Tribe unveils USD 100M expansion of Tampa casino

The new mezzanine level casino is an art-deco inspired design in more than 26,000 square feet with 500 new slot machines and 15 live-action table games. The new space has 14,000 square feet of Italian marble.

"Frankly the intricacy and high level of finishes in this design rivals anything, not just here in the state of Florida, but frankly not just in Las Vegas but even seeing some of the new casinos in Macau and Singapore," said Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen.

The new smoke-free gaming area is located on the ground floor and has a dedicated Uber drop off and pick up area. There are more than 850 of the newest slot machines. One of the machines serenades players with Michael Jackson's greatest hits. There are also more than 20 big screen televisions so patrons can also watch sports and not miss the latest news while casting their bets.

A 46-table non-smoking poker room also has 40 televisions. High stakes players now have a new high-limit lounge featuring two VIP tables. The bar can seat 15 and a snack bar seats more than 20.

The new Orient Road garage gives visitors access from both Hillsborough and Orient Roads. There is also a walkway from the garage where guests can take a self-guided memorabilia “rock walk” tour, which showcases more than 100 of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s prized memorabilia pieces, including new items from artists such as Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Stevie Nicks, Bon Jovi, Nicki Minaj and more.

With the recent re-opening of nearly 500 parking spaces on a surface lot and the 700 parking spaces in the Orient Road garage, the latest parking expansion boosts overall parking capacity at the property to more than 5,000 spaces.

The hotel and casino occupies 37 acres of the Tampa Seminole Reservation.

Noting that there are 228 Hard Rock locations in 74 countries worldwide, Allen also addressed the Manchester concert attack in Great Britain.

"I think the first reaction is how sad it is," he said. Some 22 people were killed and scores of others were injured in what British authorities are calling a terrorist attack. "Security is important," Allen said. "But, when you have this many people that are injured or passed away...today is the day to focus on them, their families and pray for them. To me, it's about the victims and praying for them and their families."