Hallandale Beach Commission to Review Jeffrey Soffer Big Easy Casino Redevelopment Plans
Jeffrey Soffer proposes redeveloping Big Easy Casino into a 165,380-square-foot complex with expanded gaming, dining and entertainment in Hallandale Beach. The city commission reviews the land plat waiver on October 13. The move follows Soffer’s Miami Beach setbacks and partial land sale.
SCCG Take — The plans show developers using existing licensed sites to pursue growth amid local regulatory processes. The October 13 commission outcome will indicate appetite for casino expansion in this jurisdiction.
The Hallandale Beach city commission is scheduled to discuss a waiver request from Jeffrey Soffer on October 13. The request would allow redevelopment of Big Easy Casino into an expanded gambling and entertainment complex at 831 North Federal Highway.
The proposed facility would span 165,380 square feet. It would include slot machines, a card room, a smoking lounge, a music venue, restaurants, bars and live entertainment. Graham Penn said the project would be the most significant improvement ever to the property.
Project Scope and Requirements
Restaurants would occupy 34,300 square feet. Administrative offices would take 9,800 square feet. The site plan includes about 1,700 parking spaces, supported largely by a four-story garage.
Steelman Partners of Las Vegas designed the complex. The firm has worked on projects for major casino operators. The application cites job creation and increased commercial activity as benefits to the city.
The existing property measures 262,900 square feet on 23.8 acres. It dates to 1934 as the Mardi Gras Casino and Race Track, with the current building constructed in 1963. Soffer purchased the site for $12.5 million in 2018, ended greyhound racing and rebranded it Big Easy Casino. He sold 12.3 acres in December 2025 for around $31 million while retaining the balance.
Strategic Context for Soffer
Soffer heads Fontainebleau Development. His portfolio includes Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which opened in December 2023. Prior efforts to transfer the Big Easy Casino gaming permit to a Miami Beach resort faced repeated local opposition. Soffer donated $300,000 to political action committees during those efforts.
This Hallandale Beach proposal offers an alternative route for gaming expansion without Miami Beach approvals. As reported by GamblingNews, waiver approval would permit formal plat approval and detailed site plan submission.
Reporting: GamblingNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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