6 Aug 2026
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Shuts Down Vallejo Preview Casino After Federal Eligibility Reversal
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late on August 3, 2026, after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe’s trust land parcel, and this action directly ended operations that had employed more than 100 workers at the site.
Details of the Closure
Operations ceased following the federal decision that reversed an earlier determination on the land’s suitability for gaming activities, and the shutdown took effect immediately upon receipt of the withdrawal notice. The Preview Casino had functioned as a temporary facility while the tribe pursued longer-term development plans, yet the eligibility change removed the legal basis for continued gaming at that location. Staff members received notification of the closure on the same day the federal action became final, and the tribe coordinated an orderly wind-down of all gaming and related services.
Federal Decision and Historical Connection Review
teh U.S. Department of the Interior cited insufficient historical connection between the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the specific trust land parcel in Vallejo as the primary reason for withdrawing gaming eligibility, and this determination overrode previous administrative findings that had supported the site’s use for casino operations. The reversal occurred in August 2026 and addressed the tribe’s request for continued recognition of the land under Indian Gaming Regulatory Act provisions. Federal reviewers examined tribal records, historical documentation, and geographic ties before concluding that the parcel did not meet established criteria for gaming eligibility. The decision explicitly referenced the absence of sufficient ancestral or treaty-based links to the Vallejo location despite the land’s status in federal trust.
Legal Challenge and Court Context
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians announced plans to file a federal lawsuit contesting the eligibility withdrawal, and the tribe maintains that the new determination contradicts both prior administrative approvals and a 2025 court ruling that addressed similar land and gaming issues. Legal representatives for the tribe stated that the filing will seek reinstatement of the gaming eligibility and will argue that the Department of the Interior failed to apply consistent standards across comparable cases. The litigation is expected to examine the administrative record that supported the earlier approvals as well as the evidence presented during the 2025 proceedings. Court documents will also address whether the August 2026 reversal aligns with federal trust land policies that have governed other tribal gaming projects in California.
Workforce and Operational Impact
More than 100 employees lost their positions when the Preview Casino closed its doors, and the tribe provided final paychecks along with information on state unemployment resources during the final shifts. Many of the affected workers had been hired specifically for the temporary facility, which had opened to generate revenue while permanent gaming plans advanced. The closure eliminated all table games, slot machines, and ancillary services that had operated under the temporary authorization, and suppliers and vendors who supported daily operations also ended their contracts on the same schedule. The tribe directed remaining staff to administrative and legal preparation roles connected to the upcoming federal court case rather than to any alternative gaming sites.
Background on the Trust Land and Temporary Facility
The Vallejo trust land parcel had been placed into federal trust status prior to the Preview Casino’s opening, and the temporary facility was constructed to test market demand and generate operating funds while the tribe completed environmental reviews and infrastructure planning for a larger project. The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians had secured the necessary state and local agreements to launch the preview operation, yet those approvals depended on the continued federal gaming eligibility determination that was later withdrawn. The temporary casino operated for a limited period that ended abruptly once the Department of the Interior issued its August 2026 reversal, and no alternative gaming location within the same parcel remains available under current eligibility rules.
Conclusion
The closure of the Preview Casino marks a significant shift in the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ gaming development timeline, and the tribe’s planned federal court action will determine whether the land regains eligibility or whether new trust land applications must be pursued. The Department of the Interior’s decision stands as the operative ruling until litigation resolves the conflicting administrative findings, and the more than 100 employees affected by the shutdown continue to seek new employment opportunities in the regional gaming sector. Future proceedings will clarify how historical connection standards apply to this specific parcel and whether prior approvals retain legal force under the 2025 court precedent.