The Crystal Palace Casino closed its doors yesterday in preparation for the opening of the $3.5-billion Baha Mar development on March 27, 2015.

The current Crystal Palace casino team is transitioning to Baha Mar, with approximately 55 employees moving into new positions at the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, the largest casino in the Caribbean.

“We’re fortunate to have the experienced casino team from Crystal Palace to help us open the beautiful, state-of-the-art Baha Mar Casino & Hotel,” says Paul V Pusateri, Baha Mar’s chief operating officer.

“Our Baha Mar casino team will provide guests with a best-in-class gaming experience that will draw players from around the globe.”

Tom Dunlap, Baha Mar’s president, notes that the Crystal Palace has been a long-established player in the Nassau tourism market.

“We want to thank all of our past guests who have fond memories of the Crystal Palace, and invite them to experience all of the luxury, relaxation, elegance and gaming action that Baha Mar has to offer,” says Dunlap.

“From private gaming salons to golf, nightclubs, eclectic shopping experiences and fabulous dining, Baha Mar will offer guests the ultimate beach resort experience.”

The beachfront resort first opened as the Cable Beach Casino in 1983, and was rebranded as the Crystal Palace in 1988 under the ownership of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Baha Mar purchased the property in May 2005 from the Ruffin Group as an early step in the transformation of the Cable Beach area into a world-class destination gaming resort.