KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 4): Genting Malaysia Bhd’s (GenM) Resorts World Casino New York City (RWNY), New York’s largest taxpayer, said it had generated more than US$3 billion for New York Lottery's education fund since opening in 2011.

In a statement on Tuesday, Genting Americas East president Bob DeSalvio said Resorts World is proud to continue to provide critical support, so that children across New York would have access to higher-quality education.

“Since opening its doors nine years ago, Resorts World has fulfilled its commitment to be an economic driver, a good community partner and, most important, a leader in generating significant and much-needed resources for New York’s public schools,” he said.

Over the past nine years, the group generated enough revenue to fund either 12 million laptops for students, 37,500 public school teachers' salaries, fully fund public education for 150,000 students for one school year, or 6.08 million students with school lunch for an entire school year.

The group said New York Lottery is North America’s largest and most profitable lottery, contributing US$3.38 billion (about RM13.73 billion) in fiscal year 2019-2020, of which RWNY generated US$348 million, the biggest share versus other video-gaming operators in New York.

RWNY will be increasing its investment in the state with US$400 million through its plans for a new hotel — the Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World New York.

“This US$400 million development will bring the total investment of RWNY to over US$1.1 billion since opening — after Genting spent more than US$700 million to enhance the existing Aqueduct grandstand to become a leading entertainment destination. 

“The hotel addition is estimated to create more than 500 good-paying careers for New Yorkers and provide additional revenue for New York Lottery's education fund,” said the group.