Florida is aiming to rival Las Vegas as the country's top gambling destination after one of its most famous hotel resorts expanded its casino.
On December 7, the iconic, guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will add craps, roulette and sports betting for guests. The new games come after a legal battle over a 2021 deal between Gov. Ron Desantis and the Seminole Tribe, which runs the resort, over sports betting.
A-listers like Sofia Vergara, Jon Bon Jovi, Tiësto, Heather Graham, DJ Khaled, Mike Tyson, Dwyane Wade, Sarah Hyland, Fat Joe, Ja Rule and many more are expected to attend, according to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
“The Seminole Tribe of Florida is proud to signal a new era in Florida gaming with the unveiling of our new casino games,” said Marcellus Osceola Jr., Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
“With the addition of craps, roulette and sports betting, we now offer a full range of casino games and join the ranks of leading casinos around the world.”
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood will debut Dec. 7 with craps, roulette and sports betting
A-listers such as actress Sofia Vergara are expected to attend the weekend-long extravaganza. A weekend full of live performances by Bruno Mars and others will follow
Musician Jon Bon Jovi is also expected to attend. There will be a four-day residency of Carbone, the famous New York-style Italian restaurant
In 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to legalize sports betting at select locations in the state.
The deal was subsequently challenged in court by West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp, arguing that the pact violated a 2018 constitutional amendment that restricted casino gambling. Tampa Bay Times.
Specifically, the legal challenge focuses on a sports betting app developed by the tribe, which launched last month in a “limited” format.
While the legal battle appears to be ongoing, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is moving forward with launching in-person sports betting at their casinos.
Sports Illustrated swimsuit models such as Brooks Nader, Camille Kostek, Jena Sims, Nicole English and Christen Harper were also expected to attend the event.
“The festivities will also include special celebrity guests participating in the first roll of the craps dice, the first spin of the roulette wheel and the first sports betting event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood,” the casino said.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood has planned a four-day residency of Carbone, the famed New York-style Italian restaurant, during its launch weekend. A prix fixe family menu starts at $250 per person.
“The entertainment, travel and tourism industries, and more, will see a positive economic impact from the new casino games,” said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming.
In 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis made a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to legalize sports betting at select locations in the state, including the Hollywood location (pictured)
“They will increase tourism to Florida and stimulate employment not only at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, but also at businesses in the areas surrounding this casino complex and others operated by Seminole Gaming throughout Florida.”
On December 6, the Guitar hotel is organizing a pool party with Tiësto and a skydiving stunt by Red Bull Air Force.
Grammy-winning artist Bruno Mars will perform shows at Hard Rock Live on December 7 and 8.
On December 9, there will be a $200,000 cash hotseat giveaway on the casino floor, with five winners receiving $4,000 every 30 minutes.