Metro

Thousands swarm Aqueduct racino on opening day

SHADY GAGA: A Lady Gaga impersonator plays Lady Luck yesterday in the new racino.

SHADY GAGA: A Lady Gaga impersonator plays Lady Luck yesterday in the new racino. (James Messerschmidt)

They’re victims of their own success.

The new racino at Aqueduct Racetrack yesterday hit the jackpot when thousands of eager gamblers thronged the Queens hot spot on opening day — but by even late afternoon, the place was so packed that its operators actually urged people to stay away until next week.

“It is truly remarkable, and we are very grateful … [But] due to overwhelming demand … we ask that visitors who would prefer to not wait on line please come back and visit Resorts World next week,’’ said casino rep Stefan Friedman.

“We’re expecting enormous crowds again [today],’’ he said of the casino, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. every day.

As many as 20,000 high rollers stormed the new Resorts World New York casino at the Ozone Park horse track yesterday, where slot machines and electronic roulette are now available for the first time in New York City.

Gamblers started lining up as early as 6 a.m. for the 1 p.m. grand opening — and nearly 2,000 were still outside by late afternoon, waiting for a chance to try their luck.

“I’m excited to win some money!” exclaimed Pedro Vasquez, 56, of Brooklyn, who was the first person to enter the newly opened gaming center, which featured Lady Gaga, Tina Turner and Elvis impersonators for the special day.

“No more Atlantic City or Yonkers for me! I’ve got something here in my back yard,” he said.

The demand for the casino was so high that Resorts World quickly filled to capacity and by late afternoon they were only letting people in 25 at a time as 25 others left.

The line also got occasionally rowdy, as the gambler wannabes grew impatient over their wait and some pushed and griped that others were cutting to get ahead.

“This wait is crazy!” said prospective gambler Inosent Carver, of Queens.

Resorts World is the first “racino” — a casino connected to a horse track — approved to operate in the city’s five boroughs. Run by the international gaming company Genting, the gambling hall at Aqueduct is set to be competition to a similar racino in Yonkers, Empire City Casino.

The racino isn’t exactly like a trip to Vegas. Live table games are prohibited under New York law, so gamblers will find row after row of video machines that electronically simulate casino games such as craps, baccarat and roulette.

Resorts World does have such Las Vegas-like amenities as cocktail waitresses supplying drinks to players.