The Resorts World Catskills Casino opened back in February in Monticello, just 100 miles north of New York City. The $1.2 billion-dollar luxury complex is the largest in the state, with 100,000 feet of Las Vegas-style gaming taking place across several floors. The resort now also has the largest poker room in New York and is continuing its physical expansion with the opening of more restaurants and entertainment venues.
Another Resorts World addition to the New York casino scene, Catskills opened its poker room in early March, and in true Resorts World style, the room is the biggest in New York at 5,000 sq. ft. Avid professionals and recreational players alike can enjoy poker cash games spread across 19 tables, with 80 dealers on hand to run the games smoothly and 171 seats available on a first-come-first-served basis.
The largest prizes in poker are usually in online poker, such as this year’s SCOOP Main Event, which awarded nearly $7 million. But New York players will have to settle for live offerings, given the current situation with legislation. Tournaments should be available at Catskills in the near future, but for now the poker room offers cash games of Hold ‘em, Omaha and Stud.
The Catskills poker room is made to impress. Every seat has a USB charging port for convenience, several big screen TVs are on hand, food and beverage are easy to get at your seat, and there’s even a massage service for when the bad beats occur too often. Catskills also offers a bad beat jackpot for any hand starting from quad 5s that are beaten.
Despite being the largest of the four upstate New York casinos, Catskills is currently underperforming, with a $101 average win per slot machine since opening in February. The execs say this is nothing to worry about and that revenues will increase as the complex opens more attractions.
There are still many features to be opened at Catskills, including an entertainment village, hotel and indoor waterpark in early 2019; a “monster” golf course in summer 2019; and more suites and restaurants.
Recently opened as part of the Catskills Grand Opening Celebrations was the Cellaio restaurant, an Italian-inspired steakhouse with antipasti, salads, and pastas—as well as over 500 wines—all with indoor and outdoor dining options.
Catskills Casino Resort has five gaming areas with 150 live tables for games like blackjack, roulette and craps, as well as more eastern additions to the floor like baccarat and Pai Gow tiles. There are also 2,150 cutting-edge slot machines and high-limit and VIP areas that offer the full-on luxury treatment.
Within the complex there are also more than 10 bars and restaurants and a 322-suite hotel with villas and penthouse options, a spa, two fitness centres, and parking and valet. They may not yet be the highest-grossing casino in New York, but they certainly know how to treat their clientele. And with more expansions and entertainment venues to come, Catskills is certainly one of the places to play in NY.
