Casino Miami Jai-Alai opens after us$ 87 million makeover

"The opening of Casino Miami Jai-Alai represents a major economic boost to the city of Miami with the addition of over 350 new jobs to the local community," said Daniel J. Licciardi, Executive VP and COO for the facility owner, Florida Gaming Corporation.

The 40,000-square-foot space accommodates more than 1,000 Las Vegas style slot machines, poker, dominoes, and a renovated Jai-Alai venue, according to a press release. The casino is at 3500 N.W. 37th Ave., Miami.

“The opening of Casino Miami Jai-Alai represents a major economic boost to the city of Miami with the addition of over 350 new jobs to the local community,” Daniel J. Licciardi, executive VP and COO for Florida Gaming Corporation said in a statement. Casino Miami Jai-Alai is owned by Florida Gaming Corp. and operated by Miami Casino Management.

The casino’s expansion is timely because gambling legislation under consideration in Tallahassee could make operators of slots eligible for more games without having to pay for another license. The Senate bill would allow for three licenses for large gambling casinos called destination resorts anywhere in the state. It would also let pari-mutuels operating slots to act like destination resorts, if the latter is approved by referendum and begins operations.

The bill slated to be heard next week in the statehouse would also allow for three licenses, but only in South Florida. Some supporters of the House bill have also suggested that parity is necessary between pari-mutuels and proposed destination resorts, but it’s unclear how much the House bill will close the gap between the two in terms of taxes and games.