On Thursday, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa staked its claim as a premier poker destination as it officially opened its new, state-of-the-art poker room.
The 46-table non-smoking room features Wi-Fi throughout, and sure to be a hit with sports fans, 40 televisions, including four 65-inch TV’s and six 75 inch TV’s. Other features include a high-limit lounge with two VIP tables, a bar with seating for 15, a 20-seat snack bar, an outdoor covered smoking area, and for easy access dedicated parking in Draper Place Garage.
The poker room will continue offering the largest variety of games and high stakes 24/7 live action poker in the Tampa Bay area from Texas Hold ‘Em, to Seven Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo, according to the casino’s website. Comedian and professional poker player Brad Garrett (pictured), along with local media and Tampa’s own, professional poker player John Racener, were among other local personalities who played the first hands in the new room.
Owned and operated by the federally recognized Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa is one of the world’s most lucrative casinos and one of seven of the tribe’s Florida gambling venues.
On the same day as the grand opening of the Tampa poker room, a new gaming bill was filed in Florida by Senator Bill Galvano. Among the several areas of gaming covered in SB8 is the $3 billion gaming compact that Governor Rick Scott was able to reach with the Seminole Tribe late in 2015. Through the bill, the compact would be approved, however, would also place requirements on the tribe.