Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Starts Construction on Naskila Casino Resort in Texas
Construction crews broke ground today in Leggett, Polk County, Texas, on the Naskila Casino Resort, a project led by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, while planners confirm a temporary casino facility will open later this summer and the complete resort will follow between 2027 and 2028. Observers note this development expands tribal gaming operations within the state, where the tribe holds sovereign rights to conduct such activities on its lands.
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe selected the Leggett site because of its proximity to major highways and existing infrastructure that already supports visitor traffic. Project documents filed with state regulators show the resort will occupy several acres and incorporate hotel rooms, multiple dining venues, and gaming floors designed to meet both tribal and Texas regulatory standards. Those standards require background checks, surveillance systems, and revenue reporting that align with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.
Project Timeline and Phased Opening
Work on the permanent structures begins immediately, yet the tribe has scheduled a temporary facility to open this summer so operations can generate revenue while construction continues on the larger complex. The temporary site will feature a limited number of slot machines and table games inside modular buildings that crews can erect quickly on the same property. Full completion of the resort, including guest rooms and additional amenities, remains slated for the 2027-2028 window, according to filings shared with the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Contractors have already mobilized heavy equipment and begun site preparation, including grading and utility connections. Tribal officials stated that local hiring will prioritize Polk County residents for construction and eventual operations roles, a practice consistent with past agreements the tribe has reached with neighboring communities.
Regulatory Context and Tribal Sovereignty
Texas law recognizes tribal gaming compacts negotiated between the state and federally recognized tribes, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe operates under an existing compact that permits Class III games on its reservation lands. The Naskila project represents the first major expansion of that compact in several years, and state gaming regulators have reviewed the plans without requiring additional legislative action. Data from the Texas Comptroller’s office indicate that tribal gaming contributes measurable tax revenue and employment figures to rural counties across the state.
Legal experts familiar with Indian gaming note that once the National Indian Gaming Commission approves the management contract and the temporary facility receives its license, operations can commence even as permanent buildings rise nearby. This phased approach mirrors strategies other tribes have used in Oklahoma and New Mexico, where temporary venues helped fund later construction phases.
Economic and Community Impact
Polk County economic development reports project that the resort will create several hundred construction jobs during the build-out and roughly the same number of permanent positions once both phases are complete. Those positions range from gaming floor staff and hospitality workers to maintenance and security personnel. Local suppliers of food, linens, and equipment stand to benefit from ongoing procurement contracts the tribe plans to award.
County officials have already begun discussions about road improvements and emergency service capacity to accommodate increased traffic once the temporary facility opens. The tribe has committed funds toward these infrastructure upgrades as part of its standard community benefit agreement, a document filed alongside the gaming license application.
Broader Tribal Gaming Expansion in Texas
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe’s move continues a pattern of measured growth among the three federally recognized tribes in Texas. Each tribe operates under separate compacts, yet all must follow identical federal reporting requirements administered by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Revenue figures released annually by that commission show steady increases in tribal gaming activity nationwide, with Texas facilities contributing to the overall total.
Observers tracking the industry point out that the Naskila timeline places the temporary opening in summer 2026 and the permanent resort opening in 2027-2028, giving the tribe an opportunity to test market demand before committing to the full scope of amenities. Marketing plans include regional advertising aimed at Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas, both within a three-hour drive of Leggett.
Conclusion
With ground broken and permits secured, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has entered the active construction phase of its Naskila Casino Resort project in Polk County. The temporary facility scheduled for summer 2026 will serve as an initial revenue source while crews complete the larger resort slated for 2027-2028. State records and federal oversight documents confirm the development remains on schedule, and local workforce projections indicate measurable employment gains for the surrounding region throughout the construction and operational periods.