(April 8): The owner of the Resorts World casino in New York City said an expansion of its gambling offering there would lift its tax payments to the state by US$1 billion (RM4.75 billion) annually.

Genting Malaysia Bhd, which operates the resort in Queens, is seeking one of the three new casino licences officials are considering for the New York City area. The property paid more than US$600 million in taxes last year, according to a spokesman for the casino giant.

Genting Malaysia is pledging to continue paying the state about 67% of its slot machine revenue in taxes, an amount that includes administrative fees and other expenses. The share paid for table games like blackjack would be lower. In addition to adding those games, an expanded licence could allow the casino to stay open 24 hours and offer credit to bettors, the company said.

The executive director of New York’s Gaming Commission told the board last month that environmental and other local approvals may delay the awarding of the licences into late 2025. Many casino operators expected a decision this year, and some think the legislature can accelerate the process.

Potential bidders include Las Vegas Sands Corp, Wynn Resorts Ltd and financier Steve Cohen, who has partnered with Hard Rock International. 

Genting Malaysia, which operates next to the Aqueduct race track, and MGM Resorts International, which runs the Empire City Casino in Yonkers, are considered strong contenders, because they already have facilities there. The new licences would allow them to expand their offerings, including blackjack, roulette and other table games.

Under New York’s casino law, winners of the licences will pay a one-time US$500 million fee to the state. Bidders are expected to compete based in part on how much they are willing to pay in taxes. 

New York has some of the country’s highest casino taxes with an effective 55% rate on electronic devices, according to the American Gaming Association trade group. Casinos in Nevada — where Genting Malaysia has a Las Vegas resort — pay 6.8%.