Two Florida pari-mutuel permit holders have been approved for the first step toward opening second poker rooms.
Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach and Daytona Beach Kennel Club in Daytona Beach have received approval from Florida’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to convert dormant jai-alai permits into greyhound permits. The conversions were made possible by a new state law that took effect on July 1. Once converted, the permits will allow the two tracks to open second, stand-alone poker rooms within their counties and run the necessary greyhound races at the original locations.
No details are available on either of the second rooms. It’s believed Palm Beach Kennel Club owners are looking at near Boca Raton for the location of their new room. Daytona Beach Kennel Club’s conversion is facing a legal challenge from a company that had sought to open a quarter horse track/poker room in the town of DeBary. That project didn’t receive approval from the DeBary City Council, which has since passed an ordinance banning poker in its town.
