Photo gallery at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-5-million-pg,0,4056242.photogallery

With security guards, bikini models, fireworks and a Beatles act, the Seminole Tribe of Florida today unveiled more money than has ever been on display at a casino.

The $5 Million Cash Tour made its debut at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino just before noon Wednesday. It's 50,000 $100 bills, neatly stacked and kept in a $90,000 1,300-pound shatterproof case.

About 500 gathered for the opening, including local gamblers, 13 members of the Port St. Lucie Red Hat Society and at least one man applying for a job.

"I got here at 9 a.m., turned in my application and decided to wait around," said George West of Fort Lauderdale, who wants to be a dealer. "There's girls, music and $5 million.

"What else would you want?"

Casino visitors can have their photos taken in front of the cash, provided they are Players' Club members (which takes about a minute to sign up for). A similar promotion at Binion's in Las Vegas, with $1 million, was a regular feature at the casino for 1964 to 2000 and recently has been reinstated.

Wednesday, friends Bob Knapstein and Tom Racaniello of Pompano Beach were first in line for photos. They had been playing blackjack.

"We were ready to go, but thought we'd do this," said Knapstein. The photo display is open from noon until 10 p.m.

The morning started with three songs from the Beatles band playing at the show Beatlemania Live! at the Hard Rock Live through March 29.

Their final song, of course, was Money.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles could give $1 million of it back daily. During each day of its promotion, the Tribe will download a $1 million prize onto one Players' Club member's card. If the person swipes his or her card on the day the money is downloaded, they win the cash. The Seminoles don't release how many Players' Club members they have but confirm it is in the tens of thousands.

More than 50 people were lined up at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, 30 minutes before the promotion's start. Consolation prizes include free play and $15 discounts at restaurants.

Among those interested in the display were two mother-daughter pairs on a two-day trip from LaCrosse, Wis.: (Moms listed first) Teri and Kaylene Juan and Patty and Sierra Fellows.

"It'd be even cooler if they had a high-powered gun that shot the money right at us," Teri said. They are not casino regulars.

By the way, what's $5 million?

It's the amount paid to Spain in 1819 to buy the state of Florida. It's less than 20 percent of the salary being paid to the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, and it's about 2.5 percent of the annual payments the Seminole Tribe of Florida would be making were its compact with the state of Florida be in effect.

The tour dates: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino: through Friday and May 8-16; Immokalee: March 23-29; Brighton: April 6-8; Coconut Creek: April 14-19; Hollywood “Classic”: April 23-26; Hard Rock Tampa May 18-25.