Jai-Alai means "Merry Festival" in the Basque language. The term is used to denote a fronton (or open-walled arena) used to play a variety of Pelota called Cesta Punta, and, more broadly, to the game itself. The game is characterized by the fast pace of play, in which a 125g. ball (or pelota) covered with parchment skin can travel faster than 180 mph. The ball is placed into play and volleyed by players wearing a wicker basket glove approximately 63 to 70 cm long. The glove, Cesta-punta (in Spanish) or xistera (Basque) was invented by the French Basque Gantchiqui Diturbide (also Gantxiki Iturbide ) in the 19th century.

In countries such as France, Spain and Mexico the game of jai-alai is popular where, in some regions, the game is played in almost every town and city. In the United States, jai-alai enjoyed some popularity as a gambling alternative to horse racing and remains popular among gamblers in Florida, where the game is used as a basis for parimutuel gambling.

While in contrast the popularity of jai-alai in the north-eastern and western United States waned as other gambling options became available. As a result frontons in the Connecticut towns of Hartford and Milford permanently closed while the fronton in Bridgeport was converted to a Greyhound race track; and a fronton in Newport, Rhode Island had been converted to a main stream gambling facility replacing the fronton. Jai-Alai enjoyed a brief and popular stint in the western United States with the opening of a fronton at the MGM Grand Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada however by the early 1980s the fronton was losing money and popularity and as a result MGM Grand owner Kirk Kerkorian decided to close the fronton and replace it with a more profitable entity.

In an effort to prevent the closure of frontons in Florida, the Florida State Legislature introduced and passed bill HB 1059 that would change the rules regarding the operation and wagering of poker in a Pari-Mutuel facility such as a Jai-Alai fronton and a Greyhound and Horse racing track. The bill was passed on May 1, 2003 in the state Senate and was presented to Governor Jeb Bush on July 21, 2003 and it officially became law on August 6, 2003 even without the Governor's signature.

The United Auto Workers Local 8868 Union is the recognized bargaining agent for Jai-Alai players and fronton employees. The union which now operates only in Florida also represented Jai-Alai players and fronton employees in Connecticut until the three frontons permanently closed in the early 2000's and in Rhode Island where at the behest of the owners of the Newport Grand fronton and various Greyhound racetracks the Rhode Island State Legislature abolished legalized Jai-Alai in 2003 so that the state could legalize Video Lottery Terminals (VLT) at these facilities.

External links

• Dania Jai-Alai, Simulcast and Poker Room http://www.betdania.com/ , Dania Beach, Florida
• Fort Pierce Jai-Alai http://www.jaialai.net/ , Fort Pierce, Florida
• Hamilton Downs Jai-Alai http://www.hamiltondownsjaialai.com/ , Hamilton County, Florida {Opening in July 2005)
• Miami Jai-Alai http://www.fla-gaming.com/miami/index.html , Miami, Florida
• Newport Grand Jai-Alai http://www.newportgrand.com/ , Newport, Rhode Island ¹
• Ocala Jai-Alai http://www.ocalajaialai.com , Orange Lake, Florida
• Orlando Jai-Alai http://www.orlandojaialai.com/ , Casselberry, Florida

       ¹ Ceased live Jai-Alai performances on July 14, 2003. Wagering on simulcast Jai-Alai is still available.