*In a landmark decision for New York’s gaming landscape, Queens is set to host the nation’s largest integrated resort after a state board unanimously greenlit a $5.5 billion expansion of Resorts World Casino.
As Page Six reports, Queens native and rap icon Nas, who partnered with Resorts World in June, hailed the project as a transformative step. “The future is not something you wait for. It’s something you build… We’re committed to Queens and, in Queens, the future is now!” he declared in a promotional video. The project, backed by Genting Americas East, promises to bolster the borough’s economy and community.
“On behalf of the entire Resorts World team, I want to thank the Community Advisory Committee for recognizing the impact we will have not only on Queens but all of New York City and State,” said Robert DeSalvia, president of Genting Americas East. He added, “We are incredibly grateful to the large number of residents, partners, and supporters who touted this project, without a single person speaking against it. This is a testament to our mission — solidified over the last 15 years — to be the best neighbor possible here in Queens.”
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Joining Nas in supporting the development is Queens native and retired NBA star Kenny “The Jet” Smith, who revealed plans for “The Jet Center,” described as “a state-of-the-art sports and media complex that will serve as the centerpiece of the Resorts World Innovation Campus,” according to a press release.
The approval for Queens comes just one week after Jay-Z’s bid for a Times Square casino was rejected. Jay-Z’s company, Roc Nation, alongside SL Green and Caesars Entertainment, had proposed the “Caesars Palace Times Square” project, which included transforming the 1515 Broadway office tower into a luxury complex with hotels, shops, and restaurants. Their plan also promised an initial $15 million community pledge and 0.5 percent of the casino’s profits, totaling $250 million, for local initiatives.
Despite those incentives, the six-member state Community Advisory Committee voted 4-2 against the proposal on September 17. Jason Laks, president of The Broadway League, praised the decision, saying, “This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway for the one hundred thousand New Yorkers who depend on it for their livelihoods, and for the tens of millions who come from around the world to experience it.” He added, “A casino can go anywhere, but Broadway only lives here.”
Jay-Z had previously expressed confidence in the project’s potential, stating, “New York City is the entertainment capital of the world, so the idea of a world-class casino here makes perfect sense.” He emphasized the cultural and economic benefits, adding, “New York is the epicenter of culture. We have the opportunity to create a destination at the heart of the true crossroads of the world.”
The rejection sparked backlash from SL Green CEO Marc Holliday, who criticized the committee’s decision as a “despicable display of cowardice, lack of leadership, lack of consideration for all the people who would benefit from this proposal,” according to a video shared online.
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