Seminole Casinos in Florida Remain Open Even in Areas With High COVID-19 Cases
Posted on: March 17, 2020, 09:43h.
Last updated on: March 17, 2020, 12:44h.
Seminole casinos in Florida remain open for business despite a growing number of positive COVID-19 cases.
All six of the tribe’s casinos in the Sunshine State continue to welcome gamblers, though some health safety measures have been implemented. At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, certain slot machines have been disabled in order to force “significant distance” between players, and the number of players at each table game has been limited.
The tribe has closed its poker rooms, along with all concerts and conventions. Restaurants are also closing every other table.
Seminole casinos in Florida are currently open and constantly monitoring the coronavirus situation,” said Seminole Hard Rock spokesman Gary Bitner.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is one of the most powerful Native American communities in the nation. Among its six casinos is Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, where the tribe recently completed its $1.5 billion guitar-shaped hotel.
Pandemic Fears
The Florida Department of Health says there are 173 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, with 558 other people currently being monitored. The majority are located in two southeastern counties: Broward (43 cases) and Miami-Dade (32 cases).
Hard Rock Hollywood, Hollywood Seminole Gaming, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, and Seminole Casino Classic are all located in Broward County. Hard Rock Tampa is located in Hillsborough County, where there’s seven known cases of the deadly coronavirus.
“They need to close that place,” Millie Conard of Tampa told the Tampa Bay Times. Conrad says she visits the casino about once a month to play the slots. Another guest, Michelle Goodwin, said the casino “should close down for the safety of everyone that’s in the community.”
Seminole officials say they won’t, at least for now. Cautionary measures include the elimination of self-service utensils at buffets, and restricting casino team members from working who have recently traveled oversees by providing them with paid time off.
“We have no reports of actual or suspected coronavirus cases among our team members or guests,” Bitner added.
Tribal Power
States across the country are ordering bars and restaurants to close, as well as non-essential businesses, such as casinos. At least 17 states now have at least one casino shut down in wake of the pandemic.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order Tuesday that all bars and nightclubs in the state close effective 5 p.m. this evening for 30 days. “We view that as something that could be problematic for spreading the virus. Stealth carriers – people who don’t have symptoms – but they are nevertheless passing along,” the governor explained.
The Seminole casinos do not have to follow the state government’s orders. Since the venues are Native American operations, they come with territorial sovereignty.
However, Connecticut’s two tribes – the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Indians – adhered to their governor’s wishes that they suspend operations at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.
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Last Comments ( 27 )
Went to casino Tuesday - going again today!!! Looks good to me.
greed greed, that what it is don't care about people,, if Geronimo were still alive he would say SHAME ON YOU,,
what would Geronimo say if he were here today greedy no good sob,
I usually side with the American Natives - not this time, they should be shut down forever for non compliance and lose their sovereignty forever
PURE GREED!!! I like to gamble as much as the next person, but NOT with my life. "Government control", really? Did you not hear the word pandemic? Received an e-mail from the Seminole COO saying how they have increased the cleaning and sanitation practices. What a line of BS. Seems like the Brighton location has a hiring event every other week. They constantly turn over employees. Do you really think they have increased cleaning and sanitation. Neighbor went on Sunday 3/15 and he told me he didn't see anyone wiping down anything. Why do you think everything in Las Vegas has closed, yet the Seminoles won't. GREED! GREED! GREED! Your dollar is more important to them than your life! I have no problem staying away for now. I don't need to pay for a $1.5 billon guitar-shaped hotel. Especially with my life.
I have written and sent this letter to Rep. Ross Spano, Mayor Castor, Governor DeSantis, Surgeon General Dr. Rivkees and to 8-On-Your-Side. NONE have responded as of now. Maybe others can do the same ! I am writing to you to ask your assistance and advice re my SERIOUS concern about exposures now and in the future that are likely occurring at the Seminole Hard Rock casinos in FL -- and particularly in Hillsborough County. As a local Physician, I have both altruistic and personal concerns as related to this obvious source of easy transmission of the novel COVID-19 virus. I understand that the Seminole Tribe has sovereign control over many matters; however, when it comes to the Public Health and safety of our Community, shouldn't the local/state governments also have some input as to the operations there ? My family member has worked as a diligent employee there for over 15 years and is the one of the High Risk groups as related to COVID-19 infection. Little to no measures have been offered to protect him nor their other thousands of employees and guests. As you are aware, Casinos have been ordered closed in many other localities in the country including Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Mississippi and others. The Navajos closed their Tribal Casinos as well and several Tribal Casinos in the North have complied with their Governors requests. Why doesn't the Seminole Tribe do the same ?? The Spring Breakers are simply going to congregate there ! It is so obvious to me that this needs to be addressed immediately in my medical (and common sense) opinion. Please respond when you are able to my concerns. I do feel that expediency is CRITICAL in this matter. Thank you, Local Concerned Physician
Excuse me, but these people have their sovereignty. If they decide to keep their casinos open and don't see this as a danger to their people, then they have that right! You think they care about money, but maybe they care about their own decision making abilities and their rights. You want to tell them what they can and can't do on their own land that was given to them after they were robbed of everything than maybe you need to look in the mirror and think about your own greed and power Rebecca and Erik.
Using common sense and keeping calm are the key factors to deal with this phenomena. E cigarettes are more detrimental and more offensive yet allowed inside the casino. As a Registered Nurse, I observed the housekeepers attempts to wipe down screens and slot consoles,but reported to staff member that seats were wiped with same cloth and then moved to wipe off next machine.This is outrageous and against Florida Health Law.Gloves need to be changed more frequently and supervision would be appreciated. The Casino is a diversion and probably could use the closing for a needed deep cleansing. It would not be forever -- Get A Grip !!!
Honestly, the level of greed being displayed by not following in the footsteps of their competitors is appalling. Dozens of casinos around the country have closed because of this pandemic. It's been declared a national emergency. Not their nation, not their emergency I guess. They are risking the lives of employees, patrons, and the elderly people these employees and patrons have to come in contact with each day after work. By keeping the doors open, they are cultivating an environment that will spread this virus and cost Florida taxpayers money in the long run. By keeping their doors open to the public they are clearly conveying that money means more to them then the well-being of the community they serve.
The important point stated above is from the Seminole spokesperson Gary Bittner. "“We have no reports of actual or suspected coronavirus cases among our team members or guests,” Bitner added. So, if no one is sick or getting sick, why not let the guests have a good time? I'm sure they are constantly cleaning everything that is touched.
I am proud of the Seminole people for choosing not to let the government control every issue of her life. If you don't want to go then stay home but if you do want to go at least you have that choice. It's time the Indians stood their ground.
safety first
If people are concerned, they should stay away. It is their choice to put themselves in jeopardy. They are not being forced to go to these establishments.
It’s obvious all they care about is the money. Was thinking of visiting this casino but I will never visit it now. It’s just pure greed
Tribal or not close the casinos. They are putting people's lives in jeopardy. It's all ok r nothing. Greed should not be a factor. Peoples health is