NEW YORK | Resorts World New York (Casino)

[patriotizzy]

Very cool. Too soon to be asking for new construction apparently

Thanks!

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by patriotizzy

Very cool. Too soon to be asking for new construction apparently

Thanks!

Yeah, although the first phase is supposed to open this year, with completion next year....

Construction of the casino – which will house 4,500 slot machines and be known as Resorts World New York – has hit some delays, first in the permit process and then with asbestos abatement.

Initially, Genting New York, the company in charge of building the casino, had hoped to open part of the casino in May. More than likely, the casino won’t be ready to open until late summer.

According to Hal Handel, NYRA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, Genting will soon begin doing some structural steel reinforcement work outside, which will include heavy machinery and could create a significant amount of noise. In addition, construction crews are still in the midst of dismantling the Aqueduct grandstand.

“Really, everything they accomplish after the next two months is based on how much they get done in the next two months,’’ Handel said Friday. “Their construction company said to us they thought this could speed the whole process up as much as four to eight weeks.’’

Still, I admit they are further along than I had expected.

Another look at their construction updates...
http://www.rwnewyork.com/construction/index.htm

Dining options...
http://www.rwnewyork.com/dining/index.htm

Entertainment...
http://www.rwnewyork.com/entertainment/index.htm

[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...duct_work.html

Diversity reigns in awarding Aqueduct Racetrack entertainment center work



BY Mark Morales
February 22nd 2011

Settling on a plan to transform Aqueduct Racetrack into an entertainment hub complete with a casino has sparked its share of controversy over the years.

But with the plan now in motion, it is setting an example for others to follow - at least in one regard.

Of the 60 contracts awarded so far by general contractor Tutor Perini, 24 have gone to businesses certified by the state as being owned by minorities or women, according to figures released by project developer Resorts World New York.

When the company was tapped to overhaul Aqueduct, in South Ozone Park, it agreed to award at least 25% of the contracts for construction and other services to so-called Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises. So far, it is ahead of the game, awarding 40% of its contracts to registered MWBEs.

In addition, $135 million worth of contracts have gone to firms based in the New York City area, company officials said.

"We live in one of the most diverse cities in the nation and, for me, it's very important to represent that in everything we do," said Michael Speller, president of Resorts World New York.

Elizabeth Bifulco, 48, of Staten Island, is the owner and managing partner of Total Safety Consulting, based in Long Island City. The firm visits construction sites to make sure city and federal safety regulations are being followed.

Bifulco said running a her business in the male-dominated construction world is a challenge. But the deal to hire a certain percentage of MWBEs levels the playing field, she said.

"Sometimes you feel you have to work harder because it's a woman-owned company, but we're well-respected," she said.

Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order last Thursday to create a team of state agency heads and lawmakers that will try to increase to 20% the number of state contracts that go to MWBEs from the current 9%.

Betty Braton, chairwoman of Community Board 10, said she is satisfied with Resorts World New York's progress so far, especially its focus on hiring more MWBEs.

"Every indication is that they intend to meet that requirement and exceed it," Braton said.

Speller said he wants to assemble a team of contractors as diverse as the neighborhood the racino is in.

"It is representative of the nature of the community that we operate in and the city we live in," Speller said.

[NYguy]

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nat...ct-gaming.aspx

New York racing industry revives push for table games

February 22, 2011
by Paul Post

New York racing leaders are lauding a Bureau of Indians Affairs decision not to allow a proposed Indian casino in the Catskills, which they say would have negatively affected Aqueduct’s new racino.

The Wisconsin-based Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican wanted to open a full-service casino near Monticello, about two hours from New York City. Genting, which will operate the Aqueduct racino, said that an Indian casino in that location would lure gamblers from the New York market because of added opportunities such as poker and table games.

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association president Rick Violette said Genting had already started to alter its Aqueduct plans in reaction to the Indian deal, which former Gov. David Paterson unveiled in December, shortly after Genting gave the state a $350-million licensing fee to run Aqueduct’s racino.

“It affected how Genting was thinking and proceeding,” said Violette, who is also a NYRA board member. “I think they still have to be a little leery about what kind of partner New York State is, that they could do that to a firm that has just plopped down $350 million.”

New York’s racino operators, including Genting, have formed an alliance and are pushing the state to allow full-casino gaming at racinos, where only slot-like video gaming machines are now allowed. Rejection of the Catskills Indian casino is expected to fuel those efforts.

[NYguy]

http://blog.timesunion.com/horseraci...ursday-2/6710/

No racing at the Big A on Thursday

March 3, 2011
by Tim Wilkin

Thursday’s nine-race card at Aqueduct Race Track was called off and the reason was not weather related.

As a result of construction at the track, a 600-pair wire running from Rockaway Boulevard into Aqueduct was accidentally severed, resulting in the loss of all tote communications. There will also be no simulcasting at the Big A.

The New York Racing Association is hoping the problem will be repaired to allow for live racing and simulcasting on Friday.

[NYguy]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/q...FYsMbyblg9sq0I

...The crew was working on the much-anticipated Aqueduct casino, which is slated to open in late summer with 4,500 slot machines.

...Much of Aqueduct's old grandstand lies in rubble on the track apron, part of the preparation for Genting's Resorts World New York VLT casino. Last month, approximately 350 horses stabled at Aqueduct were moved to Belmont Park, and training at the Big A will be closed until April 4.

NYRA will close the Aqueduct backstretch for about six weeks to help speed up construction.

World Resorts Genting, a Malaysian firm, paid the state $380 million for the right to construct the $1.3 billion casino project.

The project is expected to bring more than 2,000 jobs to the area -- including 1,300 in construction and another 800 full-time gigs once the racino is up and running.

More than two-thirds of the profits generated from the racino will go in the state's coffers, mostly to education funding.

New construction will include a skywalk connecting the racino to Aqueduct's A-train subway station.

Construction update...
http://www.rwnewyork.com/construction/index.htm

[NYguy]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/q...mc3AzL4kexZ80I

Big A racino to slot in early

By CARL CAMPANILE
March 18, 2011

By late summer, New Yorkers seeking to spend the day gambling won't have to risk taking a bus to an out-of-state casino.

Resorts World NY, the planned Aqueduct slots casino, yesterday announced a three-month speedup in development -- with 2,500 video-lottery terminals up and running by late summer.

The accelerated timetable comes days after a Bronx bus crash on I-95 killed 15 passengers returning from Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

The original Aqueduct plan had called for 1,600 video-lottery terminals in time for the grand opening and the other 2,000 by spring 2012.

Also, a skybridge will link the racino to the A-train station by year's end.

"If you're coming from Chinatown, all you have to do is get on the A train," said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Queens), whose district includes Aqueduct in Ozone Park.

[NYguy]

Looks like the entire thing will be complete ths year...


http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...d=574908&rfi=6

Aqueduct casino project set on the fast track



by Anna Gustafson, Assistant Editor
03/24/2011

The Aqueduct racino in South Ozone Park will open this summer with 900 more Video Lottery Terminals than originally expected, officials involved with the project announced last week.

The casino at Aqueduct Race Track will open its doors late this summer and will include 2,500 video lottery terminals — far more than the previous estimate of 1,600, representatives from Resorts World New York Casino said.

“This accelerated schedule will allow for not only a more robust opening and better customer experience with more food and beverage facilities than previously planned, but the completion of the facility, including the operation of all 4,525 video lottery terminals, by the end of 2011, three months ahead of schedule,” said Mike Speller, president of Resorts World New York Casino.

There will now be two phases, not three, in the casino project. The first phase will also include a main entry, an international buffet and a parking garage, which was not called for in the original plans.

A food court and a bar and entertainment space, will also open in the initial phase. Phase two of the project will include the remaining 2,000 VLTs, two fine dining restaurants, and a bar with views of the entertainment.

The gaming facility at Aqueduct Race Track, which will be the city’s first casino, is expected to employ more than 1,000 workers and generate at least $300 million in annual state revenue, according to officials with franchise operator Genting New York.

______________________________


http://www.queenscourier.com/article...c990080524.txt
Aqueduct Racino is ahead of schedule



BY STEVE MOSCO
March 24, 2011

And down the stretch they come – three months ahead of schedule.

Resorts World New York, the latest incarnation of the Aqueduct Racino in South Ozone Park, announced a condensed opening schedule on Thursday, March 17. The new timetable will allow the cutting-edge casino at Aqueduct Raceway to open its doors with far more components in place months earlier than expected.

...According to Speller, not only will more VLTs be operational when the first stage launches but the main entry – the porte cochere – the international buffet and the parking garage will be part of the initial opening as well.

Other elements opening in phase one include a seven-outlet food court, The 360 Bar and entertainment space and a grab-and-go quick food outlet. All elements slated for phase three completion are now opening in phase two, which is set to be completed by the end of 2011.

One of those components will be the hotly anticipated sky bridge connecting the A train station directly to the casino entrance.

Other phase two elements, aside from the remaining 2,000 VLTs, include two fine dining restaurants, Genting Palace and RW Prime; an additional grab-and-go food outlet; Colony Lounge and VIP Crockfords Casino; and another bar with views of the first floor entertainment bar.

[NYguy]

ny1

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[Godwindaniel]

Pragmatically speaking, this is not really as much a question of morality or restitution, as it is a matter of law. I believe Native American land is soverien (at least to a degree) and as such outside the jusidiction of Federal, State, and local govt. And there Sir McDuff, lies the rub.

[NYguy]

March 29th construction update...
http://www.rwnewyork.com/construction/index.htm

[NYguy]

Construction update (April 5)
http://www.rwnewyork.com/construction/index.htm

[NYguy]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/i...3WNQzDw4MdL7oJ

Indian, Nassau bigs have a bettor idea

By SELIM ALGAR
April 18, 2011

One-armed bandits could join hockey players at the Nassau Coliseum.

A memorandum of understanding between the Shinnecock Indians of Southampton and Nassau County executives on using all or part of the site for a gaming facility is close to completion, a tribal source told The Post.

The tribe said it would prefer not to host gaming on its Hamptons reservation and offered to settle a pending claim on thousands of pricey East End acres in exchange for off-site gaming rights.

Such a deal would be a jackpot for residents of the summer playground of the rich and famous -- who have been whining about traffic jams and other problems they believe the facility would cause.

Emboldened by their federal recognition as a tribe last June, the Shinnecocks hope to establish a casino in Nassau and one closer to their reservation.

Possible sites for the Suffolk County facility include a parcel in Yaphank and Brookhaven Airport in Shirley.

The tribe is also factoring into its plans the new racino that will soon open at Aqueduct, next to JFK Airport.

As of now, that facility will be able to take bets only on horses and video slots.

The Post has learned of back-channel discussions between the Shinnecocks and Genting International, Aqueduct's operator, about a possible joint operation of the Long Island and Queens facilities.

The federal regulations that would govern a Shinnecock facility allow for table games.

"Why would someone drive out to Suffolk County if they can hop over to Aqueduct?" said a member of the Suffolk County Gaming Task Force. "That is playing into their thinking here."

Genting denied holding talks with the Shinnecocks.

But even if the memorandum is signed by both sides, it's still not a sure thing.

It would be only the first step in a sale of all or part of the 77-acre coliseum parcel to the Shinnecocks. The National Hockey League's Islanders would not necessarily be left in the cold -- they might also get a facility on the site.

The tribe would still face a series of legal hurdles before the dice could roll.

To host gaming off reservation land, a parcel must first be placed into a trust by the federal government. Only four off-reservation casinos have ever been approved nationally, and a Supreme Court decision last year bars tribes recognized after 1934 from having land placed into trusts.

The Shinnecocks have lobbied President Obama to take action on that restriction.

The tribe would also have to successfully negotiate a gaming compact with the state that would specify, among other things, Albany's take from the gambling.

A high state official told The Post the proposed agreement appears iffy, because both the legislature and the governor would have to sign off.

And, the official said, the feds are unlikely to take non-Indian land and turn it into Indian land.

That problem derailed the proposed Indian casino in the Catskills -- and that had gotten legislative approval.

[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/mo....html?r=sports

Summer opening is the target date for Aqueduct casino


Genting New York president Michael Speller points out the fast-moving construction of the casino at Aqueduct.

BY Jerry Bossert
April 30th 2011

Racing throughout the country has been in a steady decline, but that may turn around soon in New York.

Friday, members of the press were given a tour of the gutted-out grandstand at Aqueduct, which is scheduled to hold a multilevel, 415,000 square foot casino - Resorts World Casino New York, run by Genting, the world's largest gaming operator. A summer opening is the target date.

The two-floor casino will offer more than 4,500 video lottery terminals (slot machines), and will have an additional third floor for conferences, concerts - and possibly in the future, space for table games, which are currently not allowed by law in New York.

Instead, the casino will offer ETGs - Electronic Table Games - in their place.

"If there's an opportunity for table games down the road, we'd be very happy to be a part of it," said Michael Speller, president of Genting New York. "Tax revenues are escaping to nearby states."

Last rebuilt in 1959 at a cost of $34.5 million, Aqueduct has slowly decayed over the years and became an eyesore to anyone who visited the aging facility.

The first floor will include a full-circle bar, enclosing a 28-foot stage, with a 16-by-30 foot high-definition screen above it. The floor also will include a seven-outlet food court, two buffets and 2,500 VLTs.

Stage two of the construction, which is expected to be completed at the end of the year, will include another 2,000 VLTs and two signature restaurants - RW Prime, a steakhouse and Genting Palace, a Chinese restaurant.

Currently, there are 1,300 construction jobs at the facility, featuring two 10-hour shifts trying to complete the first stage.

The casino will provide 1,000 full-time jobs to the community, something Speller emphasized several times during the tour.

A six-floor, 2,500-space garage is being built, along with a new enclosed crosswalk that will lead from the A-train subway station to the casino.

For the racing fan, there will be many places to view the live cards at Aqueduct, including several platforms where spectators will be able to exit the casino and look at the track.

Monitors will be available throughout the casino to watch the races, but to wager, you will have to go to the race-track side of the building.

http://www.rwnewyork.com/construction/index.htm
(April 27)

[J. Will]

Do the other racetracks in the Metro NY area like Meadowlands have casinos in them?

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by J. Will

Do the other racetracks in the Metro NY area like Meadowlands have casinos in them?

Empire City Casino in Yonkers is built on the Yonkers Raceway site. It's one of the highest-grossing casinos on the planet (due to current lack of competition).

They're debating whether to allow a casino at Belmont Park (Queens-Long Island border). The issue is that it's a beautiful facility and Triple Crown site, so a casino might be inappropriate immediately on-site.

There has also been debate about allowing a casino at the Meadowlands Racetrack. So far, NJ has decided to hold off for now, because they feel it could threaten A.C.

The big upcoming casino, however, will be the Shinnecock casino, which will probably be located in Nassau County, Long Island (though Queens and Suffolk County are under consideration). The feds approved this casino last year.

This facility will be massive.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Crawford

There has also been debate about allowing a casino at the Meadowlands Racetrack. So far, NJ has decided to hold off for now, because they feel it could threaten A.C.

I don't think NJ will allow it because A.C. is already hurting from regional competition, including Pennsylvania.

The big upcoming casino, however, will be the Shinnecock casino, which will probably be located in Nassau County, Long Island (though Queens and Suffolk County are under consideration). The feds approved this casino last year. This facility will be massive.

There are already initial talks about joint operations.

A memorandum of understanding between the Shinnecock Indians of Southampton and Nassau County executives on using all or part of the site for a gaming facility is close to completion, a tribal source told The Post.

...Emboldened by their federal recognition as a tribe last June, the Shinnecocks hope to establish a casino in Nassau and one closer to their reservation.

...The tribe is also factoring into its plans the new racino that will soon open at Aqueduct, next to JFK Airport.

As of now, that facility will be able to take bets only on horses and video slots.

The Post has learned of back-channel discussions between the Shinnecocks and Genting International, Aqueduct's operator, about a possible joint operation of the Long Island and Queens facilities.

The federal regulations that would govern a Shinnecock facility allow for table games.

[NYguy]

http://www.rwnewyork.com/construction/index.htm

(Update May 10)

[NYguy]

http://www.queenscourier.com/article...8477381856.txt

Aqueduct now a 'Career Track'

BY STEVE MOSCO
May 11, 2011

One of the borough’s largest “Now Hiring” signs just went up at Aqueduct.

Resorts World New York, developers of the Aqueduct Racino in South Ozone Park, has officially launched its hiring process for permanent positions at the facility – with the majority of those jobs likely going to the local community.

In an announcement on Tuesday, May 10, Mike Speller, president of Resorts World Casino New York, said that the search for employees will focus on southern Queens. And according to Speller, they’re not just hiring for short-lived jobs, but for long-term careers.

Job applications and vendor proposals may be submitted through the “careers” and “vendor forums” sections of Resorts World’s web site, www.rwnewyork.com.

Speller’s announcement marks the official beginning phase of hiring more than 900 workers expected to staff the casino in such fields as entertainment, hospitality, security and food services.

“With so many Queens neighborhoods plagued by high levels of unemployment, Resorts World’s permanent staffing outreach could not be more timely,” he said. “There are some terrific opportunities at Resorts World out there for Queens residents and local businesses looking for work. Few employees offer so many job and vendor possibilities in such a wide range of fields.”

The decision to offer the lion’s share of jobs to local residents is a strategic one. Kevin Bogle, vice president of human resources at Resorts World, said that the new casino will have the flair and flavor of the diverse neighborhood where it stands – this will add to the uniqueness of the facility.

_______________________


http://www.yournabe.com/articles/201...o_20110519.txt
Tribe mulling plans for Aqueduct racino rival




By Howard Koplowitz
May 19, 2011

The Shinnecock Nation said it has received an offer to build a casino at Belmont Race Track in Nassau, which could put a dent into profits for the Aqueduct racino in Queens that is slated to open in late summer.

Beverly Jensen, a spokeswoman for the Southampton, L.I.-based tribe, said the Shinnecocks have not made a final decision on where to build a casino.

The tribe gained federal recognition early last year, which makes it eligible to run a casino.

“We have not decided where to put a casino,” Jensen said, rejecting rumors that the Shinnecock were set on building a casino at Belmont in Elmont, L.I., on the other side of the border from Queens. “We haven’t selected a site yet. It’s been offered to us and we’ve looked at it and we’re making a decision.”

If the Shinnecocks were to build a casino at Belmont, which is only 10 1/2 miles away from Aqueduct, it would surely take business away from Genting New York, the developer of the racino at the South Ozone Park track.

While the Shinnecocks are undecided as to where to construct a casino, the tribe has ruled out building one near its reservation in Southampton because it believes the reservation is too small for a gaming parlor.

A Genting spokesman said the company had no comment.

A Belmont casino may be more attractive to southeast Queens residents since the Elmont line has a Long Island Rail Road stop that easily connects it to the Jamaica LIRR station.

The racino at Aqueduct, called Resorts World New York, is expected to be up and running with 1,600 of 4,500 video lottery terminals by late summer.

In the early stages of awarding the VLT contract, the Shinnecock proposed their own plans for a casino at Aqueduct, but the project did not have the blessings of the area’s elected officials.

State Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach) said the Shinnecock plan was “too ambitious” because it called for table games such as blackjack and roulette.

But the Aqueduct project can only legally have VLTs — a form of slot machines — and not table games.

[NYguy]

Construction update from rwnewyork.com

(June 13, 2011)