Study finds Naskila Casino injects $212 million into local economy

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Bluebonnet News
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Naskila Casino in Polk County, Texas

The total economic benefit of Naskila Casino continues to grow, with the facility injecting $212 million into the Polk County economy in 2022, according to a new report commissioned by the Texas Forest Country Partnership (attached).

The study by the economic analysis firm TXP found that Naskila — the electronic bingo facility run by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas on its Reservation near Livingston — is responsible for 825 permanent local jobs with a collective payroll of $22.5 million, including 400 jobs at the casino.

“This economic impact and these jobs would simply not exist without Naskila. Because 95 percent of Naskila’s customers come from outside of Polk County, and more than 80 percent come from outside the region, Naskila is an economic engine that benefits every stakeholder in the region,” the study says.

This is the third time that the Texas Forest Country Partnership has commissioned a study of Naskila’s impact. The amount of economic activity that Naskila generates has grown from $140 million in 2018 and $170 million in 2020 to $212 million today. During that same period, the number of jobs supported by Naskila has increased from 550 to 700 to 825.

“We are grateful that our guests, our employees and our neighbors in Deep East Texas have allowed the impact of Naskila Casino to continue to grow,” said Ricky Sylestine, Chairman of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Tribal Council. “This facility helps sustain our Tribe and our region.”

Beyond the benefits to those directly employed, revenues from Naskila provide funding on the Reservation for scholarships, additional housing, as well as supporting a health clinic, day care center, and retail shops that serve the Tribe and the surrounding community.

Naskila Casino is the second-largest employer in Polk County, the study found. The average salary and benefits package for Naskila employees is $50,000.

“The growth of Naskila’s success is very good for Polk County,” said Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy. “Naskila draws visitors into our region and provides stable income and benefits for its employees. We know that Naskila will continue to play an important role in our county’s future.”

After a long legal fight between the Tribe and the State of Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court last year affirmed the Tribe’s right to offer electronic bingo. The Tribe continues to work with members of the U.S. Congress to support legislation that would put the Tribe under the same regulatory framework — the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act — as hundreds of other tribes across the country, including the Kickapoo Tribe in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Cathy Bennett, Chair of The Texas Forest Country Partnership, which is an economic development organization serving the 12-county region of Deep East Texas, stated: “We have been honored to have the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas as a member of our organization and were thrilled once again to request an updated impact study to verify what was already apparent. Naskila’s economic impact is very important to our region, especially since we are basically rural.”

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has the oldest reservation in Texas, located on approximately 10,200 acres near Livingston. The Tribe is a fully functioning sovereign government with a full array of health and human services, including law enforcement and emergency services. There are more than 1,400 members, about half of whom live on the reservation. The Tribe is governed by an elected Tribal Council and advised by the Principal Chief and Second chief.

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Before creating Bluebonnet News in 2018, Vanesa Brashier was a community editor for the Houston Chronicle/Houston Community Newspapers. During part of her 12 years at the newspapers, she was assigned as the digital editor and managing editor for the Humble Observer, Kingwood Observer, East Montgomery County Observer and the Lake Houston Observer, and the editor of the Dayton News, Cleveland Advocate and Eastex Advocate. Over the years, she has earned more than two dozen writing awards, including Journalist of the Year.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Seems like if they generate that much money to Polk County the Sheriffs Dept. could get more money since their pay is lower than other Depts.

  6. I would like to see better for tribal members who are living outside the reservation. I see the love we giving, but what about the love for a tribal member who is in need of some kind of emergency assistance with making ends meet . I’m a proud Alabama- Coushatta tribal member who is in the state Oklahoma. I have no income due to my diebitis, an child support taking from me. An then sum but point is I see the millions but no outreach office to help your outside member. Comanches have 3 outreach office for there tribal members. One in Dallas Texas, one in anadarko, Oklahoma,an one Lawton Oklahoma, an there 17,000 members who have help for them when they need to get Help why can’t we prosper for are members. When we are need of help. Just saying.Skywillie proud member just saying what I feel. We need love to.

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