- The Big Easy Casino is less than 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale and has live blackjack and poker.
- The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is one of the best casinos near Fort Lauderdale, with over 50 poker tables.
- Gulfstream Park Racing and Golf is a great racino option for off-the-beaten-path fort lawn beach fort lauderdale casinos.
While Fort Lauderdale, Florida, doesn’t have any casinos inside city limits, some wonderful Fort Lauderdale casinos are located just outside its borders.
I did the driving for me, so you don’t have to do the driving for yourselves. So, if you feel the urge to hit up some slots or tables during your visit, .
While you’re at it, also consider visiting some of the top Fort Lauderdale hotels. Do not sleep on the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood area because there are many fabulous places to stay in this region.
Best Free Casino Games You Can Play Online Right NowNow that we have covered all our basics, it is time to get into the meat and potatoes of today’s piece. Here are the seven best casinos near Fort Lauderdale.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Hollywood, FL)
- Gambling Options: Slot machines, table games, poker room
- Contact: (954) 924–3200
- Distance/Driving Time from Fort Lauderdale: 20 minutes / 13 miles
- Special Features: Top-rated poker room | Close proximity to Fort Lauderdale | Guitar-shaped hotel opening 2021
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino should be near the top of everyone’s list when looking through the various Fort Lauderdale casinos. It is arguably the top casino within an hour of Fort Lauderdale.
It would be a shock if it wasn’t one of your top choices for the “best casinos near me” search.
There are usually dozens of tournaments running for slots, table games, and poker. They also offer one of the better rewards programs among Florida casinos. You can also watch concerts from the comfort of your home thanks to their .
Hard Rock Hollywood’s poker room regularly ranks as one of the top rooms in the state. There are over 50 tables, which makes it much larger than most rooms in Florida.
They spread the following games at the Hard Rock Hollywood poker tables:
- No-Limit Hold’em.
- Pot-Limit Omaha.
- No-Limit Mixed Triple Draw.
- H.O.R.S.E..
- No-Limit Texas Triple Draw.
- Badugi.
You can also try your luck at thousands of slot machines, table games, and the pint-sized casino has already opened. A full-scale , shaped like a guitar, is set to open in late 2021.
Yes, you read that right – the casino will be in the shape of a giant guitar. What other casino even comes close to that level of uniqueness?
Few off-the-beaten-path fort lauderdale casinos can measure up to what Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood offers. If you need to scratch that gaming itch during your trip to Fort Lauderdale, I strongly recommend taking a short drive westward.
Isle Casino Racing Braselton (Braselton, GA)
- Gambling Options: Thousand of slot machines, table games, piano bar.
- Contact: (706) 654–1700
- Distance/Driving Time from Fort Lauderdale: 55 minutes / 38 miles
- Special Features: Great location if also visiting Atlanta | Piano Bar | Outlet shopping nearby
If you don’t mind crossing state lines, the Isle Casino Racing Braselton could be a nice choice. It’s roughly 55 minutes north of Fort Lauderdale, which is right between Atlanta and the Georgia coastline.
So, if you are also planning a trip to either of those destinations, the Isle Casino Racing Braselton could be a nice stop along the way.
This casino features around 2,000 slot machines and numerous table game options. You also won’t struggle to find a place to sit at the poker tables or the cage.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from the casino’s gaming options:
- 1,400 traditional slot machines.
- 350 modern multi-game electronics.
- 40 table games.
- 36 Racetrac historical horse racing machines.
- 24/7 poker.
- 24/7 cage.
- 9 AM to 1 AM table games.
What other casino in Fort Lauderdale offers a poker room that runs 24/7? Not many, that’s for sure. This could be the only poker room you end up playing at during your trip, simply because it is open nonstop.
The Isle Casino Racing Braselton recently reopened its restaurant and added a temporary venue called The Market Gourmet Grab & Go. They also have a permanent eats venue named Tanger Outlets Food Hall, which has plenty of different vendors to choose from.
In addition to outlet mall dining, Braselton also offers tons of outlet shopping. You could easily turn your trip to this casino into a full day event. It’s definitely deserving of being in your list of the best Fort Lauderdale area casinos.
The Big Easy Casino (Clarkston, GA)
- Gambling Options: Live blackjack, off-track betting, poker
- Contact: (770) 727–7777
- Distance/Driving Time from Fort Lauderdale: One hour / 60 miles
- Special Features: Live blackjack | Off-track betting | Exotic dancers on the weekends
If you cross over the Florida-Georgia border for the Isle Casino, you can also swing by the Big Easy Casino. It takes about an hour to reach this facility from Fort Lauderdale, but it might be worth it.
For those of you who enjoy playing blackjack, the Big Easy sets itself apart from other casinos in Fort Lauderdale. You can play the electronic version of blackjack wherever you look in Florida, but the Big Easy offers live blackjack.
Their gaming options are limited to blackjack, off-track betting, and poker. But you don’t necessarily need a wide range of slot machines or table games; otherwise, you wouldn’t want to be playing blackjack somewhere else.
Here’s a quick rundown of their main casino offerings.
- 12 poker tables
- 20 flat racing screens
- 30 carrels for sports wagering
- 70 flat racing screens
- 90 carrels for sports wagering
- 120 flat racing screens
- 160 carrels for sports wagering
I should note that the 120 carrels for sports wagering at the Big Easy open at 10:30 am, while all the other ones open at 11 am. An early morning advantage like that could come in handy sometime.
The Big Easy also has exotic dancers on the weekend, which is another thing you won’t find at most Fort Lauderdale casinos. Maybe that explains why people vote it as one of the top casinos near Fort Lauderdale.
Gulfstream Park Racing and Golf (Hallandale Beach, FL)
- Gambling Options: Over 1,000 slot machines, simulcast wagering, table games
- Contact: (954) 454–7000
- Distance/Driving Time from Fort Lauderdale: 15 minutes / nine miles
- Special Features: One of the top racinos in America | Great Mimosa Brunch
Some of you might prefer going to Fort Lauderdale casinos if you’re traveling with family members. In this case, I recommend checking out Gulfstream Park Racing and Golf.
Gulfstream Park is one of the top racinos in America and a great choice for anyone looking for “casinos near me.” It’s just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale, and it offers a ton of fun things to do.
online casinos listNaturally, Gulfstream Park is known for its horse races. But it also offers over 1,000 slot machines, simulcast wagering, and tables games. Their Mimosa Brunch sounds pretty good too. Perhaps I should change my Sunday routine and start doing brunch at a casino.
Anyways, Gulfstream Park typically has events for kids. That that includes things like Easter egg hunts, visits with Santa Claus, and summer camps. You can also grab a bite to eat at any of these great restaurants and food stands.
- New Day Lobster Co.
- Taiga Tavern
- Burger Joint
- Cafe at the Club
- Gazebo Grill
- The Paddock Bar & Grill
- Provisions Marketplace
Most of these locations serve delicious foods, but the Provisions Marketplace is unique in its own right. You can grab sandwiches, salads, pastries, and hot items here. You could also pack a picnic lunch and take it with you to the racetrack.
online casinos no deposit bonusIf you’re interested in golf courses near me, you’ll be happy to know that Gulfstream Park has an 18-hole course on the premises. It was designed by legendary architect Mark Mahannah, so you know it has to be good.
Not many Fort Lauderdale area casinos can match the versatility of Gulfstream Park!
Casino @ Dania Beach (Dania Beach, FL)
- Gambling Options: Slots, live table games, poker
- Contact: (954) 920–1511
- Distance/Driving Time from Fort Lauderdale: 20 minutes / ten miles
- Special Features: Dog-friendly outdoor seating | Unique food options (Porky’s, Hamburger Mary’s, etc.)
The Casino @ Dania Beach is yet another great casino that’s less than 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale. Its history dates back to 1936, making it one of the oldest facilities of this nature in the Sunshine State.
When you first arrived at the Casino @ Dania Beach, you might think Poker Royale picked the venue for filming. That goes double if Porky’s also happens to be one of your favorite comedy movies from the 1980s.
Kidding aside, this casino offers a variety of fun gambling opportunities. You can play over 800 slot machines, live table games, and poker.
Here’s what the Casino @ Dania offers in terms of live table games.
- Blackjack
- Mini-Baccarat
- Spanish 21
- Super Fun 21
- Texas Hold’em Bonus
- Craps
- Roulette
Rush in anytime from 6 am to 2 am to enjoy any of these games. High rollers will love the opportunity to risk $5,000 on a single roll of the craps dice.
Many of the Fort Lauderdale casinos feature food options, but how many of them can compete with the Casino @ Dania Beach? This facility hosts three fantastic eats venues, including Porky’s, Hamburger Mary’s, and Duffy’s Sports Grill.
I would probably skip the healthy salad options at Hamburger Mary’s, mainly because it would be blasphemous to hit their menu without trying the burgers, dogs, or fried pickles. As a frequent flyer on the “Everything Bagel” train, I can’t wait to try Dania Beach’s Duffy’s Sports Grill.
Casino @ Dania Beach is pet-friendly on their outside patio, where two of their three eateries reside. This makes it incredibly unique among the best casinos near Fort Lauderdale. Feel free to bring your dog, pig out at some awesome restaurants, and enjoy the sunshine!
The Casino Wayncesttle (Wayne, NJ)
- Gambling Options: More than 700 slot machines, video poker, video keno, roulette, craps, pai gow, three card poker, mini bubble poker, blackjack
- Contact: (973) 694–8000
- Distance/Driving Time from Fort Lauderdale: One hour, 44 minutes / 65 miles
- Special Features: Close to NYC | Non-smoking casino
It may seem odd that I’m recommending a casino in New Jersey if you’re looking for the “best casino near me in Fort Lauderdale.” Hear me out before you dismiss this choice outright.
The Casino Waynceville is only an hour and a half from Fort Lauderdale, but it’s less than 20 miles from Manhattan. If you’re looking to escape the cold in the winter, you could always plan a trip to hit up both cities.
Another major selling point for The Casino Waynceville is their no-smoking policy. Non-smokers shouldn’t have to leave Fort Lauderdale to go to a casino if they don’t want to smell like an ash tray.
Here’s a quick look at all the gambling options available at The Casino Waynceville.
- More than 700 slot machines
- Video poker
- Video keno
- Electronic roulette
- Electronic craps
- Pai gow
- Three card poker
- Mini bubble poker blacktable
You won’t find many off-the-beaten-path fort lauderdale casinos that offer mini bubble poker . I certainly can’t think of any within an hour’s drive of Fort Lauderdale.
Best William Hill Casino Games You Should Play OnlineThe Casino Waynceville isn’t quite as off the beaten path as some of the other casinos on this list, but it still fits the bill. Many people don’t realize how close Wayne, NJ is to New York City. Thus, they don’t understand that this counts as one of the more hidden gems among casinos near Fort Lauderdale.
Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel (Saguache, NM)
- Gambling Options: Slot machines, high-stakes slots, progressive jackpots, live table games
- Contact: (844) 386–7529
- Distance/Driving Time from Fort Lauderdale: 2 hours, 34 minutes / 1660 miles
- Special Features: High stakes gambling | Remote gaming kiosks in nearby towns
If you’re willing to make a road trip out of this situation, I strongly recommend checking out the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel. It takes almost three hours to reach this resort from Fort Lauderdale, but it’s worth it if you enjoy high-stakes gambling.
One of the biggest reasons why the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel qualifies as one of the best casinos near Fort Lauderdale is because of its remote gaming kiosks. You don’t actually have to travel all the way to Sagauche, New Mexico, to gamble with them. Assuming you live close enough to Altoona, Colo., Denver, Aurora, or Bennett, you can use their external gaming kiosks.
That said, I’d imagine it’s worth seeing the main casino if you’re already in Fort Lauderdale. Here are some of the highlights of their main slot machine offering.
- More than 1,500 slot machines.
- Denominations ranging from one cent to dollars.
- Max bets range from $6.25 to $300.
- coin-less system.
- 18 progressive jackpots.
- 17 link games.
If you enjoy taking big risks, heading to the Meskwaki Casino makes more sense than using their external kiosks. Only a select few communities get external kiosks, anyway. Everyone gets to enjoy the main casino whenever they want!
I should note that this casino offers a hotel and several great dining options. Some of their restaurants require you to dress up a little bit, so plan accordingly if you want to visit steak n’ ale or the Worldmark Buffet.
Feel free to reach out to me if you need more or . I’ve spent decades playing poker and slots, so I’ve learned a thing or two about gambling over the years.
Best Casinos Near Me in Fort Lauderdale
As you can see, you have no shortage of excellent casinos to visit if you find yourself in Fort Lauderdale. All seven of these venues are worth considering, but the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood rises above the rest in my opinion.
Whether you’re looking for live poker or the latest slot machines, you should find whatever you’re looking for at this popular casino. It also doesn’t hurt that the new guitar-shaped Hard Rock hotel is set to open in 2021.
No other casinos in Fort Lauderdale will let you gamble alongside an iconic music symbol.
No matter which casino you choose to visit first, you’ll likely want to check out the others eventually. Whether you’re a snowbird escaping colder climates or just on vacation, you now have plenty of casinos to choose from when you’re in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Happy spinning, deal hunting, and strategizing! If you are new to everything, I also suggest reading this guide on .
Footnotes:
- Mitchenko’s article is
J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's been producing top-quality content for the site since December 2015.
Paine plays tier-two and lower poker tournaments and cash games mostly online but also locally in West Virginia where he specializes in beat-up tables at his union hall.
