The first dice have been rolled and wheels spun as craps and roulette officially launched in Florida at Hollywood’s Seminole Classic Casino Thursday morning, capping off an elaborate ceremony featuring drumming, feathered dancers and cockatoos.
But for the Seminoles, Thursday was also a serious affair. It marked a turning point amid ongoing legal battles and another example of the tribe’s continued prosperity despite the obstacles thrown in its path.
“There’s been a lot of Seminole Wars,” said Chris Osceola, a tribal councilman who represents Hollywood, in a speech in one of the casino’s slot machine-filled rooms Thursday morning. “And to me this is no different.”
