Naskila Casino Resort Moves Forward With June 18 Groundbreaking in Leggett, Texas

Temporary casino opening this summer

Ahead of the resort's construction, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is preparing to open a new temporary casino facility this summer on its existing reservation land in Leggett.

The temporary casino will operate 24 hours a day and feature approximately 300 Class II electronic bingo machines. The facility will also include a 24-hour deli, fountain drink station, player's club, and about 300 parking spaces, giving guests a full-service gaming experience while the permanent resort is being developed.

Tribal Council Chairman Ricky Sylestine said the temporary facility is designed to jump-start the economic benefits of the larger project. He noted that the casino is expected to create about 110 new jobs, strengthen local partnerships, and help establish a foundation for long-term tourism growth in Polk County and surrounding communities.

Economic impact for Polk County and East Texas

The combination of the temporary casino and the future Naskila Casino Resort is projected to bring a significant economic boost to Polk County. Tribal officials and local leaders expect the developments to generate new employment opportunities, attract additional visitors to the region, and support local businesses that serve casino guests and resort travelers.

By opening the temporary facility first, the tribe aims to begin capturing tourism and gaming revenue while construction planning and site work for the permanent resort move forward. That phased approach allows the tribe to build its customer base in Leggett and create momentum ahead of the resort's eventual opening.

Building on existing Naskila operations

The new resort and temporary casino will join the tribe's existing gaming and hospitality operations, including Naskila Casino and the Ischoopa Travel Center, both located on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation along U.S. Highway 190 between Livingston and Woodville.

Since opening in 2016, Naskila Casino has offered guests Class II bingo machines, smoking and non-smoking gaming areas, Timbers Grille, Cafe Itto Si, a player's club, fountain drink stations, and a gift shop. The Ischoopa Travel Center features a 12-bay fuel station, convenience store, 24-hour deli, and additional Class II bingo machines.

The Leggett projects build on that foundation, expanding the tribe's presence in the regional gaming market and positioning Naskila Casino Resort as a future anchor for tourism in East Texas.

A new chapter for tribal gaming in Texas

The resort project comes in the wake of a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that affirmed the right of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to offer Class II gaming under federal law, clearing away longstanding legal uncertainty and opening the door to expanded gaming operations in Texas.

With the June 18 groundbreaking in Leggett, the tribe is moving from planning into construction on what is expected to be one of the most significant tribal gaming developments in the state. For the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, the Naskila Casino Resort represents both an economic engine and a long-term investment in the future of its community and the broader East Texas region.