Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Breaks Ground on New Texas Casino Resort

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has officially broken ground on a new casino resort development in Leggett, marking one of the largest tribal gaming expansion projects currently underway in Texas.

Tribal leaders, local officials, business representatives, and community members gathered on June 19 to celebrate the start of construction on the 95-acre site, which will eventually become the new home of the tribe's gaming operations. The project represents a significant expansion of the tribe's existing Naskila Casino and is expected to open in late 2028.

For the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, the groundbreaking marks the latest milestone in a long-running effort to establish and grow tribal gaming operations in Texas. During the ceremony, Vice-Chairwoman Nita Battise reflected on the challenges the tribe faced over the years while pursuing gaming opportunities on tribal land.

"We had all these obstacles going against us," Battise said. "But we are reminded that we are resilient people and we will move forward and this is what we did."

New Resort Planned for 2028 Opening

Once completed, the resort will span approximately 685,000 square feet and feature a significantly larger gaming operation than the tribe's current facility.

According to tribal officials, the development will include 3,400 electronic gaming machines, a 366-room hotel, a resort-style pool complex, and an event and conference center designed to host meetings, conventions, and special events. The conference facilities are expected to feature a ballroom capable of accommodating up to 1,000 guests, allowing the property to compete for regional business and entertainment events.

Planned Resort Features

The tribe's existing Naskila Casino will continue operating during construction. In addition, tribal officials plan to open a temporary gaming facility adjacent to the construction site in August, providing expanded gaming options while work continues on the permanent resort.

Expansion Follows Key Supreme Court Decision

The groundbreaking comes several years after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling helped reshape the legal landscape for tribal gaming in Texas.

In Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas (2022), the Supreme Court ruled that Texas could not use state law to prohibit gaming activities that are otherwise permitted under federal law on tribal lands. The decision strengthened the position of federally recognized tribes seeking to operate gaming facilities within the state.

Today, Texas is home to three federally recognized tribes that operate gaming facilities: the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, the Traditional Kickapoo Tribe of Texas, and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. The Alabama-Coushatta currently operates Naskila Casino on tribal land near Livingston, approximately 10 miles from the new resort site in Leggett.

Federal authorities approved the tribe's use of the 95-acre property where the new resort is being constructed. Tribal officials have not yet announced whether the current Naskila Casino facility will remain in operation after the new resort opens.

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Local Leaders Expect Continued Economic Growth

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has become one of the largest employers in the region, and local officials expect the new resort to further expand its economic impact.

According to a recent economic impact study cited by tribal officials, Naskila Casino generated more than $209 million in annual spending within the local economy. The study also found that approximately 1,000 jobs and $34.5 million in annual wages were tied to the casino's operations, representing a significant share of private-sector employment in Polk County.

Livingston Mayor Judy Cochran said visitors drawn to the casino often spend money throughout the surrounding area, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and local businesses beyond the gaming property itself.

As construction begins, community leaders hope the larger resort will attract even more tourism and business activity to East Texas while creating new employment opportunities for both tribal members and residents of nearby communities.

For many Alabama-Coushatta citizens, however, the project represents more than economic growth. Tribal member Matt Celestine, who traveled from Lufkin to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, described the event as a historic moment generations of tribal members had hoped to witness.

"My grandfather said he wouldn't see this moment," Celestine said. "For this to be manifest today, it's worth everything."