The race for one of three coveted downstate casino licenses took a big step forward, as a community advisory board met for the first time to review a $5 billion bid from one of the frontrunners.

In his first interview since submitting the bid to the state, Robert DeSalvio, the man behind the pitch, spoke exclusively to News 12’s Senior Reporter Tara Rosenblum about the plan to transform Resorts World New York City.

The goal is to turn the existing “racino” next to John F. Kennedy International Airport into a full-scale casino resort, complete with a 7,000-seat arena and 2,000 hotel rooms. The plan would also create thousands of union jobs.

The price tag for the transformation would be $500,000 for the license and another $500,000 promised to the community.

“So, you think about the spinoffs on this, the construction jobs. This will be a bonanza for southeast Queens,” says DeSalvio, of Genting Americas East.

News 12 also caught up with celebrity chef Scott Conant inside his new Hudson Valley restaurant. Conant says he promises to bring a brand-new seafood concept to Queens if the bid gets greenlit.

Seven other major gaming operators are still in the running, pitching high-profile locations, like Times Square and Coney Island. Bally's, which was an eighth contender, faced a setback last week when the City Council voted down the re-zoning changes needed to allow that plan to become reality.

DeSalvio says he’s hoping he hits the jackpot by betting on community ties and speed to the market.

“So, do I feel good about our opportunity? Absolutely,” says DeSalvio.

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