Nas wins big $7.5 billion as Resorts World New York City gets the green light

Three new casinos are likely to open soon in NYC’s outer boroughs.

The Queensbridge Hip-Hop Mogul’s support for the Queens casino plan advances significantly

Nas proposed $7.5 billion expansion of Resorts World New York City has received approval.

A Nas-supported proposal for a Resorts World Casino in Queens has moved significantly closer to completion, as it and two other casino projects in New York City received approval from the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board.

This approval is a crucial step towards building the city's first full commercial casino, with plans for a massive integrated resort including a large casino floor, hotels, restaurants, and an entertainment venue. 

The $7.5 billion expansion of Resorts World NYC at the Aqueduct Racetrack will become the largest integrated resort in the United States.

The announcement was made by board chair Vicki Been at the CUNY Graduate Center on Monday (Dec. 1). Nas was present and declared it “a great day in New York City.”

The new resort will include a 350,000-square-foot casino floor, 2,000 hotel rooms, and a 7,000-seat entertainment venue.

The final obstacle for the three plans is obtaining approval from the state Gaming Commission, which is anticipated. Nonetheless, there remains public opposition. Following the announcement on Monday, protesters chanted, "Shame on you!"

Alongside the approval of the $7.5 billion expansion, the project is expected to generate approximately 24,000 jobs, including construction and permanent positions.

The development aims to provide significant economic benefits, including tax revenue for the state and the MTA.

Resorts World plans to have hundreds of table games operational by March 2026. 

In early 2024, Nas became part of the Resorts World initiative to transform an existing Queens "racino" into a complete casino.

“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent, and build up the next generation of leaders. Clearly, with this project, the world is ours,” Nas said at the time.

His former rap adversary Jay-Z supported a rival Times Square proposal, which was turned down earlier this year.

The other two casino proposals that advanced to the next stage on Monday include one supported by Mets owner Steve Cohen for a casino near Citi Field, and a Bally's Casino in the Bronx. The latter has a connection to Donald Trump, as Bally's agreed to pay the president's business $115 million if the casino is realized, as part of a deal in which the Trump Organization sold its stake in a public golf course that will become part of the new casino.