Resorts World Casino New York Announces Near-50% Increase in Number of Permanent Jobs

Facility will employ 1,150 permanent workers, 350 more than originally anticipated; career listings and vendor proposals for new casino to be updated weekly at www.rwnewyork.com

In an effort to enhance the overall experience at Resorts World Casino New York, the company will hire a staff of 1,150 permanent workers; a near-50% increase from original estimates, officials announced today.

“We want to bring quality jobs to Queens and produce a top-flight facility – two goals that go hand-in-hand,” said Michael Speller, President of Resorts World Casino New York. “We saw the potential to enhance aspects of our facility and the best way to do that is by creating a more robust workforce. With additional staff comes superior customer service and an overall better experience for our guests at Resorts World. Additionally, more positions mean more job opportunities for local residents looking for work. This is a big step in our goal to help revitalize the Queens economy.”

The bulk of the additional 350 employees will work in the facility’s food and beverage, customer service and security departments.

“To be clear, we are hiring locally, first,” said Kevin Bogle, Vice President of Human Resources at Resorts World Casino New York. “We are not only hiring directly from the community, but are also working hand-in-hand with local employment centers to help us identify local candidates who we might not otherwise reach on our own. Our goal is to create a facility where customers will be hosted by a knowledgeable and attentive staff in an environment that is welcoming and safe. We have decided that bringing more people from the local neighborhoods aboard is the best way to accomplish this goal.”

Last week, Resorts World Casino New York officially launched the hiring process for permanent positions at the facility, announcing that candidates from the local community will be hired first. This announcement marked the first phase of staffing Resorts World in such fields as entertainment, hospitality, security and food services.

Through its extensive outreach efforts, Resorts World is committed to enlisting a diverse staff and awarding vendor contracts to local Minority Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs). Resorts World recently announced that minority and/or female workers compose 54% of the project’s construction workforce. Additionally, the percentage of MWBE-certified subcontractors and suppliers working under construction manager Tutor Perini now stands at 25% of total contracts awarded to date. Tutor Perini has already awarded nearly $50 million in sub-contracts to MWBEs.

Job applications and vendor proposals may be submitted through the ‘careers’ and ‘vendor forums’ sections of Resorts World’s website, www.rwnewyork.com.

By creating an expansive outreach network that fosters community participation, Resorts World Casino New York has developed a strategic approach toward recruiting the most talented workforce in Queens and entire New York City metropolitan area. In partnering with community-based organizations, placing advertisements in local publications and hosting on-site job fairs, Resorts World Casino New York will continue to build a dynamic workforce ready to meet the needs of its customers and the community.

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Founded in 1965, Genting is a global entertainment and tourism company operating in Asia, Europe, North America and on all four oceans through the Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises brands. The Genting Group has more than 58,000 employees.

Resorts World Casino New York Officially Begins Hiring Permanent Employees – Search to Focus On South Queens Neighborhoods

Career listings and vendor proposals for new casino listed at www.rwnewyork.com; more opportunities to be added weekly

Resorts World Casino New York has officially launched the hiring process for permanent positions at the facility, and every effort will be made to hire from within the local community, officials announced today.

Job applications and vendor proposals may be submitted through the ‘careers’ and ‘vendor forums’ sections of Resorts World’s website,www.rwnewyork.com

“We are very excited to officially start staffing Resorts World,” said Michael Speller, President of Resorts World Casino New York. “This project is not just about bringing jobs to Queens; it’s about creating careers and forming relationships with the local community. Our goal is to build a local, diverse and hardworking family of Resorts World employees that will move up within our company. With this announcement, I am very excited to start the process of building that family.”

This announcement marks the official beginning phase of hiring the more than 900 workers expected to permanently staff Resorts World in such fields as entertainment, hospitality, security and food services. Through its extensive outreach efforts, Resorts World is committed to enlisting a diverse staff and awarding vendor contracts to local Minority Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs).

“With so many Queens neighborhoods plagued by high levels of unemployment, Resorts World’s permanent staffing outreach could not be more timely,” said Harry Wells, Director of York College’s Small Business Development Center. “There are some terrific opportunities at Resorts World out there for Queens residents and local businesses looking for work. Few employers offer so many job and vendor possibilities in such a wide range of fields, and even fewer are as committed to supporting local MWBEs as is Resorts World; in fact, three of the MWBEs that I work with have already been subcontracted for the project. I look forward to continuing to work with Resorts World to identify even more local establishments, MWBEs and careers services centers to meet its needs for commodities, goods and services at the new facility.”

Resorts World recently announced that minority and/or female workers compose 54% of the project’s construction workforce. Additionally, the percentage of MWBE-certified subcontractors and suppliers working under construction manager Tutor Perini now stands at 33% of total contracts awarded to date. So far, Tutor Perini has awarded nearly $50 million in sub-contracts to MWBEs.

“For four months we have been working with employment services centers to prepare for today,” said Kevin Bogle, Vice President of Human Resources at Resorts World Casino New York. “We are a company that is committed to empowering the local community and hiring from within the local area. That's what we have been doing in the construction phase of this project, and that's what we will continue to do as we take this critical step in preparing Resorts World to open for business.”

By creating an expansive outreach network that fosters community participation, Resorts World Casino New York has developed a strategic approach toward recruiting the most talented workforce in the Queens and New York City areas. In partnering with community-based organizations, placing advertisements in local publications and hosting on-site job fairs, Resorts World Casino New York will continue to build a dynamic workforce ready to meet the needs of its customers and the community.

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Founded in 1965, Genting is a global entertainment and tourism company operating in Asia, Europe, North America and on all four oceans through the Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises brands. The Genting Group has more than 58,000 employees.

Resorts World New York Condenses Schedule to Ensure Dynamic Late Summer 2011 Opening & Full Completion of Facility by End of Year

Addition of almost 1,000 Video Lottery Terminals to stage 1 opening; Main entry, Porte Cochere, International Buffet; and Parking Garage to now be included in first stage of opening;

Resorts World New York today announced a condensed opening schedule that will allow the new casino at Aqueduct Raceway to open its doors with far more components in place months earlier than expected.

Under the schedule, 2,500 Video Lottery Terminals will be operational – rather than the 1,600 originally slated – when the casino opens in the late Summer.

“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.

With the accelerated schedule – which will now take place in two phases, rather than three – 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 1 will include:

• A seven-outlet food court
• The 360 Bar and entertainment space
• A grab-and-go quick food outlet

Elements originally slated for phase three including the building of a skybridge connecting the “A” train station to the casino entrance will now be completed by the end of 2011, rather than the Spring of 2012.

Other elements opening in stage 2 include:

• The remaining 2,000 VLTs
• Two fine dining restaurants, Genting Palace and RW Prime
• An additional grab-and-go quick food outlet.
• Colony lounge and the VIP Crockfords Casino
• Another Bar with views of our first floor entertainment bar

Once fully operational, Resorts World New York is expected to permanently employ about 1,000 workers in the entertainment, hospitality, security and food-service fields.

Feds Reject Plan for Full-Blown N.Y. Casino by Tom Precious - BloodHorse.com

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New York racetrack casinos lost a major potential competitor Feb. 18 after federal officials rejected a plan for a sprawling, full-blown casino just 90 miles from Manhattan.

The U.S. Department of Interior formally ended a bid for an off-reservation casino to be built in the southern Catskills resort region by the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohicans.


The Wisconsin-based tribe struck a deal late last fall in the final weeks of the outgoing administration of former New York Governor David Paterson for the casino rights in return for settling a long-standing land claims lawsuit by the tribe for what it maintains is ancestral land in central New York.


Racetrack-based casinos, which in New York can offer video lottery terminals, expressed concerns that they could not compete with the massive casino, complete with table games, that the Mohicans were proposing to build not far from the Monticello harness racetrack.


Genting New York, the developer of the long-stalled casino at Aqueduct racetrack that is expected to open this summer, has gone so far as to say it would be scaling back some plans for the new facility as a result of the competition from the proposed Catskills casino. Officials at racinos from Yonkers to Saratoga Springs openly worried about business dropping off by a Catskills casino.


The bid by the Wisconsin tribe was also opposed by New York Indian tribes, which urged the federal regulators to reject the out-of-state Indian bid for what would have been a lucrative casino.


"By rejecting this ill-conceived compact, the Department of Interior has allowed New York State to go back to the drawing board and put together a gaming policy that makes sense,'' said the New York Gaming Association, a group representing New York racetrack casinos.


The tracks say they should be allowed to operate full-scale casinos at their facilities.


"We are extremely pleased with DOI's decision and look forward to working with Gov. (Andrew) Cuomo and the state Legislature to develop a gaming policy that maximizes revenue, creates jobs and keeps the racetrack casino economic engine churning,'' the group said.

Aqueduct Firm Hires Ozone Park Groups by Anna Gustafson - Queens Chronicle -

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The general contractor for the new Aqueduct racino in South Ozone Park awarded three construction bids totaling more than $51 million to groups from Ozone Park, Resort World New York said this week.

“Queens needs revenue, and for this reason, we are fully committed to awarding construction bids to as many local businesses as possible,” Michael Speller, president of Resorts World New York, said in a prepared statement. “This casino will fill two crucial needs. Not only will Resorts World New York create a tremendous facility that will generate considerable revenue for Ozone Park, New York City and New York state, but the casino will also help revitalize and ultimately stabilize Queens’ businesses and economy.”

Speller said they have focused on hiring locally, including bringing jobs to businesses owned by minorities and women, to build what is now known as the Resorts World New York racetrack casino.

Tutor Perini, the general contractor, awarded a $25.1 million contract to WDF Inc. to provide heating, ventilation and air-conditoning work; a $19.2 million contract to Five Star Electric; and $6.8 million to WDF for plumbing.

“We are just so excited that Resorts World New York is following through on its promises to Ozone Park businesses,” said Larry Roman, chairman and CEO of WDF Inc. “At at time when Queens so desperately needs revenue, it is a blessing to have such a great project for so many of our local businesses to work on. Ozone Park is home to some of the finest construction businesses in the world, and for that reason I have no doubt that Resorts World New York is going to be a first-class facility that will benefit the entire region.”

The announcement comes about a week after Tutor Perini announced that more than one-third of their subcontractors are certified as a Minority or Women Owned Business Enterprise.

Tutor Perini has so far awarded $135 million to subcontractors in the greater New York City area.

The gaming facility at the race track, the city’s first casino slated to open its doors this summer, is expected to employ more than 900 people and generate at least $300 million in annual state revenue, according to officials with franchise operator Genting New York.

There are more than several hundred people now working at the site. The first phase of the three-stage project will include 1,600 video lottery terminals and a central bar.

New York Racetrack Casinos Issue Statement on Rejection of Catskill Compact

The New York Gaming Association, representing racetrack casinos in New York, today issued the following statement about the Department of Interior’s rejection of a proposed casino in Sullivan County.

“By rejecting this ill-conceived compact, the Department of Interior has allowed New York State to go back to the drawing board and put together a gaming policy that makes sense. That new policy will hopefully capitalize on existing resources like our racetrack casinos, which already put more than $1 billion per year in tax revenue toward state coffers and could help bolster our sagging economy even further if allowed to operate full-scale casinos.

“We are extremely pleased with DOI’s decision and look forward to working with Gov. Cuomo and the state Legislature to develop a gaming policy that maximizes revenue, creates jobs and keeps the racetrack casino economic engine churning.”

Resorts World New York Awards Three Massive Construction Bids to Local Queens Subcontractors

Ozone Park subcontractors receive more than $50 million in new construction bids to build casino at Resorts World New York

Keeping with its stated commitment to “hire locally,” Tutor Perini, the general contractor for Resorts World New York, announced today that it has awarded three additional construction bids¾exceeding $51 million in total¾to local Ozone Park subcontractors for the construction of the new casino at Aqueduct Racetrack

To date, Tutor Perini has awarded nearly $135 million to greater-New York City subcontractors.

“Queens needs revenue, and for this reason, we are fully committed to awarding construction bids to as many local businesses as possible,” said Michael Speller, President of Resorts World New York. “This casino will fill two crucial needs. Not only will Resorts World New York create a tremendous facility that will generate considerable revenue for Ozone Park, New York City and New York State, but the casino will also help revitalize and ultimately stabilize Queens’ businesses and economy. Resorts World is thrilled with the work our subcontractors have done thus far, and certain that once Resorts World New York is completed, it will be a facility that all of Queens will be very proud of.”

The South Ozone Park subcontractors that received the new construction bid packages are Five Star Electric, which was awarded $19.2 million to provide electric work for the project and WDF Inc., which was awarded $6.8 million in one bid for plumbing, and $25.1 million in another to provide HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) work.

“We are just so excited that Resorts World New York is following through on its promises to Ozone Park businesses,” said Larry Roman, Chairman and CEO of WDF Inc. 

“At a time when Queens so desperately needs revenue, it is a blessing to have such a great project for so many of our local businesses to work on. Ozone Park is home to some of the finest construction businesses in the world, and for that reason, I have no doubt that Resorts World New York is going to be a first-class facility that will benefit the entire region.”

This announcement comes just days after Tutor Perini announced that more than one in three subcontractors and suppliers hired to construct the new Resorts World New York racetrack casino is a New York State certified Minority or Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE).

Once fully operational, Resorts World New York is expected to permanently employ more than 900 workers in the entertainment, hospitality, security and food-service fields, provide $300 million in annual revenue for the state and give New York City its first ever casino.

By creating an expansive outreach network that fosters community participation, Resorts World New York has developed a strategic approach toward recruiting the most talented workforce in the Queens and New York City areas. In partnering with community-based organizations, placing advertisements in local publications and hosting on-site job fairs, Resorts World New York will continue to build a dynamic workforce ready to meet the needs of its customers and the community.

Information on further bid packages and permanent employment will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more, please visit www.rwnewyork.com.

Founded in 1965, Genting is a global entertainment and tourism company operating in Asia, Europe, North America and on all four oceans through the Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises brands. The Genting Group has more than 58,000 employees.

Tutor Perini Corporation is a leading civil and building construction company offering diversified general contracting and design/build services to private clients and public agencies throughout the world. Tutor Perini has provided construction services since 1894 and has established a strong reputation within various markets by executing large complex projects on time and within budget while adhering to strict quality control measures.

Assembly Member Mike Miller Says No to Casino In Sullivan County

Not all casinos are created equal. As a member of the New York State Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, it has come to my attention that the Stockbridge-Munsee Native American tribe has submitted a proposal to build a casino in Sullivan County. If this casino is built it will cost the state over $400 million. I will fight this tooth and nail for the good of New York City and New York State.

The race track casino industry raises $1 billion for the State of New York every year. Due to federal entitlements, Native American tribes can open casinos that are exempt from many taxes. These casinos do not pay taxes on table games. They only contribute 25% on slot machines as opposed to the 60-70% collected from Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs). Native American casinos are given advantages that other wagering businesses, including the Aqueduct Racino, do not receive. As it stands, 62 cents of every dollar received from our racinos goes back to the State. 42 cents goes to funding education, 10 cents goes to lottery administration, 9 cents goes to horse racing purses, and 1 cent goes to horse breeding. While our current race track casinos pay 62 cents on the dollar, the Native American casinos pay just 20 cents on the dollar.

If the Stockbridge-Munsee casino is built, the State is projected to lose $407 million dollars. This amounts to a $188 million loss in State education funding, a $127 million loss in horse racing industry support, and the loss of over 900 jobs. This casino would kick the New York State economy while it is already $10 billion down. Our existing race track casinos could not overcome the huge advantage given to the Stockbridge-Munsee Native American Tribe. The construction of this casino would cost jobs, funding to education, and the economic well-being of the State. This plan is bad for New York City, it is bad for New York State and this is why my vote is “no.”