Construction is underway on Texas's first resort-style casino, the Naskila Resort & Casino, located in Leggett, conveniently positioned between Dallas and Houston. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe received federal approval to launch this ambitious project, which will cover an area equivalent to 12 football fields.
The resort will boast a multi-story hotel featuring 366 rooms, a lavish pool complex, an event and conference center, and an extensive gaming area. JCJ Architecture, known for their designs of tribal casinos including the renowned Foxwoods Casino Resort in Connecticut, laid out the plans for Naskila last month, revealing images of the upcoming facility.
Tribal Chairman Ricky Sylestine expressed enthusiasm, stating, "It is expected to be nothing short of being an amazing facility."
Located 73 miles from Houston and over 200 miles southeast of Dallas, the groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 18, with the full opening anticipated in 2028, according to reports from Dallas News.
This new venture aims to enhance the current Naskila Casino in Livingston, around 10 miles down the road, which currently features 835 electronic bingo machines and serves about 1 million visitors annually. The new resort will significantly expand gaming options, offering 3,400 machines. Under the tribe's authority, the casino will offer Class II gaming, which includes player-versus-player games like bingo and poker, but excludes traditional house-banked games such as roulette and blackjack.
Las Vegas Sands has been actively lobbying for legislative changes to allow for full-scale casinos in Texas, as the company hopes to create opportunities for more comprehensive gaming options. Additionally, Texas businessman Tilman Fertitta, who has expressed interest in a major resort following his acquisition of Caesars Entertainment, awaits the Nevada Gaming Commission's final decision on July 23 regarding his executive suitability.
While the development of gaming in Texas has faced significant resistance, the tribe argues that the new facility will provide a considerable boost to the local economy. The existing Naskila Casino supports over 1,000 jobs and contributes $34.5 million in annual wages, making up more than 15% of the private-sector wages in Polk County. The ongoing construction and eventual launch of the new facility are expected to enhance these figures even further. Moreover, a temporary gaming space adjacent to the resort site is set to open next month, featuring over 300 electronic gaming machines. According to the tribe’s website, "this temporary casino brings the excitement you love to a brand-new location."
