Just days after opening a new gaming floor and adding 1,400 more slot machines, Genting’s Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) has officially broken ground on Phase 2 of its US$5.5 billion expansion.
The project follows the issuance late last year of one of three full casino licenses in downstate New York. With the other two – Bally’s Corp in the Bronx and Hard Rock International in Metropolitan Park – building from scratch, RWNYC is already enjoying first mover advantage as it gradually builds out its existing facility in Queens over the next five years. The property, which previously offered electronic gaming only, launched the state’s first gaming tables in April.
“In less than 3 months after opening our doors as the first casino in New York City’s history, we are already moving towards a day when the city will have a first-of-its-kind integrated resort,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Executive Chairman of the Genting Group. “Not only are we keeping every commitment we made in our proposal to the state, but we are running well ahead of schedule in starting to build outside of our existing building.”
The Phase 2 expansion will include development of an additional 400-room hotel tower to add on to the current Hyatt Regency; the Kenny “The Jet” Sports and Media Complex; a 7,000 seat multi-purpose arena; 1,200 additional hotel rooms under the luxury Crockfords brand; the central plaza; and a state-of-the-art parking garage.
According to Genting, full expansion is projected to create 10,000 jobs, including an estimated 5,000 union construction jobs, and will add 2 million square feet of new gaming, entertainment, dining, retail and convention space to the existing one-million-square-foot property.
“The excitement around this project hasn’t stopped since the day we submitted our bid,” said Robert DeSalvio, President, Genting Americas East. “It carried us through our licensing process and through the first 12 weeks of operating New York City’s first live table games. Today, that same excitement is present as we break ground on Phase 2, which will bring new infrastructure, new parking and the next wave of hotel rooms that will support two million square feet of new gaming, entertainment, and hospitality space in the years ahead.”
RWNYC said it has since opening gaming tables on 28 April increased its tax and racing support payment by over 30% compared with the same period last year to more than US$170 million.
“With these numbers, Resorts World New York City is already the largest casino in the United States in terms of Gross Gaming Revenue,” the company stated.
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