Nasir “Nas” Jones just pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career, and it didn’t happen in a studio. The Queens-born rapper secured approval for a $5 billion casino expansion with Resorts World, a move that outpaced Jay-Z’s failed Times Square proposal and reignited an old rivalry that never really went away.
Jay-Z’s plan had everything. A casino planned at 1515 Broadway, smack in the middle of Times Square, was meant to be a centerpiece of Manhattan nightlife. But the city board didn’t bite. They said no, citing the usual: congestion, community pushback, too much noise.
Nas, meanwhile, was watching from his home borough. His project in Queens didn’t just get a green light. It got full support. He’s part of a team partnering with Resorts World, the Las Vegas-based casino powerhouse, to turn their existing venue into something far bigger. New hotel, performance venues, dining, and expanded gaming floors. Resorts World has promised to bring the buzz of Vegas to Queens.
Still, fans who aren’t close to Queens might feel like they’re missing out on not being able to attend the casino in person. That’s why many fans are turning to online alternatives to get closer to the thrill. Many are choosing vegas slots online, as the functionality behind these slots makes you feel as though you’re in a physical casino. Players also like that these slots offer quick payouts and many different types of themes. Who knows, we might even see VR technology included in these sites that make you feel you’re in Nas’s casino once it’s up and operating.
The unanimous approval arrived on Thursday. For Nas, it’s a symbolic victory as much as a business one. Queens raised him, gave him his voice, and now it’s giving him a shot to build something permanent. The expansion could create thousands of jobs and boost tourism in the borough, and Nas isn’t just a name on a press release. He’s an investor, a visible face of the project, and by all accounts, deeply involved.
His track record in business helps explain the city’s confidence. Nas started investing long before it became trendy for artists to do so. Through his firm Queensbridge Venture Partners, he’s backed companies like Coinbase, Dropbox, and Ring, which are early bets that paid off. Today, his net worth sits somewhere between $75 and $120 million, depending on who’s counting.
Jay-Z, of course, is still hip-hop’s billionaire businessman. His portfolio stretches from music and sports to tech and spirits. His estimated worth hovers around $2.5 billion. Losing the Times Square bid won’t break him, but it definitely stings.
For New York, Nas’s project could mark a turning point. A casino in Queens pulls attention (and money) away from Manhattan, spreading opportunity into neighborhoods that rarely see billion-dollar investments. Resorts World already draws in millions of annual visitors and pays hefty taxes into the city’s budget. The new expansion could double that footprint within a few years.
Construction should begin sometime next year. If all goes to plan, Queens will soon house the biggest casino in New York State. For Nas, it’s another milestone in a career defined by persistence and reinvention. For Jay-Z, maybe a reminder that even billionaires don’t always win every bid.
