Slots room opens with 516 machines

The slots room at Gulfstream Park opened to the public at noon on Wednesday, attracting so many patrons that they had to wait in line to play the machines. The opening marked the end of a series of legal and technical delays that had postponed the opening of the slot room as well as a poker room.

Gulfstream, along with three other Broward County parimutuel sites, was awarded slot machines in a bill passed by the Florida legislature earlier this year.

"This is the culmination of a great effort from many, many people," said Gulfstream Park's president, Paul Micucci

Micucci said that 7.5 percent of the gross revenue from the slots will go directly to purses during the 2007 meet, which opens on Jan. 3. There are 516 slot machines at the track.

The Casino at Gulfstream Park was to stay open until midnight on Wednesday, then was to be closed Thursday to prepare for an invitation-only event that evening. It was to reopen on a seven-day-a-week schedule beginning Friday. Hours are to be noon to midnight Sundays through Thursdays and 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Poker will be available Thursdays through Mondays at Gulfstream, while simulcast wagering is available after 6 p.m. on a daily basis.