After the state of New York decided to roll the dice on a $1.2 billion project for the construction of Resorts World Catskills (previously known as Montreign Casino Resort) in the Catskills area, the Empire Resorts Inc. wasted no time to turn the first sod. The recently-renamed gambling complex is slated to open in March 2018. At present, it seems that the project is progressing according to schedule and the casino is to install its slot machines sometime this November.
The under-construction Resorts World Catskills is the last upstate casino to open doors in New York. The project is to feature an 18-story hotel, 100,000-square-foot casino floor with 130 table games and 2,150 slot machines, golf course and 27,000 square feet of meeting and entertainment space. The indoor waterpark lodge is among the top attractions, which the resort is to offer. Resorts World Catskills is gearing up for a March 2018 opening. The other gambling venues, which received the state’s approval include Tioga Downs in Nichols, del Lago in Tyre, and Rivers in Schenectady.
The Long Road from Montreign Casino Resort to Resorts World Catskills
Montreign Casino Resort was given the nod by the Gaming Facility Location Board back in December 2014 after the state Gaming Facility Location Board recommended the construction of gaming venues. The casino operator had the hard task to develop strategies for the success of the upcoming casino project and the well-being of the region. Following the news, locals expressed their bright hopes that the gambling venue is to revive the economy of the region and decrease the unemployment rate.
In 2016, the state officials introduced a package of regulations to govern the operation of table games at the four upstate casinos. However, the casino operators needed to wait until the officials published the new rules in the New York State Register in order to come into effect. In 2017, the casino operator announced its decision to rename the gambling property into Resorts World Catskills. Empire Resorts explained that the new name of the casino is the result of a local market research.
As it can be recalled, in April this year, Empire inked a licensing deal with RW Services Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of Genting Group. Under the agreement, Empire has the right to use certain Genting and Resorts World trademarks. The agreement is valid until 2027 and will automatically renew on an annual basis for 39 years supposing that both parties agree with its renewal. Apart from the cross-trading partnership, Resorts World Catskills’ customers will be able to participate in the Genting Rewards Alliance loyalty program.
