page_title: Big Easy Casino
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Big Easy Casino / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Aerial Photograph of Hollywood Grayhound in 1940
context_page_description: The Big Easy Casino, formerly known as Mardi Gras Casino and Hollywood Greyhound Track, is a casino and greyhound racing facility located in Hallandale Beach, in the U.S. state of Florida. The casino features over 900 slot machines, virtual table games, free to enter poker tournaments, and nightly entertainment.
context_section_description: What is now the Big Easy Casino opened as the Hollywood Kennel Club on December 1, 1934, three years after Florida legalized parimutuel betting. A grandstand was added in 1940. In 1974, the facility was reopened as Hollywood Greyhound Track.
  A November 2004 statewide referendum allowed Broward County voters to decide whether to allow slot machines at parimutuel facilities located in the county. Broward County voters subsequently approved the use of slots at Hollywood Greyhound and other parimutuels.
  An extensive renovation project in 2006 added approximately 1,100 slot machines and a poker room to the dog track, which was renamed Mardi Gras Casino. Two years later, an additional 200 slot machines were added and, in 2009, the Big Easy Poker Room was relocated and expanded.  Also included in the renovated facility were a flea market, several restaurants/bars, and a gift shop.
  In 2015, the casino made further improvements, which included widening the aisles and opening up Louie's Lounge to the entire casino floor.
  In 2017, the facility was closed for two months because of damage from Hurricane Irma.
  In 2018, Jeffrey Soffer, owner of the Fontainebleau Hotel, purchased the Mardi Gras Casino from Hartman & Tyner, and renamed it as the Big Easy Casino.
caption: Historic Aerial Photograph of Hollywood Grayhound (Mardi Gras Casino) in 1940
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