The Gulfport Casino

Posted: 07.30.2025 | Updated: 10.07.2025

Deep in the sunny heart of Florida is a town (and building) that’s more shadowy than the rest of the state. 

The Gulfport Casino is a curious building with an even more curious history. The one currently standing on the waterfront is the second iteration of the casino, and it’s rumored to be haunted by a number of strange ghosts. 

This article will detail the history of Gulfport, how its casino came to be, what happened to the first one, and the ghosts that are said to haunt it. Be warned, though; one of the ghosts in particular is rather…catlike with their stealth and reflexes. 

Keep reading to learn just who these ghosts are and why visitors are a little wary of hanging around the casino after dark. If you’re made of bold stuff, we’re sure you’ll want to learn even more about haunted Florida and, maybe even, explore it in person. The best way to do that is by booking an in-person ghost tour with Tampa Terrors!

Is Gulfport Casino Haunted?

If you believe in the haunted phenomena that come out from the Gulfport Casino, year after year, then you’d be hard-pressed to say this place isn’t haunted. Among the many ghosts that are said to haunt the building are: 

• Shadowy figures in the ocean
• A dancer gliding on air
• A phantom cat

Casino History

Gulfport is part of the Tampa–St. The Petersburg–Clearwater metropolitan area and its casino are one of the most eye-catching parts about it. Serving as a centerpiece of the Gulfport waterfront, this casino has shaped its town’s identity for over a century. 

Its roots stretch all the way back to the early 1900s. During this time period, the surrounding Tampa area wasn’t the tourist hotspot it’s known to be today. Instead, it was sparsely settled and known as Veteran City, due to the fact that it was initially proposed as a retirement haven for Civil War veterans. 

That wasn’t all that was different around here back then either; no bridges linked the Pinellas mainland with the barrier islands. However, the waterfront’s sparse days would not last long. In 1905, the St. Petersburg & Gulf Railway extended its electric trolley line westward towards a brand-new 700-foot, electrically illuminated dock. And in 1906, a two-story building was built at the end of this dock, the first casino building of the area. 

However, it wasn’t originally intended to be a casino at first. Instead, it served as a multipurpose gathering place, which fits the original Italian meaning of “casino” – a little house for socializing. The building featured a number of amenities, including a post office, a refreshment stand, a snack bar, tobacco stations, a souvenir shop, and living quarters for the facility’s managers. 

On the upper level, they also had an open-air pavilion with a gorgeous seaside view that made for perfect nights. While this first casino would spur economic growth and development, it was unfortunately devastated by a hurricane in the 1920s. 

Gulfport was forced to rebuild. 

Hauntings at Gulfport Casino

The second casino rose up on slender stilts over the water in 1922 to much fanfare. At least, the public was enthusiastic about it – apparently the bandleader was worried the stilts weren’t strong enough to keep the floor they played on from collapsing into the water!

But, despite his misgivings, the floor stood and, once again, the Gulfport Casino was a local social hub. Most of these social gatherings were in the form of dances. From waltzes to ballroom to discos, the Gulfport Casino would adapt with the times and continued to draw crowds year after year. 

Today, it remains in operation as a historic dance venue under the charge of the city of Gulfport. And a proud tradition of dance isn’t the only enduring legacy of the Gulfport Casino either. It’s still rumored to have some of the first casino’s old ghosts. 

Remember the hurricane that devastated the first casino building in the early 1920s? Local legend holds that its devastation left behind ghostly imprints on the place. 

According to reports compiled by paranormal experts and locals, some of the people who perished during that hurricane had their spirits linger on the waterfront. Casino staff and visitors report seeing spectral figures lurking near the waterline. 

These sightings usually appear late at night, on moonless nights. Those who get a good look at the faces of these shadowy figures report that their gaze is always fixed upon the casino building, no matter where the waves take them.

Phantom Cats and Dancers

These shadowy figures in the waves are sometimes joined by another figure. While they look shadowy and stay motionless in the waves, this figure is, in contrast, illuminated, as if by moonlight. Her shiny figure cuts a striking image at night, as she glides across the surface of the water. 

Her origin is unknown, but older locals swear that her gliding movements mirror some of the dance moves seen during the first casino’s heyday. Maybe she, too, was a victim of the hurricane or, perhaps, she was a soul who never wanted to leave this happy building, even after death. 

However, there are more ghosts than just the ones lurking in the waves, here at the Gulfport Casino. Some of them even hang around inside. Signs of them are easy to spot…if you know what to look for. Sudden cold drafts will happen in sealed rooms, music will play when no band is playing, and the sounds of footsteps will echo across empty halls.

Which ghost (or ghosts) are behind these strange phenomena isn’t known yet. However, there are are some who believe that the phantom responsible has four legs, nine lives,, and a tail. 

Morris

Morris is the Gulfport Casino’s ghost cat. A stray yellow tabby, Morris, was found by casino staff in the 1970s. They named it after a similar-looking cat who starred in 9Lives cat food commercials and informally adopted him as a casino mascot. 

Morris lived a happy life there for fifteen years, often lounging by the entrance or darting in and out between dancers’ legs. After he passed away, the community pooled together resources to erect a small statue in his honor, near the casino. 

Although these claims are disputed, some claim that Morris’ ghost can still be seen, hanging around his statue!

Haunted Tampa

So, if you happen to see a yellow cat who can run through walls on your next trip to Gulfport, don’t be alarmed! It’s probably just Morris, looking for a ghost mouse to chase! The really scary ghosts are the ones in the waves at night! 

If you liked this story and want to learn similar tales, check out our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They spotlight other offbeat ghost stories all over the United States. Checking our blog is another good way to stay up-to-date with all the latest ghost stories and haunted spots in Florida.

If you want to explore Tampa ghosts up close, a ghost tour with Tampa Terrors is the best way to do that. Our guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and can provide even more information on the area. 

Sources:

• https://mygulfport.us/recreation/casino/casino-history/
• https://stpetecatalyst.com/vintage-pinellas-the-gulfport-casino/
• https://thegabber.com/gulfport-ghost-cat-morris-real-ghost-or-urban-legend/
• https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2020/10/16/tampa-bay-s-10-most-haunted
• https://www.wfla.com/dont-miss/real-ghost-stories-from-tampas-most-haunted-locations/