Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa is a gaming complex and hotel that opened in 2004. It is located on the Tampa Reservation off of Interstate 4, just east of Tampa, Florida. The 190,000 square foot casino is the sixth-largest in the world and has been expanded multiple times since its opening. It is a 24-hour venue that permits smoking indoors.
It includes many displays of rock and roll memorabilia, such as clothing and musical instruments. Rock videos and music play on multiple screens, including one displayed inside a waterfall. Many song lyrics are displayed on the walls. Among its many services are a food court and tour bus parking. Special membership cards allow points accumulated by gambling to be redeemed for retail discounts.
History.
In 1980, while excavating to build a parking garage in downtown Tampa, Indian remains were discovered. They were exhumed and relocated to of land east of Tampa, that was granted reservation status to the Seminole Tribe one year later. Taking advantage of reservation status, the tribe opened a museum, a smoke shop and a high-stakes bingo hall by 1982. Eventually a Four Points Sheraton Hotel opened on the land, and slot machines and poker were added to games offered. In 2000, the Seminoles announced plans to rebuild the casino as a Hard Rock Casino. The Hard Rock Casino opened in 2003, with the hotel opening the following year. Over time, the Florida Legislature has changed laws allowing new games at the casino, including Vegas-style slot machines and blackjack. Major expansions of the casino occurred in 2007 and 2012, making it the largest in Florida.
Features.
Aside from the casino, the hotel has a 12-story tower, a pool, a fitness center, and three parking garages. There are many restaurants, including the locally acclaimed Council Oak Steak House, The Fresh Harvest buffet, Rock and Raw sushi bar, The Rise Deli, JuBao Noodle Palace, an international food court, a large Hard Rock Cafe, which regularly hosts live stage performances, as well as others. For shopping there are multiple stores, including the Rain Maker tribal gift shop, the Hard Rock Store and a Seminole Smoke Shop. There are also multiple bars located around the casino floor, including the L Bar, the Center Bar and others. Additional features include a non-smoking game room and a high-rollers club room. Musical memorabilia exhibits can be found throughout the complex.
In 2019, a 14-story hotel tower was added to the property.
Casino.
The 190,000+ square foot casino is the fourth-largest in the United States and sixth-largest in the world. It features over 5,000 Vegas-style slot machines and over 110 tables.