If you were in Las Vegas this summer for the World Series of Poker, you probably noticed the giant guitar under construction down the street.
The oversized instrument is the key feature of the new Hard Rock Casino, which is scheduled to replace the Mirage in 2027. If you couldn't tell, it's a total makeover that will reboot the classic resort and change the Vegas skyline forever.
Some details have emerged about the new resort, like the new 5,000-seat theatre, a guitar museum, and a giant sportsbook that faces the Strip. But the question on all of our minds remains unanswered: will there be poker?
More poker on The Strip?
It's been a tough time for poker rooms in Las Vegas since COVID, with several closures and consolidations along The Strip. Even the big swings have missed. The last new resort to feature a room, Resorts World, shut down its poker concept earlier this year, and a reworked Planet Hollywood couldn't find its footing.
Rooms like Bellagio, Aria, Venetian, Wynn, and off-strip spots like Orleans and South Point remain consistent, but the headwinds of post-COVID Vegas still weigh against the poker industry. It's hard to compete for shrinking market share, and a room cannot eat on WSOP traffic alone.
Despite the appearance of a poker recession in Las Vegas, the revived Hard Rock Casino may be in a position to provide a jolt of energy to the local industry. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which took control of the brand in 2007, is a new player on The Strip, and they are an experienced poker brand all over the country.
Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is the poker capital of Florida, with major series like the World Poker Tour throughout the year, along with a 24/7 cash game room. The tribe also operates a large room in upstate Tampa and a medium-sized room in Coconut Creek. Newer properties like Hard Rock Cincinnati, Hard Rock Tulsa, Hard Rock Rockford (IL), and a new Hard Rock casino in Virginia also use poker as an amenity to draw customers from throughout neighboring states.
Hard Rock poker rooms
- Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood (FL) - 45 tables
- Seminole Hard Rock Tampa - 50 tables
- Seminole Casino Coconut Creek - 30 tables
- Hard Rock Cincinnati - 30 tables
- Hard Rock Bristol (VA) - 14 tables
- Hard Rock Tulsa - 14 tables
Each of them has also played host to several mid-major series with open arms, which has brought in a steady stream of new players, and most importantly, new player card sign-ups.
Just speculation (for now)
The new Vegas resort will feature 3,600 rooms and more than 200,000 square feet of space for conventions, and Seminole has the experienced staff to develop world-class poker operations in Las Vegas. Poker is an important part of their overall strategy for driving players to casino properties, and their brand is strong among players who travel from Vegas to Florida for major series throughout the year.
It's all speculation for now on the $4 billion casino, which is scheduled to open in late 2027. Seminole has not said much about their poker plans for Las Vegas, but we will keep an eye out for the signs. They will likely start hiring in the early part of next year, and poker job postings may be the earliest indication that they're carving out a big spot on The Strip.
Lead image courtesy of World Poker Tour.
