Hogan Lovells represents Resorts World New York City in bid to develop US$5.5 billion integrated casino resort in Queens

RWNYC’s proposal builds on community partnerships and aims to transform Queens into a destination for gaming, hospitality, and entertainment. The 73-acre project will offer premier amenities serving the local community, the tri-state area, and international travelers. Table games and full commercial casino slot machine operations could launch within six months of receiving a Gaming Facility License.

RWNYC’s bid is the only one of its scale and readiness capable of generating incremental revenue quickly, providing value to New York State. It also represents one of the largest privately funded economic development projects in the state.

The proposed integrated resort is expected to create approximately 5,000 union construction jobs and would feature a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slot machines and 800 table games; 2,000 hotel rooms; a 7,000-seat entertainment venue; over 30 food and beverage outlets; large-scale meeting space; more than 10 acres of community greenspace; and parking for over 7,000 vehicles, along with other resort amenities.

The new resort would expand RWNYC’s permanent workforce from 1,000 to 5,000 jobs across gaming, hospitality, food and beverage, security, and maintenance. More than half of these new hires would come from Queens and begin work within six months of casino operations.

The proposal was developed in collaboration with community partners and elected officials and includes a commitment to invest US$50 million back into the community through support for local organizations, charitable efforts, and infrastructure improvements. With deep community ties and a focus on inclusive growth, RWNYC’s plan aims to deliver significant economic and social benefits to Queens and New York State.

Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) is the Big Apple’s only casino-hotel and has generated more than US$4.5 billion for the State’s public education system since 2011. RWNYC fulfills the decades-long mission to turn the historic Aqueduct Racetrack into a gaming destination with approximately 5,500 slot machines and electronic table gaming. RWNYC is operated by the Genting Group, a global company founded in 1965, with destination resorts in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Las Vegas, Bimini, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

The Hogan Lovells team was led by partners Ross Moskowitz, Trevor Adler, and Karen Scanna, with support from counsel John Egnatios-Beene and associate Brandon Hamroff.