Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Shuts Preview Casino in Vallejo Following Federal Gaming Reversal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians ended operations at its Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late on the night of August 2 into August 3, 2026, after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe’s trust parcel there. The temporary facility had opened only recently to test demand and show the viability of a larger proposed resort project, yet the federal action forced an immediate halt. ## Background on the Preview Casino Operation The Preview Casino represented an early step in the tribe’s broader development strategy for the Vallejo site. Tribal leaders positioned the modest gaming floor as a demonstration project meant to generate revenue data and employment records while a full-scale resort awaited approval. Over 100 workers staffed the venue during its short run, handling table games, slots, and basic hospitality services. Operations remained limited by design, with the understanding that sustained performance would support applications for expanded facilities on the same parcel. ## Details of the Federal Decision The reversal came directly from the Department of the Interior, which determined that the Vallejo trust parcel lacked sufficient historical connection to the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians under federal Indian gaming criteria. The notice cited specific regulatory requirements tied to tribal land status and ancestral ties, prompting the immediate withdrawal of eligibility. Once the Department issued its determination, gaming activities became unauthorized, and the tribe complied by closing the facility without delay. Observers note that such eligibility reviews often hinge on detailed historical documentation, and in this instance the agency concluded the parcel did not meet the necessary threshold. The decision affected only the Vallejo location and did not alter the tribe’s status at other properties. ## Immediate Effects on Staff and Local Economy More than 100 employees received notice of the closure as operations ceased. Many had been hired locally in Vallejo and surrounding communities, contributing to the short-term economic activity generated by wages and supplier contracts. The abrupt end left those workers seeking new positions, while the tribe began assessing severance and reemployment options under existing labor agreements. Local businesses that had supplied food, linens, and maintenance services also felt the sudden loss of a customer. Although the Preview Casino operated on a limited scale, its presence still supported a measurable flow of visitors and spending in the immediate area during its brief tenure. ## Tribe’s Planned Response and Legal Steps The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has stated its intention to file a new federal lawsuit challenging the Department of the Interior’s reversal. Legal counsel for the tribe indicated that the suit will focus on the adequacy of historical evidence presented during the eligibility review and on procedural aspects of the decision. Court filings are expected to seek restoration of gaming eligibility for the parcel so that development planning can resume. Previous litigation involving tribal land determinations has sometimes produced negotiated settlements or additional evidentiary hearings, and the tribe appears prepared to pursue similar avenues. No timeline for the lawsuit has been released yet, but preparation of the complaint is already underway according to statements from tribal representatives. ## Regulatory Context and Next Steps Federal Indian gaming law requires parcels used for casino operations to satisfy both land-into-trust rules and specific historical-connection standards. The Department of the Interior’s review process includes submissions from tribes, followed by public comment periods and technical evaluations. In this case the agency reversed an earlier finding that had allowed the Preview Casino to open, illustrating how such determinations can shift when new documentation or analysis emerges. The tribe retains its sovereign status and continues to operate other gaming facilities elsewhere in California. Those properties remain unaffected by the Vallejo decision. Meanwhile, tribal planners have begun reviewing alternative sites and development models that might align more closely with current federal guidelines. ## Conclusion The closure of the Preview Casino marks a clear turning point for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ Vallejo project. With operations halted and litigation planned, the tribe now faces the task of rebuilding its regulatory position while supporting displaced workers. The outcome of the forthcoming lawsuit will determine whether gaming can return to the site or whether the band must pursue different locations and strategies. Updates from court proceedings and any revised federal determinations will shape the next phase of this effort.