Genting Malaysia says Resorts World NYC could launch full casino operations within six months

Genting Malaysia said on Monday that full-scale casino operations at Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) could begin within six months if the company is awarded one of three downstate commercial casino licenses by the New York State Gaming Commission.

The announcement came as Genting confirmed it had submitted its license application, joining a crowded field of bidders including MGM Resorts International, Hard Rock International, Bally’s Corp, Caesars Entertainment, Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Silverstein Properties, and a consortium linked to the Chickasaw Nation.

Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts have withdrawn from the competition.

Genting said an expanded RWNYC would include a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor featuring 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games, 2,000 hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, more than 30 food and beverage outlets, a large-scale meeting space, over 7,000 parking spaces, and more than 10 acres of community greenspace.

The project would also create more than 4,000 new full-time jobs, with over half starting within the first six months of operation, the company said. Genting expects its local workforce to grow from 1,000 to 5,000 employees if the bid is successful.

“Fifteen years ago, Resorts World made a promise to turn this site into an economic engine for Southeast Queens, New York City, and New York State,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “And we succeeded, now generating more casino revenues and taxes each year than any other commercial casino in the US.”

“Today is a major milestone for us to propose the world-class Resorts World Integrated Resort and further commit to this partnership and provide new career opportunities and tax revenue almost immediately, as soon as July 2026,” he added.

Genting, which operates RWNYC through its subsidiary Genting New York LLC, also owns Resorts World Catskills and Resorts World Hudson Valley following its full acquisition of Empire Resorts International.

The company noted it has already contributed more than $4.5 billion to New York's public education system since RWNYC opened in 2011, and said the proposed expansion would be “one of the largest privately funded economic development projects in New York State history.”