Resorts World Queens opened New York City's first full-scale Vegas-style casino in Queens on Tuesday, April 29, 2026 [2].
The launch marks a significant shift in the city's gambling landscape by introducing live table games and large-scale gaming floors to the metropolitan area. This development implements expanded gambling legislation that New York voters approved more than a decade ago [1, 2].
The new facility includes 2,500 slot machines [1]. The opening event featured a surprise appearance by rapper Nas, who joined the celebration of the city's first full-scale casino [1, 2, 3].
This opening serves as a precursor to a much larger project. The company plans to launch a comprehensive entertainment complex with an estimated cost of $5.5 billion [1, 2].
CNBC correspondent Contessa Brewer said the event noted the transition from limited gaming to a full Vegas-style experience in the borough of Queens [1, 3].
“New York City's first full-scale Vegas-style casino”
The opening of Resorts World Queens represents the realization of long-term legislative goals to modernize New York's gaming industry. By moving beyond limited slot parlors to a full-scale casino model, the city is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the regional gambling market and create a centralized entertainment hub through the planned $5.5 billion expansion.
