Nas-Backed $5.5B Queens Casino Project Approved After Jay-Z Proposal Rejected

Nas has secured a major victory with the unanimous approval of a $5.5 billion expansion project for Resorts World Casino in Queens, turning it into the largest casino in New York and including a 7,000-seat entertainment venue and 30 eateries. This move comes shortly after Jay-Z's $5.4 billion bid to build a casino in Times Square was rejected by a community advisory committee due to concerns from Broadway theater leaders and local groups about its impact on the area. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other officials celebrated Nas' win, with some making light of the long-standing rivalry between the two rappers. Nas, with a net worth of around $75 million, is partnering with Resorts World and bringing in basketball legend Kenny "The Jet" Smith for a sports and media complex. Jay-Z, the wealthiest musician globally with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion, expressed disappointment in the rejection of his Times Square project, highlighting political and community opposition. The Queens project is expected to create 24,000 jobs and add significant revenue, while Jay-Z's bid faced strong resistance to protect the cultural ecosystem of Broadway.