The Big Easy Casino
Location Hallandale Beach, Florida, U.S.
Address 831 N. Federal Highway
Opening dateDecember 1, 1934
ThemeNew Orleans
Total gaming space70,0000+ square feet
Notable restaurantsThe French Quarter
Bonjour Cafe
Le Royale
Trifecta Grille & Bar
OwnerJeffrey Soffer
Previous names
  • Mardi Gras Casino
  • Hollywood Greyhound Track
  • Hollywood Kennel Club
Renovated in2015
2006
1974
1940
Websitethebigeasycasino.com

The Big Easy Casino, formerly known as Mardi Gras Casino and Hollywood Greyhound Track, is a casino and formerly a greyhound racing facility located in Hallandale Beach, in the Florida, US. The casino features over 700 slot machines, virtual table games, free to enter poker tournaments and nightly entertainment.[1]

History

Historic Aerial Photograph of Hollywood Greyhound (Mardi Gras Casino) in 1940

What is now the Big Easy Casino opened as the Hollywood Kennel Club on December 1, 1934, three years after Florida legalized parimutuel betting.[2] A grandstand was added in 1940. In 1974, the facility was reopened as Hollywood Greyhound Track.[3]

A November 2004 statewide referendum allowed Broward County voters to decide whether to allow slot machines at parimutuel facilities located in the county.[4] Broward County voters subsequently approved the use of slots at Hollywood Greyhound and other parimutuels.

An extensive renovation project in 2006 added approximately 1,100 slot machines and a poker room to the dog track, which was renamed Mardi Gras Casino.[5] Two years later, an additional 200 slot machines were added and, in 2009, the Big Easy Poker Room was relocated and expanded. Also included in the renovated facility were a flea market, several restaurants/bars, and a gift shop.[6]

In 2015, the casino made further improvements, which included widening the aisles and opening up Louie's Lounge to the entire casino floor.[7]

In 2017, the facility was closed for two months because of damage from Hurricane Irma.[8]

In 2018, Jeffrey Soffer, owner of the Fontainebleau Hotel, purchased the Mardi Gras Casino from Hartman & Tyner, and renamed it as the Big Easy Casino.[9][10][11]

Casino

The casino offers over 70,000 square feet of gaming space, including over 900 slot machines,[12] virtual roulette and blackjack,[13] as well as The Dog Pound, Mardi Gras’ smoker-friendly slot area; simulcast and greyhound racing.

The Big Easy Poker Room, offers over 30 tables of Texas Hold 'em, 7 Card Stud, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Lo. The casino offers low and high limit tables in an effort to accommodate beginner and experienced players.

There are also nightly, free to enter poker tournaments[14] that can be entered and tracked through the Bravo Poker Mobile App.

Krewe Club

The Krewe Club is the casino's membership program. Anyone over 21 can become a Krewe Club member, and will receive $25 bonus play when signing up. The Krewe Club is a tiered membership program that includes purple, gold, black, and platinum levels. As club members play in the casino, they earn points that enable them to move up from purple, to gold, to black, and eventually to the invitation only platinum card. Each level gives the card-holder more exclusive benefits, ranging from free valet service to complimentary tickets to on-site concerts and events.

Greyhound racing

Despite improvements and enhancements over the years, the dog track itself remained relatively the same over the course of its use. Track specifics included:

  • Track length: 1,372 feet
  • Track width: 22 feet
  • Length of stretch: 300 feet
  • Composition: Sand and marl
  • Timing: Hundredth of a second
  • Courses: 550 yards, 660 yards and 770 yards

The last day of racing was May 5, 2018. The casino, which is a supporter of the Adopt-A-Greyhound program, still offers simulcast greyhound racing, harness and thoroughbred racing from tracks across the United States and Canada.

Notable races

The track is home to four stakes races:

  • Mardi Gras Futurity.
  • $75,000 Mardi Gras World Classic.
  • $10,000 Joe Ryan Jr. Memorial.
  • $50,000 American Derby.

2010 Stakes Schedule [15]

The $15,000 Mardi Gras Futurity Qualifying Rounds Begin January 13 & 16 Semi-Final Round January 20 Championship January 23, 2010

Winner: Ls Lafave

Time: 30:60

The $75,000 Mardi Gras World Classic Qualifying Rounds Begin March 10 & 13th Semi-Final Rounds Begin March 17 & 20th Championship March 26, 2010

Winner: Oya Tom Terrific

Time: 30:51

The $10,000 Joe Ryan, Jr. Memorial Championship April 2, 2010

Winner: Funnelling Money

Time: 30:16

The $30,000 Hollywoodian Qualifying Rounds Begin April 21 & 24th Semi-Final Rounds Begin April 28 & May 1 Championship May 8, 2010

Winner: Crispins Place

Time: 37:55

Hollywood World Classic winners

List of Hollywood World Classic winners
Date Champion Time (seconds)
March 1, 1975Can't Decide31.57
February 28, 1976Bashful Guy30.65
March 5, 1977Downing30.72
March 4, 1978Cousin's Elite31.01
March 3, 1979Enisled31.58
March 1, 1980Banker Hap30.85
March 21, 1981MKC Lorine31.34
March 12, 1982Lantana Glamour31.39
March 11, 1983For Real31.22
March 10, 1984My Unicorn30.79
March 8, 1985Magnificat31.05
March 8, 1986Cajun Pay Off30.62
March 7, 1987Prince Proper30.48
March 4, 1988My Azalian30.50
February 25, 1989Warm Mission30.64
March 3, 1990Hello Higsbee30.66
March 2, 1991Briggs Stratton30.77
March 7, 1992Briggs Stratton31.24
February 20, 1993By Tar30.73
February 26, 1994Great Son30.80
February 25, 1995Follies Bergiere30.90
March 15, 1996Dunagree30.52
March 14, 1997Bomb Threat30.22
March 13, 1998Wigwam Hoss31.16
March 27, 1999Kelsos Kingpin30.90
March 10, 2000System Ax Friend31.14
March 9, 2001Kiowa Shawnee So30.54
March 15, 2002Flying Earhardt30.26
March 14, 2003Ea's Itzaboy30.31
March 14, 2004Ea's Itzaboy30.27
March 15, 2005Hallo West Acre30.34
April 1, 2006Kiowa Cruzechamp30.29
March 31, 2007Flying Stanley30.06
March 29, 2008Starz Jenko30.30
March 27, 2009Yahoo Omar30.19
March 26, 2010Oya Tom Terrific30.51

Dining

Dining options at the facility offer a mix of Cajun and American cuisine, ranging from fast casual to upscale, including:

  • Trifecta Grille & Bar, serving everything from burgers and hot dogs to regional favorites like empanadas, taquitos and plantain chips. Trifecta has it all including draft beer now on tap and a full liquor bar.
  • Bonjour Cafe, featuring a wide variety of fresh-baked pastries and tempting desserts are complemented by all day breakfast bites and bistro style sandwiches.
  • Le Royale, an ample selection of delicious appetizers, bar bites, burgers, salads and steaks make this the perfect addition to our poker room to keep you in the game.
  • The French Quarter, which is the casino's signature restaurant. Enjoy our regional menu of salads, steaks and seafood. American fare with a touch of New Orleans.[16]

Entertainment events

The property has several entertainment venues that host nightly performances and year-round events, including concerts, stand-up comedy, dance competitions, and MMA fights.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Slots, Poker, Greyhound Racing | Mardi Gras Casino". Mardi Gras Casino. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  2. ↑ Saunders, Mike (Apr 1, 1988). "Greyhound racing a good entertainment bet whether or not you place a bet". Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2015-01-22. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  3. ↑ "South Florida casino and gaming guide". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Apr 27, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  4. ↑ Burstein, Jon (Dec 28, 2006). "Slots will be running at greyhound track today". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  5. ↑ "Mardi Gras Gaming Centre opens soon".
  6. ↑ "Mardi Gras Racetrack and Gaming Center, Land Based Casino in Hallandale Beach, Florida - USA". Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
  7. ↑ Mardi Gras Casino (2015-11-12), Check out the renovations at Mardi Gras Casino!, retrieved 2016-06-17
  8. ↑ David Raterman (November 29, 2017). "Damaged by Hurricane Irma, Mardi Gras Casino reopening in Hallandale Beach". Sun-Sentinel. Deerfield Beach, FL. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  9. ↑ Brian Bandell (April 25, 2018). "Soffer buys Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  10. ↑ David Raterman (May 2, 2018). "A new name for Mardi Gras". Sun-Sentinel. Deerfield Beach, FL. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  11. ↑ Rene Rodriguez; Douglas Hanks; Mary Ellen Klas (January 12, 2018). "Fontainebleau owner Jeff Soffer buying Mardi Gras casino in Hallandale Beach". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  12. ↑ "Florida Slot Machines | Mardi Gras Casino". Mardi Gras Casino. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  13. ↑ "Florida Virtual Table Games | Mardi Gras Casino". Mardi Gras Casino. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  14. ↑ "Florida Poker Tournaments | Mardi Gras Casino". Mardi Gras Casino. Archived from the original on 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  15. ↑ "Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino". Archived from the original on 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2010-04-22.
  16. ↑ "The Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach, Florida Review by Casino City".

25°59′41.42″N 80°8′43.77″W / 25.9948389°N 80.1454917°W / 25.9948389; -80.1454917

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