The Times Square Hotel is located in New York, New York.The building was built in 1922 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 4, 1995. Surrounded by the non-stop, neon-fueled energy of Times Square and the 24-hour allure of Manhattan nightlife, Pod Times Square Hotel offers a relaxing and affordable place to plant your flag in NYC. Our location on a quiet corner in Hell’s Kitchen, along with soundproof windows to drown out the sounds of the city, means you’ll forget you. The Hard Rock Hotel will soon debut at 159 West 48th Street in Times Square, where the structure has officially topped out. Earlier this week, members of the project team including Hard Rock International, Extell Development Company, and AECOM Tishman, celebrated the milestone at a luncheon and cake cutting ceremony to thank everyone involved.
Ask anyone about gambling in the US and they’ll immediately mention Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Despite these two cities absolutely dominating the land-based gambling market in the US, it’s probably quite surprising to hear that there are plenty of casinos in other parts of the country, and even closer to the Big Apple than a drive out to New Jersey.
Visiting a casino can be a fun way to spice up a night out, or the perfect way to try and win back some of the money spent on a short break to the city, so we’ve put together the top five New York casinos for you to check out the next time you’re fortunate enough to visit the Empire State.
Resorts World, New York City
Part of the international Resorts World brand that features major casinos across the globe, Resorts World New York is one of the biggest and best casinos in the state. Located near the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, Resorts World is a large entertainment complex featuring numerous bars, a food court and prime steakhouse – and of course, three floors of casino gaming.
Opened in 2011 by Genting Malaysia Berhad, it has three gaming floors themed around some of the city’s most famous areas – ‘Times Square’, ‘Fifth Avenue’ and ‘Central Park’ in a colourful, vibrant setup. Each is packed with table games including baccarat, roulette, craps, blackjack, and three-card poker. You’ll also find high stakes rooms that can be booked or accessed privately (you’ll need to prove you’ve got the funds to go the whole way however) and over 3,000 classic and video machines and slot games throughout the building.
Naturally, you’ll want to see some world class entertainment after a busy gambling session, and Central Park event space has music every single night of the week, as well as plenty of live sports events broadcast throughout the venue. It’s a place for those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy casino, which this venue has in abundance.
Empire City Casino
Just like Resorts World, the Empire City casino is attached to racetrack, this time at the Yonkers Raceway roughly 20 miles north of the city. Owned by the Rooney family since 1972, the huge gaming floor at the Empire City Casino has every table game any avid gambler could possibly need, the pick of the bunch is certainly Blackjack, to take advantage of the facilities it is highly recommended that you learn how to play blackjack before your visit. As well as Blackjack, there is Roulette, Three Card Poker and Sic Bo. And there’s a huge variety of video machines and slots games – 5,300 in all. Guests can also take advantage of the huge selection bars and restaurants at the complex, including Italian specialities at Nonno’s Trattoria, a huge selection of world foods at the Big Kitchen, and traditional pub grub at Dan Rooney’s sports bar.
The racetrack at Yonkers is one of the most popular racing spots in the state, and if not the country, so of course visitors have the option to bet on the cinder track buggy racing that takes place multiple times throughout the week. Bets can be taken within the casino, but if you fancy getting closer to trackside, then you’re welcome to take to the stands to watch the racers go past at full speed.
The casino itself is huge. You’ll be dazzled by a 300-foot curved glass wall and a 30,000 sq foot gaming room – adorned with a sleek and elegant design.
Resorts World, Catskills
About 90 miles north of New York City in rural New York State, you’ll find the incredible Catskill mountains. In complete contrast to the city, visitors can enjoy miles of state parks and hiking trails, as well as luxury lodges and even hunting and wildlife spotting trips. So while your getting away from the hustle and bustle up in the mountains, why not pay a visit to the Resorts World Casino?
Owned primarily by billionaire KT Lim of Genting Malaysia, the resort only opened in early 2018 –so everything feels really fresh and modern, and you’ll be enjoying a complex that really does have everything you could imagine in a casino. Guests who don’t fancy getting back to the city after a late night can check into the hotel, and even enjoy a spa treatment the morning after to get rid of the hangover.
The gaming floor features 150 live table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Pai Gow and a vast selection of 2,150 slot machines featuring the latest titles. There’s also a poker room, a luxurious private player’s lounge and high limit salon-privés.
Aside from the expansive gaming floor, guests can also enjoy Asian cuisine, casual dining at the bar and grill, and a succulent steaks at celebrity chef Scott Conant’s Cellaio restaurant. There’s also a 24/7 kitchen and drinks service, perfect for those late night munchies when you’re busy breaking the bank.
Jakes 58
Jake’s 58
Located on Long Island and not far at all from New York City, this large casino, 227 room hotel and entertainment complex is the perfect location for some gambling without having to travel too far afield. Just off the Long Island Expressway, the casino is the perfect stop off on the way to the Hamptons, or if you just fancy a bit of gambling while exploring Islandia. It’s owned by Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation and Delaware North, and opened in 2017.
Welcoming guests with its stunning glass roof, it has a cosy and inviting atmosphere. But let’s be honest – it’s mainly about the gaming. This floor mainly has electronic machines – 1,000 of them to be precise – including electronic Baccarat, Blackjack Craps and Roulette, along with regular music and entertainment and a great menu at Bistro 58.
Make sure your next trip to New York features a trip to the casino. You could even end up paying off the trip if you win big, and there’s always the chance that you could bump into some celebs while you’re there!