Operator News
US – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa undergoing expansion
By Phil - 1 June 2018
Florida’s biggest casino is getting even bigger with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa embarking on a nearly $700m expansion that will reinforce its position as one of America’s largest casinos, with 5,000 slot machines and almost 200 gaming tables.
Slated for completion in mid-2019, the expanded casino will offer one of the largest varieties of slot machines in the nation and will offer guests approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of entertainment and gaming.
The centerpiece of the expansion is a new 15-story hotel tower with an additional 564 hotel rooms and suites. In total, the expanded Seminole Hard Rock Hotel will offer approximately 800 guestrooms, including 79 new hotel suites for a new total of 88 suites. For the ultimate VIP experience, the top floor of the new hotel tower will feature a private gaming parlor for VIP guests, with an exclusive check in and private elevators to rock star suites.
Expansion of the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is part of a record $2.4bn economic investment by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in its two flagship destination casino complexes in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is undergoing a simultaneous expansion and renovation.
In Tampa, the Tribe’s economic investment means there will be close to an additional 1,000 part time and full time jobs, which are in addition to the over 2,000 construction jobs on-site during the two-year building project. Economic analysts point to another 1,022 indirect permanent jobs generated by the casino expansion, plus another 2,268 indirect construction jobs, for a grand total of more than 6,000 additional jobs.
“Major expansion of the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is further evidence of the Seminole Tribe’s commitment to the people of Florida that it will continue to increase the economic impact of its Seminole Gaming facilities,” said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming.
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is one of the largest employers in Tampa Bay with more than 3,500 team members and the property will continue to grow as a destination resort with the ongoing expansion.
“Our team members are the backbone of our operation, and we value their attention to detail and focus on guest care,” said Joe Lupo, President of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. “In addition to enhancing our guest experience and offering a premiere resort entertainment destination, this expansion will offer more growth opportunities for our team members.”
