Florida’s Hard Rock casinos were buzzing with activity as the company unveiled its expanded gaming lineup last week while its mobile app launched digital sports betting. Let’s see how this project has unfolded and its impact not only on Florida’s sports betting industry but on the online sportsbooks as well.
Red Carpet Rollout
There was no shortage of celebrities to help introduce the expanded gaming menu offered at Hard Rock casinos across the Sunshine State. An eclectic mix of familiar names and faces graced the gaming floors at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood.
Virtually every facet of the entertainment industry was represented with a star-studded lineup consisting of Bruno Mars, Tiësto, Heather Graham, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Diplo, Cedric Gervais, Mike Tyson, Dwyane Wade, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Sarah Hyland, Willy Chirino, Max Weinberg, Bobbi Althoff and the timeless Jon Bon Jovi to name just a few.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman, Marcellus Osceola Jr, said, “The Seminole Tribe of Florida is proud to point to a new era in Florida gaming with the unveiling of our new casino games.”
Previously, the six Florida Hard Rock casinos had everything that one would normally see in a casino with the myriad rows of slot machines and familiar table games like blackjack, baccarat, and other miscellaneous table games. But those who wanted to roll the dice, watch the roulette wheel spin, or make a sports bet were out of luck until last Thursday’s launch.
Economic Impact
This most recent gaming expansion became possible due to the Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021. Although mobile sports betting has been a contentious issue that has been continuously litigated between parimutuel company West Flagler Associates and the state, as well as the Department of Interior, the launch of both retail and mobile sports betting by the Seminoles indicates they believe they are on firm legal ground to do so.
Furthermore, now that the Seminoles’ Florida Hard Rock casinos have all the amenities of any other Las Vegas-style gambling palace, the economic impact will be noticeable, not only to the Hard Rock’s properties but in attracting tourism throughout the state, according to its executives.
“The entertainment, travel, and tourism industries, and many more, will see a positive economic impact caused by the new casino games,” Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen said via a press release. “They will increase tourism to Florida and boost employment not only at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood but also at businesses in the areas surrounding this casino complex and others operated by Seminole Gaming throughout Florida.”
Allen also added, “The addition of craps and roulette here at our facilities in Florida is a big day for us. When we look at the international guests coming into South Florida to now offer the game of roulette is a real addition for us, and we’re really excited about it.”
“The Seminole Tribe of Florida is proud to point to a new era in Florida gaming with the unveiling of our new casino games,” Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. said in a press release. “With the addition of craps, roulette, and sports betting, we now offer a full complement of casino games and we join the ranks of leading casinos around the world.”
Calculators
