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TAMPA, Fla (Gambling911.com) - Land-based casinos are the last beacon of a bygone era where cigarette smoke filled the air. But just like planes, restaurants, even most condo buildings, casinos appear to be heading down the "smoke free" route.
A beloved Florida casino has announced it is looking at that option, or at least trying to appeal to non-smokers.
Ironically, Florida is one of the last remaining states where smoking is still permitted in bars, though most of these have gone "smoke free" as well simply because the majority of patrons no longer smoke or want to leave a bar smelling like a chimney.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa will transform its Hard Rock Event Center into a temporary smoke-free gaming area as the resort moves forward with plans to introduce a new smoke-free experience. The temporary casino is scheduled to open to the public in late September.
“We are committed to providing our guests with more choices, greater comfort and even more ways to play.” said Travis Lunn, President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. “The temporary casino inside Hard Rock Event Center will allow guests to continue enjoying a wide variety of gaming options while this incredible transformation takes place.”
Hard Rock Event Center Casino will feature 682 all-new slot machines, including many guest favorites and most in-demand themes, such as Lightning 10 Year Storm, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link, Railroad Riches, Monopoly and Thunder Empire.
The temporary casino will also offer 34 table games following their relocation from the existing casino floor. The selection will include Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud and Roulette.
Hard Rock Event Center Casino will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cash centers and ticket-redemption services will be available inside the venue, while the main casino cage will remain open on the primary casino floor. Unity by Hard Rock members may continue to visit the Players Club on the main casino floor for membership services.
To maintain uninterrupted gaming operations during broader casino floor renovations beginning in October, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has also added 243 slot machines throughout its existing casino floor. When the Hard Rock Event Center Casino opens in late September, the property will initially offer a combined total of 6,185 slot machines.
Areas transitioning to smoke-free environments include portions of the casino floor stretching from the Elvis piano display to the Cipresso restaurant, along with the hotel lobby and L Bar. The transition will include replacing all carpets, chairs, gaming table felts and ceiling treatments.
Existing smoke-free venues and amenities throughout the property will remain unchanged, including all restaurants, the Draper Room, Rock Spa & Salon and the Mezzanine Casino. All resort amenities and restaurants will remain open throughout the construction.
Additional information about the new smoke-free experience, including its opening timeline, will be announced soon.
