Glory Days
Hialeah Park Racing and Casino shines with East Coast’s loosest slots and much more
By Sean Chaffin
Slot machine players looking for the casino with the loosest slots on the East Coast may be surprised to learn which property tops the list. It’s not an Atlantic City casino and not found in some of the other gambling hotbeds in the Northeast. Instead, you’ll have to head to South Florida. Hialeah Park Racing and Casino is located just a half-hour northwest of Miami and players will find some of the best-paying machines in any state along the Eastern Seaboard.
The property is the winner of Strictly Slots’ 28th Annual Loosest Slots Awards—with not only the loosest slots in Florida but also the entire East Coast. The casino paid back a hefty 93.71 percent of wagers to slot players last year—meaning many more chances to win. Management is excited to win the award and have worked hard to attract slot machine enthusiasts. A quick visit to Hialeah Park means seeing guests enjoying some excellent winnings with payout bells ringing constantly.
Slot machine players can’t go wrong with a visit to South Florida and this popular property. While Hialeah Park may be considered a “locals” casino, word may be getting out about the slot machine scene. Management works to take great care of guests and loves to see winners, of which there are many.
Slots of Fun and Fortune
Hialeah Park takes playing slot machines seriously—and that means regularly paying out more than $4 million in jackpots a month. The casino stands out from what many might consider a traditional casino. Guests may first notice the clean environment and tropical landscaping surrounding the property. The racing venue opened in 1925 and sits on 200 acres of lush, green landscaping and historic architecture.
Along with catering to gamblers in the Hialeah community, casino management takes pride in a longstanding role in the community. Visitors who take a trip to the city of Hialeah will see pink flamingo logos throughout the town, representing Hialeah Park Casino and its heritage. The casino has been locally owned by the Brunetti family for more than 40 years.
Unlike some casinos, Hialeah Park is also open and airy. Players will find windows letting in natural sunlight throughout the casino—fitting for the Sunshine State. Players have numerous machines to test their luck, from popular titles like Monopoly Hot Shot, 88 Fortunes, Liberty 7s, Dancing Drums and many others. Slot lovers can count on seeing the latest and most popular machines and management is constantly refreshing the gaming floor, mixing older favorites with more modern games. One aspect remains in all of this—the machines are loose and guests will find plenty of payouts.
On the promotional side, Hialeah Park also offers plenty of fun and excitement as well.
Visitors will find numerous regular promotions such as car giveaways, cash drawings, exclusive VIP events and more. Management promises plenty of free play for those joining the rewards program.
Worked up an appetite or need a beverage? Hialeah Park has a few nice options right on the slot floor starting with the Havana Café, serving up delectable Cuban favorites. Visit Junior’s Bistro, the property’s flagship restaurant, for delicious and moderately priced soups, salads, sandwiches, bowls and desserts.
Staff at Hialeah Park believe customer service goes a long way. Team members enjoy their jobs and the dedication to service can be felt around the property. Many regulars appreciate seeing familiar employee faces— and that feeling certainly goes both ways. Employees are a key part of the property’s success and Hialeah Park’s owners John and Steve Brunetti recognize that.
When the property temporarily closed due to COVID-19, the company was generous to employees, including providing health benefits to all staff members at no cost to the employee. That sense of community and family carries over in how staff approach meeting customers’ needs and creating a great atmosphere.
Other Casino Gambling Options
Since reopening last August, management has implemented state-of-the-art COVID-19 safety measures. Some of those include daily electrostatic disinfecting, temperature checks for all guests and employees, social distancing at slot machines, and Plexiglas safety shields throughout the facility. The property also has put together a “clean team” dedicated to wiping down and disinfecting slot machines, poker chairs and other high-traffic touch points.
Visitors can expect a safe space for some gambling fun. Beyond the great slot scene, players will find numerous other gaming options as well. There seems to be something for every gambling mood at Hialeah Park. The casino also boasts a nice selection of electronic blackjack and roulette games for those who also like to mix in some table games action.
Poker fans also have a lot to look forward to with a trip to the card room. The venue includes 32 tables in a great environment. The poker room is recognized as one of the best in the region. Players will find plenty of action, with complimentary beverage service and more than 50 large- screen television monitors to follow all the day’s sporting events and wager on major thoroughbred racing from around the country.
The poker room allows for style and comfort with plenty of natural light bringing the outdoors inside. Food service is available with a full bar also on site. The outdoor terrace is especially designed for players looking to relax and enjoy a nice cigar. Hialeah Park spreads all the popular games like Texas Hold ’em, Seven Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo.
Players will find some of the best high-hand promotions in South Florida. For example, “Super High Hand” days feature payouts from $1,500 to $3,000 hourly. The poker room also features “designated player table games” offering some of the best payouts in the country.
Those looking for some racing action can bet exactas or trifectas at the state-of-the-art Champions Simulcast area. This area offers personalized TV stations, and for the real avid horse-racing fans, the track also offers seasonal quarter-horse racing.
Away From the Casino Floor
After some time hoping for some nice returns from those loose slots, it may be time for a bite to eat and a nice cocktail or beer with friends. Head over to Junior’s Bistro for a fun atmosphere to enjoy some great food, libations and conversation.
Another fantastic dining option is La Veranda, adjacent to the Poker Room, merging excellent food with a great atmosphere. The restaurant offers outdoor seating and traditional cuisine with a modern twist, where diners will find churrasco steak, grilled salmon, gourmet hamburgers and much more.
Looking for something sweet? In addition to Cuban favorites, Havana Cafe serves up mouth- watering desserts like authentic Latin favorite flan, pastelitos, cheesecake and gelato.
Along with being a great gaming, dining and entertainment destination, Hialeah Park also hosts numerous events throughout the year. Visitors can book a wedding or other activity to take advantage of the brilliant surroundings and immaculate outdoor facilities.
No trip to the casino would be complete without taking in the famous flamingos. The birds have become synonymous with Hialeah Park for years. The first flock was imported from Cuba in 1926 and hatched and raised at the racetrack. The venue is the only place the species has been successfully reproduced outside of the wild, and their home in the racetrack infield area was made a National Audubon Sanctuary.
The flamingos have also been used in scenes for movies and television shows through the years, including the opening of Miami Vice. Perhaps those birds can be your own lucky charm, with a nice jackpot on one of those loose slots leaving you tickled pink.
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas, and senior writer for Casino Player and Strictly Slots magazines. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions or email him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net for story assignments.
