The Tampa Hard Rock Casino was recently evacuated twice after what appeared to be a bomb was first located in the men’s room adjacent to the casino. The device was later discovered to be a crude concealed device with firework components.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Team and the Seminole Police Department told reporters that the casino was evacuated shortly before midnight on Sunday after the device was discovered in the men’s room. The device was deactivated, and patrons were eventually led back into the casino around 3 a.m.
However, a second device was later discovered in another men’s room in the mezzanine area of the casino during the surveillance review. The second “fireworks” bomb also prompted an evacuation on Monday. Since then, all parts of the casino have reopened, and Seminole Hard Rock has declined to comment.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida owns six local Florida casinos, including two Hard Rock locations.
Does Florida Have Online Casinos?
The state of Florida does not allow online casinos from state-licensed gaming facilities. However, plenty of 18+ online casinos are available from out-of-state sources.
Online casinos in Florida are allowed to operate since no federal or state laws forbid site access. Federal regulations have tried to make accessing online casinos with restrictions on Visa and other credit/debit cards. Still, the limits are imperfect and only affect a few transactions.
To circumvent the credit restrictions, many players gamble with cryptocurrency or utilize other banking methods, including cashier’s checks, player transfers, and other funding options.
Are Online Casinos Safe?
Licensed online casino sites are safe if a trusted gaming commission regulates them. Gaming regulators often issue compliance records that indicate the games have been tested and that security protocols are working correctly.
Any online site that stores payment and personal information is susceptible to cyber-attacks. However, licensed sites employ encryption, making stealing personal information nearly impossible. Players who deposit with Bitcoin or other altcoins do not have to store banking information and can rest assured their data can’t be stolen.