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It’s been a rough go for Resorts World as of late. In New York, its sport betting app closed up shop on June 30. Even worse, in Las Vegas, their flagship property just paid one of the largest fines in Nevada betting history. Not exactly what you’d want on your resume when you’re trying to win one of the most coveted casino licenses in the country.
But Resorts World isn’t backing down. In fact, they’re throwing a Hail Mary to convince New York betting officials they deserve a shot at a commercial casino in Queens. With a $5.5 billion expansion plan and high-powered political allies, the Genting-owned company is looking to flip the narrative — and quickly.
This is the (attempted) comeback story of a gaming brand trying to clean up a messy year and reestablish itself as a frontrunner in the next great American casino race. Let’s dig into the details.
Resorts World Bet Exits New York Sports Betting
Alright, every good comeback story begins with the bad, and that’s where we start too. Let’s talk about that other exit in New York. The Resorts World sportsbook was one of the original nine that launched with the New York market in January 2022. Welp, it’s now the third of those nine to throw in the towel (WynnBet and PointsBet also sputtered out).
Resorts World Bet simply never found its footing in the Empire State. The sportsbook took in just $263 million in wagers through May 2025 — a sliver of the state’s total online handle, which is the nation’s best. In May alone, Resorts World pulled in just $769,000 in gross gaming revenue. For comparison, FanDuel did $108 million that same month.
Las Vegas Fine Casts Shadow
Now this issue is the real low point. Low because it’s way more visible than a lightly-used app in New York. Earlier this year, Resorts World Las Vegas was fined $10.5 million this for anti-money laundering failures — the second-largest fine ever levied by Nevada gaming regulators.
At the center of the scandal was a cast of unsavory characters, including Matt Bowyer, an illegal bookie tied to the Shohei Ohtani interpreter betting saga. Bowyer allegedly operated freely at Resorts World Las Vegas despite his known history. The resort even hired his wife as a personal host. Former president Scott Sibella, who allowed it all to happen, had his gaming license revoked. His replacement, Alex Dixon, lasted just a few months before being fired and demoted in May.
These issues haven’t gone unnoticed in New York. Brian O’Dwyer, chair of the New York State Gaming Commission, called the allegations “particularly disturbing” and said they pointed to “a culture of non-compliance.” That kind of baggage is hard to shake, especially when you’re trying to win political support for a new license.
The Big Bet in Queens
Despite the headwinds, Resorts World is going all-in on its Queens casino pitch. The company already operates Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct, a video lottery terminal facility. If granted a full license, that racino would expand into a massive commercial casino with full table games, thousands more slots, and a slate of new amenities.
The community advisory process began in July, and Resorts World came out swinging. Their pitch is simple: no one can match our size, location, or tax contributions. They’ve already paid $4.5 billion in taxes to the state since 2011. With a full license, they’re projecting $2.2 billion in annual revenue and up to $1 billion in yearly tax payments by 2027. Pitching politicians with a promise of paying more taxes? It’s genius, really.
Resorts World also has a major speed advantage. The property is already built. The infrastructure is in place. And if they get the green light, they say they can be operational by July 2026 — a full year ahead of rival bidder MGM Empire City in Yonkers.
Speaking of competitors, one of the flashiest bids comes from Caesars, which is eyeing a Times Square casino with rapper Jay-Z as its public face. In a not-so-subtle twist, Resorts World played a pre-recorded video from Nas during their Queens presentation. Our hip-hop heads know that Nas and Jay-Z were locked in one of rap’s most iconic feuds back in the day. While their bad blood has dissipated, it’s still ironic their names now headline rival casino bids in the city that made them famous.
A Risky But Calculated Push
Resorts World’s bid checks all the political boxes — tax base, labor support, and development speed. But they’re also dragging baggage. The Las Vegas scandal is serious. The sportsbook failure doesn’t help. And there are still plenty of unanswered questions about corporate culture and compliance oversight.
Still, if there’s one thing Genting understands, it’s the long game. Their executives talked about gaming in global terms — about transforming Queens into something that can rival Singapore or Macau. They’ve already invested heavily in New York. Now they’re asking the state to double down with them.
For Resorts World, this feels like a make-or-break moment. The sportsbook is gone. The stained reputation in Vegas isn’t going away anytime soon. But the Queens casino bid? That’s the comeback play — and they’re betting everything on it.
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