Grand opening event photos & video HERE.

OKEECHOBEE, Fla., Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The new Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino opened its doors Thursday, February 6, following a grand opening celebration featuring a special performance by country music artist John Anderson. The grand opening celebration also showcased a traditional Seminole alligator procession, a symbol of prosperity. The final celebration of the day included a concert by the iconic rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino is one of six casinos owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It is located just west of Lake Okeechobee on the Brighton Seminole Reservation. The first four-star resort in the Lake Okeechobee region, it replaces Seminole Casino Brighton, which opened in 1980. 

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino includes a casino with a total of nearly 38,000 square feet, including space for 640 slot machines and 18 tables for blackjack, craps, roulette, and other house-banked card games, along with high-stakes bingo action. Included is a smoke-free gaming space with 104 slot machines and a high-limit gaming area with 42 slot machines and four table games.

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

First Hotel on Brighton Seminole Reservation
Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino includes the first hotel to open on the Brighton Seminole Reservation. It features 100 guest rooms on four floors, totaling 72,000 square feet. Guest rooms include a mix of rooms with either one king bed or two queen beds, plus three suites, a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool with a bar and entertainment stage.

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

Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino is accepting reservations via Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino or by calling Customer Care at (800) 360-9875.

The complex features an indoor event space with 400 seats for banquet events or bingo games, or 900 seats set up as a performance hall, as well as a 10-lane bowling alley (Brighton Bay Bowling) of 7,044 square feet, a first for any Seminole Casino. Artwork and photography placed throughout the casino and in the hotel chronicle the history and culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Multiple Food and Beverage Options
Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino is home to four eateries, offering a wide range of dining options plus a place to relax and socialize with a favorite cocktail. They are:

Josiah Steakhouse: Josiah, a classic American Steakhouse known for the "Best Steak on the Lake," offers a tender and delicious bone-in ribeye. Exceptional steaks are grilled to perfection on a wood fire grill. Offering an upbeat dining atmosphere, Josiah is an excellent choice for dining with friends and family or for celebrations complimented by a selection of beers, wines, spirits, and handcrafted cocktails. It is a must-visit dining destination and since it is located inside Seminole Brighton Bay Casino, you're never more than a few steps away from winning.

EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill: Indulge your appetite with savory comfort food at EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill, the new American Diner. EE-TO-LEET-KE means a place to gather. The restaurant celebrates fresh, seasonal produce with a time-honored menu offering options for any palate. The menu consists of an all-day breakfast, including griddled favorites and skillets, salads, hearty burgers, sandwiches, and down-home classics. 

Marketplace: This quick service restaurant space offers your favorite sips and bites; whether looking for the area's best slice of pizza, sweet snack, or a coffee pick-me-up. Follow the alluring aromas to Constant Grind Coffee and Slice Pizza. Open daily, this casual sit down or grab-and-go venue is the perfect spot for casual bites, coffee and espresso specialty drinks. It offers a great chance to indulge in freshly made pastries and sandwiches, plus artisanal chocolates that would sweeten any mood.

Center Bar: Offers a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere that attracts and engages guests. It serves as an entertainment hub with lively music, sociability, and interactive fun through video poker machines. The bar offers high-quality drinks and features engaging bartenders who add to the experience. Balancing elegance with accessibility, the bar fosters an inclusive environment where guests can enjoy excitement, connection, and top-tier service.

For more information about entertainment options and restaurants, including menus and current hours of operation, visit https://casino.hardrock.com/brighton.

Workforce Expands to Nearly 500 Team Members
Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino has become one of the Lake Okeechobee region's largest employers with more than 500 team members at the new casino and hotel complex. 

The resort's name, Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino, salutes popular sportfishing sites of nearby Lake Okeechobee, where Fisheating Bay is a little more than three miles from the new hotel and casino. Fisheating Bay and Fisheating Creek get their name from the Seminole name recorded on a military map of 1839, Thlothlopopka-Hatchee, translated as "the river where fish are eaten."

About Seminole Gaming
Seminole Gaming manages six Florida casino enterprises for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla. Seminole Gaming has long been recognized for its industry innovations and success. The Seminole Tribe was the first Indian Tribe in North America to open Ultimate Bingo, a high-stakes bingo hall and casino, which debuted in 1979 and became the forerunner of the Indian Gaming movement. Seminole Gaming currently holds investment grade ratings from primary rating agencies S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). Its Unity by Hard Rock^™ global loyalty program rewards members for doing the things they love at Seminole Gaming casinos and participating Hard Rock Cafes, Casinos, Hotels around the world.

Media Contacts:
Marci Boswell, Marketing Manager, Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino, 863-467-9998, ext. 5651, marci.boswell@stofgaming.com
Chris Dirato, Bitner Group, 917-921-9070, chris@bitnergroup.com

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