A Q&A with Robert DeSalvio

What is the state of the casino industry in New York?

Over the last 13 years, we invested over $3 billion directly into our Resorts World properties, employees and surrounding communities throughout New York, and through those efforts played the leading role in growing gaming in the state. Our efforts helped New York claim home to the most successful slots facility in the world, set the gold standard for union partnerships and generated some of the highest revenues in the nation. Now, as we look toward the downstate casino licensing process, we want to build on that foundation through a $5 billion investment to transform Queens for future generations. We’re doing it through what we’ve learned from our partnerships with our neighbors and are confident in our ability to continue helping our communities and the entire state prosper from our industry.

What role do you play in the casino industry?

As the largest employer and taxpayer within the Empire State’s gaming industry, we are proud of the thousands of jobs we have created and the more than $4.5 billion in revenue sent to New York’s public education fund. When New Yorkers needed us the most, we were there – serving as a staging ground during the Superstorm Sandy cleanup and as a mass testing site during COVID-19. Our role is to show that New York is not just a market, but a community that we can help build and grow for the future.

What policy issues are you focused on in 2025?

We believe that the sooner the casino licensing process is complete, the sooner New Yorkers can benefit from the jobs, revenue and community investments. Our main focus is to ensure this process stays on schedule to take the economic engine that is Resorts Work into high gear.