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Genting unveils $5B expansion of Aqueduct “racino”

Jamaica facility expected frontrunner in NY casino license race

Genting Unveils $5B Expansion of Aqueduct “Racino”

From left: Genting Americas East president Robert DeSalvio and rapper Nas along with a rendering of the planned expansion at the Aqueduct Racetrack at 11000 Rockaway Boulevard in Queens (Photo Illustration by Steven Dilakian for The Real Deal with Getty, Genting, and LinkedIn/Robert DeSalvio)

A gambling operator is taking its long-anticipated leap into the downstate gaming license fray. 

Genting, which operates Resorts World New York City, announced its plans for a $5 billion expansion of its facilities at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, Queens. The announcement specifies the company would be able to “activate” the multibillion dollar plan if awarded one of the state’s three downstate gaming licenses.

Resorts World will add 2 million square feet of entertainment, gaming, retail, dining and convention space to its existing facility, which already spans 1 million square feet. The casino floor itself would span 350,000 square feet and include Las Vegas-style gaming, meaning table games and dealers.

The company will add 1,600 hotel rooms to the 400 rooms at the Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at RWNYC. It’s also eyeing 3,000 units of workforce housing for employees of the venue, which is expected to permanently employ 5,000 people.

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Other notable aspects of Genting’s plan include more than 10 acres of public green space, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, a spa, a club and food and beverage options from the likes of celebrity chefs Scott Conant and Marcus Samuelsson.

Genting is also partnering with a couple of Queens celebrities, including Nas (whose rap rival, Jay-Z, is involved in the Times Square casino proposal) and NBA champion and analyst Kenny Smith.

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“Resorts World New York City came into our community more than a dozen years ago, and every day since has been a dedicated neighbor who shows up, hears our feedback, and responds to our needs,” said Betty Braton, Queens Community Board 10 chairperson.

While the plan may hinge on receiving a full gaming license from the state, the assumption has been that two of the three licenses available would go to so-called “racinos,” where gambling is already available to a limited extent. The other racino in the region is Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway.

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