The Seminole Tribe of Florida opens its second new gaming facility on Tuesday, a $250 million venture that is a far cry from the tribe's recent days in poverty.
Up until the 1970s, tribal members struggled financially. Things started to change when the tribe began to sell tax-free cigarettes, and later, when the tribe opened the first high-stakes bingo hall in Indian Country in 1979. The tribe now operates gaming facilities that bring in an estimated $300 million in profits every year. Tribal members get a $42,000 annual per cap. Tomorrow, the tribe will open a large Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. It joins another Hard Rock casino that opened in March. The games offered are Class II electronic machines. Get the Story: