UPDATE (1PM): The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming has decided to temporarily close all Seminole and Hard Rock Casinos throughout Florida today starting at 6pm.
Hotel guests will be contacted directly to accommodate their current bookings and needs, wherever possible.
This was done out of an overabundance of caution and protection guest amid the Coronavirus crisis.
- 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)
Tonight a spokesperson for Seminole Casino and Hotel is speaking out. At this time Seminole gaming has confirmed one person who died from Coronavirus in Lee County paid a visit to the facility March 3rd with his wife. The casino is also saying he came into contact with two employees.
“Who we then went to notify and learned that they had no symptoms, and certainly no awareness of the situation,” said Gary Bitner, Spokesperson for Seminole Casino and Hotel
According to Bitner the casino employees have not been tested for Coronavirus.
Bitner says the victim did not contract the virus at the casino. State Representative Heather Fitzenhagen released a statement, calling for the casino and hotel to close.
Just today Governor DeSantis in a press conference said he spoke with the Seminole Tribe leader, who assured him health is their main priority.
“They have seized their bars, they have imposed social distancing, and they basically reiterated to doing that. They have much more limited operations, but they said they were going to put health first”, said Governor DeSantis.
One guest told me he witnessed crews conducting a deep cleaning at the casino.
“I noticed they’re cleaning the chips regularly, they’re cleaning the decks and cards regularly, and I just noticed that’s it’s very clean,” said Kevin Bertrum.
“They constantly wipe down the machines, the bathrooms are very very clean. You couldn’t have them any cleaner than what they are”, said Ruth Shuman.
Shuman says she is 82 years old and is glad they are remaining open.
“It’s what I like to do everyday, and I’m not going to sit home and just wait to die, waiting to get a virus, if I’m going to get it, I’m going to get it,” said Shuman.
