The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and Naskila Casino marked the next phase of growth for the Tribe on Thursday, June 18, with the groundbreaking of the future Naskila Casino Resort in Leggett.
The milestone comes as Naskila Casino celebrates its 10th anniversary and advances the Tribe’s vision for continued economic development and community investment.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together Tribal leaders, Naskila Casino officials, community members, project partners and guests to commemorate the start of construction. The program featured traditional cultural elements, including an opening Flag Song performed by Tribal Singers, a musical prelude and an invocation offered by the Tribal Princess and Jr. Tribal Princess.
Speakers included Principal Chief Mikko Kanicu Donnis Battise, Tribal Council Vice-Chairwoman Nita Battise, Second Chief Mikko Istimatokla Maanaatiika Herbert Johnson Jr., Tribal Council Chairman Ricky Sylestine, Naskila Casino General Manager Keith Sherer and representatives of project partners Yates Construction, JCJ Architecture and the owner’s representative team. Remarks focused on Naskila Casino’s history, its economic and community impact, the details of the project and the Tribe’s vision for the future before concluding with a ceremonial turning of the dirt.
The future Naskila Casino Resort will be developed on 95 acres of Alabama-Coushatta Tribal land at 10450 U.S. 59 near Livingston. The project will be built in phases and, when completed, is expected to encompass approximately 685,000 square feet.
Plans call for an expanded gaming floor, a 366-room hotel, entertainment amenities, multiple dining venues, a resort-style pool complex and event and conference space.
The first phase of the project is scheduled to open in late 2028 and will include approximately 3,400 electronic bingo machines, dedicated smoking and non-smoking gaming areas, high-limit VIP gaming space, multiple restaurants, bars and lounges, and approximately 35,000 square feet of flexible event and conference space.
Among the planned event facilities is a grand ballroom capable of accommodating up to 1,000 guests. Tribal officials said the space is designed to attract conferences, special events and group gatherings from across the region.
“This initial phase represents the first step in bringing the Tribe’s long-term vision to life, establishing the foundation for a destination experience while creating economic opportunities for the community,” Sherer said. “Naskila Casino Resort will create new opportunities, attract visitors from across the region and deliver lasting benefits for the Tribe, our employees and surrounding communities for generations to come.”
Additional phases and amenities are expected to be announced as development progresses.
The Tribe has partnered with JCJ Architecture to design the resort and Yates Construction to oversee construction. JCJ Architecture has designed gaming, hospitality and entertainment destinations across North America and has worked with Tribal Nations throughout the country. Yates Construction brings more than six decades of experience building large-scale hospitality, entertainment and commercial developments.
The new resort will build upon a decade of growth at Naskila Casino, which opened in 2016 and has become a regional gaming and entertainment destination. Naskila Casino also operates Ischoopa Travel Center, which offers fuel, travel services and additional gaming opportunities.
According to a recent study commissioned by the Texas Forest Country Partnership, Naskila Casino generates an estimated annual economic impact of $251.7 million. The casino supports more than 1,000 permanent jobs and purchases tens of millions of dollars in goods and services annually. More than $8 million of that spending occurs with vendors in Polk County.
Tribal officials said the future resort is expected to expand on that economic impact by creating additional jobs, attracting new visitors and generating new opportunities for both the Tribe and surrounding communities.
As part of the expansion effort, Naskila Casino plans to open Naskila Casino Leggett later this summer. The temporary gaming facility will be located on the future resort site and will operate 24 hours a day.
The facility will feature 300 electronic bingo machines, smoking and non-smoking gaming areas, a 24-hour dining venue and the Seven Feathers Players Club, providing guests with additional gaming opportunities while construction of the resort continues.
The groundbreaking comes as Naskila Casino celebrates its 10th anniversary. Tribal officials said a series of events, promotions and community initiatives will take place throughout the year as the casino marks the milestone and looks ahead to its next chapter of growth.
Do they plan to have craps tables or blackjack tables in the future?