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Nas Casino Bid Moves Forward Days After Jay-Z Was Rejected
A development project backed by the Queensbridge legend is a step closer to reality, progressing after Jay-Z’s bid was turned down.
Nas’ bid to build a casino at Aqueduct Resorts World in Queens has taken a step forward — and it happened just days after a Jay-Z affiliated group was denied a similar proposal.
According to the New York Post, Aqueduct has won preliminary approval from a state sitting board to move on to the next stages to gain a casino license.
“There’s a theme in Queens and I know Nas is a part of it,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. “Queens gets the money!”
Nas is a partner in Genting Resorts World’s bid for a state gaming license to offer live games such as craps, blackjack and poker. The $5.5 billion proposal includes a concert hall and a sports academy involving NYC basketball legend and NBA analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Nas was part of a group that visited state lawmakers in 2024 to pitch the proposals.
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Earlier in September, Jay-Z explained his casino plans during his second hearing with the Community Advisory Committee.
“New York City is the entertainment capital of the world, so the idea of a world-class casino here makes perfect sense,” Jay explained to City & State New York. “I’ve always looked at opportunities that can shift culture while uplifting communities, and Caesars Palace Times Square is exactly that.”
Jay-Z’s Caesars Times Square bid was rejected in Manhattan—a fact the Queens borough president didn’t hesitate to have a little fun with.
“Sorry Jay-Z. We win again,” Richards joked. “I just had to rub it in.”