In March, casinos in Florida shut down amid the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Certainly they felt the sting of the closures. But by the summer’s end, many had opened again. At this point, all of the state’s major casinos remain open for business.
However, each property has specific hours of operation and patron protocol.
Of note is the approach that the Seminole Tribe of Florida has taken for its six properties in the Sunshine State. The casinos follow a “Safe & Sound” program that mandates temperature checks and masks while encouraging social distancing and handwashing.
On Sept. 25, Gov. Ron DeSantis opened bars and restaurants in the state without limitations, transitioning the state into Phase 3, a reference to the final step for re-opening a state as set by the Centers for Diseases Control. According to the CDC, businesses in states in Phase 3 can remain open and fully staffed.
State of casinos in Miami area
The main casinos in the Miami area all require face masks and temperature screenings for patrons entering the properties. Hours of operation vary from casino to casino.
- Calder Casino & Race Course (9 a.m.-11:30 p.m.): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged.
- Casino Miami (9 a.m.-11:30 p.m.): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged.
- Hialeah Park Racing & Casino (9 a.m.-11:30 p.m.): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged.
- Isle Casino Pompano (9 a.m.-3 p.m.): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged.
- Magic City Casino (10 a.m.-11:45 p.m.): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. No outside food or drink. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged.
- Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Center (9 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 a.m., Friday-Saturday): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged. Guests must wipe down machines after use.
- Seminole Classic Casino, Coconut Creek, and Hollywood (Open 24 hours): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged.
- The Big Easy Casino (9 a.m.-3 a.m.): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged.
- The Casino Dania Beach (9 a.m.-1 a.m., Sunday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-3 a.m., Friday-Saturday): Face masks required at all times. Temperature screenings required upon entrance. Social distancing and handwashing encouraged. Limited occupancy.
Checking in on Tampa
In Tampa, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa remain open 24 hours a day.
The casino requires guests to wear face masks at all times and undergo temperature screenings upon entering.
As ever, the property encourages social distancing and handwashing.
What about other Florida casinos?
Elsewhere in the state, Creek Entertainment Gretna will operate from noon until 2 a.m. and require face masks worn at all times.
In addition, possible temperature checks will occur at the entrance. Of course, the casino encourages social distancing.
Meanwhile, Casino Fort Pierce also requires face masks. From Sunday to Thursday, the property will open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 a.m. Hours shift for Fridays and Saturdays, as Casino Fort Pierce will run from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Finally, as their sister properties do, Seminole Casino in both Brighton and Immokalee will remain open 24 hours while requiring face masks and potentially conducting temperature checks.
