Resorts World New York City has mapped out a $5.5 billion transformation of its Aqueduct property in Jamaica, Queens. If state regulators and a six-member Community Advisory Committee approve the bid, construction could begin next year, delivering New York's largest fully integrated resort by July 2026. The 5.6-million-square-foot plan adds 2,000 Hotel rooms, a 7,000-seat arena, expanded gaming, and acres of public greenspace next to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Genting's Proposal promises thousands of union jobs, fresh tax revenue, and a new entertainment anchor for the borough.
Key Points
- 73-acre Aqueduct site becomes 5.6-million-square-foot resort.
- 2,000 rooms and 7,000-seat arena five miles from JFK.
- 6,000 slots, 800 tables, 30-plus dining outlets, full-service spa.
- 24,000 permanent and construction jobs projected.
- Why it matters: Queens would gain New York's first true resort-casino, boosting visitor capacity and local hiring.
Snapshot
Genting's blueprint reimagines the Aqueduct parcel as a walkable entertainment campus linking gaming, hospitality, retail, and recreation. Guests would enter a 500,000-square-foot gaming hall lined with 6,000 slot machines and 800 tables, then flow to a 7,000-seat arena hosting concerts and sports. Two Hotel towers-quadrupling current inventory-overlook more than a dozen acres of landscaped greenspace, while 30 food-and-beverage venues encircle a central plaza. Parking for 7,000 vehicles and direct mass-transit links aim to balance guest demand with neighborhood traffic. The design team, led by Perkins Eastman, positions the complex as a gateway for the 63 million annual travelers transiting nearby JFK.
Background
Aqueduct Racetrack opened in 1894, serving thoroughbred racing before financial woes spurred redevelopment talks. In 2011, Genting launched Resorts World New York City with 330,000 square feet of video-lottery gaming and a Hyatt Regency Hotel. The property has since funneled more than $4.5 billion into state education funds. Albany's 2022 legalization of three downstate casino licenses revived expansion ambitions. Because Aqueduct is already zoned for gaming and hospitality, Resorts World needs only a full commercial casino license-not new land-use permits-to build out the site, giving it a head start over Manhattan-based competitors.
Latest Developments
A shovel-ready Proposal reached the Community Advisory Committee on June 27, 2025, kicking off a rigorous review that precedes any license award. Here are the key threads travelers and advisors should track:
License Competition Heats Up
The New York State Gaming Commission will issue just three downstate licenses. Resorts World competes with bids in Times Square, Citi Field, and the Bronx. Its existing footprint, completed environmental studies, and prior zoning approvals allow operations to scale within six months of licensure-an advantage commissioners have said carries weight.
Community Benefits Pledge
Genting promises 24,000 total jobs, with half of permanent hires drawn from Queens. A $50 million community investment fund, a health and wellness center, and a STEAM institute headline social commitments. Median salaries would start near $80,000 plus benefits, according to the company. Unions representing current staff back the plan, citing strong labor contracts and workforce diversity-over 80 percent employees of color.
Construction Timeline and Budget
If licensed by early 2026, site work begins immediately, with phased openings targeting July 2026 for casino and Hotel floors. The 7,000-seat arena follows in late 2027, while greenspace and retail wrap by 2028. Genting will fund the $5.5 billion build privately, positioning it among the largest economic-development projects in state history.
Analysis
For travelers, the project would inject a true resort-casino experience into New York City-something now found only in Atlantic City or the Catskills. Two thousand additional rooms near JFK could ease price spikes during peak Flight Disruptions and conventions. The arena adds a mid-size venue capable of routing Tours that currently skip the borough. Advisors gain fresh package potential: pre-flight stays combining gaming, concerts, and air-hub convenience. Locally, improved transit links and new greenspace address long-standing calls for amenities in Southeast Queens. Yet success hinges on traffic management along the Van Wyck Expressway and community oversight of job promises. Should rival bids falter, Resorts World's head start could make Queens the region's first fully realized integrated resort.
Final Thoughts
State officials will decide within months whether Genting's shovel-ready vision moves forward. If approvals stay on schedule, travelers landing at JFK by summer 2026 could step into a skyline-defining complex that reshapes how visitors lodge, play, and gather in the five boroughs. For Queens residents, the promise of thousands of union careers and new public space rides on the same verdict. Travel advisors should watch licensing milestones and pre-sale timelines to capitalize on early demand for the Resorts World New York City expansion.