Supplier News
US – Dania Casino and Jai-Alai to close in October
By Phil - 18 August 2014
Just half a year into its relaunch, Dania Casino and Jai-Alai, has announced it will close for a year as its Argentinian investors spend US$50m on bars, restaurants and an expanded slots floor to make the casino more competitive in South Florida.
Argentine operator Casino Club reopened the Dania Casino and Jai-Alai, in Dania Beach, Florida, north of Miami, with 550 slots and 12 poker tables, on February 20, although the plan was always to house 1,400 slots by next year.
Casino Club owner Cristobal Lopez owns 75 per cent of the venue and have invested US$20m in the refurbishment and equipment.
The closure from October 15 will put 300 people out of work. Since its reopening, it has been one of the worst-performing casinos in Florida, generating about $1m per month in slot revenue. It faces competition from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Seminole Classic Casino, both in Hollywood, as well as the Mardi Gras Casino and Gulfstream Park. Dania Casino boasts 543 slots, compared to the Mardi Gras’ 990, and the Gulfstream’s 874.
Dania Casino is averaging $65 per day per slot, compared to Gulfstream’s $150 and Mardi Gras’ $139.
In May last year, Casino Club partnered with a local company to purchase Dania Jai-Alai for US$65.5m from Boyd Gaming. The US operator has bought the venue in 2006 for US$152m. The property previously beamed horseracing from all over the US.
