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Seminoles Wins Big with New Casino

TAMPA, Florida – As reported by the Tampa Tribune: "Rock 'n' roll pulsates as patrons jam crowded aisles vying for a slot machine opening. A crowd surrounds the poker area, even though an expansion in November increased the number of tables from 32 to 50. Restaurants buzz, the bars are full and it's only the beginning of the week for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

"A year after the Seminoles' casino was reborn with a new complex and new name, the Tampa operation is a financial success for the tribe.

"However, the economic impact for the Tampa Bay area is harder to assess. The casino complex pays no property or state taxes because it is exempt. It isn't required to pay the hotel tax designed to help local tourism efforts, although it donates a sum as a goodwill gesture.

"…There's no doubt the infusion of more than $455 million by investors and the tribe has been a good deal for the Tampa casino, its larger sister property in Hollywood and its developer, Baltimore-based Cordish Co.

"…Each of the 2,500 Seminole Tribe members receives more than $3,500 a month, their portion of the gaming receipts. Tribal leaders make several times that.

"…The number of jobs at the Tampa casino and hotel has nearly quadrupled -- going from 450 in the pre-Hard Rock days to 1,700 now -- but many are lower-paid, service industry jobs…"

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