***Sigh***

I'm finally getting around to my Spotlight on the GulfStream Park Racing and Casino facility.  There is a reason I'm discussing this place last (out of the 3 Broward Racinos).  The facility itself was a great attempt to be the premier gaming racino, but has fallen way short.  Keep reading...you'll see why.

The casino opened back in November 2006.  Back then, they had only 600 machines since they rushed to be the first. We stopped in to check it out back on Thanksgiving weekend 2006 and found the building to look really nice.  The casino room 1 is located on the 2nd floor and it appears to be all new construction.  Once inside the casino, the high ceilings and new fixtures showed potential.  There were so many people inside, you couldn't even find an open machine unless it was a $1 or higher.  Looked like a goldmine.

---------flash forward 6 months--------- 

We decided to give it another shot.  They added more machines (1,200 in total now more in a 2nd casino room on the 1st floor) and we figured maybe less people.  Well we were right.  When we got there Saturday at about 11:30 AM, there must have been only 20 cars in the lot.  Once inside the casino, you had your pick of slots but it was a bit eerie.  The only people we saw walking around,  were employees.  We singed up for the players club card and got our free t-shirt and walked around a bit. 

Here are a few things that bothered me:
1.  The staff was very unfriendly.  If I'm going to be giving you my money, greet me, smile, ask how I am.
2.  The worker at the deli was friendly, however only to the co-worker that ordered lunch.  We stood there for 10 minutes without an acknowledge.  We then went to the other restaurant on property.
3.  The lowest denomination was 5 cents.  Come on...with all the retirees down here going?  Every other casino is packed...and the 1 and 2 cent machines always have a line at peak times.  Everyone wants to play longer for the entertainment value.
4.  The main casino is very dark and the machines are too packed in there.
5.  While it's great to have your pick of machines, it's kind of less thrilling without the energy of other people around you.
6.  The slots where as tight at Seminole Hard Rock.  So 'not' fun.

If you want to check this place out, be sure to get a Players Card.  They offer promotions and you get a discount at every restaurant.  ($2 off each entrée at the casual dining place.)  The raffles they offer carry good odds since nobody is going to this place...but you have to be there to win. 

Here are my grades:
Exterior Building:           B+ 
Inside appearance:        C
Payout:                         D+ 
Parking:                        B
Food:                            C
Friendliness:                 D
Overall:                 C-  (the parking and look of the building carry the higher rating)

Such a shame too.  I don't want to see any casino fail here.  They should start to advertise and lower some of the denominations....and do this FAST!  If one casino fails...everyone will say that gambling doesn't work in Florida, which is so untrue.

Location:  901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale
Hours:       10:30 AM - 2:30 AM everyday

(Sorry about the clouds in the pics.  Funny that it was only dark and cloudy when we drove up.)





(view from the 2nd floor, casino room 1 directly across)