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

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas held a 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 this event sets the stage for a major addition to East Texas tourism infrastructure.

Tribal leaders gathered with project partners to celebrate the beginning of work on a resort that will include approximately 3,400 gaming machines along with a 366-room hotel, resort-style pool, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, conference facilities, and an event center, while the full development carries an expected opening date in late 2028.

Project Specifications and Site Details

The new resort occupies land already under tribal control, which allows the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to move forward without additional state regulatory hurdles that often accompany off-reservation developments, and this location in Polk County places the facility in a region that already draws visitors interested in outdoor recreation and cultural heritage sites.

Construction crews will begin site preparation and foundation work immediately after the ceremony, with phased building schedules designed to bring the gaming floor online first before the hotel and entertainment wings reach completion, and observers note that this sequencing helps generate early revenue while the remaining structures finish.

Economic and Community Impact

Tribal officials emphasized during the ceremony that the project will create hundreds of construction jobs in the short term followed by permanent employment opportunities once the resort opens, and these positions span casino operations, hospitality, food service, and maintenance roles that draw from both tribal members and the surrounding East Texas communities.

Local economic development reports indicate that similar tribal gaming facilities in the region have increased visitor spending at nearby businesses, and the Naskila Casino Resort is projected to extend that pattern by attracting overnight guests who will also patronize restaurants, shops, and attractions in Livingston and surrounding areas.

Polk County officials have noted that the resort aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify the local economy beyond traditional industries such as timber and agriculture, while the tribe's reinvestment of gaming revenue into community programs has already supported education and health services for members in previous years.

Timeline and Construction Phases

Groundbreaking activities commenced in June 2026, with major structural work expected to accelerate through the following winter and spring, and project managers have outlined a multi-year build that includes infrastructure upgrades such as road access and utility connections to support the scale of the finished resort.

The late 2028 opening target leaves room for weather-related delays common in East Texas, yet the tribe has secured financing and contractor agreements that keep the primary milestones on track, according to statements released at the ceremony.

Background on the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe maintains sovereign status within Texas and operates the existing Naskila Gaming facility, which provided the operational experience that informed planning for the larger resort, and tribal leadership has long viewed expanded gaming as a tool for long-term self-sufficiency rather than short-term gains.

Records from the National Indian Gaming Commission show steady growth in tribal gaming facilities across the United States, and the Alabama-Coushatta project fits within that broader pattern of tribes leveraging land holdings to develop integrated resort properties.

Conclusion

The June 2026 groundbreaking marks a concrete step toward the Naskila Casino Resort becoming a significant destination in East Texas by late 2028, and the combination of gaming, lodging, and event space positions the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to expand its economic footprint while contributing to regional tourism growth. Further updates on construction progress will come from tribal and county sources as work advances.