Newburgh isn't exactly where you'd expect to find a high-tech gambling floor. Usually, when people think of New York gaming, they picture the massive, sprawling complexes in the Catskills or the flickering lights of Queens. But Resorts World Hudson Valley occupies a weird, fascinating middle ground. It’s tucked inside the Newburgh Mall. Yeah, a mall. It’s basically a massive video gaming machine (VGM) facility that took over an old Bon-Ton department store space. If you’re expecting a Caesar’s Palace vibe with fountains and marble statues, you’re going to be disappointed. But if you want a quick, loud, and modern place to play without driving two hours into the mountains, it’s actually kind of impressive what they did with the space.
The Reality of the Resorts World Hudson Valley Experience
Let's get the big thing out of the way first. You cannot play live poker here. Honestly, that’s the number one mistake people make when they pull into the parking lot. Because of New York state licensing laws, Resorts World Hudson Valley is a "video gaming" facility. This means every single "table game" you see is actually an electronic version. You're sitting at a terminal, watching a digital screen or a mechanical roulette wheel. There isn't a human dealer flipping cards in front of you.
Does it matter? For some, totally. If you live for the "poker face" or the social banter with a dealer, this place will feel a bit sterile. But for the casual player, it’s basically a high-energy arcade for adults. The facility spans about 60,000 square feet and holds over 1,200 slot machines and electronic table games. It feels massive when you're inside, mainly because they kept the ceiling heights from the old department store structure, which helps with the airflow. No one likes a cramped, smoky casino, and because this is a newer New York build, the ventilation is actually top-tier.
The Games Everyone Plays
The slot selection is the real bread and butter here. You’ve got the classics like 88 Fortunes and Buffalo, alongside some of the newer, more cinematic titles that look more like video games than gambling machines. Because it’s a Resorts World property—owned by the Genting Group—the tech is consistent with what you’d find at their bigger locations like Resorts World Catskills or the New York City outpost at Aqueduct.
- Electronic Roulette: It’s a central hub where a physical ball spins, but you bet on a screen.
- Electronic Blackjack: No "hit" or "stay" hand signals here; you just tap the glass.
- Baccarat: Huge in the New York market, and they have several rows of digital terminals dedicated to it.
The betting minimums are generally lower than what you'd find at a full-scale resort. You can find penny slots that actually let you play for pennies, though most people end up betting the max lines anyway.
Location, Location, and Why the Mall Matters
Putting a casino in the Newburgh Mall was a strategic play that basically saved the mall from total extinction. You’re right off Route 300 and near the intersection of I-84 and I-87. It’s a logistics dream. If you’re coming from Poughkeepsie or Middletown, it’s a 20-minute shot.
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Wait. The mall vibe is weird.
You walk through a standard mall entrance, pass a few struggling storefronts, and then—boom—there’s a bright, gold-trimmed entrance to a multi-million dollar gaming floor. It’s jarring. However, the convenience is the point. There’s plenty of parking. You don't have to deal with valet or massive parking garages that take 15 minutes to exit. You park, you walk in, you play, you leave. It’s a "commuter casino."
Eating and Drinking (Don't Expect a Buffet)
If you're looking for a giant $50 seafood buffet, look elsewhere. Resorts World Hudson Valley isn't designed for "stay and play" for 48 hours. It's designed for a 3-hour visit.
The Resorts World Bet Sports Bar is the centerpiece. It’s got a massive 360-degree bar and a ton of screens. It’s actually one of the better places in the Hudson Valley to watch a UFC fight or NFL Sunday because the screen setup is so over-the-top. The food is standard bar fare—wings, burgers, sliders. It’s fine. It won’t win a James Beard award, but it beats mall food court pizza. Speaking of the mall, you can technically wander out back into the mall to see what's left of the food offerings there, but most people just stick to the bar.
The Genting Influence and Economic Impact
Genting invested about $50 million into this site. That's not small change. The reason this matters to the average visitor is the Genting Rewards program. If you have a card from the Catskills or the NYC location, it works here. You rack up points the same way.
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Economically, the facility has been a bit of a lightning rod. Local officials in Newburgh generally love it because of the tax revenue and the 250+ jobs it brought to an area that desperately needed them. On the flip side, some locals worry about the "casino effect" on a neighborhood mall. But realistically, the Newburgh Mall was on life support before this. The casino is the only thing keeping the lights on in that zip code’s retail sector.
Is it Safe?
Security is tight. Because it’s a gaming facility, there are more cameras per square foot than probably anywhere else in Orange County. You’ll see security guards at every entrance and roaming the floor. Even though Newburgh has a reputation for being "rough" in certain neighborhoods, the casino area feels like a bubble. It's well-lit, heavily patrolled, and generally feels very secure.
Comparing the Three Resorts Worlds in NY
It’s easy to get confused. New York now has three "Resorts World" branded spots.
- Resorts World Catskills (Monticello): The big one. Live dealers, hotel, spa, golf nearby. This is the weekend destination.
- Resorts World New York City (Queens): Massive, right by JFK. Also all electronic, but on a much larger scale.
- Resorts World Hudson Valley (Newburgh): The middle child. Smaller, localized, easy to access.
If you’re driving from the city, keep going to the Catskills. If you’re a local who just wants to kill an afternoon or watch the Giants game with some skin in the game, the Newburgh location is your spot.
The Sports Betting Angle
New York's mobile sports betting is huge, but there's something about being in a room full of people when a parlay hits. The retail sports betting area here is basically a dedicated lounge with kiosks. You don’t have to talk to a teller if you don’t want to. Just walk up to a machine, scan your ID, put in your cash, and print your ticket. It’s efficient. They also have the "Resorts World Bet" app which they push heavily, but the physical space is where the energy is during the playoffs.
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What Most People Get Wrong About This Place
People think it's a hotel. It's not. Don't show up with a suitcase. There are plenty of hotels nearby (the Howard Johnson and various Marriotts), but the casino itself is strictly for gaming.
Another misconception is that it's "cheaper" because it's in a mall. The house edge on a VGM (Video Gaming Machine) is regulated by the state, but it's not "loose" just because it's in Newburgh. The machines are programmed with specific Return to Player (RTP) percentages that are standard across the state. You aren't going to find a "secret" loose slot machine here more easily than you would in Vegas.
Tips for Your First Visit
If you’re heading out there, do yourself a favor and sign up for the rewards card immediately. Even if you don't plan on being a regular, they almost always have a "new member" promotion where they’ll give you $10 or $20 in free play just for signing up. It’s literally free money to test out the machines.
Also, watch the clock. Because there are no windows (classic casino design), it’s easy to lose track of time. The mall outside might close at 8:00 PM, but the casino stays open late—usually until 2:00 AM or 4:00 AM depending on the day.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Event Calendar: They often have local bands or DJ sets at the 360 bar on Friday and Saturday nights. It turns into more of a "nightlife" spot then.
- Don't Bring Your Last $20: Treat this like entertainment, not a paycheck. The electronic nature of the games means they move fast. You can play way more hands per hour than you would with a live dealer, which means you can lose money faster if you aren't careful.
- Drive, Don't Bus: While there are some local transit options, the Newburgh Mall location is really designed for drivers. It’s right off the Thruway.
- Eat Before You Go (Maybe): If you want a "nice" dinner, hit up the Newburgh Waterfront first. It’s only about 10-15 minutes away and has great spots like Blu Pointe or The Waterfront Draft House. Grab a steak there, then head to the casino for drinks and games.
Resorts World Hudson Valley isn't a world-class luxury resort, and it doesn't try to be. It’s a convenient, clean, and modern gaming floor that serves the local community and people passing through the I-84 corridor. It’s a massive upgrade for the Newburgh Mall and a solid option for anyone who wants the casino experience without the three-hour drive. If you go in with the right expectations—knowing it's all electronic and mall-adjacent—you'll actually have a pretty good time.