News Summary
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has announced plans to relocate and expand the Naskila Gaming casino into a full-scale casino resort in Leggett, Texas. This major expansion aims to boost the local economy by creating approximately 1,000 new jobs and revitalizing the area. The project has received approval from regulatory authorities and is expected to offer a premier entertainment destination while sustaining its role in the local job market. As the community anticipates this transformation, it signifies a potential shift in gaming and entertainment in Texas.
Texas — The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has announced plans to relocate its Naskila Gaming casino to a new site on its reservation near Leggett, Texas, aiming to develop it into a full-scale casino resort. The decision, which was made during a tribal membership meeting on September 20, 2025, represents a significant expansion of the existing operation, which has been in place since 2016.
The relocation and the development plans received confirmation of eligibility for gaming use from both the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) and the Solicitor’s Office for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The new property has been in trust since 2001, allowing for the progression of this project without any legal hurdles regarding the land status.
The relocation is strategically designed to maintain the casino’s presence within Polk County, where the current Naskila facility plays a vital role in the local economy. The existing casino currently offers roughly 900 electronic bingo machines and is credited with supporting more than 1,000 permanent jobs, making up over 15% of private sector wages in the area, according to a study released by the Texas Forest Country Partnership in the summer of 2025.
The envisioned casino resort is expected to bring an additional 1,000 jobs to the local workforce, enhancing economic growth in the community. The tribe’s leadership has anticipated that the resort will not only create substantial job opportunities but will also establish a premier entertainment destination for residents and visitors in East Texas.
Although specific details about the casino resort’s design and amenities have yet to be disclosed, architectural firm FFKR has been retained to create the plans, and construction is expected to commence later in 2025.
The Naskila Gaming casino represents one of the two tribal casinos operating in Texas, the other being the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe’s Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel in Eagle Pass. Both casinos are limited to Class II gaming options such as electronic bingo and non-banked card games due to state laws governing tribal-operated gaming establishments.
This relocation and expansion project has generated excitement within the local community, promising new jobs and greater economic development opportunities. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe’s initiative to shift its casino operations and scale them up into a resort reflects a broader effort to enhance the tribe’s economic standing while contributing to the local and state economy.
As the plans unfold, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how this significant investment will transform the area and what impact it might have on tourism and local businesses in Polk County and beyond.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Tribal Business News
- Wikipedia: Naskila Gaming
- Bluebonnet News
- Google Search: Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas
- Chron.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Casino
- Gaming America
- Google News: Texas tribal gaming
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