Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming Double Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking

With a series of new and ongoing initiatives, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming intend to raise more awareness about the issue of human trafficking.

Hard Rock & Seminole Gaming Reaffirm Commitment to Combat the Issue

Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming recently announced they will continue the fight against human trafficking using expanded prevention programs. The two companies also intend to increase awareness of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis.

Both entities will expand their educational high school-level program. The program, which focuses on preventing online luring of minors, will be expanded to middle school curriculums.

According to Seminole Gaming CEO and Hard Rock International chairman Jim Allen , the Seminole Tribe of Florida has a duty to raise awareness of the MMIW crisis. The CEO further explained that said issues are especially critical because perpetrators often target the hospitality and gaming industry. He also highlighted the fact that Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of going missing, which is a serious problem that must be addressed.

Stephanie Piimauna, senior vice president of people & inclusion and chief diversity & inclusion officer at Seminole Hard Rock Support Services stated that the company is proud to work with other gaming industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups. She stated the importance of educating the public about the risks and impact of human trafficking.

At Hard Rock, we set the industry standard for training protocol that every team member receives to ensure we protect our guests.

Stephanie Piimauna

Here’s Are Some of the Companies’ Planned Activities

Starting this month, on January 15, Hard Rock will host a private screening of the short film “We Ride For Her” at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The film is a production by Red Sand Project and tells the experiences of Medicine Wheel Ride, an Indigenous women motorcyclist group whose mission is to honor and remember MMIW.

Following the screening, there will be a panel discussing the connection between human trafficking and MMIW, moderated by Durante Blais-Billie (Seminole Tribe of Florida). Several guests including a Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming higher-up, and a Navy veteran will also attend the panel.

In addition to that, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming’s Change for Change initiative will raise funds to prevent human trafficking. This year would mark the third one in a row. Guests will be encouraged to donate any change from cash tickets to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation at select Everi & NRT kiosks. All change contributions go to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation to support PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking).

Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming will also provide the nonprofit organization It’s a Penalty with a boost. The latter aims to combat human trafficking and exploitation, and raise awareness of their detrimental emotional consequences.