Nas’s $5 Billion Queens Casino Project Gets the Green Light

Hip-hop legend Nas just scored one of his biggest wins outside of music. His $5 billion casino and resort project in Queens has been officially approved by a local community advisory committee, clearing the way for one of the largest private developments in New York City history. The vote? A unanimous 6–0 in favor.

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Inside the Vision

The project will expand the existing Resorts World property at Aqueduct into a full-scale entertainment and lifestyle destination. Plans include:

• A massive 500,000-square-foot gaming floor featuring 6,000 slots and 800 table games.
• Over 2,000 hotel rooms and 30+ dining spots to transform the site into a 24/7 hub.
• A 7,000-seat performance venue for concerts, events, and shows.
• Community-focused upgrades like new housing, greenspace, and transit improvements.
• The highly anticipated Jet Center, a sports and media complex Nas is helping drive, alongside NBA great Kenny “The Jet” Smith.

If built as planned, the Queens resort could set a new standard for integrated entertainment spaces in the U.S.

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Why It Matters

💼 Jobs & Economy

Thousands of union construction jobs and permanent positions are expected, with priority given to Queens residents.

🌆 Community Growth

The proposal doesn’t stop at gaming. It includes housing, green areas, and infrastructure that aim to benefit the neighborhood for decades to come.

🎤 Culture Meets Development

Nas’s involvement adds cultural weight — positioning Queens not just as home to hip-hop history but also as a future hub for global entertainment and tourism.

🏆 A Competitive Victory

The approval comes at the same time a rival Times Square casino project backed by Jay-Z was rejected, adding a symbolic edge to Nas’s win in the long-standing Queens vs. Manhattan narrative.

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What’s Next

With local backing secured, the plan now advances to New York State’s Gaming Facility Location Board, which will determine which downstate casinos get official licenses. Only three are expected to be awarded. If all goes smoothly, construction could kick off in 2026, reshaping both Queens and the city’s entertainment landscape.

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Final Word

For Nas, this project is more than business — it’s legacy. From rap icon to real estate and cultural investor, he’s turning his vision for Queens into a reality that will leave a lasting mark on the city he’s always called home.