Florida Seminoles Open Sixth Hard Rock-Branded Casino in Brighton Bay

^{Seminole leaders and Hard Rock executives brought out the oversized novelty scissors last week to officially open the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Brighton Bay in Okeechobee, Florida. (Image: courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock)}

Over the past 30 years, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has pushed casino gaming to incredible heights. Through their assimilation of the Hard Rock brand, the Seminoles have been able to rebrand the state as a worthy casino destination. 

Their newest Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, at Brighton Bay in Okeechobee opened on Thursday, servicing an area that was bereft of modern casino gaming and hotel amenities. 

Seminole Hard Rock Brighton Bay Open for Business

Luminaries from the local and state government joined the Seminoles in cutting the ribbon on the new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Brighton Bay. The ceremony was highlighted by a traditional Seminole alligator procession, which is done for the opening of the Seminole properties as a symbol of prosperity. 

Included in the opening was a performance by legendary country music artist John Anderson, while the day concluded with another legend on the Brighton Bay stage, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd.

“This grand opening is a proud moment for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Brighton Seminole Reservation, and the entire region," General Manager Marty Johns said in brief speech before the ceremonial ribbon cutting. “We are excited to welcome guests to a new era of gaming, dining, and entertainment that will enhance tourism and community growth.”

While a Seminole casino property had existed on the shores of Lake Okeechobee since 1980, the adoption of the Brighton Bay wing into the Hard Rock family was important for the members of the tribe. 

“Today marks a historic moment for the Brighton Reservation and the Seminole Tribe of Florida,” Larry Howard, Councilman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Brighton Reservation, said. “The grand opening is not just about a new building, it's about growth, opportunity, and a bright future for our community.”

Howard continued:

“This project represents our commitment to honoring our heritage while embracing progress, and we are proud to welcome guests to experience the hospitality, culture, and excitement that make Seminole gaming truly special.”

Complete Revamp of Casino Property Upgrades Entire Area

The Seminoles opened the Seminole Casino Brighton one year after the founding Seminole Gaming in 1979. 

Forty-five years later, however, the grounds were in severe need of refurbishment, and the Seminoles decided to go full bore and bring the Brighton Bay property under the umbrella of the Hard Rock. 

This resulted in a complete revamp of the Brighton Bay area, bringing the first four-star resort to the Lake Okeechobee region along with a plethora of casino gaming options. 

The new Seminole Hard Rock casino consists of 38,000 square feet of gaming area, with 640 slot machines taking up some of the room. There are table games aplenty as blackjack, craps, roulette and other games take the Brighton Bay stage along with a bingo, a staple of Seminole gaming since the beginning. 

Particular attention was given to their non-smoking room, where 104 slot machines are located, and a high-stakes gaming area with 42 slot machines. 

Hotel Hospitality Across South Florida

The true renovation of the Seminole Hard Rock Brighton Bay property was in their hotel offerings. One hundred guest rooms are now available on four floors of the first hotel to open on the reservation, replete with three suites, an outdoor swimming pool, a bowling alley (Brighton Bay Bowling), and other amenities. 

The property features three specialty restaurants, the classic steakhouse (Josiah Steakhouse), an American diner (the EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill), and a food court area with different options depending on palate. 

Most important, however, is how the new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Brighton Bay serves both the tribe and the patrons. 

More than 500 jobs were created at the casino and hotel complex, critical to the welfare of those on the reservation and members of the Seminole Tribe. 

The Lake Okeechobee area also lacked a four-star resort for travelers (the Brighton Bay location is over two hours from both Tampa and Hollywood, where the major Seminole Hard Rock properties are located) who flock to the area for the tourism, fishing, and ecological presentations. 

With the addition of the Brighton Bay property, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino brand now extends over Hollywood (two locations), Tampa, Immokalee, and Coconut Creek.