NEW YORK | Resorts World Casino Expansion

[NYguy]

Aqueduct racing track will close later this year, as the rebuilt Belmont will have year 'round racing. At that point, what will happen with the property remains to be seen. While Resorts World has proposed a huge residential development, the process will probably go to an RFP.



https://nypost.com/2026/01/22/lifestyle/inside-the-new-super-projects-coming-to-nyc/

Let’s mega deal: Developers are placing their bets on NYC with fun, large-scale super projects


By Lois Weiss
Jan. 22, 2026

Over the next few years, the Big Apple will boom with playful mega-developments.

Fresh markets, three new casinos — complete with hotels and entertainment venues — a revamped horse racing facility and a new soccer stadium will make the Big Apple feel even bigger.

Pair that with tons of affordable housing, new office towers and acres of green spaces and you’ve got lots to look forward to.

.....racing fans will rejoice as Belmont Park is getting a snazzy $455 million upgrade that will open on Sept. 18.

The new 300,000-square-foot, five-story grandstand was designed by Populous and will include premium Champion Suites, as well as updated technology and hospitality areas for fans. All four of Belmont’s racetracks are being entirely rebuilt while the horses will enjoy new stables.

Although the running of the Belmont Stakes will be bumped again to Saratoga Race Course for 2026, the third leg of the Triple Crown will return to the new Belmont in 2027. Thanks to a push by Marc Holliday of SL Green, who also heads the New York Racing Association, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will also be held at Belmont Oct. 29 to 30, 2027, for the first time since 2005.

When Belmont opens, Queens’ other racetrack, Aqueduct, will close and its 210 acres will be redeveloped, likely with housing and amenities. The Resorts World Casino attached to the track finally got the nod from New York State to become a full-fledged casino with table games. They’ll start rolling dice around the end of March.

Resorts World will add to its current pool of 5,500 slot and electronic games, spending $5.5 billion to build a new 500,000-square-foot gaming floor with 6,000 slot machines and 800 live table games. In addition to the existing 400-room Hyatt Regency, Resorts will develop another 2,000 hotel rooms, plus a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, tons of new parking and 12 acres of improved open space.

Owned by Genting Group, Resorts World’s also promised a $2 billion community benefits package with a commitment to build up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across the five boroughs.

A state-of-the-art Resorts World Innovation Campus with the Jet Center — a sports and media complex led by Queens native and NBA legend Kenny “the Jet” Smith — a community health and wellness center and a Queens STEAM Institute are also planned.