Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Launches Major Casino Resort Project with Groundbreaking Ceremony in Leggett

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas conducted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 18, 2026, to initiate construction of the Naskila Casino Resort, a full-scale facility spanning 685,000 square feet across 95 acres in Leggett, Polk County, and the event drew attention from tribal members along with local officials while marking a significant step in the tribe's gaming operations.

Project plans call for 3,400 Class II electronic gaming machines alongside a 366-room hotel, multiple restaurants, event spaces, and additional amenities, with developers scheduling phased openings that extend through 2028, and the tribe intends to maintain operations at its existing Naskila Casino throughout the construction period to ensure continuity for patrons and staff.

Observers note that the ceremony took place at the designated site near Livingston in Polk County, where tribal leaders performed traditional rituals to bless the land before heavy equipment moved in, and attendees included representatives from the Alabama-Coushatta community who highlighted the project's role in creating jobs and supporting tribal programs through gaming revenue.

Leggett sits in a region that offers convenient access for visitors from nearby communities in East Texas, while the 95-acre parcel provides ample space for the resort's various components without overlapping existing tribal lands in a way that would disrupt current activities.

The resort will feature 3,400 Class II electronic gaming machines that comply with federal standards for tribal gaming, and these machines form the core of the casino floor which will occupy a substantial portion of the 685,000-square-foot structure, while the 366-room hotel will provide lodging options ranging from standard accommodations to suites designed for extended stays by guests attending events or conferences.

Additional facilities include several restaurants offering diverse dining experiences, event spaces capable of hosting large gatherings, and supporting infrastructure such as parking and utilities, all of which integrate into a phased development schedule that allows portions of the resort to open incrementally as construction milestones are reached through 2028.

Those involved in the planning emphasize that the existing Naskila Casino will continue full operations during this period, which ensures that current employees retain their positions and that revenue streams remain stable while the larger facility takes shape nearby.

The project follows a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed tribal gaming rights in Texas, a decision that cleared regulatory pathways for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to pursue expanded facilities on their lands, and this legal foundation enabled the tribe to move forward with detailed planning and permitting processes that culminated in the June 2026 groundbreaking.

According to information from the National Indian Gaming Commission, Class II gaming operations like those planned for the resort fall under specific federal oversight that distinguishes them from Class III offerings, which require state compacts, and the tribe's approach aligns with these distinctions to maintain compliance throughout development.

Developers have outlined a timeline that begins with site preparation immediately after the ceremony, followed by foundation work and structural builds that will progress in stages, while the phased opening strategy allows the casino floor and select restaurants to welcome guests as early as late 2027, with the full hotel and remaining amenities scheduled for completion by 2028.

This measured approach reduces risks associated with large-scale builds and permits adjustments based on market conditions or supply chain factors, and the tribe will coordinate with contractors to minimize disruptions to the surrounding community in Leggett and Polk County.

Throughout the construction phase the tribe will sustain all activities at the current Naskila Casino, which serves as a vital economic anchor for tribal members and provides gaming options along with hospitality services that have operated successfully in the region for years, and this continuity supports ongoing training programs for staff who will transition to the expanded resort once sections open.

Revenue generated from the existing site will help fund portions of the new development, creating a self-sustaining model that aligns with broader patterns observed in tribal gaming projects across the United States.

The June 18, 2026, groundbreaking ceremony represents a key milestone for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas as they advance the Naskila Casino Resort project, which encompasses extensive facilities on 95 acres in Leggett and follows established legal precedents from the 2023 Supreme Court decision, while the commitment to phased openings through 2028 alongside uninterrupted operations at the existing casino underscores a deliberate strategy for growth in the state's tribal gaming sector.