New Year's Eve events at South Florida casinos
New Year's Eve events at local casinos include:
Paul Anka performs at 10:30 p.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, (866-502-7529).
A $30K cash giveaway, with 10 winners of $1,000 cash at 6 p.m., two $5,000 winners at 9 p.m., and one $10,000 cash winner at 1 a.m. Sunday at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
5550 NW 40th St., Coconut Creek (866-222-7466).
A $25K giveaway, with two winners of $500 cash or free play every half-hour, 2 p.m. Saturday-2 a.m. Sunday. One winner at 5 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. will get $4,500 cash, $500 free play and any unclaimed prizes from prior drawings at Seminole Casino Hollywood, 4150 N. State Road 7, Hollywood (800-323-5452).
Showgirls, mimes and party favors from 7 p.m. Saturday-1 a.m. Sunday; fireworks display at midnight at Mardi Gras Casino, 831 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach (954-924-3200). The French Quarter Restaurant and Bar will have a $45 champagne dinner from 5-11 p.m. and a free concert featuring tribute bands The Coasters, Platters & Marvellettes is from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Drawings every 90 minutes from 4:30 p.m. Saturday to 1:30 a.m. Sunday, alternating between $1,200 in free play and a seven-day Carnival Caribbean cruise. Also a balloon drop at noon and midnight, champagne toast at midnight Saturday at Isle Casino & Racing Pompano Park,1800 SW Third St., Pompano Beach (954-972-2000).
$1,000 every 30 minutes, 10 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday; live music, party favors, entertainment, dancing, cash bar and ball drop on large-screen TVs, Saturday night in the walking ring at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino, 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach (954-454-7000).
$10,000 in free play drawings 8-10 p.m. Saturday and $10,000 after midnight; dance party and free champagne at midnight at Calder Casino & Race Course, 21001 NW 27th Ave., Miami Gardens (305-625-1311). DJ Hana performs in the Twin Spires Tavern in the Calder Casino from 10 p.m.-2 a.m., with drink specials available.
NICK SORTAL began playing 3-card "gut" and "Indian poker" on high school band trips, moved on to "night baseball" and "pass the trash" during a Dr. Pepper-infused midnight game in the 1980s at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, and now play in a regular neighborhood Hold 'Em game in Plantation. I have been given the assignment of writing about the gambling life in South Florida casinos for the Sun-Sentinel...which means sitting around watching poker on TV now counts as research.
