Resorts World New York City has asked lawmakers for a clearer payment structure as its dispute with state gaming regulators grows into a potential $500m fight.
Good to Know
Resorts World New York City only recently became the first full-scale commercial casino in New York City, but one of the biggest financial questions tied to the licence now sits in Albany.
The Queens casino, owned by Genting, wants legislation that would let the New York State Gaming Commission send horse racing support payments directly from the commercial gaming revenue fund. That fund receives casino tax revenue and supports state priorities such as education and transportation.
The dispute centers on one number: 56%. Resorts World NYC used that slot machine tax rate in its commercial casino bid and says the rate was “inclusive of racing support.” Regulators, according to reports, have taken a different view and see the racing money as an added obligation.
That gap could cost more than $500m over four years. Racing support payments now sit above $150m annually. Under current rules, Resorts World NYC would carry the full amount until Hard Rock Metropolitan Park in Queens and Bally’s Bronx begin operations, which may not happen before 2030.
For background, the New York State Gaming Commission approved three downstate commercial casino licences in December 2025: Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Resorts World New York City. Resorts World then added live table games in April 2026, turning the former Aqueduct video lottery terminal site into a full casino.
New York has long used gambling revenue to support horse racing, education and public services. That setup makes the payment mechanism important, not just the final amount.
Resorts World NYC says the proposed law would clarify how the money flows. The company says it does not want to cut its agreed tax burden. Instead, it wants the Gaming Commission to make racing payments from the state fund that already receives commercial casino taxes.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo, chair of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, said the disagreement comes from different readings of what the 56% rate covered. The New York State Gaming Commission has not publicly commented on the proposed plan.
A legal fix would matter for more than one casino. New York just entered a new phase of downstate gaming after years of political fights, local reviews and casino bidding. A dispute over tax language at Resorts World NYC may shape how the state handles future casino payments, racing subsidies and licence commitments.