Palm Beach County Commissioners have signed off on a request for the new poker fixture
The Palm Beach Kennel Club, a historic venue in Florida known for its greyhound racing and poker room, is preparing for a major transformation. First opened in 1932, the facility is closing its original doors, but its operations will continue in a brand-new complex set to begin construction next year.
Palm Beach County Commissioners recently approved the club’s redevelopment and zoning application, allowing the operator to relocate to a new facility on the northern part of its 47-acre property. The upcoming $20 million project will feature a 65,000-square-foot casino with a poker room, off-track betting (OTB), and space for its iconic restaurant, The Paddock.
Additionally, the site will include a 5,200-square-foot kennel and a four-story parking garage with 900 spaces. The new complex is expected to open by 2027 and will operate around the clock.
The redevelopment is part of a broader plan to sell 42 acres of the existing property for a luxury high-rise condominium project. This proposed development would include 2,000 residential units and mixed-use spaces, positioned near Palm Beach International Airport, which serves millions of passengers annually.
Although the facility is referred to as a “casino,” Florida law limits it to non-house-banked poker games and prohibits slot machines outside Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The club also collaborates with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, promoting their Hard Rock Bet online sportsbook.
The Rooney family, owners of the club since 1972 and well-known for their involvement in racing and sports, continue to manage the cardroom despite the statewide ban on greyhound racing. The poker room remains a strong revenue generator, reporting $16.3 million during its 2024 fiscal year.
This ambitious redevelopment signals a new era for the Palm Beach Kennel Club while preserving its legacy in Florida’s gaming scene.
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