A casino at a Florida highway rest stop? Soon you can gamble and gas up at same place

Howard Cohen, Alie Skowronski
·3 min read

Ever feel you need to win at the slot machines to pay off a tank of gas?

You can soon try your hand at casino gambling while filling up on fuel, taking a bathroom break, or getting a snack at a soon-to-be refurbished Miccosukee Service Plaza, halfway across the stretch of Interstate 75 that links the southeast and southwest coasts of the state through the Everglades.

The new casino destination, at the only pit stop on Alligator Alley, is slated to open in November.

The gambling destination, to the right of the service station’s already opened Glades Cafe and Dunkin’ Donuts, will feature 150 slot machines in an 8,500-square-foot space.

Indian tribes’ resorts

The Miccosukee Tribe is building on its gambling operations, which includes a long-running casino and resort in the Everglades west of Florida International University off Tamiami Trail at 500 SW 177th Ave. That venue hosts arts and crafts events, car shows and concerts that, in years past, have booked some familiar names like country’s Willie Nelson and Randy Travis.

Across town, the Seminole Tribe operates the popular landmark The Guitar Hotel at its Hard Rock Hotel and Casino complex near Hollywood off Florida’s Turnpike. The Seminole’s Hard Rock Live has hosted superstar concerts by the likes of Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and Janet Jackson since its recent rebuilding.



Expansion efforts

For the Miccosukee tribe, it’s all about branching out.

“We haven’t had an expansion in about two decades since the resort,” “Popeye” William Osceola, the Miccosukee Tribe’s secretary business council, said at a groundbreaking event at the Ochopee service plaza in Collier County on Wednesday morning.

“It’s important because we need room to grow as a community — we have community members living here but if we can show that this facility is working, then more people may come here, “ said Osceola, 34. “We don’t have a lot of room where we’re at and we’d like to grow. A tree doesn’t get bigger if you contain its roots.”

Talbert Cypress, 41, the leader of the business council and chairman, said the Miccosukee Tribe hopes the under-construction casino addition on Alligator Alley will bring in more income.

“This is original reservation land and we haven’t had the resources to build out here and we’re hoping this does that,” Cypress said.

First in Florida

The tribe calls this highway plaza casino “one of its kind in Florida.”

Jane Osceola Billie, 65, a former tribal judge, said: “We’re proud of how far the tribe has come and I’m glad they’re finally adding onto here on this part of the tribal land.”

Lucas Osceola, 35, the tribe’s assistant chairman, said the Everglades-styled casino and its 150 slot machines would also sell beer and wine.

The Miccosukee Tribe said the casino will open in November barring any construction supply issues.



How to get to the service plaza

▪ From Miami: Take I-95 North to Florida’s Turnpike. Then I-595 west and I-75 north to Government Road/Snake Road/W. State Rd. 84 in Ochopee. Then take Exit 49 from I-75 N.

▪ From Broward: Take I-595 west and I-75 north to Government Road/Snake Road/W. State Rd. 84 in Ochopee. Then take Exit 49 from I-75 N.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.