NYC Casino Opening Brings Live Table Games to Manhattan
Genting New York
The NYC casino opening on April 28 represents a historic shift for the city’s gaming industry, as Resorts World in Queens prepares to launch the first full-fledged casino with live table games. The facility, which has operated as a slots parlour since 2011, will transform into a comprehensive gaming destination featuring 800 live table games.
New York City’s casino opening brings substantial economic impact, creating 1,250 new jobs, including 950 table-game dealers. The expanded Resorts World will feature 6,000 slot machines, bringing the total gaming positions to a significant scale.
Manhattan Casino Opens Live Table Games on Historic Launch Day
Resorts World, located next to the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens, received approval from the state Gaming Commission following more than 15 years of development work. Queens-bred rapper Nas attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and participated in the ceremonial throw of the first dice, marking the official launch. The Malaysian-headquartered Genting-owned facility had operated exclusively as a slots parlor for over a decade before receiving authorization to expand its gaming offerings.
The renovated third floor now houses 200 live table games, namely blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette. Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East, stated that “Resorts World New York City’s journey to this historic moment represents more than 15 years of work to generate jobs, revenue, and opportunities for our neighbors”.
The gaming floor occupies 500,000 square feet within the 72-acre Aqueduct site. Genting Americas East began hiring and training staff members immediately following the approval to prepare for the opening. The facility represents the first commercial casino within city limits authorized to operate with live dealers at gaming tables, distinguishing it from the previously available electronic gaming machines.
New York City’s Casino Opening Creates Over 1,200 Employment Opportunities
The employment opportunities generated by New York City’s casino opening extend beyond gaming floor positions to encompass multiple sectors. Officials confirmed that hundreds of union jobs will join the communities through the expansion. Dealers hired for the facility must demonstrate proficiency in at least two table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, Pai Gow Tiles, or baccarat.
Compensation for live table games dealers ranges from £16.68 to £24 per hour, with an additional guaranteed toke rate of £19.70 per hour. The positions require strong communication abilities, accurate cash handling skills, and flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Training programs support workforce development for the expanded operations. Free casino dealer school classes prepare candidates for full-time and part-time table games positions through six to twelve-week courses covering multiple games. York College offers a complimentary six-week Introduction to Gaming Operations course, providing participants with exposure to various casino departments, including slot and table games, marketing, security, hotel operations, and information technology.
Employment opportunities span numerous departments besides gaming operations. Positions include food and beverage services, hotel operations, guest services, security, facilities management, marketing, finance, and information technology. The facility’s workforce development approach includes leadership training, technical skills programs, and paid internships across properties and divisions.
Resorts World Unveils Ambitious Multi-Billion Dollar Expansion Plans
Genting submitted a £5.96 billion proposal to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board, representing the largest integrated resort development in the United States. The comprehensive plan allocates £4.37 billion toward physical site development and £1.59 billion for community benefits. In light of their existing infrastructure and regulatory approvals, Resorts World projects an opening date of June 29, 2026, several years ahead of competing casino proposals.
The 5.6 million-square-foot expansion will transform the Aqueduct site into a destination featuring a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, 30 new dining options, day clubs, spas, and 12 acres of green space. Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, stated that no other project will come online faster, generate more financial impact, or send more revenue to the state’s education fund, the MTA, and local communities.
The company pledged £476.50 million for its license, £79.42 million beyond state requirements. Economic projections indicate the project will generate £3.18 billion in tax revenue by 2031 and £14.93 billion in state and local tax revenue by 2036. The development expects to create more than 100,000 jobs, including construction, permanent, indirect, and induced positions.
