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Tampa's Hard Rock Keeps Rolling While Other Casinos Fall Flat

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By KRISTA KLAUS

News Channel 8

Published: July 1, 2008

TAMPA - In a business that has long been considered impervious to recessions, casino operators in Las Vegas say that money is tight and profits are down.

But Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino appears to be bucking the national trend.

"Overall, business is up for us," said hotel and casino president John Fontana. "We don't see any major trends that say a particular segment of the business is falling off drastically."

Phil Weast, a professional gambler, said he thinks business is booming because the state recently eased gaming restrictions, making way for Vegas-style slots and blackjack tables.

"You don't have to travel to Vegas or Biloxi anymore," Weast said.

But it seems that people are traveling to Tampa. Cars from Louisiana, New York and Oklahoma were seen recently parked at the casino.

Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the Florida Seminole tribe, said the state may be contributing to Las Vegas' downturn.

Residents say they would rather stay close to home than booking a flight to Sin City.

"Right now, the economy's doing so bad nobody can afford flights anymore," casino patron Rhonda Deriberprey said. "So you can just get in your car and come here."

Weast said there may be a simpler explanation why the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino continues to draw visitors.

"There's just a lot of gamblers in this town," he said.

Reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report.

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