Resorts World NYC Opens First Table Games Casino on April 28
Resorts World New York City will open the city’s first casino with live table games on April 28, 2026, following final regulatory testing by the New York State Gaming Commission. The launch expands the existing Queens racino into a full casino operation, making it the first operator to introduce table games in New York City.
The rollout adds more than 240 table games alongside over 2,500 slot machines, according to the company’s official statement. The property has already doubled its workforce to more than 2,200 employees as part of the expansion, with additional hiring focused on table game dealers.
The opening still depends on final system checks and regulatory approval. That sign-off is expected shortly before launch. This follows the state’s phased approach, where existing racinos can expand faster than new licence applicants.
That timing gives Resorts World a clear first-mover advantage in a market that remains in transition. While several groups are competing for full-scale downstate casino licences, most projects are years away from completion. By contrast, Resorts World is converting an existing operation, allowing it to begin generating table game revenue immediately.
The move is also expected to shift regional traffic patterns as New York City gains a local table games offer for the first time. Nearby markets that previously relied on New York-based players may see early impact as access improves within the city.
The expansion forms part of a wider long-term plan tied to a proposed multibillion-dollar redevelopment of the site. However, this initial launch focuses on operational scale and speed, rather than the full integrated resort vision still under regulatory review.
💡 TGJ Take
Resorts World is not waiting for the full NYC licensing process to play out. It is monetising its existing footprint now, while competitors remain in approval and construction phases. For operators targeting New York, this shifts the focus from licensing to execution speed. Early revenue will go to whoever opens first, not whoever wins the final licence. Atlantic City operators should treat this as a near-term revenue risk, not a distant one.
