Photo: NYRA/Adam Coglianese
Yesterday, Friday, October 28, 2011 at 1:00 PM, exactly one year to the day after the ground-breaking ceremony, the Resorts World New York Casino opened its doors for business after a late-morning ribbon cutting ceremony.
Tens of thousands of visitors attended the opening, arriving via the A Train North Conduit subway stop, the Q37 bus stop and even nearby JFK International Airport. By the end of 2011 the property will feature a new covered skybridge connecting the Aqueduct MTA station directly to the casino.
Photo: Lois Engel
On their way to the Times Square Casino, visitors pass through an entrance featuring a “Light of Nations” sculpture, with 193 individual hand-blown glass bulbs representing each of the United Nations member countries around the globe.
Photo: NYRA/Adam Coglianese
The Times Square Casino contains 2,485 Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) and Electronic Table Games (ETGs). The Bar 360 Lounge offers panoramic views of Aqueduct Racetrack and the Aqueduct Buffet offers a variety of dining options.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, KT Lim, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Genting Group, the parent company of Resorts World said, “We are incredibly grateful to the leaders of the State of New York and the Lottery for allowing us the privilege of opening this wonderful facility. Since breaking ground a year ago, we have had the extraordinary experience of working with a dedicated group of government, civic and political leaders, a tremendous construction crew and a welcoming community.”
Michael Speller, President of Resorts World New York added, “We are thrilled to welcome the public to this extraordinary new entertainment venue which will permanent employ 1,350 New Yorkers, of which 89 percent are either minority and women. With 41,000 applicants for these 1,350 jobs, Resorts World New York City will work hard with the State and leadership to find more ways to create even more jobs – as many as tens of thousands – on our site as soon as possible. Today’s grand opening was the chance for our employees to share with first of many guests the truly unique experience of Resorts World Casino New York City.”
NYTB Director Vivien Malloy (Photo: Lois Engel)
After attending the opening, NYTB Director and Secretary/Treasurer Vivien Malloy reported, “It was awesome, with plenty of windows and huge wide decks to go out and see the track and this is only the first floor!” Mrs. Malloy added, “There were tons of people waiting to come in, and that was only one side of the building. From the other side was an equally long line of people.” NYTB director Lois Engel forwarded photos.
By the end of the year, Resorts World will unveil the 5th Avenue Casino and Crockfords Casino on the second floor featuring 2,515 additional VLTs and ETGs; the Central Park Events Center housing the largest event space in Queens; and new upscale signature dining options like RW Prime Steakhouse and the authentic Chinese-themed Genting Palace.
Photo: Lois Engel
At the time of the opening, the crowd lined up at the entrances began a brief chant of “Open the gate!” Friday afternoon, Speller released the following statement:
“We are overcome with the absolutely wonderful welcome the new Resorts World Casino New York City at Aqueduct has received today. Due to overwhelming demand at the much-anticipated grand opening, we ask that visitors who would prefer to not wait on line please come back and visit Resorts World next week, once the excitement around opening day subsides somewhat.”
Lois Engel added, “When I left the Island, the traffic reports were to avoid Rockaway Blvd. because it was gridlock with the traffic from the racino.”
