As the formidable Hurricane Milton draws closer, the gambling scene in Florida is grappling with significant upheaval. The hurricane is predicted to spin its chaotic path through key gambling hotspots like Tampa Bay, Melbourne, and Orlando, leaving a trail of uncertainty in its wake. Schools have closed their gates, as have roads and airports, creating a veritable moat around these cities.
An Unexpected Power Play in the Casino World
Florida’s casinos, usually bustling with the clatter of chips and the flash of slot machines, now face the prospect of rolling a hard seven. With travel curtailed, the gambling sector braces for a financial downturn. Several casinos and poker rooms are standing by, chips on the table, ready to shutter their doors should the tempest demand it. Adding insult to injury, Hurricane Milton is circling in just weeks after Hurricane Helene took a toll on the Sunshine State. Casinos are now pondering: when will Lady Luck return?
Casinos Prepared to Shuffle, Hit, or Stand
Across Florida, seven casinos operated by Native American Tribes are strategizing their next move. With six venues under the ownership of the Seminole Tribe and one run by the Miccosukee Tribe in Miami, the stakes are high. As the hurricane draws its ominous hand, casinos in its path have rolled out their safety measures. They’re prepared to temporarily fold, opting to secure safety over profit, as Milton makes its decisive move.
In South Florida, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood remains in play for now. However, they’re keeping a watchful eye and a dedicated webpage to update on Hurricane Milton’s antics. The establishment prioritizes the safety and well-being of all patrons and staff, vowing to share updates faster than a blackjack deal. “Keep this page aces, and check back regularly for any bluffs or shutdowns. We’ll provide real-time updates as the situation spins,” the casino announced.
“Our guests’ and team members’ safety is our ultimate ace in the hole. As we monitor Hurricane Milton closely, stay in the loop regarding any shifts in our services and operations,”
reads the statement on Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood’s website
The Poker Room Shuffle in the Face of the Storm
It’s not just the casinos feeling the pressure of the storm front. Poker rooms, those hallowed halls of flops, turns, and rivers, aren’t spared from the hurricane’s wildcard play. In Tampa, Racebook and TGT Poker have temporarily folded their hands, shutting up shop as the storm bluffs its way through. Meanwhile, the Win! Derby poker room declared in an Instagram post that it would remain closed “until Hurricane Milton safely clears our area,” reminiscent of a card player waiting for the river card that never comes.
As the ninth hurricane from the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Milton isn’t playing small ball. According to NOAA, this tempest cranked up the heat early, evolving into a ferocious Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico as of Monday, October 7, 2024. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings, flashing red alerts like a losing streak on the roulette table, suggesting that this could become “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.”
The gambling industry watches and waits, each member a player in a high-stakes game against nature herself. As Florida prepares to draw its next card, the community—much like a seasoned gambler—holds its collective breath, ready to adapt and overcome as the storm’s thundering hand comes down.
