Slot Machines Debut at Hard Rock Casino

HOLLYWOOD, FL - The Seminole Tribe debuted new Vegas-style slot machines at their Hard Rock casino today. A spokesman for the tribe said the slot machine manufacturers were able to deliver sooner than expected.

The new machines are installed throughout the casino and take bets ranging from a penny to $1,000. More than half feature electronic bingo. The Seminole tribe plans to install up to 15,000 slot machines at seven facilities around the state over the coming months.

Governor Crist and the Seminole Tribe signed a gaming compact allowing slot machines, blackjack and baccarat in exchange for payments to the state. The agreement went into effect earlier this month.

Blackjack and baccarat will take longer to introduce because there is no pool of experienced dealers in Florida for the casinos to hire.

The early slot machine announcement from the Hard Rock Casino was a surprise to many state officials. A lawsuit to block the casinos has been filed by some state lawmakers who feel the agreement requires legislative approval. Their suit will be heard by the Florida Supreme Court beginning Wednesday of this week.

Return to Florida Casinos.