Vegas Comes to Queens: Resorts World NYC To Debut Live Dealer Table Games
Posted on: April 21, 2026, 09:19h.
Last updated on: April 21, 2026, 10:29h.
- Resorts World New York City will offer table games beginning April 28
- RWNYC is the first casino in downstate New York to have live dealer tables
- Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Bally’s Bronx aren’t likely to open until 2030
A new era for New York gambling begins next Tuesday at Resorts World NYC (RWNYC), marking the city’s historic shift from electronic machines to live-action card and dice games.
Resorts World secured a full-scale casino license from the New York State Gaming Commission in December. The concession includes privileges for slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting.
Next Tuesday, April 28, pending final testing approval, RWNYC will debut its reimagined third floor with more than 240 table games. The felt will include blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette, as well as thousands of slot machines, some with multimillion-dollar jackpots.
New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning for April 28. Once the Gaming Commission’s final testing is complete, live table games will be open and operating right here in Queens for the first time in the history of New York City,” said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, the casino’s parent entity.
“This is a transformational moment for Resorts World New York City, and we cannot wait to share it with our fellow New Yorkers,” DeSalvio added.
Critical Leg-Up Opening
Resorts World New York City is one of the full-scale downstate casinos coming to NYC. But the others, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park at Willets Point in Queens and Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point Park, are from-the-ground-up builds that aren’t expected to open until 2030.
RWNYC, formerly a racino with slot-like video lottery terminals and electronic table games, will have a considerable advantage in operating slots and table games for four years without downstate competition.
The advantage should allow Resorts World to secure a considerable market share by signing up rewards members and generating loyalty.
Malaysia-based Genting is investing $7.5 billion in overhauling the racino, paying the state a $600 million license fee, and making billions of dollars in community benefit pledges.
A capital investment of $3.3 billion is allocated to expand the current hotel into nearly 2,000 guestrooms and bring the final casino to offering 4,635 slots, 534 tables, and a sportsbook.
Genting Chairman KT Lim and hip-hop legend Nas, a Resorts World partner who helped campaign for RWNYC to achieve a full casino license, will be on hand next Tuesday to throw the first dice.
Hiring Spree
Queens is already experiencing the economic benefits of full-scale casinos. Resorts World says the table games launch coincides with the culmination of an “intense hiring and training effort” that resulted in 1,250 new jobs, including 950 table game dealers.
The RWNYC facility now employs 2,200 workers. That number is projected to expand to 2,700 employees this summer.
The Resorts World Dealer School continues, with another 500 graduates expected next month.
Last Comments ( 2 )
Will out of town visitors really show up to gamble there? Or will it all be locals? That is the question.
Will the forthcoming multi-use arena and conference center put RWNYC on the major conventions map? It's locale to JFK is certainly attractive.