Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Advances Major Resort Project with Groundbreaking in Polk County
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas conducted its groundbreaking ceremony on June 18, 2026 for the Naskila Casino Resort, a development that will occupy 95 acres of tribally owned land in Leggett within Polk County, and the project represents a significant expansion of the tribe's existing gaming operations in the region.
Construction plans call for a 685,000-square-foot facility that will house 3,400 Class II gaming machines along with a 366-room hotel, multiple restaurants, dedicated event space, and additional amenities, with phased openings scheduled to begin in late 2028.
Project Scope and Components
The resort integrates directly with the tribe's current Naskila Casino, which already produces $251 million in annual economic impact while supporting more than 1,000 jobs across the local area, and this new development adds substantial scale through its size and range of services that extend well beyond gaming alone.
Design elements include extensive hotel accommodations that will increase overnight capacity, dining options that serve diverse visitor preferences, and flexible event venues suitable for conferences or gatherings, all situated on land the tribe owns outright in Polk County.
Background and Legal Foundation
The initiative follows the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that clarified certain tribal gaming rights, and that decision enabled the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to proceed with plans for full-scale resort construction on its own property, thereby building upon the foundation already established by the operating Naskila Casino.
Observers note that the expansion maintains continuity with existing operations while introducing new infrastructure that will support broader economic activity once the phased openings commence in late 2028.
Timeline and Development Phases
Groundbreaking activities in June 2026 mark the formal start of site preparation and construction work, yet the resort will not open all at once because developers intend to bring sections online sequentially beginning in late 2028, which allows for measured rollout of gaming floors, hotel rooms, and supporting facilities.
This staged approach aligns with the tribe's strategy of leveraging its current casino's success, where annual figures already show $251 million in economic contributions and employment for over 1,000 people, and it positions the larger resort to amplify those outcomes over time.
Data from the tribe's existing operations indicate consistent performance that underpins investment in the expanded property, and the addition of 3,400 gaming machines plus hotel and dining infrastructure will create new capacity once construction concludes.
Economic Context in the Region
Polk County stands to see continued activity from the resort because the project builds directly on an operation that already sustains substantial local employment, and the 95-acre site in Leggett provides room for integrated amenities that attract visitors from wider areas.
According to project announcements, the full-scale resort will operate alongside the current casino rather than replace it, which preserves ongoing revenue streams while new phases come online starting in late 2028.
Integration with Existing Operations
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe maintains its focus on Class II gaming machines within the new facility, matching the format already in use at the Naskila Casino, and this consistency supports a smooth transition for staff and guests as the resort expands to include the 366-room hotel and event spaces.
Those who have tracked the tribe's progress note that the 2023 Supreme Court ruling removed prior barriers, allowing the current groundbreaking to move forward on tribally owned land without additional regulatory hurdles that had previously limited such developments.
Conclusion
The June 18, 2026 ceremony signals the beginning of a multi-year construction effort that will transform 95 acres in Leggett into a comprehensive resort destination featuring 685,000 square feet of space, 3,400 gaming machines, and a 366-room hotel, all while the existing Naskila Casino continues to generate $251 million in annual economic impact and sustain over 1,000 jobs until phased openings begin in late 2028.