KIAMESHA LAKE, N.Y. >> The Resorts World Catskills casino in Sullivan County has opened for business.
Gambling at the new casino began early Thursday, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for 11 a.m.
Among the first to come through the doors Thursday morning were people from as far away as Massachusetts and as close to home as Southern Ulster County..
Dominick Polizzi and Denise Barley drove over from Marlboro.
“We’re excited,” said Polizzi.
The Las Vegas-style casino has more than 150 live table games and 2,150 slot machines.
The casino is one of four authorized by New York state after voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow gaming halls on non-Indian land. Resorts World is the last of the four to open, and it also is the largest.
The other three are in Schenectady, the Finger Lakes region and the Southern Tier.
Besides a gambling floor, the $1.2 billion Resorts World complex has an 18-story hotel, a golf course, a 2,500-seat event center, restaurants, indoor pools, and a spa and fitness center. Additionaly, an indoor water park is being built next door.
The casino resort is operated by Empire Resorts, the same company that owns and operates the nearby Monticello Raceway.
Gambling at the new casino began early Thursday, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for 11 a.m.
Among the first to come through the doors Thursday morning were people from as far away as Massachusetts and as close to home as Southern Ulster County..
Dominick Polizzi and Denise Barley drove over from Marlboro.
“We’re excited,” said Polizzi.
The Las Vegas-style casino has more than 150 live table games and 2,150 slot machines.
The casino is one of four authorized by New York state after voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow gaming halls on non-Indian land. Resorts World is the last of the four to open, and it also is the largest.
The other three are in Schenectady, the Finger Lakes region and the Southern Tier.
Besides a gambling floor, the $1.2 billion Resorts World complex has an 18-story hotel, a golf course, a 2,500-seat event center, restaurants, indoor pools, and a spa and fitness center. Additionaly, an indoor water park is being built next door.
The casino resort is operated by Empire Resorts, the same company that owns and operates the nearby Monticello Raceway.