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One of Broward County’s jai alai facilities
is being bought out by Boyd Gaming Corp. The price of the
transaction is $152.5 million dollars. The deal is part of Boyd
Gaming’s plans to convert the pari-mutuel into a multipurpose
gambling venue. The pari-mutuel is preparing, for the first time,
to offer slot machines.
Dania Jai Alai will no
longer be under the ownership of The Aragon Group, though the deal
is still subject regulatory approval and closing conditions. Boyd
Gaming says the facility will undergo a complete make over,
including a gaming floor with slot machines, a poker room,
entertainment lounges, and restaurants.
Unfortunately, the facility will not be
available to the public until next year, said spokesperson Rob
Stillwell. Construction will commence early next year. Stillwell
neglected to mention the cost of expansion and redevelopment.
However, that could be due to the fact that designs are still in the
works. The 220,000-square foot facility currently offers jai alai
competitions and betting in addition to off-track gambling.
Stillwell said for Boyd Gaming Corp, “We’re
thrilled to expand our brand of casino entertainment to the Florida
market. We believe the combination of our location and the
first-class gaming facilities will make our destination a top choice
for locals and tourists alike.”
Under the provision that the taxes would be
used to support schools, Broward voters approved of slot machines
last year. There are only four pari-mutuels in Broward authorized
to carry slot machines: Dania Jai-Alai, Pompano Park harness racing
track, Gulfstream Park thoroughbred track, and Mardi Gras Gaming
Center – formerly known as Hollywood Greyhound Track.
The facilities are still waiting for the
approval of a set of rules laid out for them by the state. Final
rules are expected in July.
Along with Miami Jai Alai, the Dania facility
is one of only two jai alai frontons in South Florida. Miami Jai
Alai, however, will not carry slot machines because Miami-Dade
citizens voted against them.
The Aragon Group has owned the Dania facility
since 1970. In addition to the 50 acres Boyd Gaming just bought
from Aragon, the Las Vegas-based operators own 19 gaming
entertainment resorts across the nation.
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