Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Launches Construction Phase for Naskila Casino Resort in East Texas
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas held its groundbreaking ceremony on or around June 21, 2026, to mark the start of construction for the Naskila Casino Resort on roughly 95 acres of tribal land in Leggett, Polk County, Texas, about nine miles north of Livingston, and tribal leaders used the event to outline how the development will expand tourism, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to sustained economic expansion across East Texas.
Project Scope and Location Details
Construction crews have begun site preparation on the specified acreage where the resort will eventually include approximately 3,400 gaming machines alongside a 366-room hotel, a resort-style pool, multiple restaurants and bars, dedicated entertainment venues, conference facilities, and a large event center, while the full facility is scheduled to open to the public in late 2028 and the location sits within established tribal holdings that already support existing operations in the region.
Ceremony Highlights and Leadership Statements
Participants at the June 2026 ceremony included tribal officials who described the project as a strategic step toward long-term growth, and they emphasized the integration of the new resort with surrounding community infrastructure so that benefits extend beyond gaming floors into broader hospitality and meeting spaces that can attract visitors year-round.
Resort Amenities and Planned Facilities
The design incorporates a full-service hotel with 366 rooms that will serve both overnight guests and conference attendees, while the gaming floor will house around 3,400 machines and the additional amenities such as restaurants, bars, and entertainment areas are intended to create a destination that encourages extended stays rather than day trips alone.
Conference facilities and the event center are sized to handle large gatherings, which tribal planners expect will draw business travelers and groups from surrounding counties in addition to leisure visitors exploring East Texas attractions.
Economic Impact Projections for East Texas
According to information released at the ceremony, the resort is projected to create hundreds of construction jobs during the build phase and then hundreds more permanent positions once operations begin, and these employment figures are expected to circulate spending throughout Polk County and nearby communities while supporting supply chains for food service, maintenance, and hospitality services.
Observers have noted that the combination of gaming, lodging, and event space on tribal land can function as an anchor development that encourages complementary businesses to locate nearby, and the timeline leading to a late-2028 opening allows for phased hiring and training programs that align workforce development with facility completion.
Timeline From Groundbreaking to Opening
Work that started in June 2026 will progress through site grading, foundation work, and vertical construction over the next two years, with major milestones including structural completion of the hotel tower and installation of the gaming floor systems scheduled well before the final inspection and licensing steps that precede the public opening, and tribal representatives have indicated that regular updates will be shared as each stage advances.
Conclusion
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's decision to break ground in June 2026 on the Naskila Casino Resort sets a clear path toward a late-2028 debut that will introduce 3,400 gaming machines, a 366-room hotel, and extensive dining and event amenities on 95 acres in Leggett, and the project is positioned to deliver measurable increases in regional tourism and employment while reinforcing the tribe's role in East Texas economic development.