Since being deemed a non-essential business, casinos in Florida shut down on March 17. Governor DeSantis announced that they would be allowed to reopen on June 1st, but not all did so immediately.
Some of the casinos in Florida chose to remain closed through most of June, while a few more have yet to announce an official reopening date. If you’re wondering, “Are casinos open in Florida?” this article will help sort it out. I will also include a list of the casinos that will remain shut down through July.
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Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood was one of the first Florida casinos to reopen following the statewide shutdown. This occurred on June 12th, almost a month after being granted permission by the governor.
There are a few precautions in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. All guests are required to wear masks and have their temperature taken before entering. The property has also increased its sanitization measures and spaced out gaming positions to promote social distancing.
Carlos J. Mortensen
Poker fans will be happy to learn that the Hard Rock has brought back most of their poker offerings. This includes cash games, daily tournaments, and their popular Sundays in the Sun tournament series.
If you plan to play live poker in Florida, the Seminole Hard Rock is widely regarded as having the best poker room in the state. It’s also one of the top poker rooms in the country, hosting events that draw talent from around the world.
Notable poker pros who’ve called the Seminole Hardrock in Hollywood home include Carlos Mortenson, Cliff Josephy, and Chris Klodnicki.
Miccosukee Resort and Gaming
Another South Florida casino that opened their doors on June 1st is the . This casino had been loss for over two months due to the pandemic, but they were eager to reopen and welcome customers back.
Like many other Florida casinos, the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming required all guests to wear masks and maintain social distancing whenever possible.
It should be mentioned that this casino remains one of the smaller gaming establishments in the state. They have approximately 500 slot machines, 30 table games, and a high-limit room.
turtle lake casino sportsbookOn the plus side, this casino isn’t spread too thin with hundreds of table games and thousands of slot machines. You’ll find fewer crowds and perhaps even some comps and promotions to reward your patronage.
Jaimie Pastor
The lack of tourists also provides a unique opportunity for poker players and locals alike. The Miccosukee Resort and Gaming is located in Miami, putting them within minutes of many local players.
This makes it easier to draw consistent fields for their cash games and tournaments, which could mean better games and more opportunities to play against weaker opponents. Notable poker pro Jamive Pastor calls the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming his home cardroom.
Islamorada Casino
The Florida Keys reopened to visitors on June 1st, and the Islamorada Casino was ready to go. This gaming establishment is small by any standard, but it offers slot machines and table games for those visiting the area.
Molly’s at the Oceans Edge features live gaming with 300 of the latest slot machines. They also have virtual table games that allow you to wager on Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Craps, and Sic Bo.
All guests are expected to wear masks when moving throughout the casino, but you can remove it while sitting at a gaming machine or table. Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout the facility, and enhanced cleaning protocols have been established.
The Islamorada Casino does close during the day for cleaning/sanitizing, so their operating hours are 6:00 PM – 4:00 AM, seven days per week.
Gulfstream Park
Horse racing fans have missed the action at Gulfstream Park over the past few months, but they reopened their doors on June 1st. Races resumed the following day (June 2nd), giving horseplayers something to get excited about.
Gulfstream Park is one of the premier racetracks in the United States, welcoming both local and out-of-town bettors. Their simulcast venue allows people to watch and wager on races from around the country and abroad.
Things You Should Know Before Playing Slots Online or in PersonWilliam M. Gross
Something unique about Gulfstream Park is that it’s home to so many millionaires and billionaires. Billionaire communication magnate William M. Gross and hedge fund manager Isaac Perlmutter both live in Palm Beach, which is less than 100 miles from the track.
Other affluent residents include Donald Trump, Jr., Craig Robins, Steven Udolph, and Jeff Greene. Suffice to say, you’ll likely be rubbing elbows with wealthy horse racing fans at Gulfstream Park.
With that being said, you don’t have to be rich to visit the racetrack. Everyone is welcomed with open arms, and there’s often live music, food trucks, and other special events taking place outside the racebook area.
Casino Arabella
We now shift our attention to one of the Miami-Dade casinos that haven’t set an official reopening date. Casino Arabella was still open on the border of the mandated shutdown, but they ultimately decided to close on March 22nd.
This casino hasn’t provided an update regarding their plans since closing nearly three months ago. Most observers believe they won’t reopen until it’s been approved by the state of Florida.
Casino Arabella is owned by the Hialeah Park Racing Corporation, which relies heavily on racing revenue. If people aren’t permitted to gather for horse races at Hialeah Park, then it’s unlikely they’ll be allowed to gamble at the casino.
The Card Room Guitar Center
You might’ve forgotten that the Card Room Guitar Center ever became a casino, seeing as how they’ve only been open for roughly two years. They suspended operations on March 17th and haven’t made any comments since then.
Prior to the shutdown, Marc Atlas stepped down from his role as general manager. He stated that he was proud of what they’d accomplished and believed the Card Room Guitar Center would overcome this obstacle like they had in the past.
Atlas didn’t confirm whether they would reopen following Florida’s stay-at-home order. This leaves the future of this casino in doubt.
Magic City Casino
Clara G. Farias
Words That Will Get You Banned from a CasinoMagic City Casino was another South Florida casino that shut down on the final day before the mandatory closure. They have yet to announce when they will reopen, but it appears as though they’re preparing to go in June.
Magic City Casino has gone above and beyond to keep the community safe during these troubling times. Not only did they close their doors before being ordered to do so, but they also donated 5,000 protective face shields to Jackson Memorial Hospital & Baptist Health System.
Best Slot Apps (iOS & Android) - Top Slot Games to DownloadThe casino is owned by Clara G. Farias, who is the longest-serving member of the Florida Legislature. She was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1976 and later moved to the Senate in 1986.
Farias has represented the 40th district since 1996, which includes parts of Miami and Miami-Dade County. There has been some talk that she may step down from her political position to focus on the casino. Regardless, it seems logical that Magic City Casino will reopen this summer.
Dania Beach Casino
Dania Beach Casino has been closed since mid-March and doesn’t appear to be in any rush to reopen. The casino’s interim general manager, Jonathan Zimmerman, stepped down from his role on April 1st.
It’s unclear why Zimmerman left, considering he had only been in the position since December 2019. His departure could signal larger problems with the casino or ownership group, but that’s purely speculative.
More than two months have passed without an update on the casino’s website or social media pages. The good news is that Dania Beach Casino has survived since 1936 and made it through previous economic downturns and health crises.
I wouldn’t count them out just yet, but it’s hard to predict when they will reopen to the public.
Bonus Chips Poker Room
Rounding out our list of casinos currently closed in Florida is the Bonus Chips Poker Room. This cardroom was shuttered on March 17th and hasn’t updated anyone since then.
The last post on their Facebook page was a reminder that they would be closed on Easter Sunday (April 12th). No further updates have been made since then, leaving the future uncertain.
Here’s the good news; the Bonus Chips Poker Room has always been a temporary structure inside the Miami Dade County Fair Expo & Event Center. New management could come in, build a new poker room, and reopen before anyone skips a beat.
Of course, that won’t matter if they decide to abandon the poker room and turn it into more space for carnival games. Time will tell what lies in store for the Bonus Chips Poker Room.
Are Casinos Open in Florida?
Yes, most Florida casinos have reopened following the statewide shutdown. The first was the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood on June 12th, with the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming opening their doors on June 1st.
Many of these casinos have taken extra safety measures to protect patrons & employees. This includes requiring everyone to wear masks and maintain social distancing where possible.
Those looking for the top casino online for Florida players should visit Miami Club Casino. They welcome new members with a no-fuss bonus worth up to $800 and provide around-the-clock gaming goodness from the comfort of home.
Most of the casinos discussed in this post are scheduled to reopen on July 1st. We’ll have to wait and see if that happens, but it appears hopeful that Florida residents will have plenty of gambling options throughout the rest of 2020.
Footnotes:
- ‘” billmelenick.com
- ‘Florida Casinos’ multiple sources
- ‘Donald Trump’s Monday Schedule’ whitehouse.gov
- Casinos that haven’t announced a reopening date were last active on their social media accounts or websites in the following months: (Magic City) March, (Dania) April, (Arabella) March
Anthony is a sports writer for GamblingSites.com covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more. He also covers other various topics such as entertainment, general sports betting tips, and more.
His favorite teams are the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Blackhawks. He also will be a temporary fan of any team if it means winning him bets.
