Vegas-style slots to debut at Tampa's Hard Rock casino

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

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Las Vegas-style slot machines will soon spin at Tampa's Hard Rock Casino.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Casino is set to unveil the state's second round of Las Vegas-styled slot machines.

Previously only available at casinos in south Florida, the Vegas slots will be in Tampa by May 1.

It is part of a deal brokered by governor Charlie Crist with the Seminole Tribe of Indians.

About 700 slot machines machines will be installed during the first wave at the Hard Rock, which will debut some of the machines as early as next week.

More than 1,600 of the machines eventually will line the casino floor.

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The agreement also will bring Blackjack, Baccarat and other "banked" card games to the Hard Rock.

However, the agreement is still being challenged in court by state House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt.

The Vegas-styled machines differ from the video slot machines currently at the casino. The video-style machines pit gamblers against one another while with the Vegas slots, also known as Class III machines, slots players face off against the house.

The tribe's first Vegas-style slots appeared in Broward County at the Hollywood Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in January, followed by its Coconut Creek casino.