Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Florida, is preparing to open a temporary smoke-free casino area as part of a wider transition toward expanded non-smoking gaming spaces at the Florida property.

The new gaming area will operate inside the Hard Rock Event Center, with the temporary casino expected to welcome guests in late September. The move will allow gaming activity to continue while the property begins larger renovation work on its existing casino floor in October.

The temporary venue will feature 682 new slot machines and 34 table games relocated from the current casino floor. The additional smoke-free space forms part of Hard Rock Tampa’s plan to increase the availability of smoke-free gaming options following guest feedback.

“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, in Seminole’s press release. “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.”

Temporary Casino To Support Renovation Work

The Hard Rock Event Center Casino will operate around the clock, seven days a week, providing guests with continued access to gaming during the upcoming renovation period.

The slot selection will include several popular titles, including Lightning 10 Year Storm, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link, Railroad Riches, Monopoly and Thunder Empire.

The relocated table games will include Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud and Roulette. Cash centers and ticket redemption services will operate within the temporary casino, while the main casino cage will continue operating on the primary casino floor.

Unity by Hard Rock members will still be able to access Players Club services at the main casino floor location.

Before the temporary casino opens, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has already added 243 slot machines to its existing casino floor to maintain gaming capacity during the renovation process. Once the Hard Rock Event Center Casino launches, the property will initially have 6,185 slot machines available across its gaming areas.

The renovation project will also affect sections of the current casino environment. Areas between the Elvis piano display and Cipresso restaurant will transition into permanent smoke-free spaces, along with the hotel lobby and L Bar.

The conversion will include replacing carpets, chairs, gaming table felts and ceiling treatments as part of the updated environment.

Expansion Driven By Guest Demand For Smoke-Free Areas

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has offered smoke-free gaming areas for several years, including a location near the Draper Place Garage and smoke-free gaming options with high-limit slots on the mezzanine level.

The company said the decision to expand smoke-free gaming followed customer feedback and demand from guests seeking additional non-smoking options.

The temporary casino inside the Hard Rock Event Center will help maintain access to gaming while the permanent smoke-free areas are developed. Existing smoke-free facilities, including restaurants, the Draper Room, Rock Spa & Salon and the Mezzanine Casino, will continue operating without changes.

All resort amenities and dining locations will remain open throughout the construction period.

The expansion follows broader changes in smoking habits across the United States. Smoking rates have continued to decline, with recent research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reporting that fewer than 10% of adults regularly smoke cigarettes, representing the lowest recorded rate.

Hard Rock Tampa has not provided a final completion date for all smoke-free casino changes, but additional details regarding the updated gaming experience and opening schedule are expected to be announced.