First Legal Poker Room in New York City to Open at Resorts World Queens

The poker community in New York City is on the verge of a historic milestone. For years, dedicated card players in the metropolis had to endure the long drive to Atlantic City, New Jersey, or Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut to sit at a legal poker table. This era is now coming to an end. Resorts World New York City, located in Queens near JFK Airport, is preparing to open the first official brick-and-mortar poker room within the city limits. According to industry insiders, the management is targeting December 17 for the grand opening.

The casino has already undergone a massive transformation this year. After years of only being allowed to offer electronic gaming machines, the facility secured one of three full casino licenses from the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) in December 2025. This milestone allowed Genting Group, the operator of Resorts World, to radically expand its offerings. In April, classic table games such as blackjack, baccarat, and roulette were introduced on the third floor. Poker is now the final major piece of the puzzle, a niche previously only filled by the city's notorious underground scene.

Numbers and facts

The new poker offering will be situated on the third floor of the complex, which already hosts over 240 table games. Insider reports suggest the room will be equipped with 30 poker tables. However, pricing is expected to be a point of contention among players. The casino is anticipated to charge a rake of 10 percent with a 10-dollar cap. In comparison, Borgata in Atlantic City takes a 10 percent rake with a 6-dollar maximum for its 1/3 dollar games. New York players will have to decide if the travel time savings are worth the higher cost at the table.

The economic impact on the region is significant. Genting Americas East President Robert DeSalvio emphasized the historic nature of the project during the initial expansion phase. The company created approximately 1,250 new jobs through the expansion, including 950 positions for table game dealers alone. The total workforce is expected to grow to over 2,700 employees by summer. The licensing fee for this exclusive market access was set at a staggering 500 million US dollars.

"New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning. Once the Gaming Commission’s final testing is complete, live table games will be open and operating right here in Queens for the first time in the history of New York City." - Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East

Background

The history of poker in New York is deeply rooted but remained hidden for a long time. The legendary Mayfair Club, where greats like Stu Ungar, Erik Seidel, and Dan Harrington honed their skills, is part of poker folklore. Hollywood even memorialized the scene with the 1998 film Rounders, featuring Matt Damon and Edward Norton grinding in underground clubs across Queens and Manhattan. With the opening at Resorts World, the game is finally moving from the shadows into the light of state regulation. This represents a major step for player protection, as state-vetted casinos guarantee fair play and safety standards that were absent in the underground.

Why it matters for German players

German poker fans planning a trip to New York will finally find a regulated environment starting in December. However, the experience differs drastically from what German players are used to under the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). While Germany enforces strict monthly deposit limits of 1,000 euros via the LUGAS system and 1-euro stake limits on slots, the US operates under different rules. In Germany, player protection is prioritized through central exclusion files (OASIS) and rigorous identity checks. In New York, the focus is more on large-scale market channeling via massive resort complexes. The high rake in Queens might be off-putting for German visitors accustomed to the more moderate fee structures of German state casinos or licensed online providers.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), the development in New York shows that physical presence and trust are vital. In Germany, online poker is only legal through providers on the so-called whitelist. These providers must ensure players do not play at multiple tables simultaneously if they exceed limits. The GGL strictly monitors that no unregulated black market offers from the Caribbean or Malta are used. The Resorts World example illustrates that players are willing to choose legal options, even at a higher cost than illegal ones, as long as security and atmosphere are provided.