NYC's First Full Casino Opens in Queens

0:00It's April 28th, I'm Corey with The Story, and this is Entertainment and Celebrity News today, your AI-powered entertainment report. New York City just got its first full casino with live table games. Resorts were owed in Queens opened up Tuesday, packing over 200 dealer-led spots like Blackjack, Crap's, Vacherad, and Roulette, plus more than two. 1,500 slot machines. It's a big upgrade from the slots only setup they've run for over a decade, right by AquaDug Race Track near John F. Kennedy Airport. They're not stopping there. The spot plans to add even more tables in slot soon, backed by a massive $5.5 billion expansion. That includes a new hotel, restaurants, a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, and over 12 acres of fresh green space on their 72. Acres site. The opening had everyone hyped, with company execs, elected officials, and locals rolling ceremonial dice to celebrate. Rapper Nas, who's a partner in the project, showed up for the fanfare.

1:03It's a milestone after years of pushing for full gaming in the city. This is one of three spots that snag state licenses to run full casinos here. Billionaire Steve Cohen wants an $8.1 billion hard rock set up near city field in Queens, with a hotel and performance space. Bally's is eyeing a $4 billion build at Fairy Point Golf Course in the Bronx, packing in events and dining. But those are years out. Right now, New York's got four full casinos upstate with tables, and nine other halls without them, all pretty far from Manhattan. Resorts world changes the game for city gamblers, kicking off a new era close to home.