When you think of Florida gambling, you likely conjure up images of the many in Miami-Dade or . While those two cities certainly have a lock on the Sunshine State’s casino industry, there are a few scattered elsewhere.
Highest Paying Casino Games You Should Play OnlineFort Lauderdale is no exception. Sure, it might not have half a dozen major resorts like its neighbors, but it does have some casinos worth playing at. If you find yourself down in south Florida, check out these casinos near Fort Lauderdale.
Is Gambling Legal in Fort Lauderdale?
You might be surprised to learn that there are Fort Lauderdale casinos. Okay, there aren’t any casinos on the city limits, but plenty can be found in nearby towns.
If you’re driving into Fort Lauderdale from, say, Las Vegas, the lack of casinos would be obvious. But this is south Florida we’re talking about.
This is a mostly blue state (in politics, not temperature), meaning the government has a firm grasp on things. This tends to stunt the growth of the gambling industry outside of what the government deems acceptable.
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There are over , but most of them are small nuisement operations that you wouldn’t enjoy being in for very long. The casinos I’ll be pointing out to you later in this piece are more up your alley.
The short answer to this question is yes, it’s legal to gamble in and around Fort Lauderdale. Seminole Gaming operates almost all the casinos in south Florida.
They have a special compact with the state that allows them to operate legally.
However, this compact was voted down in 2015, leading to the closure of all poker rooms in the state. It wasn’t until 2017 that another compact was agreed upon and poker rooms were allowed to reopen.
And before you ask, yes, sports betting is illegal in Florida. It is a tough nut to crack in the political arena, however, so perhaps it will be legal one day.
For now, the only way to engage in legally is to do so at a horse track. For example, Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino in Hallandale Beach has a sportsbook run by SBTech.
4 Fort Lauderdale Area Casinos Worth Visiting
If you thought there weren’t any Fort Lauderdale casinos, I don’t blame you. As I said before, this is south Florida we’re dealing with.
The beaches tend to be the biggest attraction, followed closely by the warm weather. But when you need a break from the sun, where should you go? Here are the best casinos near Fort Lauderdale.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
When you think of gambling in Florida, the last resort you probably consider is Fort Lauderdale. That might change after the opening of the brand new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in October of 2019.
It cost over $1.5 billion to build and is easily one of the nicest casinos in south Florida. So nice, in fact, that it makes my list of the throughout the Sunshine State.
You’ll find it just off I-95 in nearby Hollywood, Fl. (about a 30 minute drive from the heart of Fort Lauderdale).
Casinos in Panama City, Florida, Area (2023 List)As far as amenities go, they don’t come much better than this. There are over 2,000 slots and more than 115 table games. You’ll find all of your favorites, including blackjack, Andarin poker, Cassuto poker, mini-baccarat, pai gow, baccarat, Caribbean Stud, ceretic poker, English stud, high-card flush, Let It Ride, pai gao tile, Texas Hold’em Bonus, three-card poker and ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Seminole Hard Rock also has a terrific poker room, which we’ll get into a bit.
Party Casino Review UK - Slots & Other Games to PlayOtherwise, you could spend weeks enjoying the slots and table games here and never experience the same thing twice.
Shark Wild! is a local’s game similar to Pai Gow.
It’s a unique game that you won’t find at many other casinos, making it well worth trying if you’re looking for something different.
I’d be remiss not to mention the food situation at this casino. There are a ton of great options, but I’d recommend trying the Council Oak Sushi or Kuro for fine dining experiences.
If you’re hankering for a juicy burger, head over to Rocks Royal Diner, which is open 24 hours a day. Seminole Hard Rock has thought of everything here, even the late night munchies.
Now, let’s talk about why I might never leave home ever again. The rock star suites.
Every single room here is rock n roll themed, which immediately gives it a leg up on any other casino in the world. However, a select few rooms pay homage to some of music’s greatest stars. Think Elvis, Madonna, Tupac, and Tina Turner, among others.
These suites cost a pretty penny, but they look absolutely incredible. I’d shell out a couple hundred bucks to sleep where Tupac might have lain his head at one point.
Might be a tad excessive, though. Either way, the accommodations here are top notch regardless of which room you grab.
As if all this weren’t enough, Seminole Hard Rock also has a phenomenal poker room. They host tournaments almost every day and cash games across the board.
Limited to No Limit games are always available, as well as Seven Card Stud at various limits. High-stakes players also have games that range from $1-$3 to $50-$100.
Low-stakes players are also catered to, as 8-3 limer games run from $1-$20.
A jackpot section is also present, which includes four levels and progressives. The more you climb the ladder and play for higher stakes, of course.
Tournaments are the real deal here, however. As in, they’re what put this casino on the map. The Seminole Hard Rock Series of Poker debuted in March of 2019 and had over 6,000 entrants across 22 events.
Best Poker Tournament Apps for Android & IOS in 2023Over $6 million was awarded, meaning their inaugural series was an unmitigated success.
Expect big things from the Seminole Hard Rock poker room moving forward. I know I do.
Isle Casino® Racing Dania Beach
The Isle Casino Racing Dania Beach used to be known as Dania Jai-Alai, which should give you a good idea of what this place is all about.
Jai-Alai is scarce these days, with only a few casinos in the US offering the sport. Dania Beach was one of the originals, which helped put it on the map when it first opened in 1994.
Even if jai-alai isn’t your thing, there are other forms of gambling to partake in at this Floridian casino.
There are over 1,000 slot machines and all sorts of table games. You can play blackjack, pai gow, 3-Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and more.
They also have a lively poker room with daily and weekly tournaments alongside cash games ranging from $1/$2 blinds to $30/$60 blinds.
Unbelievable Gambling Losses You Can't Believe Were RealThe Isle Casino also boasts a great restaurant selection. Whether you’re in the mood for steak, seafood, pizza, or fried chicken, there is something here for everyone. And did I mention they have an all-you-can-eat shrimp bar? Because I think that’s important.
Isle Casino also has live entertainment seven nights a week. Between jai-alai, slots, table games, poker, food, and entertainment, there’s really no reason to ever leave.
Oh, and did I mention they have bus trips to other destinations like New York City? Talk about killing a weekend.
Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino
Gulfstream Park is most famous for being a thoroughbred racetrack, having hosted races since 1939. In recent years it has also been home to the Pegasus World Cup, which features the richest Thoroughbred race in the world.
The race offered a record-breaking $3 million purse in 2019 and has since been raised to $4 million.
Not a big fan of horse racing? Well, you’re in luck—sort of. See, Gulfstream Park recently added a casino. Sort of.
mgm casino lionsGambling on horses is about as easy as it gets. Just pick a winner and collect.
Okay, it’s a little more complicated than that, but you get my point. Still, not everyone enjoys going to the track and wagering on the ponies. Some folks prefer the anonymity of a traditional casino setting.
That’s cool; I get it. Fortunately for these types, the casino at Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino should fit the bill.
Awesome No Deposit Bonus Codes You Have to Try (2023)It’s a SBTech-powered sportsbook, which means it’s digital. That’s right, kids—this “casino” doesn’t have any slots or table games. It’s essentially just a large room with hundreds of TVs.
But it does have beer on tap, so that’s something, right?
Sportsbooks aren’t for everyone. Personally, I prefer sitting on a couch with a cold one while placing bets in my underwear.
It’s hard to beat the convenience of that. That said, I still like to get to the track every once and awhile.
The sights, sounds, and smells of a horse race are second to none. It’s definitely an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lives.
Anyway, back to the casino.
There are over 80 HDTVs, five massive projector screens and 200 self-service betting kiosks. The casino (air quote air quote casino air quotes) is located just minutes from the beach and an hour north of Fort Lauderdale.
If you’re already in the area, why not check it out? Who knows; you might like wagering on sports without a bunch of slot machine noise and smoky air getting in the way.
Casino Woodlands
Casino Woodlands is a Seminole Hard Rock-branded facility that offers the 20^{th} and final table for the annual Hard Rock Poker Open.
Aside from that, it’s a smaller facility that offers 300 electronic games, including popular titles like Wheel of Fortune and Super Times Pay Poker.
If you’ve never played an electronic gaming machine before, now’s your chance!
There’s a full-service Twin City Hometown Buffet attached to the casino as well. The poker room hasn’t been updated on the official Seminole Hard Rock website, so it’s unclear if it’s currently open or not.
I’d call ahead to make sure they are indeed offering card room games. Casino Woodlands is situated just east of I-95 between Exits 328 and 327.
It takes about 35 minutes to get there from Fort Lauderdale, but it might be worth the trip if you’re looking for some low-limit action.
Honorable Mention: The Big Easy Casino
Is this casino in Fort Lauderdale? Nope.
Is it on a boat? Yessir.
Is it less than 30 minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale? You betcha’.
I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t at least mention the Big Easy Casino, seeing as how it’s so darn close. Also, it’s a floating casino. How many casino you can gamble at that aren’t on land?
The Big Easy is docked just over the border in Gulfport, Michigan. Michigan might seem like an odd destination if you’re in Fort Lauderdale, but trust me—it’s worth the trip.
This casino is huge. Like, Carnival cruise ship huge. You could easily spend a whole day aboard and not see or do everything you want to.
Most Popular Playing Card Games You Can Play OfflineSlots, table games, poker, amazing food, nightly entertainment, cigar bars— need I go on? Probably not.
If you find yourself bored stiff in Fort Lauderdale, hop in the car and make the short jaunt to Gulfport. Your senses will thank you.
What Could Have Been: The Coconut Creek Casino Project
In 2012, developers announced plans for a $450 million casino complex in unincorporated Broward County.
Vegas Rush Casino Free Spins No Deposit Bonus + Top Games - Indivisible GamingIt was slated to feature two casinos — one hard rock and one country western themed — several restaurants and shops, a hotel with 200 rooms, and a 2,500 person capacity concert venue.
The catch? It would have been built inside of a one-mile radius of the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood casino. Needless to say, the Seminoles weren’t too happy about this proposed development.
They took the issue to court, citing a 2010 agreement that basically made it difficult for anyone else to open a casino within a 100 mile radius of Hard Rock. A settlement was reached in which the Coconut Creek casino developers would either have to pay the tribe $50 million or cease construction altogether.
Needless to say, the casino was never built. It’s just an empty field now. Oh well.
Why Are There so Few Fort Lauderdale Casinos?
If you’ve done any research regarding gambling in Florida, then you’re probably aware of how difficult it is to operate a brick and mortar establishment.
Florida is a Republican-controlled state, which generally leans toward conservative values. One of those values is limited government, which translates into very few venues that are allowed to offer gambling.
2023's Best Unibet Casino Promotions - Get 0 Bonus Now!The Seminoles have a special compact with the state that allows them to operate casinos. Other establishments are not afforded the same privilege.
A group called Bonita Springs Entertainment Partners tried to open a card room in 2015, but it was shut down because state attorneys argued that their gaming machines qualified as slot machines, which only Native American casinos and certain South Florida pari-mutuel sites are permitted to have.
The compact between the state of Florida and Seminole Tribe allows for banked card games like blackjack. Unbanked card games, like ones run by Bonita Springs, are not protected under the compact.
So unless something changes in Tallahassee or in Indian Town, Fla., the number of casinos in and around Fort Lauderdale probably won’t increase.
On the bright side, the casinos that are operating in this area know that they don’t have much competition.
This likely inspires them to go above and beyond to ensure they’re offering the best possible product. Mission accomplished, by the way.
No Deposit Bonus Casinos in the USA (2023) - Online Casino ReviewsLook at these casinos near Fort Lauderdale. Don’t you just hate ourselves a little for not owning stock in whichever company came up with the rock-themed suite idea?
I know I do.
Anyway, the point is that while there may not be a lot of places to gamble in or around Fort Lauderdale, the ones that are open are putting their best foot forward.
US Poker Sites with Fast Trusted Withdrawals in 2023Combine that with miles of pristine beaches, and there’s really no reason to go anywhere else. Well, except for Michigan. Definitely make the trip to the Big Easy Casino.
If you’re looking for online gambling options in Florida, check out our guide to the .
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