4 FEBRUARY 17, 2022 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
A full casino license for Resorts World New York
City would be ‘a boon’ for the local community
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
After advocating for mobile
sports betting for the past
three years, state Senator
Joseph Addabbo marveled at the
record-shattering debut that saw New
Yorkers wager $1.6 billion in the fi rst
three weeks, according to the state’s
gaming commission — smashing the
previous U.S. record of $1.3 billion
held by New Jersey.
Now, Addabbo would like to see
Resorts World New York City, in his
district, get one of the full casino
licenses Governor Kathy Hochul announced
she would issue in New York
City.
“I think Resorts World deserves it,”
Addabbo told QNS. “They’ve proven
to be a great neighbor and a true
economic engine in our district.”
He said since opening in 2011, Resorts
World New York City (RWNYC)
— located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd.
— has generated more than $3 billion
for New York’s education fund.
RWNYC has also created hundreds
of good-paying union jobs and a full
casino license would add hundreds
more to its workforce.
When Hochul announced the inclusion
of downstate casino licenses
in her executive budget last month,
Addabbo said it presented a fi scal
path forward during diffi cult economic
times.
“I believe the inclusion of expediting
the three full casino licenses for
our downstate region has the potential
to bring in $1.5 billion in revenue
for the state, additional educational
funding and improvements to problem
gambling programs,” Addabbo
State Senator Joseph Addabbo is among the Queens leaders who would like to see Resorts World NYC to land
one of the full casino licenses Governor Kathy Hochul has earmarked for the downstate area. QNS fi le photo
said. “I look forward to continuing
to work with the Hochul administration
and the Gaming Commission
to ensure that gaming in the state
expands and advances in a credible,
meaningful manner.”
Addabbo is not alone in his beliefs.
In an op-ed written for QNS, Councilwoman
Nantasha Williams off ered
her support in Resorts World’s bid for
a full casino license, saying they have
proven their commitment through
their relief eff orts for the victims of
Hurricane Sandy and again recently
with the fl ooding that followed Hurricane
Ida.
“Southeast Queens was disproportionately
harmed by the pandemic.
With Resorts World, we can build
a better future with an intentional
recovery that puts community fi rst,”
Williams wrote. “If Resorts World’s
location in Queens was granted an
expanded license, it would directly
create hundreds of good-paying
union jobs in an area that needs it
most.”
A full casino license means that in
addition to its 6,500 slots and electronic
table games, Resorts World
would be able to introduce live
dealers at table games such as poker,
blackjack and roulette on two levels
of gaming space.
RWNYC also features food and
drink options to serve guests including
Sugar Factory, Bar360, RW
Prime Steakhouse, Queens Burger
and Good Friends Noodle House.
Last summer The Hyatt Regency
JFK Airport at Resorts World New
York opened to the public featuring
400 guest rooms, a fitness center,
state-of-the-art conference and meeting
spaces.
“Resorts World’s presence in southeast
Queens has been a boon for the
local community,” Queens Chamber
of Commerce President and CEO Tom
Grech said. “Since opening in 2011,
they have brought economic activity
to the area that supports local small
businesses, created good-paying jobs
for residents, generated billions in
tax revenue and provided resources
for vital community-based organizations.
Allowing them to expand their
operations will allow them to support
even more families, businesses and
community-based organizations.”
Resorts World New York City is already
the state’s largest taxpayer and
the infrastructure is already in place
to expand with a full casino license.
“Gaming in downstate New York is
full of untapped potential and Governor
Hochul’s initiative to award
additional casino licenses is a big
step toward showcasing the state’s
enormous promise,” an RWNYC
spokesperson told QNS. “If granted a
full casino license, we are uniquely
positioned to immediately elevate our
support for the state in a number of
signifi cant ways. On day one, we’ll
be able to hire and train hundreds
of new union members, generate additional
revenue for public schools,
and drive economic activity for local
small businesses and the Queens
community. This is an exciting time
for New Yorkers and we are proud to
be on the frontlines of the action.”
The 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York
opened last summer. Photo by Gabrielle Holtermann
link
/WWW.QNS.COM
link
