The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas confirmed the opening of a new temporary casino during summer 2026 in Leggett, East Texas, while accelerating development of a future large-scale gaming resort that could become one of the most important tribal casino projects in the southern United States. The move strengthens tribal gaming expansion in Texas and increases political pressure around one of the largest untapped casino markets in the country.
The project belongs to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, led in 2026 by Principal Chief Donnis B. Battise and Tribal Council Chairman Rick Sylestine. The casino will be located near Livingston, approximately 90 miles from Houston, within a strategic region connected to major tourism and population corridors across the state.
Rick Sylestine
The initial phase includes a temporary casino while the future Naskila Casino Resort is developed. The long-term project will feature an expanded gaming floor, hotel, restaurants, entertainment areas and additional hospitality infrastructure. Architectural design is being handled by FFKR Architects, while the first phase is expected to generate approximately 110 direct jobs.
Chief Donnis B. Battise
The tribe currently operates Naskila Casino with more than 790 electronic bingo machines inside a facility exceeding 30,000 square feet. Unlike Nevada or Louisiana, Texas still prohibits traditional commercial casinos, conventional slot machines and games such as blackjack or roulette under state law. However, tribal gaming operates under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988 and federal oversight from the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).
The major turning point came on June 15, 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, allowing tribes to operate games not explicitly prohibited under Texas law, particularly Class II electronic bingo gaming.
Texas does not issue commercial casino licenses, meaning tribal gaming operations require tribal approval, federal IGRA compliance and NIGC supervision. Analysts believe the expansion of projects such as Naskila increases pressure for future gaming reform in Texas, a state that continues losing billions of dollars in casino spending to neighboring Oklahoma and Louisiana while regional entertainment and hospitality markets continue expanding.
