Racetrack casinos continue to offer card games

Despite the fact that the state and courts have declared card games illegal, South Florida racetrack casinos keep on dealing.

US.- Racetrack casinos in Florida continue to offer card games, even after the state and courts have declared such games illegal. Currently, South Florida racetrack casinos keep on dealing. About ten card rooms operate “designated player” games.

The state’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering approved the card games in 2012. As a result, card rooms went to the expense of bringing in special tables, reconfiguring their floor space and hiring staff. Then the Seminoles argued the state violated its compact with the tribe as they believe designated player games ought to be shut down. The state agreed and filed to shut down the games this past December.

“As currently operated, the designated player is a player in name only,” said Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk in a 54-page ruling on August 1. “The existing operation of the games does no more than establish a bank against which participants play.”

Now the racetrack casinos have appealed that finding and in the meantime the games continue to be played.