Alabama-Coushatta Tribe shares economic impact of new casino

Monday, September 19, 2016

Leaders of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Photo from Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas / Facebook

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The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is seeking to generate more support for its new casino in Texas.

The tribe has launched a public relations campaign and has been explaining the economic benefits of Naskila Entertainment to the local community. The facility, which opened in May, has put 210 people to work and stands to generate nearly $8 million a year in salaries, The Dayton News reported.

The tribe spent $9.9 million to develop and operate the casino for just the first three months alone, The Tyler County Booster reported. The tribe anticipates spending another $4.2 million to keep it going, The Dayton News reported.

Tribal Council hosted a Business Breakfast yesterday to bring together the Tyler and Polk County Chambers of Commerce to...
Posted by Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas on Friday, September 9, 2016

But all of those benefits are in danger if the state of Texas succeeds in shutting the facility down. A lawsuit is pending in federal court although a decision isn't expected until sometime in 2017, based on the briefing schedule agreed to by the parties.

"We don’t expect a ruling for at least 10 months,” council member Clint Poncho told local business leader, The Dayton News reported.

The state contends that the tribe agreed to a ban on gambling when it was restored to federal recognition. The Obama administration disagreed and approved Class II gaming on the reservation.

Read More on the Story:
Tribe invites community’s support for gaming facility (The Dayton News 9/19)
Two Chambers meet to celebrate East Texas commerce and learn more about Naskila Gaming (The Tyler County Booster 9/15)