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All Seminole casinos in Florida closed amid coronavirus pandemic

Seminole Hard Rock Casino
Posted at 1:13 PM, Mar 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-21 09:42:54-04

TAMPA, Fla. — The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming closed all casinos in Florida at 6 p.m. on Friday.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS

The move comes after an outcry from Florida residents to close the casinos amid the coronavirus pandemic. Rep. Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa) joined residents in the call for closure to protect employees and the community.

"In a casino, patrons have to touch screens, they touch money, they touch chips, and they touch tables," Toledo said on Wednesday. "They are encouraging the spread of this virus. There is no reason in this war against an invisible enemy, the Seminole Hard Rock can’t keep its employees and patrons safe."

RELATED: Florida Rep. Toledo calls on Seminole Hard Rock Casino to close its doors in Tampa amid coronavirus pandemic

"We have now reached a point where we do not feel comfortable taking that risk," a press release said.

The closure affects the following casinos:

  • 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 casino employs nearly 14,000 Seminole Gaming team members in the state.