Inside The New Hard Rock Sportsbook For Opening Day Of Florida Retail Sports Betting

Today is a big day for local Florida sports betting fans. Florida kicked off its retail sports betting market with the Hard Rock Sportsbook in Hollywood. As a Florida local, I took a trip to the grand opening of the FL sportsbook at Hard Rock Casino. Let’s break down this new endeavor in the Sunshine State.

Inside Hard Rock Casino’s New Sportsbook IN Hollywood, Florida

Florida will be rolling out its retail sportsbook offerings across the state between today and Dec. 11. Today marked launches at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, the Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, and the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

Sports Betting Kiosks

When walking into the casino, patrons will be immediately greeted with sports betting kiosks. The first set of kiosks were outside the sportsbook, showing there are more locations on the casino floor where bettors can wager.

Sportsbook Lounge

The longue itself is centered by a full bar next to a giant wall of kiosks where bettors can place action. On the other side of the bar was the sports betting desk, where patrons could place bets with a ticket writer. Both options are available on weekdays between 12 p.m. and midnight.

Walking past the bar into the main sports lounge area, customers will instantly notice the giant LED TV wall display. Fans can expect to see popular games and programs on air whenever the sportsbook is open.

How Locals Are Responding To Florida Sports Betting

There was a lot of excitement surrounding the launch. Florda’s sports betting was embroiled in legal drama for several years. To get to this point where retail and online sports betting is available is a big deal in the Sunshine State.

“It’s all very exciting,” said Jennifer Florence, a Florida resident, when asked how she feels about the launch. “We are big sports people. We love all Miami teams. Miami Heat are good, Dolphins are good. All our teams are good right now. And now we can bet on them and win some money for fun.”

The sportsbook has only been available for a day, but fans are already beginning to make traditions surrounding betting.

“I’m coming back every Sunday to watch the game and bet,” said Manuel Rubio, a Florida native.

• Join TheLines.com’s free sports betting Discord — with over 4,800 community members and our staff sharing bets daily.

Retail Launches As Online Opens To New Users

The launch of retail sportsbooks isn’t the only Florida sports betting news happening today. The Hard Rock Bet app has officially left early access. All residents can now access the online sportsbook and bet on sports statewide.

Florida is now a fully functioning sports betting market. Even as the Florida compact remains in legal drama, residents can enjoy sports betting at their leisure legally. Today is a great day for Florida sports betting fans.