Nas wins NYC casino battle over JAY-Z, Committee Member mocks Hov: “Queens get the money..... Sorry Jay-Z, we win again”

The Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. even took a shot at Jay-Z.

Nas and Resorts World NYC's casino proposal has been unanimously approved by the community advisory committee.

Resorts World NYC, in collaboration with Nas, gained unanimous support with a 6-0 vote from the Community Advisory Board to establish its $5.5 billion casino in Queens.

Following Thursday's (Sept. 25) victory, the Resorts World project is now at the 1-yard line, pending a final approval decision from the Gaming Facility Location Board.

Officials at Resorts World aim for the Southeast Queens casino to open by July 2026, with the Aqueduct Park project anticipated to be one of the largest in the U.S., covering 350,000 square feet.

“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 DeSalvio, who serves as the president of Genting Americas East. “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.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. even criticized Jay-Z, after Roc Nation’s proposal was rejected by the CAC last week, effectively ending Hov’s aspirations of constructing a casino in Times Square.

“There’s a theme in Queens, and I know that Nas was a part of this: Queens get the money. Sorry, Jay-Z, we win again,” Richards quipped. “You can let the Brooklyn borough president know that I send my regards to him.”

In addition to a cutting-edge casino and 30 dining options, Resorts World will unveil an entertainment venue with a capacity for 7,000 people, offering concerts, games, and events to the region.

According to Covers, NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith will contribute to the development of a sports and media complex at the Resorts World campus.

The Resorts World project aims to create 24,000 new jobs in Queens and generate $1 million in revenue in its first year of operation.

Resorts World wasn't the only proposal to receive positive news; MGM Empire Casino's application to upgrade its racino to a full-service casino in Yonkers was also approved, leaving one gaming license still available for New York.

“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,” Nas stated in March 2024 when he joined Resorts World, “Clearly, with this project, the world is ours.”