- Miami Gardens
- Casinos In Florida > List Of Florida Casinos In 2020 ..
- Casino Miami Jai-Alai
- Best Casinos In Florida
You can find several gambling destinations in Florida. You’ll often see the word ‘racino’ referring to a racetrack that contains casino games. At racetracks a form of gambling called pari-mutuel betting takes place. Under Florida law (and other states) this allows a type of betting pool where the house takes a cut and shares the winnings amongst all the winners. You’ll find several Native American casinos in Florida as well.
Florida has 82 casinos in which you'll find more than 26,871 slots and gaming machines. There are a total of 808 table games. Top Florida Panhandle Casinos: See reviews and photos of casinos in Florida Panhandle, Florida on Tripadvisor.
Florida was once home to many greyhound racing tracks which you can still find today, minus the dog racing. Florida Amendment 13 banned wagering on dog races in November 2018. After it was approved, many lawsuits followed to overturn the amendment. The Palm Beach Kennel Club and Derby Lane, the last remaining greyhound racetracks plan to close their dog racing programs in 2020.
1 – Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park is a racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Opened in February 1939, the track is now owned by the Stronach Group, with multiple racetracks in Maryland and California. Notable thoroughbred races includes the Sunshine Millions Day, Florida Derby, and Pegasus World Cup races.
The current dirt course is 1 and 1/8 miles in circumference. The track contains a 1-mile backstretch chute and can seat over 16,000 people. The giant bronze Pegasus erected on the property is the second largest statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty. Check out their event calendar for race details.
The racino contains over 700 real money slots with over 60 high limit slot games. Visit the poker room for casual or high stakes action with over 20 tables of Texas hold’em, Omaha Split Hi-Lo, and 7 Card Stud. The casino hosts regular poker tournaments.
2 – Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming is a resort and casino in western Miami, Florida. The 9-story building is operated by over 400 members of the Miccosukee Tribe. Part of the Seminole nation until the mid-20th century, the Miccosukee later organized as an independently recognized tribe.
The 302-room resort contains the Pa-Hay Okee Salon & Spa; a European-styled parlor with massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Club Egret provides fully supervised childcare and an indoor playground adjacent to their video arcade stocked with the latest games.
Miccosukee Resort and Casino has several restaurants. The Empeeke Aaweeke International Buffet serves international cuisine buffet-style. Café Hammock offers local and continental favorites with a casual atmosphere. For something quick visit the Empeeke Aya Deli serving delicatessen favorites and assorted snacks.
The casino has over 2,000 slots and video poker machines with high limit games. There are 58 poker tables in the Miccosukee Resort poker room offering Texas Hold’em and Omaha poker. If bingo is your thing play a high stakes game while you enjoy dinner from the attached cafe.
3 – Big Easy Casino
Big Easy Casino is a racing facility located in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It was opened as the Hollywood Kennel Club in December 1934, becoming a popular greyhound racing destination. After being purchased by new owners it was renamed the Big Easy Casino in 2018. The 70,000 square foot gaming floor offers New Orleans themed gambling and entertainment.
The Big Easy casino track consisted of 550 Yards, 660 Yards, and 770 Yards courses. The track has ceased greyhound racing but the casino offers simulcast betting on dog, harness, and thoroughbred races from tracks across the country. Visit The Dog Pound for comfortable off-track betting accommodations.
The racino contains over 900 slot machines, virtual roulette, virtual blackjack, and video poker. The Big Easy Poker Room offers over 30 tables of Texas hold ’em, 7 Card Stud, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo,
4 – Calder Casino
Calder Casino is located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The 100,000-square-foot gaming facility recently replaced its thoroughbred pari-mutuel license with one for jai alai, a centuries-old sports game that originated in the Basque Region of Northern Spain. In Florida jai alai has become a popular alternative to horse and dog racing in recent years.
The original Calder grandstand was demolished in October 2016. The Calder Race Course property is now Gulfstream Park West. The length of the main track is 1 mile with 1/4 and 7/8 chutes. The surface is a 12-inch sand and marl base. The turf course consists of Tifton Bermuda grass and is 7/8 of a mile with a 1/4-mile chute.
The Calder Casino has over 1,100 Vegas-style slots and video poker games. You won’t find human card dealers here. The eTable Games Pit has electronic roulette, blackjack, 3 Card Poker and electronic bingo.
5 – Casino Miami
Casino Miami (formerly known as Miami Jai-Alai Fronton) is the smallest casino on the list at 40,000-square-feet. Located in Miami, Florida this 6,500-capacity indoor arena and casino is located 2.6 miles from the Miami International Airport.
Casino Miami has live jai alai games with pari-mutuel betting. The casino has over 1,000 slot machines. There are also electronic roulette and Royal Match 21 tables. Poker tables include No-Limit Hold’em, 3 Card Poker, and 1 Card Poker.
6 – Hialeah Park Race Track
Hialeah Park Race Track (originally the Miami Kennel Club) is a historic racetrack in Hialeah, Florida opened in 1922 by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtis. Added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the casino ceased all sports racing in 2001 but offers simulcasting and pari-mutuel betting. Visit the Flamingo & LaVeranda Lounge for racing and wagering. Fun fact, the racing movie ‘Let It Ride’ filmed most of its principal photography at Hialeah Park.
The casino has Vegas-style slots with progressive jackpots. There is also electronic blackjack and electronic roulette. Hialeah Park Casino’s Poker Room has a full bar and an outdoor terrace designed for those who enjoy a good cigar. The Hialeah has over 30 tables of Texas hold’em, 7 Card Stud, and Omaha Hi-Lo. Check out their daily high hand promotions and progressive jackpots.
7 – Derby Lane Greyhound Track
Derby Lane Greyhound Track is a racino located in St. Petersburg, Florida. It held its inaugural race in January 1925 making it one of the oldest continuously operating greyhound tracks in the country. The track will host greyhound racing until 2020.
Derby Lane offers races in two distances; 550 yards and 660 yards, with a straightaway of 243 feet. The track’s surface consists of white sand and the middle of the infield contains a small manmade lake.
The track offers simulcast and pari-mutuel wagering on greyhounds, thoroughbreds, harness, and jai-alai matches.
The Derby Lane Poker Room hosts regular and high-limit games with private rooms available. The casino has no slots or other Vegas-style table games.
8 – Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
This harness racing track and casino in Pompano Beach, Florida is billed as “The Winter Home of Harness Racing”. Pompano Park is owned and operated by Eldorado Resorts, owners of the Tropicana in Atlantic City and The Isle of Capri casino line. Opened in 1964, the complex was 331 acres at its height in the 1990s. It contained living quarters for more than 500 caretakers and a swimming pool for horses.
The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park has live thoroughbred and harness racing. It offers live simulcast and betting on harness, thoroughbred, greyhounds, and jai-alai games. Accommodations include carrel seating and private simulcast viewing available upon request.
The casino has over 1,500 slot machines, video poker games, electronic roulette, electronic craps, and electronic blackjack. There is a 40 table poker room with 3 Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and 1-Card Poker. Check the schedule for monthly poker tournaments.
9 – Seminole Casino Immokalee
Seminole Casino Immokalee is a tribal gaming casino in the town of Immokalee, Florida. It is owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Originally opened in February 1994, the property was recently expanded in February 2009.
The Seminole Casino Hotel has over 19 suites and 80 deluxe rooms. The 800 seat Seminole Center is home to concerts, comedy shows, and reviews. Visit the EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill and Lucky Mi Bar & Noodlehouse for dining and drinks.
The casino floor has over 1,300 slot machines with denominations ranging from 1¢ to $100. If you enjoy real money blackjack visit the Zig Zag Pit where the beautiful Zig Zag Girlz deal blackjack starting at $10 a hand. There is video poker with daily jackpots and the comfortable Paradise High Limit area for high-rollers. The casino also has over 35 tables of 3 Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Spanish 21, and Pai Gow Poker.
10 – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood opened in May 2004. The 12-story guitar-shaped hotel is located on the 100 acres Hollywood Reservation of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It has 450 rooms, a staggering 140,000 square foot floor, and a 4 acres lagoon-style pool facility.
The Hard Rock Live arena attached to the casino was leveled in March 2018 as part of a property-wide expansion. It was replaced with a 7,000 seat venue with theater seating. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida is the largest hotel in the Hard Rock franchise line.
The resort is home to the 42,000 square- foot full service retreat Rock Spa & Salon. The expansive spa offers salon services; with massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and spa packages. The Hard Rock in Hollywood has several restaurants. Visit Kuro for vibrant Japanese cuisine. Council Oak Steaks & Seafood offers dining with an open-kitchen view, in-house butcher shop, and dry-aging room. Abiaka wood fire grill has flame-kissed fine dining favorites.
The casino has over 3,100 of the most popular slot machines and a high limits slot room. Play at over 200 tables including blackjack, mini-baccarat, and Pai Gow. If pokers your thing the 45 table Poker Room has various games and tournaments; options include no-limit Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and 7-Card Stud.
11 – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is located on the Tampa Reservation in eastern Tampa, Florida. Opened in 2004, the 190,000 square foot casino is the sixth-largest in the world. Its 12-story hotel has over 800 rooms.
The Hard Rock Event Center is a 1,500-seat venue hosting conventions, trade shows, and large-scale poker tournaments. The 26,000 square-foot facility is home to the Rock Spa & Salon and Rock Om program. The salon offers spa pampering and unique musical yoga classes. Dining options include The Rez Grill for upscale American favorites and Cipresso Italian restaurant for fine Italian dining.
The casino is home to over 5,000 slots and video poker machines. There are over 175 tables featuring blackjack, mini-baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Let It Ride, and Casino War. Seminole Hard Rock has over 45 tables of Texas hold’em, 7 Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo. The casino hosts daily tournaments and regular promotional events.
12 – Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Oldsmar, Florida. The track has gone through several names and owners over the years. One of the oldest tracks on the list, it opened in 1926 under the name Tampa Downs. You’ll often see the track referred to by its older names; Sunshine Park, Florida Downs, and the Turf Club.
The main track of Tampa Bay Downs is a 1-mile dirt oval. The course is seven furlongs and includes a ¼ mile inner chute. The two main races held at the track are the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (an official prep race for the Kentucky Derby) and the Hillsborough Stakes. Check out the racing calendar for live race dates and simulcast times.
The Skye Terrace Dining Room offers an awesome view of the racetrack while you enjoy a delicious meal. The Sports Gallery, Silks Bar & Grille, and the Legends Bar also have views of the track. If you enjoy golfing the Downs Golf Practice Facility has 45 Bermuda grass hitting stations, two full-size chipping greens, and a 5,000-square foot putting green.
Tampa Bay Downs opened Silks Poker Room in December 2003. It has real money Texas hold’em, No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud games. The casino hosts multi-table tournaments and has regular promotional give-aways. You won’t find any slots or electronic games at Tampa Bay Downs.
Conclusion
Florida has many racinos and Native American casinos. Some sports betting is being phased out due to state laws (greyhound racing) while new sports gaming is appearing (jai alai). Most racinos offer simulcasts of racing events and pari-mutuel betting is a staple of Florida entertainment.
Whether you’re visiting the expansive Everglades wetlands, taking in the Miami nightlife, or staying at one of the resort hotels on this list Florida has something for everyone. You’ll find a wide variety of gaming and sports betting in the Sunshine State, be sure to take it all in.
Introduction to Florida Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019
Florida slot machine casino gambling consists of eight pari-mutuel racetracks in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, seven tribal casinos, and day-long casino cruises.
A theoretical minimum payout exists, and monthly return statistics are publicly available for the eight commercial racinos. Neither are available for Florida’s tribal casinos.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
Miami Gardens
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Florida*
The minimum legal gambling age in Florida depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 18
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
State gaming regulations have authorized slot machines at pari-mutuel wagering race tracks located in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. These counties contain the cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale in southern Florida.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Florida
In Florida, it is legal to own a slot machine privately if it is at least 20 years old.
Gaming Control Board in Florida
The gaming control commission is the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering within Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Overall, the DBPR authorizes, regulates or provides oversight for Florida’s gaming industries of:
- Pari-mutuel wagering, including
- Horse racing
- Harness horse racing
- Greyhound racing
- Jai alai games
- Cardroom games
There are over three dozen pari-mutuel wagering facilities in Florida for which the DBPR is responsible, including the eight sites with slot machines. The DBPR does not regulate bingo, the Florida Lottery, or day-long casino boats.
Historically, Florida has a long history of gambling, starting 100 years before gaming became legal. For example, at his first hotel, the Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine in 1888, Henry Flagler created the exclusive and famous Bacchus Club Casino.
Tribal gaming originally arrived in Florida with the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988. With it, Florida’s two federally-recognized American Indian tribes opened casinos offering Class II bingo-style gaming.
Eventually, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has successfully negotiated a tribal-state compact allowing them to offer Class III Vegas-style gaming at their seven casinos.
However, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida did not successfully complete their gaming compact negotiations, limiting them to Class II bingo-style gaming machines at their single casino. Craps field bet odds.
Casinos in Florida
There are eight pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines, seven American Indian tribal casinos, and two daily casino cruise ships based in Florida.
The largest casino in Florida is Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa with nearly 5,000 gaming machines and 179 table games.
The second-largest casino is Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee with 1,300 gaming machines and 38 table games.
Commercial Casinos in Florida
Eight of Florida’s 39 pari-mutuel wagering facilities offer slot machines. These racinos are in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties hosting Miami and Fort Lauderdale:
- The Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach.
- Calder Casino in Miami Gardens.
- Casino Miami in Miami.
- The Casino @ Dania Beach in Dania Beach.
- Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale Beach.
- Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Hialeah.
- Isle Casino Pompano in Pompano Beach.
- Magic City Casino in Miami.
Tribal Casinos in Florida
Florida’s seven tribal casinos are in southern Florida, including:
- Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami located 24 miles west of downtown Miami.
- Seminole Casino Brighton located 135 miles south of Orlando.
- Seminole Casino Coconut Creek located 25 miles north of Fort Lauderdale.
- Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee located 35 miles northeast of Naples.
- Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood located 1 mile south of Fort Lauderdale.
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood located 1 mile south of Fort Lauderdale.
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa located 80 miles southwest of Orlando.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Florida slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Florida is:
- North: Georgia Slots
- North and West: Alabama Slots
- Southeast: Puerto Rico Slots and U.S. Virgin Islands Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my state-specific blog for that neighboring state to Florida.
Besides a host of multi-day international cruise ships with casinos, there are two day-long casino cruise boats with onboard Vegas-style gaming available in Florida:
Casinos In Florida > List Of Florida Casinos In 2020 ..
- Tropical Breeze Casino in Port Richey located 37 miles northwest of Tampa.
- Victory Casino Cruises in Port Canaveral located 60 miles southeast of Orlando.
Our Florida Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Florida? If so, join our new Florida slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
Golden farm game. There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in or near Florida. Join us!
Payout Returns in Florida
Pari-mutuel wagering sites with slot machines in Florida have a minimum theoretical payout of 85%. Actual return statistics by month and casino are publicly available. However, you’ll need to perform some calculations to obtain player win percentages.
To calculate Player Win% for each racino, multiply 100% by Credits Out and divide the result by Credits In. Using the latest statistics available at the time of this writing, September 2019, the monthly player win percentages are:
- The Big Easy: 100% times Credits Out of $33.34M divided by Credits In of $36.36M results in a Player Win% of 91.7%.
- Calder Casino: 100% x $102.9M / $113.1M = 91.0%.
- Casino Miami: 100% x $82.17M / $88.86M = 92.5%.
- The Casino @ Dania Beach: 100% x $41.71M / $45.41M = 91.9%.
- Gulfstream Park: 100% x $45.89M / $49.80M = 92.1%.
- Hialeah Park: 100% x $104.8M / $112.0M = 93.6%.
- Isle Casino Pompano: 100% x $90.17M / $99.60M = 90.5%.
- Magic City: 100% x $123.6M / $132.3M = 93.4%.
The average return for all racinos in September 2019 was 92.3%. For this month, the highest performance went to Hialeah Park, with 93.6%, closely followed by Magic City at 93.4%. The lowest return went to Isle Casino with 90.5%.
Casino Miami Jai-Alai
Florida’s tribal casinos do not share theoretical limits on their slot machine payout percentages, nor do they make actual payout return statistics publicly available.
Summary of Florida Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019
Florida slot machine casino gambling consists of eight pari-mutual wagering racinos near Miami and Fort Lauderdale, seven tribal casinos in southern Florida, and day-long cruise boats to international waters in Port Richey and Port Canaveral.
Best Casinos In Florida
Commercial racinos have a theoretical minimum payout of 85% and publicly available monthly actual return statistics for each casino. Tribal casinos share neither payouts nor returns.
Annual Progress in Florida Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa increased their slots by 25%, now with nearly 5,000 machines. Otherwise, the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park became Isle Casino Pompano.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: District of Columbia Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Georgia Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC