Hard Rock Casino Tampa Reveals $65 Million Refresh

Posted on: January 23, 2025, 06:58h. 

Last updated on: January 24, 2025, 09:03h.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, the largest gaming venue in Florida, unveiled $65 million in enhancements, including significant additions to its slots area.

Hard Rock
The Hard Rock Casino sign at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa. The venue got a $65 million upgrade. (Image: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa/Facebook)

Some of the upgrades have already been revealed, including the return of the Fresh Harvest Buffet and the debut of a new gaming area previously occupied by the food court, the latter of which opened on Thursday. That fresh gaming area includes 350 new gaming machines with denominations of a penny to $5, and max wagers of $100. The buffet’s return is also considered significant.

The reopening of Fresh Harvest Buffet is a significant milestone for Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, creating 200 new jobs and bringing the total number of team members at the casino resort to an impressive 4,293,” according to a statement. “As one of Tampa Bay’s largest employers, the casino resort continues to play a vital role in the local community.”

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many casinos across the country shuttered buffets and didn’t bring back that dining option upon reopening because operators discovered more profitable uses for the space. Prior to COVID-19, buffets were usually loss leaders at many casinos.

Hard Rock Casino Tampa Leaning Into Slots in Upgrade

Another prominent post-pandemic theme has been operators’ increased embrace of gaming machines, which are higher margin and feature less overhead than human-run table games.

The new premium gaming area at Hard Rock Tampa leans into that theme while complementing other recent additions at the casino, including live craps, roulette, and sports betting, which were added just over a year ago.

“Some of the popular games that will be available in the new area include Aristocrat’s Phoenix Link, Lightning Dollar Link and Dragon Link; Light & Wonder’s Huff N’ Even More Puff Hard Hat Edition, Huff ‘N Puff Money Mansion, Journey To Planet Moolah, Coin Trio Royal and Big Hot Flaming Pots; IGT’s Money Mania; and Sega Sammy’s Railroad Riches,” said the operator in the press release. “Dragon Link slot machines have been especially lucky, with 10 jackpots of $1 million or more hit in 2024 alone.”

Hard Rock International, which operates the namesake venue in Tampa, is the gaming arm of the Seminole Tribe. That group is the dominant casino operator in Florida and one of the biggest tribal gaming entities in the US.

Hard Rock Tampa to Feature Smoke-Free Space

Amid increasing concern for the health outcomes of guests and staff, there’s been a groundswell of support for more gaming companies to consider making casinos smoke-free. That’s a tough road to travel because some operators believe it will harm their bottom lines, but some operators are finding compromises.

Hard Rock International said more than a quarter of the 802 rooms at its Tampa property that will be available for booking by the end of this month will be no smoking.

“Among the offerings are newly renovated smoke-free accommodations in the West Tower, where 240 rooms, including Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, and the lavish Gold Suite, have been meticulously updated to elevate the guest experience, proudly maintaining Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s AAA Diamond rating,” said the operator.