Nas Joins Resort World’s $5B Casino Expansion in Queens

Hip-Hop icon Nas has partnered with Resorts World New York City on a $5 billion expansion plan for a casino in Queens. The vision of Aqueduct Park is to transform the casino in Nas’ hometown, into a full-fledged establishment that mirrors the company’s properties in Las Vegas.

According to a press release, the project will expand the casino floor to 350,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world. It will also include 3000 Units of Workforce House, more than 50 acres of new and dedicated park space, and new transit connections to JFK and Manhattan.

In a statement, Nas spoke about the vision behind the “state-of-the-art entertainment and gaming destination in Southeast Queens,” and how the partnership can positively impact the entire region.

“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent, and build up the next generation of leaders. Clearly, with this project, the world is ours,” Nas said.

At the announcement, RWNYC pledged $50 million in start-up funding for the new Genting Innovation Campus, which will include the Kenny “The Jet” Smith Academy, a Community Health and Wellness Center, a Queen’s STEAM Institute, a brand new entertainment venue, Greenspace, luxury hotel and Conference Center and an additional $20 million allocated for related initiatives throughout New York.

Kenny “The Jet” Smith, current host of “NBA Today,” gave the redevelopment project a ringing endorsement.

“Resorts World came to me with a clear goal of fostering tomorrow’s athletes, student-athletes, and leaders both on and off the court. Their investment in this Academy will help us teach the next generation the nuances of the game on and off the court, as well as the social, economic, and cultural impact of sports. I’m thrilled to partner with them to improve the borough that raised me and take it to the next level,” Smith said.

After the success of RWNYC, Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting America East, stated the expansion across the “Empire State” was the next step in the growth of the company and community.

“When we stood here more than a dozen years ago to break ground on Resorts World New York City, our vision extended well beyond that already-ambitious original plan — today, that vision can soon become a reality,” Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting America East, shared in a statement.