After 69 years, the jai-alai fronton at the Casino at Dania Beach in Florida closed on November 28. Last spring the Florida legislature and the Seminole Tribe of Florida negotiated an agreement allowing parimutuels to decouple from jai-alai and harness racing, spelling the end for Dania Beach.
In its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, crowds of 10,000 people and more packed the Dania fronton; seating capacity at the venue had dwindled to 500. Former player and Jai-alai Operations Manager at the Casino at Dania Beach Benny Bueno said he plans to complete the current season. “I’m trying to bring this big bird in for a landing. It’s disappointing but not a surprise as they have been talking about this for a while now. Jai-alai was always attached to something with the casinos, but when the bill was introduced to decouple us and it passed, that was it.”
Bueno said he will help the 26 players on the roster as well as Dania jai-alai’s 40 employees. He said, “There is a lot of emotion and a lot of young guys that don’t want it to end and want to keep playing. There are a lot of different paths that people are taking. Many are going back to France and Spain and some are remaining here because they have wives and kids. They will be looking for employment. It has been tough and even though we have accepted it, we wish it wasn’t so.”
Bueno added, “The season has been great despite the news that we are going to be closing. The players continue to play hard and we have been fortunate that there have been few injuries. There’s still prize money to be earned before we close, and there are incentives for players when they win.”
During the farewell ceremony, a trophy was presented and players were introduced to the large crowd. Famous players like Hall of Famers Joey Cornblit and Arriaga Andoni Echaniz attended the final event.
Prior to the finale, Bueno said, “People can still get an opportunity to witness in person one of the greatest sports in the world. I’m going to enjoy watching what little jai-alai is left. I remain confident that something positive will be on the horizon.”
