There are a few states, such as Nevada, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, that rely heavily on gambling revenue. However, a total of 44 states have allowed casinos in one form or another in a bid to attract domestic and international tourists.
Whether it involves changes in legislation, investing billions of dollars into infrastructure and facilities, or launching a bitcoin live casino, state governments, and casino operators work together to enhance tourism in the region.
In this article, we will explore the different initiatives that the local Tampa Bay casinos have taken to attract visitors. Read until the end, as we will also go over the four key marketing strategies used to invite tourists to the region.
Let’s get started!
Tampa Bay Casinos Take Pride in Supporting the Local Community
When it comes to tourism, tourists like to see friendly faces and have a good time. If there is a sense of community in Tampa Bay, it is going to attract more and more visitors each year. This is a great way for casinos to spend a portion of their marketing budget to increase foot traffic.
In 2022, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa made headlines when it donated $750,000 to many different Tampa Bay charities, including the American Cancer Society, Moffitt Cancer Center, Special Olympics Florida, and Habitat for Humanity, among others.
There were a total of 75 charitable organizations that each received $10,000. If you carry out research into these charities, you will find that they have a strong desire to help the local community, improve living standards, and ensure the happiness of the citizens of Tampa Bay. Happy residents mean more business for casinos in the region!
Supporting the local community is a way for casinos to show that they care about the local people. It is also a fantastic way to garner “free” publicity. The front-page headlines are enough to attract attention from all across the United States.
A $2.2 Billion Expansion to Attract Tourists to Tampa Bay’s Casinos
To attract visitors and increase foot traffic, the casino operator needs to reinvest some of the profits back into the business. Investing in better facilities, improving architectural structure, and enhancing customer experience is a great way to invite tourists to the establishment.
In 2019, Hard Rock International invested more than two billion dollars in two major projects, including the expansion of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. This massive investment cemented the casino’s position as the largest employer in Tampa Bay.
The company used the investment to overhaul the existing Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa facilities and enhance the guest experience.
It added a 15-story hotel tower with 564 rooms and suites to improve capacity. VIP guests have access to exclusive check-in and a private elevator to the top floor, where there is a private gaming parlor.
The guests at the hotel can access three ultra-luxury swimming pools with a poolside restaurant and bar. Currently, there are day and nighttime activities arranged on the football stadium-sized deck to generate hype.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa also features a 12,000 sq. ft. Rock Spa & Salon that delivers the ultimate resort experience with poolside service. It has a new 200-seat Italian restaurant that will take you on a delightful culinary journey. There are ballrooms for concerts, special events, conventions, and gaming tournaments.
By providing everything under one roof, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa hopes to attract more visitors and entice them to stay longer. This not only helps generate foot traffic but also increases the casino’s revenue.
Federal Appeals Court’s Ruling Could Play a Role in Increasing Tourism
If you own a casino, it is in your interest to fight for gambling-friendly legislation that could help attract more visitors to your business.
In June 2023, the Seminole Tribe of Florida (owners of Hard Rock International) fought in the Federal Appeals Court and won, which means that they now have a monopoly over sports betting in the state.
There is a synergy between owning a sports betting business and a land-based casino. If the Seminole Tribe of Florida decides to relaunch its mobile application, it could give them an opportunity to increase their customer base online.
Once people try the sports betting app, they will eventually want to experience the brick-and-mortar casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
This could help attract more visitors to the Tampa Bay area, positively affecting the local community and increasing Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa’s revenue.
Four Marketing Strategies Casinos in the Tampa Bay Area Use to Attract More Customers
Besides making an investment, playing a role in shaping gambling-friendly legislation, and supporting the local community, casinos in the Tampa Bay area use many different marketing strategies to attract visitors. Some of these include the following:
Provide Rewards to Customers
Casinos in the Tampa Bay area offer promotions and other rewards to attract visitors. By providing free meals, drinks, shows, and more, customers are more likely to stay longer and spend money.
Invite Customers to Events
Tampa Bay area casinos host events where they invite their loyal customers. This is a great way to make them feel special while creating a buzz in the region.
Create a Buyer Persona
Casinos in the Tampa Bay area understand the motivations behind individuals visiting a casino. Some people like to gamble, while others want to have a good time with friends, family, or business associates.
Tampa Bay area casinos create strategies to target these different types of audiences. They launch new games, such as Crash, Plinko 3, and more, to appease those who like to gamble while opening up new facilities and restaurants for families vacationing.
Boost Discoverability
In today’s digital age, focusing on digital marketing and establishing an online presence is important. Casinos in the Tampa Bay area understand the importance of digital marketing and are spending money to boost their discoverability.
They have their own social media pages, Google reviews, and websites to help build a customer base.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s boosting discoverability or fighting for legislation, there are many strategies that casino operators use to attract visitors.
Gambling has played a major role in uplifting societies across different regions in the United States. Casinos, including those in the Tampa Bay area, are constantly investing and innovating to attract tourists from all over the world.