Michael C.
Yelp
1 Star
Deceptive, Disrespectful, and a Total Disgrace: Avoid Hard Rock Tampa
On Monday, June 2nd, I brought my boss and his wife, visiting from Texas, to Hard Rock Tampa. I'm a local from St. Pete and wanted to show them a good time. We spent $400 on dinner and then moved to the high-stakes roulette lounge, wagering $300-$600 per spin for nearly 3 hours. We were having fun, cheering each other on, tipping generously, and being respectful. There were few other players around, and we were the only ones visibly tipping dealers and waitstaff.
Around 11:15 PM, a pit boss named Todd told us we needed to "be quiet." We were surprised but agreed. Then, just 15 minutes later, he came back and kicked us out without any valid reason. No one had complained. No staff gave us prior warnings. We were just having a good time and on a hot streak, no less.
We spoke to two other pit bosses afterward, who didn't know why we were removed. Then we spoke to the shift manager, Douglas, who told us that Todd claimed he never asked us to leave. That's a flat-out lie. Todd 100% kicked us out and then lied to his superior to cover himself.
I've been going to casinos across the country for 16+ years, and my boss for nearly 30. Never have we experienced such blatant disrespect and dishonesty from staff. It was insulting and a complete waste of a night we were excited for.
This experience highlights something many people overlook: casinos are not here for your entertainment, they're here for your money. As reported in The Atlantic and The New York Times, many casinos use psychological tricks to extend your play and profit off your emotions, all while pretending to offer "hospitality." (source, source)
The worst part? If a staff member mistreats you, management will lie to protect their own. That's exactly what happened here.
I will never return to any Hard Rock property again, and I strongly recommend you don't either. Spend your money somewhere that values honesty, professionalism, and guests who actually enjoy themselves.