New York City is set to enter a new era of gaming as Resorts World New York prepares to introduce live table games for the first time, marking the city’s debut as a full-scale casino destination. The highly anticipated launch, scheduled for April 28, represents a significant milestone not only for the operator but also for the state’s long-evolving gaming landscape.
For decades, casino-style gaming in New York City has been limited, with electronic gaming machines dominating venues like Resorts World in Queens. That will soon change. The introduction of live dealers and traditional table games signals a transformation that brings the city in line with major gambling hubs across the United States. It also demonstrates an appetite for in-person gaming experiences, despite the ever-growing popularity of online slot games and live roulette, which can be played in the comfort of players’ homes.
“New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning for April 28,” said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East. “Once 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.”
The rollout is the first phase of a much larger expansion project. At launch, the casino will feature approximately 200 live table games, offering classics such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. The development is also expected to have a major economic impact, creating around 1,250 new jobs. Of those, roughly 950 positions will be dedicated to dealers, underscoring the scale of the operation.
With these additions, Resorts World’s workforce will grow to about 2,200 employees, with projections suggesting that number could exceed 2,700 by the summer. The expansion is being closely watched as a key driver of employment and tourism in the Queens area.
The live table games are just the beginning. Resorts World is embarking on a full-scale build-out scheduled for completion by 2030. Once finished, the $5.5 billion project is expected to rank among the largest casino developments in the United States. Plans include up to 800 live table games and 6,000 slot machines, along with 2,000 hotel rooms designed to transform the property into a full resort destination.
Additional features will include a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, more than 30 dining outlets, and over 7,000 parking spaces. The development also emphasizes community integration, with plans for more than a dozen acres of green space.
The arrival of full-scale casino gaming in New York City has been years in the making. The process formally began in 2022, when state lawmakers authorized the issuance of three downstate casino licenses. The lengthy approval timeline reflected the complexity of balancing economic opportunity with regulatory oversight and community considerations.
In December 2025, the New York State Gaming Commission awarded those licenses to Resorts World, Metropolitan Park, and Bally’s, paving the way for large-scale casino developments in the region.
As Resorts World prepares to flip the switch on live table gaming, the launch represents more than just a new entertainment option—it signals the beginning of a broader transformation of New York City’s gaming industry, one that has been decades in the making.
