Metro

Betting on real casino

Officials with the Malaysian gaming giant set to run slot machines at Aqueduct Race Track are already talking about expanding to a full-fledged casino — if New York were to legalize it.

During a presentation to the state Senate yesterday, a spokesman for the company Genting, Jay Walker, said the outfit relished the opportunity to have games like blackjack, poker and roulette at the planned Aqueduct video-lottery-gaming facility.

Walker said table games “[appeal] to another group of people” and are “important in the long term.”

“If we have a more full casino, we become more attractive in pulling people in . . . It will significantly improve the success overall with table games,” Walker said.

Walker also pointed out that the top level of the three-floor casino will be left vacant for future growth or use.

But Walker stressed that for the immediate future, Genting is focusing on running a first-class 4,500 video-lottery-terminal facility, which is what the state asked for.

Under the best of circumstances, it would take at least several years to authorize casinos in New York.

Such an undertaking requires amending the state constitution, which requires voter approval in two statewide ballot measures following approval by two separate election sessions of the state Legislature.

Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn), who chairs that body’s racing and gaming panel, applauded Genting’s enthusiasm for expanding into a full-fledged casino.

He said it’s inevitable that New York will legalize Vegas-style casinos because surrounding states — New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut — offer them.

Adams said he’s “more excited than ever” to pursue table games to help preserve the horseracing industry after hearing Genting’s endorsement.

“It’s a win-win for New York. Right now, you see cars with New York plates at casinos in Atlantic City, in Foxwoods and Pennsylvania,” he said.

The state Lottery Division and Gov. Paterson back Genting’s plan. But it still needs a sign-off from the two legislative heads, Senate Conference Leader John Sampson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan).

Senators were particularly impressed with Genting’s plan that 60 percent of hires at the racino will be minorities — more than double what the state required.

If it gets a final OK, Genting said a 1,600-slot facility at Aqueduct would be up and running within six months.

A spruced-up 4,500-

slot facility with restaurants would be operating within a year. And amenities — such as a skywalk connecting the racino to the A-train subway station — would be in place in 18 months.

carl.campanile@nypost.com