Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Launches Construction on Naskila Casino Resort in Leggett
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas officially broke ground on its new permanent Naskila Casino Resort in Leggett, Polk County on tribally owned land, and this step follows the tribe's 2023 U.S. Supreme Court victory that affirmed Class II gaming rights while the project includes a planned summer 2026 opening for a temporary casino facility equipped with 300 electronic bingo machines.
Construction crews moved onto the site in mid-June 2026 to begin site preparation for the full resort which will feature a casino floor along with a hotel, multiple dining options and entertainment venues, and the development represents the tribe's largest modern economic initiative to date with expectations that it will generate new jobs and increase tourism traffic throughout the surrounding region.
Project Timeline and Key Milestones
Groundbreaking activities commenced on June 18, 2026 according to project records, and crews have started clearing and grading the land in preparation for foundation work that will support both the temporary gaming area and the eventual permanent structures, while the temporary facility is scheduled to open during summer 2026 with 300 electronic bingo machines already secured for initial operations.
The permanent resort will expand beyond those initial machines once construction reaches completion, and tribal officials have outlined phases that include expanded gaming space, lodging accommodations and food service areas, all situated on land the tribe already owns in Polk County near Livingston.
Legal Foundation and Gaming Rights
The entire initiative rests on the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that confirmed the tribe's authority to conduct Class II gaming, and that ruling cleared the path for the current development by removing previous legal barriers that had limited operations, so the tribe moved forward with planning and financing once the decision was finalized.
Project documents describe the Leggett location as fully eligible for the planned activities because it sits on tribally owned land that meets federal requirements, and this confirmation allowed the tribe to proceed without additional jurisdictional hurdles that often delay similar projects elsewhere.
Economic Development and Regional Impact
Once operational the resort is projected to create employment opportunities across construction, hospitality, gaming and support services, and local business leaders anticipate increased visitor spending that will benefit nearby retailers, restaurants and service providers in Polk County and surrounding areas.
Tribal statements emphasize that the Naskila Casino Resort will serve as a long-term revenue source for community programs, and the scale of the project exceeds previous economic efforts by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in both size and scope while remaining focused on sustainable growth within the existing land base.
Facility Details and Future Phases
The temporary casino opening in summer 2026 will provide an early revenue stream and operational experience, and it will operate with the 300 electronic bingo machines until the larger permanent floor becomes available, at which point the resort will add table games where permitted, additional slot-style offerings and integrated entertainment spaces.
Design plans incorporate a hotel tower connected directly to the gaming and dining areas, and the layout allows for phased expansion that can accommodate growing demand without requiring new land acquisitions, so the tribe can scale operations efficiently over time.
Conclusion
The groundbreaking event in June 2026 marks the transition from planning to active construction for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's Naskila Casino Resort, and the project now moves through its scheduled phases with the temporary facility targeted for summer 2026 followed by full resort completion in subsequent years, all built on tribally owned land in Leggett, Polk County.