Genting’s Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) has raised the stakes in the race for a full commercial casino license in downstate New York, pledging a massive US $2.5 billion contribution to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) during its first four years of operation. The proposed figure would single-handedly exceed the US $1.8 billion the MTA had projected to collect from all three casino licenses combined.
In a statement released on Friday, RWNYC detailed its revised financial forecast, which includes an upfront license fee of US $600 million and US $1.9 billion in tax payments to the MTA between 2026 and 2029. The company said the improved projection reflects both its operational readiness and the recent withdrawal of MGM Resorts from the licensing race, which could leave RWNYC as the only full commercial casino operating in downstate New York until at least 2030.
Parent company Genting Malaysia Berhad confirmed that it could open a permanent integrated resort featuring 4,000 slot machines and 250 table games by June 2026, just six months after being awarded the license. A further 150 tables are planned to be added by January 2027 within the same complex. Even in the best-case scenario, competing bids are unlikely to open before 2030.
“This is not just a casino expansion—it’s a transformative economic development project that will keep New York City moving in every way,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “Resorts World New York City is the only bidder that can deliver a steady stream of new revenue for the MTA starting in 2026. This is our promise to New Yorkers who rely on public transportation every day.”
Beyond the MTA contribution, RWNYC’s proposal includes US $2 billion for education and US $500 million to the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to support the state’s equine and racing industries. Genting’s broader plan envisions a US $7.5 billion integrated resort expansion with US $2 billion in community benefits, positioning RWNYC as one of the largest entertainment and hospitality projects in the United States.
Analysts view the move as both strategic and symbolic—an effort by Genting to demonstrate immediate fiscal value amid a politically sensitive licensing process. With the promise of thousands of jobs, billions in tax revenue, and rapid deployment, RWNYC’s proposal could define New York’s casino landscape for the next decade.
