Resorts World Again Feels The Love For New York Casino Bid

Political backers? Check.

Extensive civic interaction? Check.

Community support? Check.

About the only thing left looks to be Resorts World writing the check for a New York casino license.

Monday night’s second public hearing at Queens Borough Hall to discuss Resorts World’s $5.5 billion proposed expansion at Aqueduct Racetrack into an integrated casino resort again showed a community all-in for the project. After a presentation led by Resorts World Strategy Chief & Legal Officer Kevin Jones, speaker after speaker backed the project in comments to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

As an incumbent gaming venue that is a top revenue generator nationally, Resorts World was already considered a strong favorite to land one of as many as three $500 million casino licenses available for downstate New York. But the two public hearings have shown a near-unanimous support not seen at any session for the other seven applicants.

The CAC overseeing this applicant has until Sept. 30 to vote the proposal forward to the New York State Gaming Commission, requiring a two-thirds majority.

Jones in his element

Incumbency advantages aside, Resorts World has made itself an overwhelming favorite thanks to Jones. His cadence while touting the benefits of the racino’s expansion has conveyed an urgency that has filtered through Queens Borough Hall at both hearings.

Jones addressed potential issues including traffic, jobs, and community investment head-on. He noted that the 73-acre Aqueduct Racetrack as built in the late 19th century was designed as a gaming venue and that the surrounding Jamaica neighborhood was built around the site with that in mind.

Jones reminded the audience that Resorts World is “ready to hire thousands of people by July next year” and 80 percent of them “are hyperlocal. They can see their house from the hotel.”

He repeated Resorts World’s overall $750 million commitment to build 50,000 workforce housing units over a 30-year period, which includes $125 million over the next five years. Jones and Robert DeSalvio, president of resort operator Genting Americas East, referenced a $100 million project to build a southbound platform for the Aqueduct A train that would be completed within five years of receiving the license.

One figure Jones repeatedly cited was $1.7 million. Resorts World has estimated that is the amount of daily tax revenue the state is missing out on as the casino license process runs its course.

“We need to do this and do this now,” Jones said in his closing remarks. “Our people need places to live. We want to do more with all of you in the community. So if you stand with us … let them know how much you support us so the state can stop losing $1.7 million a day.”

Support and accolades roll in

Multiple politicians spoke in support of the project, but the most prominent voice among them was New York state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., the point legislator for all things gaming in the Empire State. Resorts World is in Addabbo’s 15th District, and the Ozone Park native offered his backing.

“During [Hurricane] Sandy, Resorts World was there for us, being a stage manager,” Addabbo recounted. “During COVID, Resorts World was there for us then. Resorts World has always been there for our community. So this is not a risk for this CAC to vote on.

“This is a proven commodity in Ozone Park. This is a proven commodity for our city. This is a proven commodity for our state. An asset, a proven asset that we can only invest in further. For more jobs, more educational funding, more benefits to our community. So I want to plead to this CAC, please vote in favor of this proven asset, this proven commodity that our community, our city, our state truly needs.”

Addabbo’s support was buttressed by multiple Resorts World employees, union workers, civic leaders, and non-profit organizations, all of whom praised the group for its community outreach and respect for the community.