The relationship between sports, entertainment, and betting continues to tighten globally. This time, the protagonist is the legendary Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
The complex, owned by the Seminole tribe and one of the epicenters of poker in the United States thanks to its historic series and tournaments, was named “Official Miami World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter.” The designation comes just as the World Cup prepares to land in North America between June 11 and July 19.
Miami will host seven matches of the tournament and Hard Rock plans to become one of the main meeting points for fans. The casino will organize special experiences, themed events, and activities during the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park between June 13 and July 5.
“We are in a unique position to extend the experience beyond the stadium,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International.
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A World Cup poker
For the poker world, the move does not go unnoticed. The Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood has been building a huge reputation within the cards world for years thanks to festivals like the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown and the Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open, events that gather thousands of recreational and professional players each season.
And now, with the World Cup as a backdrop, the flow of visitors could also turn into a huge opportunity for the gaming and sports betting ecosystem.
According to figures published by FCBusiness, around US$150 billion could be bet globally during the 2026 World Cup, a number that dwarfs even many of the biggest poker festivals on the planet.
Additionally, Hard Rock has a key detail: it holds exclusivity to offer online sports betting in Florida, a huge market that could explode during the tournament.
Interestingly, the World Cup will also have a small nod to poker. Former professional player Sergej Barbarez
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