The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is set to unveil an expanded non-smoking gaming area to cater to an increasing number of patrons who prefer a secondhand smoke-free environment.
In June, Hard Rock International, which is wholly owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, revealed plans to enhance their smoke-free gaming offerings. The initiative aims to designate over 40% of the casino’s slot machines to smoke-free sections.
As renovations on the casino floor are scheduled to commence in October, Hard Rock has temporarily transformed the Hard Rock Event Center into a smoke-free casino space to ensure continuous gaming options for guests. This temporary gaming operation will launch next month.
Growing Demand for Smoke-Free Spaces
For many years, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has provided a dedicated smoke-free gaming area near the Draper Place Garage. The casino also has smoke-free gaming and high-limit slots available on the mezzanine level.
Officials from Hard Rock state that the decision to expand smoke-free gaming was influenced by customer feedback.
“Our commitment is to enhance the experience for our guests by offering them more choices and comfort,” stated Travis Lunn, president of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. “The temporary gaming space within the Hard Rock Event Center will ensure that guests can continue to enjoy diverse gaming options while we undertake this significant transformation.”
The temporary casino at the Hard Rock Event Center will feature 682 brand new slot machines, including popular games such as Lightning 10 Year Storm, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link, Railroad Riches, Monopoly, and Thunder Empire. Additionally, it will offer 34 smoke-free live dealer table games, including blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, and roulette.
The Hard Rock Event Center casino will operate round-the-clock, seven days a week.
Future Casino Plans
Lunn explained that the casino area extending from the Elvis piano display to the Cipresso restaurant, along with the hotel lobby and L Bar, will be transformed into a permanent smoke-free environment while the Event Center operates as a temporary gaming venue.
The current machines in this section, which is separated from the main casino area and Center Bar, will be thoroughly cleaned. All carpeting, chairs, gaming table felts, and ceiling treatments will be replaced to elevate the guest experience.
Smoking rates in the U.S. continue to decline. According to a report from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in April, the national smoking rate has reached a historic low, with fewer than 10% of adults smoking cigarettes regularly.
This shift is notable compared to the mid-1960s, when nearly half of adults were smokers.