Queens lawmakers urge Hochul to halt 72% tax demand on NYC's new casino

Ten Queens representatives and state senators wrote to Gaming Commission chairman Brian O’Dwyer, pressing Governor Kathy Hochul to block a plan that would require Resorts World New York City to remit 72% of its slot-machine revenue to the state. They note that the casino originally proposed a 56% tax rate and that the extra 16% stems from a mandated contribution to the horse-racing industry, which the commission treats as a separate obligation.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo called the combined rate “excessively high” and said the governor’s office must act, as the commission operates under her authority. The officials warn that the tax dispute jeopardizes the casino’s $4 billion expansion, union construction jobs, permanent employment and contracts for minority contractors. The Gaming Commission maintains the 56% slot tax is correct and that racing support payments are not taxes and can be funded from any revenue source. Governor Hochul’s spokesperson reiterated that tax rates have never included racing payments and emphasized the state’s priorities of education, transit funding and racing industry support.