Only tribal casinos can have slot machines in Florida. Here's a list

Jennifer Sangalang, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·10 min read
7

Are slot machines illegal in Florida?

Yes, but there are places across Florida where people are allowed to "hit the slots." Slot machines became illegal as of July 1 last year, except at 15 approved casinos (see below). The Florida Legislature approved a Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida in May 2021, giving the Native American tribe almost exclusive rights to most gambling activities, according to TCPalm. Any device that appears to be a slot machine at any facility, outside of Broward and Miami-Dade counties or tribal facilities on tribal land, is illegal.

Several of the casinos on this list double as entertainment venues, attracting celebrities for parties or hot ticket shows. Here's where slot machines are allowed in Florida and a description about each of the venues.

Is it legal to gamble in Florida? State cracking down on slots in arcades deemed illegal

Take a peek! Florida casinos where gambling, slot machines, sports betting are allowed

Which Seminole locations have slot machines?

The Seminole Tribe of Florida owns and operates six casinos here. The six Seminole locations that offer legal gambling:

  • Seminole Brighton

  • Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood

  • Seminole Coconut Creek

  • Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood

  • Seminole Hard Rock Tampa

  • Seminole Immokalee

They're being watched. Deputies, state officials warn 6 operations in Florida of illegal gambling

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa

Address: 5223 Orient Road, Tampa

Info: Call 866-388-4263 or visit seminolehardrocktampa.com.

Social: Tweet @SHRTampa on Twitter or browse Reels and posts on Instagram via @hardrocktampa

If you want to get a taste of Vegas from the "Champa Bay," southwest area of Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa won't let you down. This Hard Rock location and resort hotel is a hot spot for concerts, pool parties, celebrity shows and gambling galore. The "floor" has slot machines, table games with dealers, poker, Texas Hold'em, Craps and Blackjack. Other features include restaurants, bars, a food court, retail and spa.

Illegal slots: Law enforcement shuts down an adult arcade in Fort Pierce

Seminole Casino Brighton

Jan. 6, 2023: The Seminole Casino Hotel Brighton entertainment complex is expected to open late 2024 after the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming broke ground at the Brighton Seminole Reservation northwest of Lake Okeechobee.
Jan. 6, 2023: The Seminole Casino Hotel Brighton entertainment complex is expected to open late 2024 after the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming broke ground at the Brighton Seminole Reservation northwest of Lake Okeechobee.

Address: 17735 Reservation Road, Okeechobee

Info: Call 863-467-9998 or visit seminolebrightoncasino.com.

Social: Browse Reels and posts on Instagram via @seminolebrightoncasino

Seminole Casino Hotel Brighton offers more than 400 slot machines, bingo, table games with dealers, poker, Texas Hold'em, and Blackjack. Other features include a restaurant and bar. The "floor" has slot machines, table games with dealers, poker, Texas Hold'em, Craps and Blackjack. Other features include restaurants, bars, a food court, retail and spa.

Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee

Casino workers prepare machines for guest, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, at Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.
Casino workers prepare machines for guest, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, at Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.

Address: 506 South 1st St., Immokalee

Info: Call 239-658-1313 or visit seminoleimmokaleecasino.com.

Social: Tweet @SemCasImmokalee on Twitter or follow the casino on Instagram via @semcasimmokalee. Browse Reels and posts at linktr.ee/semcasimmokalee

Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee offers more than 1,300 slot machines, table games with dealers, poker, Mini-Baccarat, and Blackjack. Hotel features include a restaurant and bar, pool with traditional Seminole Chickee Huts, according to its site, and fitness center. The Southwest Florida hotel also features live entertainment like music, stand-up comedy shows and concerts.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

Prancercise founder and internet sensation Joanna Rohrback demonstrates her “springy, rhythmic way of moving forward” at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek on June 18, 2013 in Coconut Creek, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Daly/Invision/AP)
Prancercise founder and internet sensation Joanna Rohrback demonstrates her “springy, rhythmic way of moving forward” at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek on June 18, 2013 in Coconut Creek, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Daly/Invision/AP)

Address: 5550 N.W. 40th St., Coconut Creek (corner of U.S. 441/State Road 7 and Sample Road)

Info: Call 954-977-6700 or visit seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com or casinococo.com.

Social: Tweet @CasinoCoco on Twitter or browse Reels or posts on @seminolecasinocococreek on Instagram.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek offers more than 2,100 slot machines, table games with dealers, poker, Baccarat, and Blackjack. Coconut Creek casino also offers a nonsmoking area with more than 300 slot machines and table games, its website states. Other features include restaurants and bars and live entertainment like music, stand-up comedy, shows and concerts.

Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood

April Hanna, dressed as a showgirl, poses for photos by the new Las Vegas style slot machines at the Seminole Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Monday, Jan. 28, 2008 as the tribe began to use the machines in their casinos under an agreement reached with the State of Florida. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter
April Hanna, dressed as a showgirl, poses for photos by the new Las Vegas style slot machines at the Seminole Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Monday, Jan. 28, 2008 as the tribe began to use the machines in their casinos under an agreement reached with the State of Florida. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter

Address: 4150 N. State Road 7, Hollywood

Info: Call 954-961-3220 or visit seminoleclassiccasino.com or doclassic.com.

Social: Tweet @SeminoleClassic on Twitter or follow the casino @semclassiccasino on Instagram.

Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, located less than a mile from Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, has more than 1,000 slot machines, table games with a dealer, poker and Blackjack. Featuring include restaurants, bars, a food court and live entertainment.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood

Address: 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood

Info: Call 866-502-7529 or visit seminolehardrockhollywood.com.

Social: Tweet @hardrockholly on Twitter or browse Reels and photo posts or follow the casino @hardrockholly on Instagram.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, located less than a mile from its sister location Seminole Classic Casino, is one of those buildings you just can't miss. It's shaped like a guitar and a photo fave for Instagram selfies. While this Hollywood isn't like California, this Hard Rock location draws plenty of celebrities. Hard Rock also hosts live entertainment like stand-up comedy, shows and concerts. Hotel features include a nightclub, pool parties, spa, salon, restaurants and bars. With a hotel shaped like a guitar, it's no surprise the rooms are music-themed.

Miccosukee Casino & Resort, Miami

Situated on the southeastern edge of the Florida Everglades, the Miccosukee Resort & Convention Center on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation, shown here June 7, 1999, ahead of its grand opening. The Miccosukee tribe, which greatly expanded its operations with the 302-room hotel and convention center and 550 machines in its casino-style lobby, has used money generated from bingo and video gambling to house, educate and provide social services for tribe members.

Address: 500 SW 177th Ave., Miami

Info: Call 305-925-2555 or visit miccosukee.com.

Social: Follow @miccosukee.casino.resort on Instagram

Miccosukee Casino and Resort in South Florida (in the Everglades) offers 1,800 slot machines, poker and bingo. It's a nonsmoking casino. Other features include golf, a country club, Miccosukee Indian Village and airboat rides. The site also is home to live music, festivals, Miccosukee events and sporting events.

Harrah's Pompano Beach

Address: 1800 S.W. 3rd St., Pompano Beach

Info: Call 954-972-2000 or visit caesars.com/harrahs-pompano-beach.

Social: Tweet @harrahspompano or browse Reels and photos @harrahspompano on Instagram

Harrah's Pompano Beach in South Florida has more than 1,500 slot machines, table games, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and monthly poker tournaments. It's a nonsmoking casino.

The Casino at Dania Beach

Address: 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach

Info: Call 954-920-1511 or visit casinodaniabeach.com.

Social: Browse Reels or posts @casinodaniab on Instagram.

The Casino at Dania Beach has 750 slot machines, poker, Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack and Craps. The casino also offers Jai Alai. Other features include a monthly food truck event from January to June, live music, restaurant, lounge and sports bar.

The Big Easy Casino, Hallandale Beach

Address: 831 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach

Info: Call 954-924-3200 or visit thebigeasycasino.com.

Social: Tweet @thebigeasyfl on Twitter or browse Reels and posts @thebigeasycasino_fl on Instagram

The Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach, which is less than 2 miles away from Gulfstream Park, has more than 700 slot machines, table games and poker tournaments. Formerly known as the Mardi Gras Casino and Hollywood Greyhound Track, the Big Easy still has a New Orleans-Mardi Gras feel with French eateries, a restaurant and bar.

Gulfstream Park Racing, Hallandale Beach

Horses break from the starting gate in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational horse race Jan. 23, 2021, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Knicks Go (4), with jockey Joel Rosario, won the race. Gulfstream Park, a race track with slot machines inside, is one of 15 approved venues that have legal gambling in Florida.
Horses break from the starting gate in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational horse race Jan. 23, 2021, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Knicks Go (4), with jockey Joel Rosario, won the race. Gulfstream Park, a race track with slot machines inside, is one of 15 approved venues that have legal gambling in Florida.

Address: 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach

Info: Call 954-454-7000 or visit gulfstreampark.com.

Social: Tweet @gulfstreampark on Twitter or browse posts and Reels at @gulfstreamparkcasino on Instagram

Gulfstream Park, a race track, has two floors of slot machines, gambling events, bingo and table games inside. It's less than 2 miles away from the Big Easy Casino. Other features of Gulfstream include live entertainment and concerts, restaurants, bars, art gallery and retail stores.

Calder Casino, Miami Gardens

Address: 21001 N.W. 27th Ave., Miami Gardens

Info: Call 305-625-1311 or visit caldercasino.com.

Social: Browse posts or Reels at @caldercasino on Instagram.

Calder Casino has 1,100 slot machines, table games, Texas Hold'em, poker and Roulette. The nonsmoking casino also has slot machines and gambling events in an outdoor space. Other features include a restaurant, bar and entertainment.

Hialeah Park Casino

Shown are slot machines at Hialeah Park Casino in Florida in this May 9, 2013, AP photo. Virtual Racing puts players in the driver's seat and creates a thrilling community event. This entertaining and interactive secondary bonus game is already proven to increase coin-in and carded play. Hialeah Park Casino selected Bally’s Innovative Games and Systems Solutions.

Address: 100 E. 32nd St., Hialeah

Info: Call 305-885-8000 or visit hialeahparkcasino.com.

Social: Browse posts or Reels at @hialeahpark on Instagram.

Hialeah Park Casino in South Florida is a racetrack with slot machines, Blackjack, Roulette, Texas Hold'em and poker. Other features include restaurants, bars, comedy shows and entertainment. Hialeah Park also is known as a wedding venue.

Casino Miami

Address: 3500 N.W. 37th Ave., Miami

Info: Call 305-633-6400 or visit playcasinomiami.com.

Social: Tweet @playcasinomiami or browse photos and Reels at @playcasinomiami on Instagram.

Casino Miami has more than 1,000 slot machines, table games, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and poker. Other features include a nightclub, restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Magic City Casino, Miami

In this Tuesday, June 17, 2014, photo, a man plays slot machines at the Magic City Casino in Miami.
In this Tuesday, June 17, 2014, photo, a man plays slot machines at the Magic City Casino in Miami.

Address: 450 N.W. 37th Ave., Miami

Info: Call 305-649-3000 or visit magiccitycasino.com.

Social: Tweet @magiccitycasino or browse photos and Reels at @magiccitycasino on Instagram.

Magic City Casino has 800 slot machines, poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat and Jai Alai. Other features include restaurants, bars, live entertainment, stand-up comedy, music and shows.

Are casino cruises legal in Florida?

Not in or near Florida, no. But since the 1980s, cruise ships operating out of Florida ports (see below) have taken people three miles out into international waters to gamble. These cruise ships may not be out overnight, or they run afoul of federal laws against "gambling ships."

When it comes to gambling, what's legal and what's not in Florida?

Does Florida have casino boats, gambling cruises?

In addition to 15 approved locations for legal gambling (slot machines, poker games), Florida has cruise ships that operate out of Florida ports and sail out into international waters to host hourslong gambling casino cruises. Note, these are different than the large cruise ships that offer slot machines on board.

  • Victory Casino sails out of Port Canaveral, which is about an hour east of Orlando and the world's second-busiest port.

  • Tropical Breeze Casino sails out of Port Richey on the West Coast of Florida.

Contributing: Laurie K. Blandford, TCPalm, C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hard Rock, Seminole casinos in Florida have slot machines, gambling