Queens Resorts World expansion approved, Times Square bid stalls

A New York City advisory committee on September 25 unanimously approved a $5.5 billion expansion of Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct Park in Southeast Queens, a proposal backed by rapper Nas, while a rival Times Square plan backed by Roc Nation failed to secure the committee's support. The decision clears a key local hurdle for the Queens project and leaves the Times Square bid unlikely to advance.

The Community Advisory Committee’s unanimous vote advances Resorts World’s plan to redevelop and expand the Aqueduct site into one of the largest casino complexes in the country. Project proponents say the development would encompass roughly 350,000 square feet, include a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, and add a sports complex being developed with NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Resorts World officials say the campus could open as soon as July 2026 if it receives final approval from the State Gaming Commission.

Backers have offered economic projections intended to bolster the application. Resorts World representatives say the project could create about 24,000 new jobs across construction and operations and generate roughly $1 million in new revenue in its first year. The proposal...