Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Launches Construction Phase for Expanded Naskila Casino Resort

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas conducted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 18, 2026, for the new Naskila Casino Resort, a 685,000-square-foot facility planned across 95 acres in Leggett within Polk County. This event signals the start of a multi-year build that incorporates 3,400 Class II electronic gaming machines along with a 366-room hotel, pool complex, restaurants, and event space. Construction will proceed in phases through 2028 while the current Naskila Casino maintains full operations without interruption. Observers note that the project follows the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that clarified tribal gaming rights in the state. The tribe selected the Leggett location to support expanded facilities on land already under its control. Project specifications include integrated amenities designed to operate as a full-scale resort destination once completed.

Project Specifications and Site Details

The resort footprint covers 95 acres and centers on a main building of 685,000 square feet. Key elements comprise 3,400 Class II electronic gaming machines, a 366-room hotel tower, an outdoor pool complex, multiple restaurants, and dedicated event space. Construction crews will develop these components in sequenced phases that allow portions of the resort to open progressively through 2028.

Site preparation began immediately after the June 18, 2026 ceremony. The layout positions the new resort adjacent to the existing casino property, which enables shared infrastructure during the build. Engineers have designed the hotel and gaming areas to connect directly with the pool and dining facilities for efficient guest flow once the full complex activates.

Operational Continuity During Construction

The existing Naskila Casino will remain open throughout the entire construction period. Tribal gaming officials confirmed that daily operations, staffing, and guest services at the current facility continue unchanged. This approach preserves revenue streams while the larger resort takes shape on the same land parcel.

Construction schedules incorporate buffers around peak gaming hours to minimize any potential disruption to traffic or parking at the operating casino. The phased timeline allows early sections of the new resort, such as additional gaming floors, to come online before the hotel and pool areas reach completion in later stages.

Legal and Regulatory Context

The June 2026 groundbreaking follows the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that addressed tribal gaming authority in Texas. That ruling established clearer parameters for Class II gaming operations on tribal lands, which the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe cited when advancing the resort plans. Federal and state coordination on permitting proceeded in the intervening years, culminating in the formal start of construction.

According to records from the National Indian Gaming Commission, the tribe maintains compliance with federal standards for Class II electronic gaming machines. The commission oversees the regulatory framework that governs the 3,400 machines slated for the new resort. State-level approvals in Texas aligned with the Supreme Court guidance to clear the path for the project.

Development Timeline and Phased Openings

Construction advances through distinct phases that stretch from mid-2026 into 2028. Early work focuses on foundational infrastructure and the gaming floor expansion. Subsequent stages introduce the hotel tower, pool facilities, restaurants, and event spaces on a rolling basis. The tribe projects that select amenities will welcome guests before the entire 685,000-square-foot complex reaches full operation.

Progress reports will track milestone completions at regular intervals. The phased model permits revenue-generating sections to activate incrementally, which supports ongoing investment in later elements such as additional dining outlets and meeting rooms. The 95-acre site provides ample space for these sequential builds without overlapping the active casino footprint.

Conclusion

The June 18, 2026 ceremony marks a defined step forward for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and its Naskila Casino Resort plans. The 685,000-square-foot development on 95 acres in Leggett includes specified gaming capacity, lodging, and amenities that will unfold through 2028. Existing operations continue without pause as construction proceeds under the framework established by the 2023 Supreme Court ruling. Further updates will detail each phase as milestones occur on the Polk County site.