Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Launches Construction on Naskila Casino Resort in Leggett

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas broke ground on June 18, 2026 for a full-scale casino resort that will occupy 95 acres of tribally owned land near Leggett in Polk County, and the development represents a direct expansion of the tribe's existing gaming operations that have run for a decade. The project centers on a 685,000-square-foot facility that will house 3,400 Class II gaming machines along with a 366-room hotel, pool complex, multiple restaurants, and dedicated event space, while phased openings remain targeted for late 2028.

Project Scope and Site Details

Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on the specified date in 2026, and tribal officials oversaw the start of site work that will eventually connect the new resort to the current Naskila Gaming operations which marked their tenth anniversary around the same period. The land sits entirely within tribally owned holdings, a factor that supports the scale of the build without external leasing complications, and construction crews have begun preparing foundations for the main gaming floor and hotel tower simultaneously.

Design plans allocate significant square footage to the gaming area while reserving separate zones for dining, entertainment, and lodging, and the resort will incorporate outdoor pool facilities along with flexible event spaces that can host conferences or performances. The 3,400 Class II machines will form the core of the gaming offering, and project timelines call for sequential openings that allow portions of the hotel and restaurants to come online ahead of the full gaming floor if construction milestones are met.

Legal Foundation and Tribal Gaming Rights

The development follows the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that affirmed tribal gaming rights in Texas, and that ruling removed prior legal barriers that had limited expansion options for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. Observers note that the affirmation provided the certainty needed for long-term capital investment, and the tribe moved forward with detailed planning once the judicial outcome was finalized. The current project therefore builds on established legal precedent rather than creating new regulatory territory.

Texas gaming regulations distinguish Class II machines from other categories, and the tribe's choice to proceed with this classification aligns with federal Indian gaming statutes that govern tribal operations on sovereign land. The 2023 ruling clarified the boundaries of those statutes in the state context, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has structured the entire resort around compliant Class II equipment from the outset.

Timeline and Phased Development

Construction is scheduled to continue through 2027 and into 2028, with phased openings designed to bring the hotel and select restaurants into service before the complete gaming floor becomes operational. The tribe has indicated that early phases will focus on vertical construction of the hotel tower and supporting infrastructure, and later stages will complete the gaming and event spaces. Late 2028 remains the target for full resort activation, and project managers have built contingency periods into the schedule to account for typical weather or supply chain variables in East Texas.

The existing Naskila Gaming facility will continue operating without interruption during the build, and integration between the current casino and the new resort is expected once the larger property opens. This approach allows the tribe to maintain revenue streams while the expanded campus takes shape, and it reduces the risk of service gaps for regular patrons.

Regional Economic Context

Polk County stands to see increased construction employment and eventual operational staffing from the resort, and the tribe has emphasized local hiring priorities in project announcements. The 95-acre site provides ample room for parking, landscaping, and future amenities beyond the initial phase, and planners have incorporated access roads that connect directly to nearby highways serving Livingston and surrounding communities.

According to project documentation, the resort will feature multiple dining concepts and an events center capable of accommodating regional gatherings, and these elements are intended to draw visitors who may combine gaming with overnight stays or group functions. The scale of the 685,000-square-foot complex positions it as one of the larger tribal gaming destinations in the state once completed.

Conclusion

The June 18, 2026 groundbreaking marks a concrete step toward realizing the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's long-term vision for its gaming enterprise in Texas. With the legal framework settled by the earlier Supreme Court decision and construction now underway, the phased resort development is positioned to open in stages by the end of 2028, and the addition of hotel rooms, expanded gaming, and supporting amenities will create a more comprehensive destination on the tribe's Leggett property. Further updates on construction progress are expected as work advances through the coming seasons.