Coronavirus & Casinos: Seminole Casinos Temporarily Closing Across Florida
HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – The Seminole Tribe of Florida is temporarily closing all Seminole and Hard Rock Casinos throughout the state on Friday at 6:00 p.m. due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"The goal is to have the complexes shut down as quickly as possible," said Gary Bitner, Seminole Gaming Spokesperson.
Bitner says they are shutting down all 3 of its facilities in South Florida and 3 others throughout the state.
They are:
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
- Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
- Seminole Casino Brighton
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
- Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
- Seminole Classic Casino (Hollywood)
"The Tribe ultimately acted in the interest of public health and public safety and the health of its guests and team members as the coronavirus continues to develop," Bitner said.
Bitner says they will work with current hotel guests and will not force anyone out onto the street. He said they will also handle arrangements for all upcoming guests.
Seminole Gaming employs 14-thousand people and Bitner says they worked hard at social distancing and extra cleaning to remain open during this challenging time. However, the Tribe decided the time had come to voluntary shut down.
They are guaranteeing pay for their full-time and part-time employees for two weeks.
"There's a real commitment to the livelihoods for all those team members and that's been an important consideration throughout this whole process," Bitner said.
CBS4 News asked Bitner how much this temporary shut down might cost them. He said he couldn't provide a number or an estimate but said simply, "it's not a small nickel."
The Casino at Dania Beach, Calder Casino and Casino at Gulfstream Park all shutdown earlier this week.
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