination officially rolled out NYC’s first-ever live table games, but the venue is also transforming into a sprawling, world-class entertainment mega-resort.
The Background
For years, the Resorts World facility operated strictly as a video lottery terminal facility. While it drew millions of visitors annually, it lacked the high-energy allure of a true Vegas-style casino—meaning no live dealers, no physical dice, and no table games.
That all changed after New York state regulators officially moved forward with downstate commercial casino licenses. Resorts World secured its spot and wasted no time unleashing its multi-billion-dollar master plan.
What’s Open Right Now: Live Tables Are Here!
You don’t have to wait until the end of the decade to get in on the action. Resorts World has already cut the ribbon on its first phase, unveiling a beautifully reimagined gaming floor. Visitors can now walk in 24/7 to experience:
- 240+ Live Table Games: Real-deal blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette with live dealers.
- Thousands of Brand-New Slots: Commercial-grade, high-jackpot slots flanking the new table layouts.
- A Massive Local Hiring Surge: The casino has already trained and hired nearly 1,000 local table-game dealers, creating an electric energy on the floor.
The Grand $5.5B Vision: What’s Coming Next
- April 2026 (Completed & Open Now): The Grand Phase 1 Debut. The newly renovated third floor officially opened to the public, bringing 240+ live dealer table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat) and thousands of new slots to NYC for the first time in history.
- Late 2026 (Underway): Gaming Floor Expansion. Crews are actively working to scale the live gaming setup down to the first and second floors, which will eventually double the active table and slot capacity.
- Late 2026 – 2027: The Entertainment & Culinary Additions. Construction begins on the brand-new 7,000-seat concert arena and a massive lineup of over 30 new restaurants and bars, including high-end dining spaces curated by award-winning chefs like Marcus Samuelsson.
- 2027 – 2028: The Luxury Hotel Tower & Sports Academy. Vertical construction kicks off on the massive 1,600-room luxury hotel tower (built to complement the existing Hyatt Regency JFK) and “The Jet Center,” a state-of-the-art youth sports and media academy led by NBA legend Kenny “The Jet” Smith.