Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel and Expansion Construction Underway
By: Ricardo E. Calderón©
The much anticipated $90 million Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel and Expansion construction is underway in the 125 acres tribal reservation in southern Maverick County at Rosita Valley.
After laying of underground water, sewer, and utilities during the past months, the actual construction phase of the proposed seven story, 250 room Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Hotel has begun according to knowledgeable sources.
The mega construction project is estimated to be completed sometime in the Spring of 2013 according to banners at the construction site.
When completed, the $90 million Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel and Casino Expansion will significantly increase tourism and trade in Eagle Pass and Maverick County.
An increased of economic development projects at or near the casino site is expected to occur in Maverick County after completion of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas’ mega construction project The expansion will draw retail, commercial and mixed-use development to the Rosita Valley and Riverside Subdivisions adjacent to the casino site.
The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino is the only licensed casino in the State of Texas through the National Indian Gaming Commission, a federal agency. Unlike other federally-recognized Texas tribes, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas did not waive their legal rights to gaming upon federal recognition by Congress in 1983.
Currently, the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino offers Class Two gaming through the National Indian Gaming Commission. The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas has sought a State Compact with the State of Texas since 1996 to offer Class Three gaming such as Las Vegas-style, but the State of Texas has failed to grant them the Class Three Gaming due to multiple political and economic interests opposed to a native American tribe having such great economic power, economic self-sufficiency, and sovereignty.
The Texas Legislature has attempted to pass legislation which would legalize gambling in the State of Texas but said legislation has failed on several legislative sessions. In 2013, the Texas Legislature will once again attempt to pass legislation approving gambling and Class Three Gaming in Texas.
Meanwhile, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas has decided to proceed with their $90 million hotel and casino expansion at the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino without waiting for the State of Texas to grant them the State Compact as well as the Texas Legislature’s approval of gambling within the state.
