The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas opened Naskila Casino Leggett, a temporary, 24-hour gaming facility in Polk County, ahead of its planned 95-acre Naskila Casino Resort. The single-story casino on U.S. 59 north of Livingston opened Tuesday morning with more than 300 electronic gaming machines and a 24-hour dining venue called Kano Grill. The opening, which came about two months after the tribe broke ground on the permanent resort next door, created more than 100 full-time jobs, according to the tribe. The temporary casino is intended to serve guests while construction continues across the parking lot, according to KTRE.
Location and first-day opening
The temporary facility is at 10314 U.S. 59 just north of Livingston, according to the Houston Chronicle. The tribe’s original casino, Naskila Livingston, opened in 2016 at 540 State Park Road 56 east of Livingston. The Leggett location opened its doors at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, and Seven Feathers Players Club members were offered a chance to win $250 in free play and a Naskila Casino Leggett commemorative coin, KETK reported.
Gaming floor and dining
More than 300 electronic gaming machines are on the temporary gaming floor, and the facility includes smoking and non-smoking gaming areas, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Kano Grill operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and serves fresh food all week, KETK reported. The temporary casino will serve as a temporary gaming facility while the new major resort takes shape, the Houston Chronicle reported. KTRE described the temporary casino as open around the clock with 300 machines and a dining facility.
Jobs and community investment
More than 100 full-time jobs were created with the opening, according to the tribe and a news release cited by the Houston Chronicle. Tribal Council Chairman Ricky Sylestine said the casino generates revenue for the tribe and Polk County. He said that revenue has given the tribe the opportunity to support housing, education and medical care, including a health department with nurses and doctors. Sylestine said in a statement, "Naskila Casino Leggett is the beginning of new beginnings for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas."
Legal background and larger plan
The opening follows a legal fight that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Sylestine said the tribe fought its case to the U.S. Supreme Court and came out victorious on June 15, 2022. He described the temporary casino’s opening as "the beginning of the new beginning" for the tribe. Interim General Manager Keith Sherer said opening the temporary casino quickly reflects the tribe’s commitment to the community, and that the Leggett location is a more convenient stop than the tribe’s main property for many visitors. Residents lined the doors Tuesday morning for the opening, KTRE reported.
Resort construction timeline
Construction crews have cleared about 90 acres for the permanent resort, and foundation work is expected to start in January, according to Owners Representative Matthew Dunnery. Sherer said the permanent property is set to open between October and December of 2028, with the hotel and pool opening the following year. The Houston Chronicle reported that the 685,000-square-foot resort casino will span 95 acres and include a large gaming floor, a 366-room hotel, entertainment amenities, dining options, a resort-style pool complex, and event and conference space. The first phase is expected to wrap up in late 2028, with about 3,400 electronic bingo machines, smoking, non-smoking and high-limit VIP areas, restaurants and food concepts, and about 35,000 square feet of flexible event and conference space.
