A casino southwest of Fort Worth closed in 2002, but could re-open in East Texas next year, bringing jobs with it.

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas could face a legal challenge or two bringing the casino to life, but the plan is to build a huge new casino on more than 10,000-acre Indian reservation south of Livingston.

It would open in 2016.

It comes down to legalities. The Tribe leaders say they have the legal standing to put up the casino. Opponents aren't so sure, since casino gambling is illegal in Texas.

The focus is on the type of the machines that people play, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The tribe says the casino would include devices that look, act and sound like slot machines but really are electronic bingo machines.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Indian Gaming Commission ruled that the tribe can operate games on its reservation. If all goes as planned, the tribe will submit the notification to license, and would be able to open the casino 120 days after that.

Casinos are operated by Indian Tribes in 28 states, and they are huge moneymakers for the tribes. Not to mention big tourist draws and fun for weekend road trips.

Stay tuned, but it's looking like this latest casino venture will happen within a few months.

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