Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa will expand its smokefree gaming areas as part of an interior renovation of the property, the operator announced Tuesday.
By the end of the year, more than 40 percent of the casino floor slot machines will be in areas designated smokefree. Locations that will be transitioned to smokefree include a swath of the casino stretching from Cipresso restaurant to the display of Elvis Presley’s gold piano, plus the hotel lobby and L Bar. The project includes replacement of all carpet, chairs, gaming-table felts, and ceiling treatments. In addition, slot machines, walls, and other equipment will be deep-cleaned.
Existing smokefree venues and amenities will remain unchanged, including all restaurants, the Draper Room, featuring 44 poker tables and 12 live table games, Rock Spa & Salon, Hard Rock Event Center, and the Mezzanine Casino.
“Many of our guests asked for additional smokefree options and we listened,” casino President Travis Lunn said in a statement about the project. “Our expansion is about providing more choices, increased comfort, and an elevated entertainment experience, while offering an exciting gaming atmosphere. Guest feedback continues to shape how we evolve the entertainment experience at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.”
The casino will continue to offer designated smoking areas. But the project, scheduled to be completed this year, will more than double the number of smokefree slot machines and table games, while adding smokefree areas.
To allow gaming operations to continue through the renovation, Hard Rock Event Center will temporarily house slot machines. Construction on the temporary gaming area is expected to begin in August, with further casino floor renovations beginning in October. All resort amenities, restaurants, and gaming operations will remain open throughout the work.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that the project will cause three concerts to be moved from the Tampa Hard Rock Event Center or postponed. A Nov. 24 performance by Sting has been moved to Hard Rock Live in Orlando. Plans for the other two events — O.A.R on Nov. 12 and Jonathan Van Ness on Nov. 19 – will be announced later.
This renovation comes on the heels of a $65 million project completed in 2025, which included the reopening of the Fresh Harvest Buffet, renovations to 240 hotel rooms, and the addition of nearly 350 slot machines.
Hard Rock Tampa has more than 5,000 slot machines, about 190 table games, and a 44-table poker room.
