Daily News
October marks Resorts World Casino New York City’s successful two-year anniversary. Since opening in 2011, Resorts World Casino has quickly become one of the city’s most popular entertainment destinations. While we should always be mindful of the pitfalls of gaming, Resorts World Casino also offers a true entertainment experience — concerts, events and great restaurants. The second anniversary marks two years of job creation, thriving business, and remarkable improvements and revitalization for our community and borough.
Merely two years old, Resorts World Casino has created nearly 2,000 jobs, with more than half going to local Queens residents. In addition, the casino created hundreds of construction jobs, not just during the construction of its own incredible facility, but also in its efforts to revamp our community. This includes the construction of a new MTA subway station that now makes the casino, the Aqueduct Racetrack, and the surrounding community far more accessible via public transportation. And as voters decide on a November referendum to allow full gaming in our state, the potential of job creation and economic development at Resorts World can only grow.
While Resorts World Casino has directly created thousands of jobs, the enormous indirect impact continues to boost our local economy in Queens. The casino has proven to be an anchor for local businesses. While there are plenty of opportunities for partnerships around special events or promotions, the thousands of visitors going in and out of Resorts World Casino each day continues to exponentially increase commercial traffic in the surrounding area. I can only hope and expect this kind of pedestrian and vehicle traffic equates to business improvement in the coming years.
Resorts World Casino’s success has an extremely positive economic impact on our community, as well as a vast social impact. Just last month, Resorts World Casino hosted a blood drive for city hospitals, helping to meet the daily hospital demand of approximately 2,000 pints of blood and blood-related products. Meanwhile, dozens of community groups have been on the receiving end of generous donations from the Resorts World Gives foundation.
I believe everyone deserves an opportunity for great success. Resorts World Casino is helping to lift the community and enable greater access to quality jobs.
I am grateful to one of Queens’ strongest economic and social pillars as month after month, it continues to grow our borough’s economy and invest in local initiatives. After two years, it is clear that we have found a long-term partner in Resorts World Casino, one that is truly committed to our community and its residents.
Joseph Addabbo is a state Senator who lives in Ozone Park and represents the neighborhoods of south Queens. He is the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering.