The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming are closing all casinos in Florida at 6 p.m. on Friday.
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."
"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.
