A poker and Jai Alai facility that opened its doors 50 years ago in Marion County will permanently close up shop to make way for a new poker room.
Ocala Gainesville Poker and Jai Alai will officially close for business on Saturday, October 28, according to a statement issued by the company.
“We would like to inform you that our last day of business at Ocala Gainesville Poker and Jai Alai is Saturday, October 28,” reads the statement.
Located at 4601 W Hwy 318 in Orange Lake, Ocala Jai Alai originally opened in 1973. In 2008, the business began featuring various casino-style games, including no-limit Texas hold-em poker.
The company is advising any former patrons that poker chips won in previous sessions will not be valid going forward and must be cashed in by the business’s last day.
“Now is the time to cash out all Ocala Gainesville poker chips in your possession, as they will have no cash value as of 10/28/2023,” reads the statement.
The business will now turn its sights to its new venture, Ocala Bets, which is located at 1781 SW 60th Avenue next to Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company.
“We would like to thank our loyal patrons, for your patience in this process. We hope to see you soon at Ocala Bets!” reads the statement.
Although the opening date for Ocala Bets has not yet been announced, various dealers employed at the new poker room have indicated that the business will open in early November.
When Ocala Bets opens, the full-service card room will feature games like Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, 3-card poker, Face Up Pai Gow, and DJ Wild, among other variants. The facility will also feature intertrack wagering, according to its website.
For more information on the new card room, visit the Ocala Bets website.