The Miccosukee Tribe hasn’t actively participated in Florida’s politics for a long period. Instead, it has concentrated on Class II gaming. It has Stonehenge in Texas, Route 66, and Graceland.
Yet, Americana boasts of amazing rest stops, including a Nevada stop that sells fireworks, Iowa’s “Truckers’ Disneyland,” and Minnesota’s Mars Cheese Castle. Nevertheless, the Miccosukee Tribe will add another stop in Florida this fall as it launches its upgraded Alligator Alley rest stop.
It features 150 slot machines, a Glades Café, and a Dunkin’ Donuts. But Dunkin’ Donuts is running now.
Alligator Alley is the only rest stop located on the 80-mile Interstate 75 stretch that links Naples and Miami. Also, it traverses part of the Miccosukee reservation, which is considered as Florida’s other “Native tribe.”
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is more popular than the Miccosukee Tribe. It stunned many people in 2020 when it formed a gaming compact with Governor Ron DeSantis for expanding its gambling and mobile sports betting portfolio. However, the compact has been opposed in a federal court.
The Miccosukee Tribe only has one casino in the state and hasn’t involved itself in sports gambling negotiations. It hasn’t made a Class III gaming deal with Florida. Therefore, the tribe doesn’t give the state a share of its revenue or pay taxes.
Besides, it can only provide Class II gaming, constituting slots, non-banked card games, and bingo. This has made it less famous compared to other tribes that have a huge influence in local politics.
Indianz published a story in 2016 showing that the Miccosukee Tribe generates roughly $72 million annually in gaming operations and gives its members $100,000 annually. Still, the Native tribe owns a huge casino resort in Miami offering bingo, poker, and slots.
The Tribes Are Determined to Grow
Miami Herald published an article stating that Alligator Alley is on the tribe’s sovereign land. Therefore, its leaders are striving to make it attract more tribal members.
William Osceola, the Business Council’s Tribal Secretary, informed the Herald that the land has to be more appealing since they need space to grow. He said that their members live on the land, but more can relocate there if they show them that the facility is functioning.
The Miccosukee Tribe partly formed the Creek Nation in the past when it relocated to Florida before the country’s formation. Many Miccosukee members migrated to the West in the 1817 to 1958 Seminole Wars.
A few individuals stayed in the Everglades, and recent reports indicate that there are 600 members now. The Miccosukees were in the Seminole Tribe for a while before splitting, and the federal government recognized them in 1962.
The Miccosukee Tribe’s reservation has three parts. The Alligator Alley Reservation has a rest stop, and it is the biggest section. The Tamiami Trail Reservation in Miami-Dade County is the second-largest, while the smallest section is in Miami, and it hosts the tribe’s casino.
