The 60,000 square feet venue is situated in the Newburgh Mall, 60 miles north of New York City.

A grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 10am (ET), which featured a traditional Chinese lion dance performance, with a queue of over a thousand people forming to venture inside.

This casino will be Resorts World’s third property in the Empire State, located inside a shopping mall and filling a space that was formerly occupied by a Bon Ton department store.

The company already owns and operates Resorts World New York City in Queens and Resorts World Catskill in Montecillo. Across these three venues, holding company, the Genting Group, has invested more than £1bn ($1.2bn) in New York State.

Many residents of Newburgh are delighted at the news of this development, as the city’s biggest mall has seen a rough patch in the last few years. As well as the failed Bon Ton store, Newburgh Mall recently saw its anchor store, Sears, permanently close.

Newburgh City is set to receive £2.5m a year from Resorts World and has pledged to employ locals, with Newburgh residents prioritised in the hiring of 250 full-time workers.

According to the Genting Group, a developer and operating company, the average annual pay will be $72,000, including salaries and benefits.

The casino will feature 1,200 slot machines, 82 electronic table games and the Resorts World Bet Sports Bar. Newburgh officials and residents have expressed delight at the introduction of a new entertainment venue that is sure to bring in welcome revenue.

The new Resorts casino is projected to contribute £54m in annual taxes that have been allocated to support New York’s public education system. To date, Resorts World properties in the Empire State have contributed more than £3bn in aid of New York’s public schools.