When Will The New York Downstate Casinos Open?

The Early Bird: Resorts World New York City

One of the standout projects is the expansion of Resorts World New York City (RWNYC), located in South Ozone Park, Queens.

Originally operating as a video lottery terminal facility, Resorts World is gearing up to become a full-scale casino, with plans to launch full table-game operations as early as March. This swift timeline puts Resorts World ahead of its counterparts, offering live table games and potentially generating billions in gaming revenue for the state.

RWNYC’s proposed expansion includes a $5.5 billion physical investment in the 72-acre Aqueduct site, adding:

• A 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slot machines and 800 live table games, for a total of 10,800 gaming positions
• A total of 2,000 hotel rooms, building on the 400 existing units at the Hyatt Regency
• A new 7,000-seat multipurpose entertainment venue
• More than 7,000 parking spaces, a majority of which will be covered
• More than 12 acres of new public green space

RWNYC is expected to generate new revenue for New York State between 2026 and 2029, including:

• $2.5 billion for the MTA through a $600 million license fee and $1.9 billion in new revenue
• $2 billion for the State public education system, building on nearly $5 million delivered since RWNYC opened in October 2011
• $506 million to support New York State’s racing industry

Expectations are high as this expansion promises to intensify competition, boost tourism, and provide substantial tax income for New York.

The Long Haul: Bally’s Bronx and Hard Rock Metropolitan Park

While Resorts World races ahead, Bally’s Bronx and Hard Rock Metropolitan Park are charting a longer course.

Bally’s Bronx is set to be a new-build integrated casino complex and resort at the existing golf course site at Ferry Point in the Bronx. The Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course was once owned by President Donald Trump.

The project will include 3,500 slot machines, 210 table games, 40 poker tables, a 500-room hotel, two parking garages with a total of 4,600 spaces, a 2,000-seat event center, a nightclub, a spa, various dining and beverage options, and retail stores.

This project will require extensive construction and infrastructure work, with its grand opening anticipated around 2030.

Similarly, the Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, near Citi Field in Queens, is undergoing significant reconfiguration and construction. Like Bally’s Bronx, this development is expected to come to fruition by the end of the decade.

Metropolitan Park will provide 25 acres of new public park space, improved public transportation and climate infrastructure, live music, a Queens Food Hall and a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with bars, restaurants and a sportsbook.

Both projects represent a bold commitment to the city’s future, promising state-of-the-art entertainment and gaming facilities that will redefine the local tourism experience.

Timelines and Expectations

All in all, the anticipation surrounding the upcoming casino openings in New York is palpable among residents. New Yorkers eagerly await the transformation that Resorts World, Bally’s Bronx, and Hard Rock Metropolitan Park will bring to the city.

With Resorts World poised to become a full casino by 2026 and unique attractions from Bally’s Bronx and Hard Rock on the horizon for 2030, these venues promise to redefine the local gaming industry. Beyond mere entertainment, these developments are expected to invigorate the city’s economy, create numerous job opportunities, and elevate New York’s profile in the global casino scene.

As these projects unfold, the entire city watches with bated breath, eager to witness the exciting new chapter in New York’s gaming history.