Hurricane Milton Limits Florida Casino Operations

Posted on: October 9, 2024, 07:16h. 

Last updated on: October 10, 2024, 10:23h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa remained largely open Wednesday evening despite the impending threat of Hurricane Milton.

Photograph of Hurricane Milton
A photograph of Hurricane Milton, which was taken Tuesday by astronauts on the International Space Station. (Image: NASA)

But some offerings have been shuttered out of safety concerns, such as the sportsbook, poker room, and limited eateries.

Milton was lowered to a Category 3 hurricane as it headed into Florida on Wednesday. Winds were measured as high as 120 mph as of 7 p.m. EST Wednesday. The hurricane was expected to produce dangerous storm surges on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

“The safety of our guests and Team Members is our top priority,” the gaming property announced before the hurricane hit Tampa.

As we actively monitor Hurricane Milton, we want to keep you informed of any changes to our services and operations… We will provide real-time updates as the situation evolves.”

The Hard Rock Sportsbook will be closed. Kiosks will remain open. The Poker Room & Poker Room Snack Bar are also temporarily closed.

Other casino sites that are temporarily closed include the Center Bar, Cipresso, Constant Grind, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Food Court, Hard Rock Café, Icon Lounge, Kristal’s, Plum Lounge, Pool Bar & Grill, Rainmaker, Recreation, Rock Spa & Salon, Sugar Factory, The Cellar, The Rez Grill, The Rock Shop, and The Unity Store

The Teddy Swims concert scheduled for Thursday was canceled. All tickets will be automatically refunded at the point of purchase.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is also closing some restaurants and retail operations because of the hurricane. Updates are available online.

In St. Petersburg, Win! Derby/Derby Lane will temporarily close. TGT Poker in Tampa is also closed and may reopen on Thursday.

Betting on Man’s Survival

The hurricane has led to some gambling.

A man named Joseph Malinowski, better known as “Lieutenant Dan,” who lives on a boat in Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, plans to remain on his docked vessel despite the dangerous storm.

I’m not going anywhere — the safest place to be is on a boat in a flood,” he said in an interview with News Nation.

Retardio Casino, a crypto casino with an online gambling license from the Autonomous Island of Anjouan, is taking bets on whether Malinowski will live or die due to the hurricane, according to a report from Daily Dot, an online news site.

As of midday Wednesday, 63.4% of the bettors predicted he will survive.

Florida Evacuee Wins in Biloxi

Jason Jensen, a YouTube celebrity, also known as “Greatness Reinvented,” relocated from Florida and was riding out the hurricane at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss.

On Tuesday morning, he won $146,250 while playing a high-limit Dragon Link slot machine, according to the Sun Herald, a Biloxi news outlet. Dragon Link is made by Aristocrat Gaming.