Under a lease agreement, the tribe ventures into these two projects with Hard Rock Café International Inc., the Orlando-based subsidiary of Rank Group and Cordish Cos., a commercial developer known for its work on Downtown renewal projects in major cities such as Baltimore and Houston. "These are some of the most prestigious people in the business," Seminole Chief Jim Billie tells GlobeSt.com. "We're honored to have them work with us."

Situated at the intersection of US 441 and Stirling Road between Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike, the planned Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood will offer 750 guest rooms, a gaming facility, a Hard Rock Café restaurant, a 1,000-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment facility and a host of other amenities. Located near the Ybor City entertainment district off Interstate 4, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa will offer 200 guestrooms, a Hard Rock Café or nightclub, a 24-hour restaurant and a gaming facility.

Under the tribe's present authority, Billie tells GlobeSt.com each of the casinos would operate with a Class 2 gaming license, which permits gaming such as bingo. Although Florida opposes it, the tribe is pursuing its rights under Federal legislation to operate a Class 3 license to allow gaming devices and games of chance. "We're in negotiations with the state," Billie says. "Right now, we're maintaining status with what we have."