- The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is Seeking Fair and Equal Treatment Regarding Class II Indian Gaming in Texas House Resolution 759, authored by U.S. Congressman Brian Babin of Texas, clarifies the right of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to offer electronic bingo games at their entertainment facility on tribal land.
- LIVINGSTON - After a busy hour of burning money at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's new gaming hall in this East Texas town, the three retired ladies from Trinity retreated to the cafe to moan.
- 'Out of the three Native American tribes located in Texas, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta are not allowed the same rights as the Kickapoo when it comes to Class II gaming which only allows electronic bingo. The Kickapoo have had this right for more than 22 years.
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About Us Nestled deep in the Big Thicket of East Texas lies Texas' oldest Reservation, home of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Its location is on a 4,600 acres of virgin timberland called home by some 5. Livingston is a town in Polk County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,433 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Polk County. Livingston was settled in 1835 as Springfield. Its name was changed to Livingston and became the county seat of Polk County in 1846. The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation is just to the East of Livingston.
The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is Seeking Fair and Equal Treatment Regarding Class II Indian Gaming in Texas
House Resolution 759, authored by U.S. Congressman Brian Babin of Texas, clarifies the right of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to offer electronic bingo games at their entertainment facility on tribal land. On July 24, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of this bill! Now it will go the U.S. Senate for consideration.
There are three federally recognized Tribes in Texas. Only one Tribe, the Kickapoo, are legally allowed to offer Class II gaming on its reservation. This is not fair.
In order to correct that imbalance, HR 759, will do the following;
- Correct conflicting congressional statutes stemming from the 1987 Restoration Act and the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act;
- DOES NOT allow Class III Vegas style gaming such as table and card games against the house.
- Allows for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to conduct electronic bingo and only electronic bingo on their reservations;
- Provides for the equal and fair opportunity for tribal economic development in the State of Texas.
By Valerie Reddell
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LIVINGSTON — A letter from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Kevin McCarthy expresses his opposition to video bingo on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation and the passage of H.R. 759, filed by Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville).
That letter has local political leaders scratching their heads.
Gov. Abbott was criticized in the 2017 session of the Texas Legislature for expanding his role to 'mayor in chief' for Texas, now he apparently wants to be dealt a bigger hand in Washington D.C.
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Abbott cites a prohibition on gambling in Texas and mentioned that the Texas Legislature has routinely considered and rejected proposals to expand gaming on tribal lands in Texas.
'I strongly encourage Congress to reject this attempt to restrict Texas' power to regulate activities within its borders,' Abbott said.
HR 759 removes conflicting language in federal law that state officials have used to preclude two of the three Texas tribes from enjoying the same rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that other tribes in the United States have.
'This is a fairness issue – plain and simple,' Babin said Friday when asked to comment on Abbott's letter. 'Out of the three Native American tribes located in Texas, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta are not allowed the same rights as the Kickapoo when it comes to Class II gaming which only allows electronic bingo. The Kickapoo have had this right for more than 22 years.
'Naskila Gaming is alcohol free and developing the economy in Polk County and several other surrounding counties while supplying over 500 jobs to the local communities and infusing $140 million into our local economy each year. The courts urged that there needed to be a change in the law on a federal level to solve this issue, and that is precisely what I am trying to do with my bill, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act (H.R. 759).
'The bottom line is that shutting down this facility means putting more than 500 Texans out of a job. That's who I'm fighting for, my constituents,' he added.
Tribal Council Chair Cecilia Flores told the Enterprise Friday that she was aware of Abbott's efforts to block passage of the bill.
'We're not surprised,' Flores said.
Alabama Coushatta Casino Livingston Texas
'But he does support the Texas Lottery scratch off tickets that carry the Golden Nugget logo,' she added.
There are three federally recognized Tribes in Texas. Only one Tribe, the Kickapoo, are legally allowed to offer Class II gaming on its reservation. This is not fair.
In order to correct that imbalance, HR 759, will do the following;
- Correct conflicting congressional statutes stemming from the 1987 Restoration Act and the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act;
- DOES NOT allow Class III Vegas style gaming such as table and card games against the house.
- Allows for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to conduct electronic bingo and only electronic bingo on their reservations;
- Provides for the equal and fair opportunity for tribal economic development in the State of Texas.
By Valerie Reddell
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
LIVINGSTON — A letter from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Kevin McCarthy expresses his opposition to video bingo on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation and the passage of H.R. 759, filed by Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville).
That letter has local political leaders scratching their heads.
Gov. Abbott was criticized in the 2017 session of the Texas Legislature for expanding his role to 'mayor in chief' for Texas, now he apparently wants to be dealt a bigger hand in Washington D.C.
Alabama Coushatta Casino Livingston Texas Reviews
Abbott cites a prohibition on gambling in Texas and mentioned that the Texas Legislature has routinely considered and rejected proposals to expand gaming on tribal lands in Texas.
'I strongly encourage Congress to reject this attempt to restrict Texas' power to regulate activities within its borders,' Abbott said.
HR 759 removes conflicting language in federal law that state officials have used to preclude two of the three Texas tribes from enjoying the same rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act that other tribes in the United States have.
'This is a fairness issue – plain and simple,' Babin said Friday when asked to comment on Abbott's letter. 'Out of the three Native American tribes located in Texas, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta are not allowed the same rights as the Kickapoo when it comes to Class II gaming which only allows electronic bingo. The Kickapoo have had this right for more than 22 years.
'Naskila Gaming is alcohol free and developing the economy in Polk County and several other surrounding counties while supplying over 500 jobs to the local communities and infusing $140 million into our local economy each year. The courts urged that there needed to be a change in the law on a federal level to solve this issue, and that is precisely what I am trying to do with my bill, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act (H.R. 759).
'The bottom line is that shutting down this facility means putting more than 500 Texans out of a job. That's who I'm fighting for, my constituents,' he added.
Tribal Council Chair Cecilia Flores told the Enterprise Friday that she was aware of Abbott's efforts to block passage of the bill.
'We're not surprised,' Flores said.
Alabama Coushatta Casino Livingston Texas
'But he does support the Texas Lottery scratch off tickets that carry the Golden Nugget logo,' she added.
The Golden Nugget Casinos and Hotels are owned by Houston-based Fertitta Entertainment. Fertitta also owns the Houston Rockets and Landry's restaurants.
It's a name that also shows up when you look inside Abbott's campaign war chest.
Fertitta donated $200,000 in his own name. Frank Fertitta III, CEO of Casino Stations and Zuffa LLC, the business the runs the Ultimate Fighting Championship, donated another $100,000. The two men are reportedly third cousins.
'Is (Gov. Abbott) more concerned about Louisiana jobs or Texas families?' Flores said.
Meanwhile, HR 759 has gained another co-sponsor in the U.S. House and made other progress, Flores said after spending several days in the nation's capital this week.
The Tribe is also fighting in the courts seeking the right to keep Naskila open and preserve the more than 350 local jobs that are tied to the facility. The Alabama-Coushatta have filed a petition to have their case heard by the entire Fifth Circuit.
'We stand ready to appeal any adverse ruling to the Supreme Court of the United States as well,' tribal leaders said in a press released.
Former Woodville Mayor Jimmie Cooley remains active in statewide politics, but she is quite disappointed by Abbott's letter.
'I'm furious,' Cooley said. 'If he can't help us, he should just stay quiet.'
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Cooley has hosted two large-scale campaign events for Abbott in the past.
'I hired a band, provided dinner, it was a big event,' Cooley said. 'I don't think I can stir my people up again.'
'I'm upset with him. (Naskila) hires people all over East Texas. I'm sure there are people from 10 counties employed there. This brings in revenue and it's the right thing to do,' she added.
Cooley also frequently points out how many new businesses have opened between Livingston and the reservation since Naskila opened. She pegs the total at 15 new businesses or franchises.
Naskila adds $140 million to the economy of the Big Thicket region each year. In addition to the 375 direct jobs, Naskila is tied to another 200 regional jobs, according to the Texas Forest Country Partnership.
This is Abbott's second effort to derail Babin's bill, according to Cooley. But when she contacts the governor's office in an effort to bring tribal leaders and the governor together, Abbott refuses the meeting.
'I've tried at least four times to bring him and the tribe together. One of the excuses was that this was a federal issue. So why did he send those letters?'
Cooley describes the Naskila operation as a tiny baby compared to Fertitta's giant entertainment conglomerate. She's outraged at Fertitta's frequent efforts to close Naskila and/or keep gambling outlawed in Texas.
'It's tiny. There's no alcohol, no motels. How much does he had to have? How much greed is that?' Cooley added.
Cooley also cited a recent poll showing that 75 percent of respondents were in favor of the limited gaming in an alcohol-free environment.
For more ways to support efforts to keep Naskila open, visit www.naskila.com.