Hard to get into the Hard Rock

Update - Folks who live and work near the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa say they've never seen people being turned away from the casino, until Saturday night.

Joanne O'Brien lives near the casino and was out monitoring the situation from her front yard.

"It was a living nightmare," she said. "At about midnight a few of the people who were trying to get into the casino came back to get their cars because they said the casino was at capacity and they weren't letting anybody else in," said Michelle O'Shaughnessy, the assistant manager at Westshore Pizza located across the street from the casino.

Local R&B artist Cassandra Grady tried to get into the Hard Rock last night, but said she was turned away.

"I was like, 'What are you talking about? I live here.' You know, turn some of those out-of-towners around, but they've got more money than me," she said laughingly.

Westshore Pizza suffered as well. They were unable to make deliveries because of all the traffic.

"I thought that was insane, just like the traffic was, 'cause I got stuck in the traffic myself. Forty five minutes just to get around the corner," said O'Shaughnessy.

Since the Hard Rock is one of the few places that's open after hours, it's no surprise so many people were flocking to the casino.

"The interstate was crazy packed, everyone was coming from the club," explained Grady.

People were paying top dollar to park in residential driveways, but not all of the neighbors were happy about that.

"Cars going over lawns, there's garbage all over the street," said O'Brien.

The President of the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa released a statement saying, "While Friday and Saturday saw higher than normal attendance at the property, definitely due to the influx of visitors created by the Super Bowl, casino security and Seminole Department of Law Enforcement officials executed a well designed plan to control traffic and crowds on the casino property."

"I've been here for about a year now and the casino's had a couple of busy nights, nothing like it was last night. I have never seen it that bad before," said O'Shaughnessy.

As a result, a lot of folks who don't want to gamble with their chances of getting in again Sunday night are showing up several hours early.

"I'm just now arriving to this point so I can get in tonight, cause I'm not having it tonight. I'm ready to spend some money," said Grady.

Even though the Super Bowl is meant to be a money-making machine for Tampa Bay, some locals are ready to tab out when it comes to the big game.

"Amen, let it go to Indiana or some place else right now," said O'Brien.

Update - The President of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, John Fontana, issued an additional statement about the crowds last night saying, "Due to the popularity of all of the gaming, dining and entertainment offerings available to guests at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino it was certainly the place to be during this exciting week for the Tampa Bay community. Local residents and visitors to the area from around the world enjoyed the property this week."

"While Friday and Saturday saw higher than normal attendance at the property, definitely due to the influx of visitors created by the Super Bowl, casino security and Seminole Department of Law Enforcement officials executed a well designed plan to control traffic and crowds on the casino property."

"While we are at all times prepared to handle high volumes of business, we would not expect similar volumes except and until another event of the magnitude of a Super Bowl is held in our community again in the future."

Tampa, Fla. - The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa had to turn away customers on Saturday night because they were at capacity, according to several witnesses.

The hotel released a statement saying quote"Seminole Hard Rock encountered no major issues this weekend and we are grateful that all of our guests were cooperative during such a big weekend for the Tampa Bay area. We expect normal volume today as much of the world's eyes will be fixed on the Big Game."

However, residents and businesses near the stadium tell a different story. Many say they've never seen the hotel so packed. They also complained about the entire area being a traffic nightmare. Drivers were stuck in a holding pattern with no way to get out.

Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that as of 6am this morning, they decided to beef up patrols on I-4 near the Orient Road exit.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is one of the only places open past 6 a.m. in the Tampa Bay area. Stay tuned to 10Connects new at 11 p.m. for live coverage of the traffic situation near the casino tonight.