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New Alabama-Coushatta Casino a Success19 December 2001TEXAS –- As reported by the Kingwood (Texas) Observer: "In the 1989 Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams, a mysterious voice tells Costner's character, `If you build it, they will come.' "That same advice apparently holds true for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe's new casino as huge crowds have been flocking there since its opening in November. "Tribal official Edwin Battiste said that the number of people visiting the new casino doesn't surprise him. "…An attractive building located amid the rolling hills and forests 17 miles east of Livingston, just off U.S. Hwy. 190, the casino features 210 gambling machines -- including nickel slots, quarter slots, dollar slots and video poker -- and six table games. As gamblers play the slots or test their skills against the house in card games, attendants patrol the floor -- providing change, serving refreshments or just providing additional information. The casino is open 24 hours a day. "…Upon arrival, visitors are greeted at the front door and directed to either one of two doors. If someone has never been there before, they are directed to the left and a desk where they will be signed up, free of charge, as members of the Royal Rewards Club and issued an identification card on the spot if they are of legal age and have no criminal record. Only club members may gamble and you must have your card with you to enter the gaming facilities. "…Compared to the Louisiana casinos in the Shreveport and Lake Charles areas, the Alabama-Coushatta facility has less parking and lacks some of the associated amenities such as large hotels and sideline entertainments such as large concerts or Las Vegas type of shows. "…On the other hand, the Alabama-Coushatta casino is much closer to the Kingwood, Humble and east Montgomery County areas than its Louisiana counterparts. "…One of the few complaints leveled at the new casino is that there are long lines at each slot machine. However, that's not necessarily so -- it really depends on what day and what time you are there. Weekends are naturally the most crowded days and nights while weekday mornings usually have the lightest traffic. "Battiste said that the overcrowding problem might be solved by expansion…" |