Published on: October 9, 2024, 07:16h.
Last updated on: October 9, 2024, 07:16h.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa chose to stay partially operational despite the imminent threat of Hurricane Milton.
However, certain facilities like the sportsbook, poker room, and select dining options were closed as a precautionary measure.
Hurricane Milton weakened to a Category 3 storm upon reaching Florida with wind speeds reaching up to 120 mph by 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The storm was forecasted to bring hazardous storm surges to the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Ensuring the safety of guests and staff members was the topmost priority for the gaming property as communicated before the storm hit Tampa.
Continuous monitoring of Hurricane Milton will enable us to keep you updated on any changes to our services and operations… We will provide real-time updates as the situation unfolds.
The Hard Rock Sportsbook will be closed, but kiosks will remain open. The Poker Room & Poker Room Snack Bar are also temporarily closed.
Other temporarily closed casino sites include: Center Bar, Cipresso, Constant Grind, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Food Court, Hard Rock Café, Icon Lounge, Kristal’s, Plum Lounge, Pool Bar & Grill, Rainmaker, Recreation, Rock Spa & Salon, Sugar Factory, The Cellar, The Rez Grill, The Rock Shop, and The Unity Store
The Teddy Swims concert scheduled for Thursday has been canceled with automatic refunds for all tickets at the point of purchase.
Meanwhile, Win! Derby/Derby Lane in St. Petersburgh and TGT Poker in Tampa are temporarily closed and may reopen on Thursday.
Betting on Survival
The storm has sparked a gambling interest.
Joseph Malinowski, also known as “Lieutenant Dan,” residing on a boat in Tampa Bay, remains steadfast on his docked vessel during the threatening storm.
I’m staying put – the safest place during a flood is on a boat,” he stated in an interview with News Nation.
Retardio Casino, a crypto casino licensed for online gambling by the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, is accepting bets on his survival during the hurricane as reported by Daily Dot, an online news outlet.
As of midday Wednesday, 63.4% of bettors are predicting his survival.
Evacuee’s Luck in Biloxi
Jason Jensen, also known as “Greatness Reinvented,” a YouTube personality, relocated from Florida and sought shelter at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss.
On Tuesday morning, he won $146,250 while playing a high limit Dragon Link slot machine, as reported by the Sun Herald, a Biloxi news source. Dragon Link is manufactured by Aristocrat Gaming.