Scotts Valley Band Closes Preview Casino After Federal Gaming Eligibility Withdrawal
Written by Felix Fischer · Aug 7, 2026
Scotts Valley Band Closes Preview Casino After Federal Gaming Eligibility Withdrawal
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late Sunday night after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe’s Vallejo trust parcel, and the temporary facility had operated only briefly to demonstrate viability for a larger resort project while employing over 100 workers who lost their positions immediately upon the regulatory reversal.
The closure followed a determination that found insufficient historical connection to the land in question, which reversed an earlier assessment that had allowed the preview operation to proceed, and the tribe responded by outlining plans to file a new federal lawsuit challenging the decision under the Administrative Procedure Act on grounds of inconsistency with prior findings along with a 2025 court ruling.
Background on the Preview Operation
Construction of the temporary Preview Casino began earlier in 2026 as a short-term measure to establish operational presence and generate data on market demand in the Vallejo area, while the facility featured a limited number of gaming machines and table games that ran for several months before the Interior Department action took effect, and staff members received notification of the immediate shutdown on the same evening the eligibility withdrawal was confirmed.
Details of the Federal Decision
The U.S. Department of the Interior issued its ruling in August 2026 after reviewing the tribe’s trust parcel documentation, and the agency concluded that the land lacked the required historical ties to qualify for gaming under federal standards, which directly impacted the tribe’s ability to maintain any gaming activity at the site despite the preview phase having already started, and this determination differed from previous internal reviews that had supported limited operations.
The regulatory reversal applied specifically to the Vallejo location and did not affect other tribal properties, yet it required the immediate halt of all gaming activities at the preview site, and tribal officials coordinated with state regulators to ensure compliance with the federal order while preparing the legal response.
Employment and Economic Impact
More than 100 workers had been hired for the preview facility, with positions ranging from gaming floor staff to management and support roles, and the abrupt closure ended those jobs without a transition period because the regulatory change prohibited continued operation, while local suppliers and service providers who had contracts tied to the casino also faced sudden adjustments in their business arrangements.
The tribe had positioned the preview casino as an initial step toward a full-scale resort that would include additional amenities and expanded employment opportunities, but the Interior Department decision suspended those plans at the Vallejo parcel and shifted focus to the upcoming litigation.
Planned Legal Challenge
Tribal representatives stated that the new lawsuit will argue the Department’s action contradicts both earlier federal determinations and the 2025 court ruling that addressed similar eligibility questions, and the complaint is expected to seek judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act to examine whether the withdrawal followed proper procedural standards and considered all relevant historical evidence.
The filing timeline remains under development as legal teams compile documentation from prior approvals and the 2025 decision, and the tribe has indicated it will pursue the case in federal court to restore gaming eligibility for the trust parcel if the court finds the Interior Department’s reasoning insufficient.
Next Steps for the Tribe
Following the closure, the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians continues to operate its other gaming facilities outside Vallejo while the legal process moves forward, and the tribe has begun outreach to affected employees regarding severance and potential reemployment at remaining locations, whereas discussions with federal officials about alternative land options have not yet been detailed publicly.
Conclusion
The sequence of events from the preview opening through the August 2026 eligibility withdrawal and immediate shutdown illustrates how federal land determinations can alter tribal gaming timelines, and the planned Administrative Procedure Act lawsuit represents the next formal step in the tribe’s effort to resolve the inconsistency between the current ruling and previous findings.