Florida, NY Open New Casinos
The Mardi Gras Racetrack & Gaming Center made its debut on December 28 in Hallandale Beach and features 1,147 slot machines.While there are other casinos in the state, most notably a pair of Hard Rock casinos operated by the Seminole Indians in Hollywood and Tampa, casinos owned by Mardi Gras are the only opportunity for the state’s gamblers to play real slot machines in the state. Other gaming machines may look like slot machines, but are actually bingo terminals that pit players against one another. The video reels are just a means to display the results in an entertaining fashion for the player.
For now the Mardi Gras casino is the only one to have these machines. Dan Adkins, chief gaming executive for Mardi Gras, has been able to successfully persuade state legislators to pass a referendum to allow these machines at this property and three additional pari-mutual facilities. Still to come are Pompano Park Harness Track and Dania Jai-Alai. Gulf Stream Park Racing & Casino also in Hallendale Park opened last month.
"This is a dream come true for me," Adkins told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in regards to the casino opening. The property opened this week after more than $50 million in renovations to transform the aged 72-year old greyhound racing track into a modern gaming facility with a New Orleans theme. If the investment proves to be a smart one, the property is expected to add a hotel and one million in retail space.
Adkins has also indicated during the next legislative session commencing in March 2007 he expects the company will ask the state legislature taxes levied on the slot machines and to eliminate a rule limiting the number of slot machines allowed at a gaming facility. Right now there is a cap of 1,500 slot machines per facility. Additionally, half of all slot revenue is sent to the state where it is used to supplement public school funding.
Unlike most other U.S. casinos, Florida casinos with Class III Las Vegas style slot machines post overall payback percentages for the casino. Mardi Gras was paying back 90.61 percent of all money wagered while sister casino Gulf Stream Park is paying back slightly less. Gulf Stream Park has earned more than $7.4 million in slot revenue in the first month it has been open.
Also opening this week was a new gaming floor at the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in western NY. It is the first permanent part of $160 million casino which will replace a temporary facility.
The 68,300-square-foot casino is a welcome accomplishment for the upstate casino. The casino has 2,235 slot machine and 40 table games. Coming this March is a new a 212-room hotel will open as well. There will also be three new restaurants, an indoor pool, spa and salon.
"This is the first step in the process of opening the premier resort destination in the Southern Tier or northern Pennsylvania," said Phil Pantano, Seneca Gaming spokesman. "We are not opening the hotel in phases; it will be in one full shot.”
Next up for the Seneca Nation is a casino in downtown Buffalo. A temporary facility is due to open in the spring and a permanent casino resort should make its debut in late 2008 or early 2009.
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