Casinos in Miami, Florida
Miami and Florida in general is a gaming-friendly area but the gambling legislature is strict and there are a range of anti-gambling statutes still on the books. These include limits on prize pools and bans on some forms of online gambling such as daily fantasy sports. The situation is fluid, however, and so it is worth checking out the exact state of the law at the time if you are planning a trip.
The main attractions for gaming fans are the Florida casinos that are owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe, which at the time of writing, had an exclusivity agreement on house-banked card games. This was in dispute, however, and so, again, it is worth checking out the most recent updates if this might affect your enjoyment during a stay in Miami. There are also lots of options apart from these games, such as electronic versions of many table games, along with thousands of slots.
Overall, Miami casinos offer a huge array of gaming options, including the house-banked card games mentioned previously, and baccarat, blackjack, video poker, and slots. The Seminole choices are also expanding this offering to include roulette and craps.
Casino gambling is allowed on Native American tribal land in Florida and the Miami area. The state also allows some pari-mutuel gaming including state-licensed cardrooms and horse racing, small social games, interstate offerings such as Powerball, and state-run lotteries.
The Miami area has a good number of casinos and has over 116,000sq ft of gaming space.
Top Miami Casinos
History of Gambling in Miami, Florida
Miami and Florida in general have a long gambling history, starting when dog and horse race betting was approved in 1932. Four years later, slots were legalized, as well as jai-alai betting.
In 1937, the law that allowed slots was repealed and there were no changes in the law until 1970. This is when bingo for small stakes was legalized.
It took until 1979 for Native American bingo halls to be legalized and gambling cruises started in 1984. Two years later, a lottery was legalized.
It was in 1988 that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passes. This allowed casinos to be run on tribal land.
In 1996, venues already offering jai-alai and horse race betting were allowed to offer poker and a referendum in 2004 led to slot machines being allowed in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
No Limit Texas hold’em was legalized in 2007 when maximum pari-mutuel betting went up to $5 and poker tournaments allowing higher stakes were allowed.
2007 a compact was signed with the Seminole Tribe letting them offer blackjack, baccarat and Vegas-style slots at their casinos. This was initially refused by the state’s Supreme Court. A compact was eventually agreed in 2010.
In 2018, it was voted to ban betting on live greyhound racing and a year later the Seminole Tribe refused to continue payments they had been making to let them offer blackjack.
A new compact was agreed in 2021 letting the Seminole Tribe operate Florida sports betting, along with giving them 3 decades of exclusive casino rights and the exclusive right to deliver roulette and craps. Pari-mutuels were given the right to come up with deals with the tribe to operate sports betting sites.
This was short-lived, however, as the gambling compact was overturned the same year and online sportsbook betting operations ceased. At the time of writing, the Seminole Tribe was appealing the ruling.
Miami, Florida Casinos by the Numbers
In Miami, Florida, players have 18 casinos to pick from. Each one of these has its own unique selection of interesting and exciting games. The aim is to cater to all types of casino goers, tastes, and budgets.
Casino Games Available in Miami, Florida
Players in Miami, Florida, may have a large appetite for casino games but the local offering does well when it comes to delivering what they want. There are many options available with casinos across the area offering a myriad of exciting games for players to enjoy.
Miami, Florida Casinos FAQs
What is the largest casino in Miami, Florida?
The Calder Casino offers around 100,000sq ft of gaming space, including around 1,100 slots and video games. The The Miccosukee Resort and Gaming has a smaller gaming floor but offers almost double the number of slots.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Miami, Florida?
You can take part in pari-mutuel betting, including jai-alai and horse racing, and play bingo, poker and lottery games from 18 in Miami. You do have to be at least 21 years to play casino games, however.
What sort of gambling is on offer in Miami, Florida?
There is lots of betting choice available in Miami, Florida, from offering you the chance to cast your bet in a luxury casino or making a wager on horse racing, otherwise known as the sport of kings. Along with a wide range of casino games, players can enjoy live action at the likes of the Florida Derby or enjoy the fun from afar at simulcasting venues. There are also endless rows of modern electronic table games and Las Vegas-style slots.
What are some of the best casinos in Miami?
Miami, Florida, offers a wide range of casino and gaming venues, offering exciting gaming floor action and a range of other facilities including vibrant nightlife, live music, and delicious dining. Some of the most popular venues include Calder Casino in Miami Gardens, close to the home of the Miami Dolphins, and Casino Miami with is Vegas-style slots, electronic roulette and blackjack, and poker tables. It also has its own Club Rio nightlife venue and offers the chance to bet on horse and greyhound racing, as well as jai alai. Other notable venues include Gulfstream Park, between Aventura and Hallandale Beach, with its thoroughbred racetrack deliver all year-round horse racing, as well as slots and video table games.Hialeah Park Racing & Casino, meanwhile, was original a greyhound-racing track but now offers everything from the Audubon Bird Sanctuary to poker and electronic games.
