Scotts Valley Pomo Tribe Shuts Vallejo Preview Casino After Federal Eligibility Withdrawal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, effective late Sunday night in August 2026 following a U.S. Department of the Interior decision that withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's Vallejo trust parcel due to insufficient historical connection, and the facility had operated briefly as a small-scale operation to demonstrate viability ahead of a larger resort while employing over 100 workers who faced immediate shutdown after the notice arrived.

Background on the Preview Casino Operation

The Preview Casino served as an initial step in the tribe's broader development strategy, and it opened to test market response in the Vallejo area while gathering data on player interest before committing to a full-scale resort project, yet the short operational window meant staff handled everything from table games to slot machines in a compact space designed for quick setup and demonstration purposes.

Observers note the casino attracted local visitors during its brief run, and records show steady foot traffic that aligned with the tribe's goal of proving economic potential, while employment reached beyond 100 positions that included dealers, security personnel, and management teams drawn from both tribal members and the surrounding community.

The Department of the Interior Decision

The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the ruling that removed gaming eligibility from the Vallejo trust parcel, and the determination centered on the parcel's lack of sufficient historical ties to the Scotts Valley Band, which directly reversed earlier assessments that had supported the land's status for gaming activities under federal guidelines.

According to the notice delivered to tribal leadership, the parcel failed updated criteria for establishing a connection that would permit casino operations, and this shift occurred despite prior findings that had allowed the temporary facility to proceed, whereas the decision highlighted documentation gaps regarding ancestral use and occupancy patterns in the region.

Tribe's Planned Legal Response

The Scotts Valley Band announced plans to file a new federal lawsuit challenging the reversal under the Administrative Procedure Act, and the action will cite contradictions with earlier Interior Department determinations along with a 2025 court ruling that had addressed similar land eligibility questions for tribal gaming projects.

Legal representatives for the tribe indicated the suit would argue that the withdrawal lacked proper justification and ignored established precedents, while they prepare filings that seek to restore eligibility status so development of the larger resort can resume without further delays.

Immediate Effects on Operations and Staff

Shutdown procedures began immediately after receipt of the federal notice, and all gaming activities ceased by late Sunday night with no transition period granted for winding down activities, which left over 100 employees without work as the facility locked its doors to the public.

Those who studied similar closures in other tribal contexts know that rapid staff transitions often follow such federal interventions, and the Scotts Valley Band has begun exploring support options for affected workers while the legal challenge moves forward through the courts.

Conclusion

The closure of the Preview Casino represents a direct outcome of the Interior Department's updated eligibility review, and the tribe's upcoming lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act will test whether prior approvals and the 2025 ruling can influence reinstatement of the Vallejo parcel's gaming status. Further updates will depend on court proceedings that examine the consistency of federal land determinations in this specific case.