For many, the thrill of betting and the
potential of winning is the highest form
of entertainment and pure (if slightly
sinful) fun. Whether it’s a seat at the racetrack
watching some of the fastest animals on earth
cross the finish line, at a slot machine hoping
for the perfect combination to line up, or at a
poker table matching skill and wits with the
indeterminable skills of other players, you’ll get
your thrills at one of the many South Florida
settings for fun and games.
Gulfstream Park
Since 1939, Gulfstream Park has grown into one
of the premier thoroughbred racing venues in the
world. In 2006, the casino opened and it is currently
listed in trade publications as a leading innovator in
slot products. Gulfstream was the first in the country
to introduce electronic blackjack and roulette and
Vegas-style Diamond Lotto slot machines. It was the
first in Florida to introduce such new machines as the
Breeders Cup. The comfortable, likeable poker room
has become a satellite to the World Series of Poker,
with weekly tournaments and winners advancing
towards participating in the finals. But, as spokesman
Steve Calabro puts it, what truly sets Gulfstream Park
apart is its context. “We are part of a multi-faceted,
entertainment complex Gulfstream Village with the
finest shopping and nightlife. And, we’re just a mile
from the beach.”
901 S. Federal Highway
Hallandale
954.454.7000
gulfstreampark.com
Seminole Hard Rock Casino
Appealing to the MTV generation, Seminole Hard
Rock Casino draws a young and young-at-heart
crowd with its rock music connection, entertainment
from improv comedy to concerts to sexy cabaret to
dueling pianos, shopping and dining, including such
fun, contemporary restaurants as Bluepoint Ocean
Grill, Tequila Ranch, and, of course, the Hard Rock
Café. In terms of gaming, Seminole has 2,300 slots
and games with Vegas-style slots (video poker, video
roulette, video keno, video black jack, Cleopatra,
Enchanted Unicorn, Hexbreaker, Little Green Men, Hot
shots, Blazing 7’s, Spam, and Wheel of Fortune plus
classics like Double Diamond, Red, White & Blue and
Five Times Pay. It also has Florida’s first Nationwide
Progressive Slots which links players to slot machines
across the country. The hotel is luxurious and
provides 24 hour concierge service to satisfy any and
all desires. With so many options, you always come
out a winner.
1 Seminole Way
Hollywood
866.502.7529
seminolehardrock.com
Mardi Gras Casino at Hollywood Greyhound Dog Track
In over 70,000 square feet of space, Mardi Gras
Casino offers 1,300 slot machines (from a penny
to $25), a Big Easy poker room and a greyhound
racetrack as well as daily simulcast broadcasting of
live races from throughout the US and Canada. This
spring, Mardi Gras Casino is installing new gaming
options, including The Amazing Race and Florida’s
first top dollar machines as well as Reel ‘Em In, Star
Track, Wizard of Oz, and Planet GO Monopoly. The
current high limit slot room is relocating and its
former location will soon house the largest penny
progressive in the country. The Big Easy Poker
Room, open 24 hours a day and home to 30 tables
(Texas Hold'em, Omaha & Omaha Hi-Lo, and 7 Card
Stud) hosts events for the Florida Million Poker
Tournament-- the largest overall player pool and
prize pool for Florida poker players. Between games,
players can fortify with gumbo from French Quarter
restaurant or cocktails from Bayou Bar.
831 North Federal Highway
Hallandale Beach
954.924.3200
playmardigras.com
Dania Jai Alai and Casino
Jai Alai, known as “the world’s fastest
game,”originated in the Basques region of
northwestern Spain and Southwestern France.
Meaning “merry festival” in Basques, Jai Alai has rules
similar to handball or racquetball. Players compete on
a court (cancha) with three walls,front, back, and leftside.
Each hurls a ball (pelota) using a scoop-shaped
basket (cesta) against the front wall. The opponent
has to catch it in one bounce or less without being
seriously injured by a ball that is harder than a golf
ball and travels up to 170 mph. Intrigued? Dania Jai
Alai has begun a live internet-TV show for beginners
called “Inside the Cage” Thursdays at 8:30 pm on
jaialaitv.com. The site also posts an informative blog,
Mr. Jai Alai. The venue hosts no-limit Texas Hold’ Em,
and simulcast thoroughbred horse and dog races for
added adrenaline.
301 E. Dania Beach Boulevard
Dania
954.920.1511
Betdania.com
Miami Jai Alai & Poker Room
Also home to the world’s fastest sport, Miami Jai
Lai & Poker room holds live games every afternoon
except Tuesday and evening games every Friday
and Saturday. On Tuesday afternoons and weekday
evenings games are simulcast. The Crystal Card room
is famous for its elegance, with a polished marble
floor, strip of red carpet, and lines of foliage potted
in urns forming the entrance and a luxurious main
room with plush carpet and crystal chandeliers.
Here, multi-player tournaments take place Monday-Saturday noon-midnight, and Sunday 12:30
pm-midnight, including no-limit and limit hold’ em
cash games, 7-stud limit and Omaha Hi-Lo. Open
daily at noon and always hosts a diverse crowd.
3500 NW 37th avenue
Miami
305.633.6400
Fla-gaming.com
Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park
Pompano has its own contemporary style casino
with Isle Casino Racing at Pompano Park. The
venue includes 1,500 slot and video poker machines
(including Wizard of Oz and Slingo Bonus Deluxe), a
poker room and a live harness track. Standard bred
racing is available for viewing Wednesday, Friday,
Dania Jai Alai and Casino
52 Cravings | June / July 2010
and Saturday as it has been since 1964. There is
also dining available on site, including Farraddays’
Steakhouse (serving genuine 21-day wet-aged prime
beef and fresh seafood), Myron’s delicatessen, and
the Isle Buffet serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There is also the Fling bar with a DJ for a spin of live
music.
777 isle of Capri Circle
Pompano Beach
800.843.4753
pompano-park.isleofcapricasinos.com
Miccosukee Resort and Casino
Nothing beats the Miccosukee Resort and Casino as a
uniquely Florida location, situated on the edge of the
Everglades. The facility is vast, with 1790 video pulltab
slot machines, 58 poker tables, and a 1200-seat
Bingo Hall. Furthermore, it is open 24 hours a day
(one of the bingo sessions is actually called Insomnia)
and has an on-site resort (for when the insomnia
eventually passes). There is a cultural aspect to the
resort as well, with it being owned by one of Florida’s
original, Native American tribes. Reflecting this, the
restaurant menu features frog legs, alligator, buffalo,
wild boar, venison, snook, and Indian fry bread
among its selections. Not to worry, it also includes an
international wine list and premium cigars.
500 SW 177th avenue
Miami
877.242.6464 or 305.925.2555
www.miccosukee.com
Seminole Casino
Located in the original building south of the Seminole
Hard Rock Casino, the Seminole Casino draws a
more mature crowd. It is home to one of the highest
casino jackpots paid in the state of Florida ($1.75
million). The over 1,100 slot machines include some
of Las Vegas’ most popular, including Fort Knox,
Stinkin Rich, Quick Hits Platinum, Bombay, Lotus
Flower, White Orchid, Treasures of Troy, Wizard of
Oz, Diamond Jackpot, and Hot Shots––ranging from
1¢ to $25. A Florida exclusive at Seminole Casino is
Star Trek slots, with enhanced interaction that puts
players in an actual Star Trek episode (Trekkies, take
note!) The origins of this gaming venue, however, lie
in is its bingo room. It still offers High Stakes Bingo
daily, featuring a progressive jackpot, which regularly
exceeds $100,000. Look for high stakes in the Mega
Bad Beat poker jackpot as well.
4150 North State Road 7
Hollywood
954.961.3220
seminolehollywoodcasino.com
Calder Race Track and Casino
& Poker Room
Pulling up to the new Calder Casino feels like
approaching a luxury resort––with its sweeping
driveway, covered carport and valet service. Guests
walk directly into the casino floor, Las Vegas-style,
with over 1,200 slot machines. In addition, the Studz
Poker Room offers Texas Hold'Em, Omaha, and 7-Card
Stud with daily and specialty tournaments. Among
the amenities are tableside food and beverage
service, massage service, and the opportunity to bet
on live and simulcast Thoroughbred racing. Whether
you want to refuel as quickly as possible or take a
leisurely break, Calder offers numerous dining and
refreshment options, including three brand-new
restaurants. This is the newest of all the area's casinos
open only since January 2010.
21001 NW 27th avenue
Miami Gardens
305.625.1311
calderracecourse.com
Dave and Busters
The gaming buzz is infectious for all ages at Dave and
Buster’s, where some 200 arcade and video games
zing, roar, and rattle nonstop (simulating everything
from Nascar, to horseracing to basketball to danceoffs
to fighting alien invaders). Visitors purchase
rechargeable power cards that work on all the games,
and keep track of winnings redeemable for prizes
at the Winners Circle. There are also “Power Hour”
sessions, costing $10 for one hour of unlimited arcade
play. Remember high school, when you played a few
rounds of pinball or Donkey Kong, and then went out
for pizza? Now, you can play games so realistic, you
instinctively duck and then you can sit down for steaks
and martinis. Don’t worry: if nostalgia should strike,
Dave and Buster’s still has the classic Pac-Man game.
Visit daveandbusters.com for area locations
Magic City Casino and Flagler Race Track
The Flagler Dog Track has featured greyhound racing
since 1931, and has been operated by the Hecht/
Havenick family since the early 1950s. Magic City Casino
opened in March 2009 and has quickly built up its
number of Vegas-style slot machines, up to roughly
800 by Spring 2010 (when it unveils Blackjack, Roulette,
and Keno machines). The poker room is also a popular
draw because in January 2010, the Magic City Poker
Room paid out the largest royal flush jackpot to a
single winner in Florida card room history: $194,803.
Just a few days later, it paid out $104,659. Still, the
greyhounds race on with live “Doggie Dinner Theater”
Thursday nights, and live racing four days a week,
Tuesdays - Fridays.
450 NW 37th avenue
Miami
305.649.3000
flaglerdogs.com
Hialeah Race Track
No racehorse is more familiar than Seabiscuit who
made his debut racing at Hialeah Race Track in 1935.
(Seabiscuit became popular to many thanks to
bestselling book and the movie). Open since 1922,
the Hialeah Race Track hosts Quarter Horse races
from November -February. The facility, modeled after
a French chateau, is often described as the world’s
most beautiful racetrack. It is on the National Register
of Historic Places. Its signature trait is the hundreds
of pink flamingos that gather on the infield, which
were imported from Cuba in 1933, and are the first of
their species to reproduce outside their wild state. For
this reason, the infield has been deemed a National
Audubon Sanctuary, and to this day, a victory in
Hialeah’s Flamingo Stakes is often seen as a ticket to
ride in the Kentucky Derby.
2200 E 4th avenue
Hialeah
305.885.8000
hialeahparkracing.com
305.749.0340 or e-mail us at 
