Things, as they say, are always “Bigger in Texas,” and the same seems to be true for an upcoming casino resort in the region. Per one news report, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is moving ahead with plans to turn its gaming business into a full-service destination with the development of a massive casino resort. The development in Leggett is a significant expansion to the tribe’s existing facility and is anticipated to be one of the most prominent hospitality projects in the region. The future Naskila Resort and Casino will cover some 685,000 square feet on 95 acres of tribal land. When completed, the complex will include a hotel with over 350 rooms, various food outlets, a resort-style swimming pool, and a large event center that will host conferences and large gatherings.
In this article, SBS will cover the latest gaming news from Texas, along with other notes and information on Longhorn State gaming updates.
Noted in the same article, the property’s size is expected to greatly surpass that of the existing Naskila Casino, whichhas been operating since 2016 on a relatively small gaming floor. Tribal leaders say the new resort will deliver the kind of upscale experience that is available at larger gaming destinations, as reported by a major media outlet in the Dallas area. A firm that has worked on some of the best-known casino projects in the United States, such as the iconic Foxwoods Casino Resort, is doing design work for the project, a sign that the project is meant to be more than a regional property. Interior elements shall reflect themes related to the tribe’s heritage, with ideas of endurance and unity.
The expansion comes after years of legal battles over gaming rights in Texas. In a landmark decision in 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that the state could not place certain restrictions on tribal gaming operations on reservation land. The decision gave the tribe the legal certainty they needed to proceed with long-term investment plans. However, even with the size of the new project, gaming options will be limited by federal regulations. The facility will keep operating electronic bingo machines, which look like slot machines but are different in structure and classification. Because of state and federal restrictions, traditional table games and regular slot machines will not be available.
Noted in the same article, construction is anticipated to be done in phases,with the initial phase scheduled for completion in late 2028. This first opening is expected to feature the hotel tower, expanded gaming floor, and event spaces. Meanwhile, the tribe is preparing to open a temporary gaming venue near the construction site. The interim facility will be open 24 hours a day with several hundred machines and some basic food and beverage offerings and is scheduled to open this summer.
Additionally, the project will also have economic benefits for the surrounding area. Previous efforts related to the tribe’s gaming activities have created a significant number of jobs and contributed substantially to local wages. Officials say the new resort will boost employment opportunities and attract visitors from throughout Texas and beyond.
To give a broader scope of gaming in the region, SBS would like to offer some other insights not only regarding Naskila, but also some of the other facilities in the state. Each of Texas’ three federally recognized tribes operates a casino. The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas has the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, the Tigua tribe of the Yselta del Sur Pueblo has the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center in El Paso, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has Naskila Gaming in Livingston. All three are Class II facilities, offering electronic bingo games that are similar to slot machines.
Per sources, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribehad voted against gambling operations in 1994 on moral grounds, but it reversed that decision in 1999 after seeing the success of the Grand Casino Coushatta, run by a related tribe in Louisiana. So, the tribe opened its “Entertainment Center” in November 2001, with slots, blackjack, and poker, even as the Tiguas were appealing their loss in court. Then in 2015, the National Indian Gaming Control Commission issued an opinion that the Tigua and Alabama-Coushatta tribes could legally conduct gaming, contradicting earlier court rulings. This then led to the Alabama-Coushatta reopening their casino at the time. So, as you can see, the winding road of gaming in Texas is a long one, and it only appears to be gaining more momentum.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling updates coming from the great state of Texas, make sure to peruse the excellent array of information available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the topic covered in this report, the Texas betting sites rundown is a must-read page that goes over the latest updates as it pertains to gaming in the region. Additionally, for those who are interested and eligible, the BetOnline sportsbook review breakdown is a must-read resource that goes over the perks of the outlet and whether it might make sense for you. Finally, for those looking to maximize their wagers, the best bonus betting sites guide is a fantastic page that includes a catalogue of the latest welcome bonus offers and beyond.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
Read Chris's ProfileAsk Chris about this guide: