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Resorts World New York City’s Live Tables Approval Opens New Path for Downstate Market

30 October 2026

New York gambling regulators have approved Resorts World New York City to open live dealer table games, marking a first for the state’s casino industry. The New York State Gaming Commission on April 24 gave the Aqueduct, Queens resort permission to launch blackjack, roulette, and craps alongside its 1,500 slots. Resorts World’s win comes as the New York market faces growing competition and seeks to diversify its offerings.

Resorts World New York is the first of the state’s downstate casinos to receive a license for live dealer table games. The approval allows it to add 33 tables, bringing its total physical offering to 34 on opening day. This gives it a leg up in the New York City market against Bally’s Bronx and Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, which do not currently offer table games.

The milestone comes after months of lobbying by Resorts World's parent company, Genting Malaysia, which has invested millions to redevelop its Queens property. It was the only one of the three new licenses announced in December 2025 that included approval for table games.

The development points to the competitive pressures in the New York casino market. Resorts World New York demonstrates that casinos must diversify their physical offerings to succeed, with table games seen as a key growth lever for the Queens property. It will serve as a test case for how the market responds to live dealer games, with Genting likely to make a strong push to build its market share.

But Resorts World faces challenges to capitalize on this opportunity. It’s located in a less affluent area of Queens compared to the upscale markets that Bally’s Bronx and Hard Rock Metropolitan Park are targeting. And it’s rolling out its physical tables amid economic uncertainty marked by inflation and wavering consumer confidence.

The timeline from license award to launch has been just six months. Resorts World New York originally opened at Aqueduct Racetrack on October 26, 2011 as a Video Lottery Terminal facility. On April 27, 2026, those VLTs ceased operations as the gaming area transitioned to a full-scale casino with live dealer rooms. Data from New York State Gaming Commission’s weekly reports show the slot machines went offline at 11:28pm on April 27.

The approval marks a change in strategy for the Resorts World New York property, which was selected as the Aqueduct gaming facility in 2012. While the state gaming board initially focused on location and revenue-sharing agreements, current management is prioritizing experience quality alongside site benefits, evidenced by the property’s upmarket interior.

The success of Resorts World New York may influence the timeline of the downstate market’s remaining properties. Resorts Casino at Monticello is targeting a Q4 2027 opening, with Aladdin Casino Resort Hudson Valley originally targeting Q4 2028. Both are applying for table game approvals but will enter the market later with additional regulatory requirements. Resorts World Empire City at Yonkers Raceway is presumably next in line for a commercial casino license.

Looking ahead, the New York market is poised for significant change. MGM Resorts awaits a gaming facility license for their New York/New Jersey project, pending casino privacy legislation. Genting’s proposed Virtual Casino Bill to legalize online gambling has been temporarily tabled. The Monticello Casino will be a key venue to watch for industry trends.

The New York Gaming Commission has delegated oversight of Resorts World New York to local regulators, who will receive crucial video data from the Authority on a weekly basis.