Whether you’re on vacation or just looking for places to gamble near you, Miccosukee Resort and Gaming and the Magic City Casino are both great options. But if you can help it, we suggest visiting Miccosukee Resort and Gaming over the other.
To see how these two casinos compare, keep reading for our detailed analysis of Miccosukee Resort and Gaming, Hialeah Park Racing & Casino, and Magic City Casino.
Best Free Slot Games Online - Play Demo Slots for FreeWe’ll go over their locations, available games, promotions, hotel accommodations, and more.
The Top Casinos in Miami, FL
Before we look at each individual casino, let’s check out a quick overview of our three top Miami casinos.
1. Miccosukee Resort and Gaming
- 200,00-Square-Foot Gaming Area
- More Than 500 Games
- Class II Gaming
- 4 Restaurants (2 Open 24 Hours)
- 3 Bars
- 700-Seat Poker Room
- High Limit VIP Slot Area
- Close Proximity to South Beach and Port of Miami
The Miccosukee Resort and Gaming is one of only two Indian casinos in South Florida. This Native American tribe has been around since the early 1960s and manages two casinos in the Miami area. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is the only other real casino in Miami, but it is a Class III casino.
Casinos Worth Visiting Near Norfolk, According to Local GamblersClass III casinos are what most people think of when they hear the word “casino.” These facilities have every type of slot machine and table game you could imagine. In some cases, they even have poker rooms and sportsbooks.
On the other hand, Miccosukee Resort and Gaming is a Class II gaming facility. While there is still plenty of gambling fun here, all of the machines contain a bingo element that meets the legal requirements for Class II gaming.
There are more than 500 games at your disposal here, spread out across the massive 200,000-square-foot gaming area. You won’t need to wait in line to play any of the games, which is a major plus in my book.
Not only that, this casino does whatever it can to encourage you to visit. New members receive $25 in free play for signing up, while Gold Members (highest tier) get $150.
If you like to play poker, there is a 700-seat room dedicated to card games. There is also a high limit VIP slot area if you really want to up the ante; figuratively speaking.
There are four restaurants to choose from, with two open 24 hours a day. There is also a buffet and a coffee shop/deli combo. If you want to smoke cigars, there is a humidor with premium options at the Mikey’s Café & Bar.
chicago tribune casinoThey don’t serve alcohol at Mikey’s, but there are three full bars scattered around the premises.
2. Hialeah Park Racing & Casino
- Full-Service Casino Set to Reopen December 4, 2021
- 800 Slots and Electronic Table Games
- Poker Room
- 24 Table Games
- Dining Options to be Announced
- Bars to be Announced
After a six-year hiatus, the renovated Hialeah Park Racing & Casino is set to reopen on December 4, 2021. I’m not much of a slots or table game player, but this place was always my go-to when I felt like gambling in Miami.
That will change soon enough as they reopen with 800 of the latest and greatest slot machines. They’ll also have electronic versions of blackjack, roulette, and other popular table games.
In addition to the expanded gaming area, they will also add a new poker room. Though the details haven’t been released yet, they plan to have 24 table games once everything is said and done.
Golden Nugget Casino Tips You Need To Win Big!There have been no announcements regarding dining and bar options either. Considering how long it has been since they were open, a complete renovation was likely needed. I would expect some familiar faces behind the counter when it’s all said and done, but we’ll have to wait and see.
One thing that hasn’t changed is their live thoroughbred racing season. That began on December 4, 2021, along with the official reopening of the casino. The best part is, they run from December through July, with a short break in between.
It’s always exciting to bet on the horses, especially when you can do it in person instead of using an online racebook. For more information on the legal side of gambling from your home, check out these reputable .
Hialeah Park may have closed its doors in 2015, but they’ve obviously used that time wisely to come back better than ever before.
Best DraftKings Casino Games You Should Play Online in 2023I definitely plan to check it out for myself on December 18, 2021, when they kick off the winter racing season with their first stakes race of the year (“Hialeah Turf Cup”). If you plan on going, be sure to practice your horse betting strategy beforehand.
3. Magic City Casino
- Vegas-Style Gaming
- More Than 850 Machines
- Jai-Alai Fronton
- Original Home of Calle Ocho Festivities
- Bingo Hall
- Poker Room
- 24-Hour Operation
Magic City Casino is another great option among Miami gambling sites. It opened its doors in 1965 and has been going strong ever since.
Casino Bonus Review - Are The Promotions Worth It?In terms of games, Magic City has them all.
You’ll find more than 850 machines scattered across the casino floor, including the latest and greatest slots and electronic table games. They also have a full poker room and bingo hall.
With a jai-alai fronton on the property, Magic City Casino is the only place in the world you can witness this sport every night of the week.
Calder Casino and Race Course sits on the former site of the Magic City’s original location. The casino moved from 42nd St. And NW 2nd Ave. To its current spot on NW 37th St. In 1995. Coincidentally, that’s also where Calle Ocho’s celebrations officially began back in the day.
If you are down for playing at an international casino in Miami, head over to the for more info.
Today, Magic City Casino operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Regardless of when you stop by, the doors will be open.
All active military members and veterans receive special discounts here, as well as their spouses. You’ll also be able to find a range of promos on their website/app, so be sure to check those out before hitting the tables.
Now that we covered the best gambling destination in Miami, let’s take a quick look at some other topics.
Are Casinos Legal in Miami, FL?
Gambling in Miami and the rest of Florida is considered Class III gaming unless otherwise specified. As I mentioned earlier, the Seminole Tribe runs several Class III casinos under the “Hard Rock” name.
new jersey online casino gamblingThese casinos have everything you could imagine in terms of games.
Unfortunately, Florida voting results from 1930s still affect gambling laws today.
Many people associate this time period with the rise of organized crime figures like Al Capone, who reportedly had ties to Miami. Needless to say, these events left a bad taste in many Floridians’ mouths.
The Compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe provides more information about the state’s modern-day agreements with Native American tribes.
Fortunately, the Miccosukee Tribe of South Florida was able to establish a pair of Indian casinos in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. All other forms of gambling are technically illegal, although Betty E. Goldstein, Esq., seems to think that could change soon.
Here are some of the legal gambling options in Miami, Florida.
Miami Poker Games
Poker players might feel a little limited in the Magic City, but that isn’t exactly the case. Yes, the best Miami casinos are a bit sparse in terms of poker offerings, but there are still plenty of places to get your game on.
For one, the WPT World Championship is coming up on July 8, 2023, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in nearby Hollywood, Florida.
Best Casino Games Like Poker with Higher House Edge - Indivisible GameThis is the biggest series in the history of the World Poker Tour, complete with a guaranteed prize pool of $20 million across 60 tournaments. Buy-ins range from $660 all the way up to $10,300, so there are plenty of opportunities for everyone.
Here’s a quick look at the numbers from last year’s event to wet your whistle.
- $21,680 NLH Opening Event – 3,640 entries – $1,400,140 prize pool
- $5,300 WPT Chamber Of Fame – 574 entries – $2,840,600 prize pool
- $10,300 WMSC $10 Million Guaranteed – 929 entries – $9,478,400 prize pool
Perhaps you prefer to play in Miami itself. In that case, I recommend downloading the ClubGG app to meet other poker enthusiasts in your area.
You can also use ClubGG to find local home games or start your own. Either way, it’s good to know that you have plenty of options for poker in Miami.
Miami Sports Betting
Is betting on sports legal in Miami? Not exactly, but there are ways to get your action down without breaking the law.
Offtrack betting facilities such as Hialeah Park and Magic City Casino give you the opportunity to bet on races from around the country. Unfortunately, there aren’t any professional horse tracks in the Miami area.
When it comes to sports betting, you can always use an online sportsbook to get your action down. Technically, this is still against the law, but there are few, if any, reports of people getting into trouble for placing bets online.
Check out our guide to the for more background on the matter.
Our favorite sports betting sites have thousands of markets, awesome bonuses, and the latest technology to ensure your money is safe. I have been using them for years now and have never had a single problem.
Of course, I always make sure I am connected to a secure network on my protected devices when putting money into online gambling apps.
As you might expect, Miami is a hotbed for sports betting in Florida. The , the Dolphins, Miami Heat, Panthers, and various collegiate teams all have diehard fan bases.
My recommendation is to use multiple sites to compare odds and find the best possible values. Feel free to check out our top picks below or go in a different direction if you wish.
Miami Horse Betting
Horse racing goes hand in hand with gambling in general. Sure, you can simply go to the track to bet on your favorite steeds. On top of that, you can use various racetracks in Florida as an offtrack betting location.
If you want to step your game up, however, I recommend .
US Online Poker Sites to Play Poker Games Online in 2023Unlike the , grayhound races are not fixed. Due in large part to advancements in communication technologies, it’s tougher to get away with “cheating” when it comes to greyhounds.
Even so, I wouldn’t risk real money on grayhound races until fixings become socially unacceptable like they are with horse races. Instead, I like to bet on grayhounds for fun rather than profit.
mgm casino appHere are a couple of top sites for gambling on dogs and ‘hosies.’
While I don’t recommend fixing greyhound races, I do think it’s worthnote that some tracks have better treatment of their canine athletes than others.
Because of this, I tend to put more money on greyhounds from well-respected tracks such as Wheeling Downs in West Virginia and Shawnee Downs in Illinois.
Thoroughbred and harness racing are also fair game. Here are the top track options in the United States.
- Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby)
- Belmont Park (Belmont Stakes)
- Pimlico Race Course (Preakness Stakes)
- Del Mar Racetrack
- Saratoga Race Course
- Woodbine Racetrack
- Meadows Standardbred Center
- Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
Feel free to expand upon this list however you like. Some of the smaller tracks might not have big-name races, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hit up the betting windows for some fun.
Miami Lottery
The Florida Lottery was created in 1986 and has since paid out more than $61 billion in prizes. In addition to selling winning tickets, the Florida Lottery also contributions nearly $37 billion to the state’s education budget.
Top Bonuses At Online Casinos In New York State 2023Some people view the lottery as a tax on the poor, considering a significant portion of tickets are bought by low-income earners. With more than $1 million jackpots drawn every few days, though, it’s easy to see why so many folks buy a ticket or two.
The Powerball and Mega Millions draws are undoubtedly the biggest events. Both games routinely reach $100 million and sometimes even surpass the $1 billion mark. When that happens, it’s hard not to buy a ticket hoping to hit it big.
Here are the eight highest jackpot wins in Powerball and Mega Millions history.
While those jackpots are certainly life changing, your chances of winning are pretty slim.
Regardless, I still recommend buying a ticket every once and awhile. You have to be in it to win it, right?
Caesars Online Casino Review - Top Slots, Games & AppSpeaking of being in it, did you know that you can play the lottery from your phone? Well, you can’t actually redeem your winnings that way, but you can use lottery apps to simulate scratch-off cards.
The best lottery apps in Miami and the rest of Florida include:
- Lucky Land Slots & Casino
- JackpotGenie
- Lotsofred
- Florida Lottery Mobile App
You won’t win real money on any of these apps, but you can collect gold coins and use in-app purchases for more chances to win. They’re all free to download, so I recommend having a few on your device.
Miami Charity Gambling
Charity gambling is an excellent way to spend money on games while justifying it to yourself as a good deed. Although that might be a stretch, it’s nice to know that a portion of the proceeds go toward helping those less fortunate.
There are a variety of games to choose from, depending on which events you decide to attend in Miami. Drawings, silent auctions, raffles, poker tournaments, and bingo are just a few of your available options.
Top-Rated Real Money Gambling Apps for 2023Needless to say, there are plenty of worthy causes around the Miami area.
Whether it be cancer research, homeless shelters, or animal sanctuaries, there is someone out there who needs your help.
Not only that, but you might end up winning big while supporting a good cause. One woman in Deerfield Beach won a whopping $57,000 playing bingo at the North Andrews Gardens Senior Center.
Imagine doing a ton of good for others while adding a considerable amount to your bankroll. Now that’s a win-win situation if I’ve ever heard one.
Here’s a list of upcoming charity events in the South Florida area to get you started.
I strongly recommend looking into these events and anything else that might peak your interest.
Ways to Legalize Online Poker in the US - SharkScope BlogThere are tons of small-scale events hosted by local organizations throughout the year, too. Check with businesses and community centers around Miami to learn more.
Miami Casino History – From Boom to Bust
Miami has always been known as a glitzy and glamorous city. Naturally, many casinos popped up during the 20th century to cater to the rich and famous.
One of the most iconic resorts in Miami Beach history is the Clevelander Hotel. Originally built in 1923 and dubbed the Normandy Hotel, it wasn’t long before it became a mecca for celebrities and gangsters alike.
By the mid-1930s, the place was known as the Clevelander Hotel and offered nonstop dancing, gambling, and other vices. Speakeasies were located throughout the building, with mobster Meyer Lansky allegedly having a hand in the operation.
The Clevelander got even wilder in the 1950s and ’60s thanks to spring breakers descending upon the venue in droves. Clothing was optional on the roof, to put it mildly.
Despite numerous attempts to shut it down due to fire hazards and other issues, the historic Clevelander Hotel stands tall to this day. There is no casino on the property, despite rumors suggesting otherwise.
Needless to say, things didn’t work out for the Seminole Tribe of Hard Rock Casinos Miami when they tried to purchase the site in 2019. Perhaps they can find a way to make it work in the future.
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So, you’ve decided to go big in Miami. The question now is, how are you going to get there?
If you live close enough, driving to the casino might be your best bet. Not only is it free to park your car, but you also avoid the hassles of going through airport security and renting a vehicle at your destination.
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On the other hand, air travel makes more sense for those traveling from outside the state. It takes roughly one hour and 30 minutes to fly from Atlanta to Miami, for example. Driving the same distance would take around nine hours, giving you plenty of time to blast your favorite road trip songs.
I usually try to balance things out by driving to closer destinations and flying across the country. Doing so makes it easier to see all my favorite poker blogs’ recommended casinos in the US.
Where do you stand on driving versus flying? Whatever you decide, you should arrive in Miami just fine.
Enjoy Your Trip to the Best Miami Casino!
As someone who likes to gamble on poker and sports, my top Miami gambling site is an online one. Having said that, I do enjoy visiting land-based casinos from time to time.
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