Tampa hard Rock has started dealing Blackjack

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Hard Rock Casino launched card games today

By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer

Published Thursday, November 13, 2008 11:19 AM
<HR noShade SIZE=1>The Tampa Bay area's first legal games of blackjack got started before dawn Thursday at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida opened games of blackjack, mini baccarat and variations of poker at more than 100 card tables at just before 5 a.m. The tribe hadn't publicly announced the launch.
By mid morning, players crowded around tables with $5 and $10 minimum bets. Many tables with minimums of $25 and higher were empty or had a lone player.
"It's pretty traditional to do a soft opening to work out the kinks," said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming.
Even the dealers were not aware when the games would start until Wednesday night, when it was announced at a pep rally at the casino, Allen said.
The card games employ 1,000 new workers at the casino, bringing the number of employees to 2,800.
The card games and Las Vegas-style slots were permitted under a deal signed by Gov. Charlie Crist and the tribe in November.
In July, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Crist overstepped his authority by allowing the card games, saying the compact was invalid. But the state can't stop the games because the Seminoles are a sovereign nation, not subject to Florida law.
Allen said the tribe "looks forward to working with Gov. Crist and the House and Senate to resolve any issues regarding the legality of the compact."
Florida's first legal games of blackjack began in June at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. But Tampa has a larger operation than Hollywood, where dealers work at fewer than 80 tables.
Steve Huettel may be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.

That is so good news, I think?

I was there yesterday playing poker and video poker.

The BJ opened early in the morning.........80% of the tables were empty at 1 pm.........by 8pm, all the tables and 90% of the slots were being played, and of course, the pokerroom was almost full with what I think is 40 ten handed tables(5teamer will clarify).

Being one that has ventured into hundreds and hundreds of casinos in every state that they are legal..........Im not sure if I can think of a busier place per square footage than the HR TAMPA.

Tonight will be just nuts!

Leaving now for the pokerroom.

I was out of town yesterday, but I sent a buddy over there and he had a great time all afternoon. Considering meeting him over there once my flight comes in from Atlanta.

FROM: State gets no money from legal blackjack at Seminole casino

Last Edited: Thursday, 13 Nov 2008, 10:59 PM EST
Created: Thursday, 13 Nov 2008, 2:29 PM EST
By Craig Patrick
FOX 13 News

TAMPA -- Gamers can now double down at Black Jack tables at the Seminole Hard Rock casino, but the economic impact of the new games for the state of Florida is still very much up in the air.

On one hand, legal Blackjack does mean more jobs for Tampa Bay.

The casino just hired more than 1,000 people to work on the tables, and dealers who do well can make around $100,000 thousand per year.

And the casino is already drawing tourists across the state.

"We're in Kissimmee (actually davenport) and came here to play poker," said Blake Curtis.

Games came after legal battle

Governor Charlie Crist gave the Seminole Tribe permission to add these table games last November.

As part of the deal, the tribe agreed to pay the state at least a $100 million a year.

"If people don't like gambling, they shouldn't go," Crist said at the time.

The deal triggered a firestorm in Tallahasseee that remains unresolved.

State lawmakers sued the Governor because they say he had no right to strike the gambling deal. The State Supreme Court agreed.

The Court ruled that Governor Crist over-stepped his authority. So now the state has a gambling contract that's clearly flawed, but not necessarily invalid.

State CFO: Florida gets no money from the games

State Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has said that could mean that the tribe gets to keep the table games, but the state may not get any money

"I assume they keep raking in the money, and the state will not be getting part of it," Sink said.

As the Seminoles see it, the contract is still in place. They've already paid the state $70 million and plan to offer to keep paying. The question is whether the state will accept it.

State prosecutors have already tried to shut down the table games, but do not appear to have authority to do so. In the meantime, the tribe is not backing down. In fact, they're still expanding.

"We are looking forward to resolving and questions with the House, Senate and Governor in the upcoming legislative session," said John Fontana, with the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

In the meantime, the tribe is calling for big crowds and a jolt to the Tampa Bay economy.

"A lot of entertainment dollars have been leaving our state to Biloxi -- now they don't have to do that," Fontana said.

E, please send me an email if you have info on next blackjack dealers class (for SheBar).

Will do, i'll also stop by HR and see what else is available as they do like to do IN house tranfers.

• http://www.examiner.com/x-19341-Tam...ll-controversial-will-Tampas-Hard-Rock-expand

Florida's Seminole gambling deal still controversial; will Tampa's Hard Rock expand?
April 9, 1:42 PM

Tampa Faith & Politics Examiner

Sheryl Young

Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida legislature have finalized a 20-year deal with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling at their casinos throughout the state.

Tampa’s St. Pete Times (tbo.com) reports the tribe will guarantee a total $1 billion in the first five years. But Tampa's Bay News 9-TV puts the total at 1.9 billion.
After the first five years, Florida will receive 10% of net gaming revenue for 15 more years. The money will be used to fill the state's budget shortfalls and stimulate Florida’s economy .

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa may stand to receive money to expand the hotel and casino - a plan put off at an earlier date.

The Seminole Tribe will have exclusive rights to blackjack in Broward County and Tampa, and will be allowed to continue slots in their seven Florida casinos.

A similar 2007 agreement between Crist and the Seminole Tribe failed, because it was not approved by Florida legislature. Crist had run for governor in 2006 as being opposed to the expansion of gambling.

Because of the dire straits of the Florida budget, Congress will likely adopt the measure this time.

Those opposing the measure cite gambling addictions and Florida families being placed in peril because of those addictions; plus that it is an industry that preys on people who are already downtrodden.

5teamparlay said:

Florida Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida legislature have finalized a 20-year deal with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling at their casinos throughout the state.

Click to expand...

Maybe a stupid question but expand how?

More casinos or just expansion on existing casinos?

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/eight-injured-when-casino-wall-collapses/2197578
Eight injured when Hard Rock casino temporary wall gives way

• Times staff

Tampa Bay TimesSaturday, September 13, 2014 12:00pm



TAMPA — Eight people were injured when a portion of a temporary wall at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino collapsed Friday night, a Seminole Tribe police spokesman said.



The collapse happened about 11 p.m., said Gary Bitner, spokesman for the Seminole Police Department. A section of the wall, about 15 feet tall and made of wood and drywall, fell into a corridor near the food court.
Hillsborough Fire Rescue responded and took three people to local hospitals for treatment and the others were treated on scene, Bitner said. One man suffered a broken arm.
Contractors erected the wall recently to separate an area under construction that will be the site of high-limit slot machines. Casino officials investigating the collapse were reviewing surveillance video for clues, Bitner said.
"To really understand what happened and to make sure it never happens again," he said.

Eight injured when Hard Rock casino temporary wall gives way 09/13/14 [Last modified: Saturday, September 13, 2014 9:27pm]

Say what?

I was there a few years ago and they had a room near the back of the place (right across from the cafe restaurant with all the memorabilia) where the dealers dealt from shoes. It was the only non-shuffle machine area in the entire place. Was that room no longer operational?

at this point, we might as well just let every state be a Vegas.