- Live table games arrive at Resorts World's Queens location in mid-2026, making it the first of the NYC casinos to launch, years before Hard Rock's Citi Field project and Bally's Bronx location launch in 2030.
- Having the market entirely to themselves until 2030 lets Resorts World lock in customers and generate serious revenue without any rivals competing for the same gambling dollars across New York City.
NEW YORK - After years of anticipation and fierce competition, the city's casino landscape is finally taking shape, though not all at once. Following approval from the State Gaming Commission on December 15, three gaming facilities will rise across Queens and the Bronx over the next several years, each on its own distinct timeline that reveals just how different these projects really are.
Resorts World Takes the Lead
Resorts World New York City is expected to open well ahead of its rivals, and the difference isn't even close. In addition to running thousands of slot machines at Aqueduct Racetrack, the Queens facility intends to add live table games by the middle of 2026. Resorts World has a big advantage over the other two casinos as they won't open until 2030.
The key factors that give Resorts World this advantage are timing and location. Resorts World is working with an existing gaming facility that has been in operation for years, in contrast to the other projects that call for the construction of completely new facilities. This implies that it will be possible to extend the casino floor and add table games far more quickly than Hard Rock and Bally's are doing with their ground-up renovations.
Expected Opening Dates
| Casino | Location | Expected Opening |
|---|---|---|
| Resorts World NYC | Queens (Aqueduct) | Mid-2026 |
| Hard Rock Metropolitan Park | Queens (Citi Field) | 2030 |
| Bally’s Bronx | Bronx (Ferry Point) | 2030 |
Depending on which facility piques your attention, the wait times for those who are keen to check out the best legal casinos the city has to offer can vary significantly.
The ambitious project next to Citi Field, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, which is supported by Mets owner Steve Cohen, is an entirely different animal. There will be no partial or phased opening of this ground-up development. The entire resort is anticipated to open in 2030, with construction starting in 2026.
A 2030 debut is also the goal for Bally's Bronx at Ferry Point. Similar to Hard Rock, this project entails building a resort from the ground up, so visitors won't be able to see any of it in operation until the entire complex is completed and prepared for opening.
What This Means for the NYC Casinos
Resorts World will have a virtual monopoly in New York City, giving it plenty of time to be one of the best legal casinos in New York for almost four years. It will grow its presence while rivals obtain permits and construct foundations.
The casino will have made a name for itself as the city's gambling destination by the time Hard Rock and Bally's finally welcome their first guests, generating profits and cultivating a devoted following. In a market as profitable and crowded as New York, it is difficult to ignore the competitive advantage that timeline offers.