A bill in Congress, HR 759, would allow the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas to operate a Class II casino.
The tribe has been fighting a losing court battle with the state of Texas, whose attorney general has tried to shut the facility in Naskila, which violates Texas law.
However, the 358-member Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is the only one of three federally recognized tribes not allowed to offer some form of gaming. Those other tribes are the Traditional Kickapoo Tribe of Texas and the Ysleta del sur Pueblo.
The Kickapoo have offered electronic bingo since 1996 at its Lucky Eagle casino, under an ordinance endorsed by the National Indian Gaming Commission.
The attorney general has sued the Alabama-Coushatta and the Pueblo.
Texas Rep. Brian Babin has introduced the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Act of 2019, which clarifies that the two tribes are allowed to offer bingo games under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The bill reportedly has bipartisan support, including 11 Texas House members.
Supporters of the tribe point out that the Naskila facility employees 200 and contributes about $140 million to the economy of Deep East Texas. They point out that almost 30 area municipalities, county commissions and chambers of commerce have sent letters in support of the bill.
