The new Naskila Casino Resort will be located on land in Leggett that is owned by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, not on the reservation as previously thought.
Cecilia Flores, chairwoman of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Council, announced the new development to the Polk County Commissioners Court Tuesday. She was joined by several members of the tribal council.
“We have received confirmation from the National Indian Gaming Commission,” Flores said.
“We had made a petition to them about gaming on tribal properties outside the reservation in eastern Polk County. The Leggett land is eligible for gaming, so we plan to develop our Naskila Casino Resort there,” she said.
“I just wanted to give Polk County heads up and inform you of our recent development. We’re very excited about it. It means a whole lot of new jobs, a lot of new opportunities for taxes, income, roads, the whole thing … so we look forward to it,” Flores said.
The tribe owns and operates Naskila Casino which first opened in 2016 with 365 Class II gaming devices. Today, Naskila Casino has over 900 of the newest Class II gaming devices, two cafes and a gift shop in addition to the Ischoopa Travel Center.
Having invested over $212 million in East Texas, Naskila Casino is an economic driver in addition to being one of the largest employers in Polk County with a $22.5 million annual payroll. Called “the luckiest spot in Texas,” every jackpot won there is won by someone who will spend their money to eat, sleep, shop and refuel in East Texas prior to returning home – something that benefits the entire region.
In April 2024 the tribe announced plans to build a brand-new casino resort that will offer a variety of amenities including a state-of-the-art casino floor, hotel accommodations, diverse dining and entertainment options and an array of attractions for the entire family. The new resort is expected to add 1,000 additional jobs.
The tribe has engaged the architecture firm FFKR to design the new resort and is confident the firm will create a truly exceptional destination. Plans are underway to break ground later this year.
