Alabama-Coushatta Tribe opens Class II facility on reservation

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The Naskila Entertainment gaming facility in Livingston, Texas, is open for business. Photo from Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas / Facebook

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The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has rejoined the Indian gaming industry after a nearly 14-year absence.

Naskila Entertainment opened on Tuesday. The 15,000 square-foot facility offers 365 Class II games and a full-service restaurant.

A grand opening is set for June 2. For now, the 200 employees are getting some critical on-the-job experience.

"It was a blessing," Courtney Watson told The Beaumont Enterprise of her hiring at the casino.

Gaming machines at the Naskila Entertainment gaming facility in Livingston, Texas, is open for business. Photo from Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas / Facebook

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The tribe previously operated a successful casino at a different location on the reservation. But it was shut down in July 2002 due to litigation from the state.

Plans for Naskila emerged after the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the tribe's Class II gaming ordinance. The decision was based on a new legal analysis from the Interior Department that undercut some of the conclusions in the earlier litigation.

State officials have not voiced opposition to Naskila but they are fighting efforts by the Tigua Tribe to offer Class II games. The tribe's casino was shut down in February 2002.

"We certainly respect the state's role in this, and that's why they've been informed and are aware of what's going on at the Alabama-Coushatta reservation," a spokesperson for Naskila Entertainment told the Enterprise.

Get the Story:
Alabama-Coushatta reopens East Texas bingo hall (The Beaumont Enterprise 5/18)
Casino-style gaming begins on East Texas reservation (The Fort Worth Star-Telegram 5/18)

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