Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Shuts Down Vallejo Preview Casino Following Federal Eligibility Reversal
Written by Avery Klein · Aug 6, 2026
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Shuts Down Vallejo Preview Casino Following Federal Eligibility Reversal
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, immediately after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's Vallejo trust parcel, and the small-scale Class II facility operated only briefly before shutting down late Sunday night in August 2026. The decision came after federal officials determined the parcel lacked sufficient historical connection to the tribe, which prompted the immediate halt of all gaming activities at the site that had employed over 100 workers during its short run.
Background on the Preview Casino Operation
The Preview Casino represented an interim step in the tribe's broader development plans for the Vallejo property, and it functioned as a Class II gaming facility offering electronic bingo and related games while the larger resort project moved forward. Observers note that the temporary venue opened to generate revenue and create jobs ahead of the planned $700 million resort, yet the operation remained limited in scope because federal approvals for full-scale Class III gaming had not yet been secured. The facility ran for a short period, during which it provided employment for more than 100 people in the Vallejo area, and it served as a testing ground for the tribe's operational capabilities on the trust land.
The Federal Reversal and Its Immediate Effects
The U.S. Department of the Interior issued a final determination that rejected Class III gaming eligibility for the Scotts Valley Band's Vallejo trust land, and this ruling directly led to the withdrawal of authorization for even the limited Class II activities at the Preview Casino. The tribe received the notification and responded by closing the doors late Sunday night, which resulted in the abrupt end of all gaming operations at the site. Data from the closure shows that the facility had maintained a modest footprint with a focus on electronic games rather than table games or slot machines typical of larger casinos, and the shutdown affected the entire staff complement that had been assembled for the preview phase.
Tribe's Legal Position and Planned Response
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians described the federal decision as unlawful and announced plans to file a new lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act to challenge the eligibility reversal. Tribal representatives stated that the larger $700 million resort project faces delays but remains part of their long-term strategy for the Vallejo property, and they intend to pursue all available legal avenues to restore gaming eligibility. The lawsuit will target the Department of the Interior's finding that the trust parcel lacks adequate historical ties, and observers note that similar challenges have arisen in other tribal gaming cases where land-into-trust determinations faced scrutiny over connection requirements.
Those familiar with the case point out that the tribe had secured the trust parcel through established federal processes before the eligibility question emerged, and the sudden reversal caught the operation mid-stride. The Preview Casino had been positioned as a bridge to the full resort development, which includes hotel, entertainment, and expanded gaming components, yet the federal action placed that timeline in question without eliminating the underlying project entirely.
Employment and Community Impact
More than 100 workers lost their positions when the Preview Casino closed, and the sudden shutdown left employees without advance notice in many cases because the federal determination arrived without a transition period. The Vallejo community had seen the temporary facility as an early economic boost, and local reports indicate that the jobs spanned gaming floor roles, security, maintenance, and administrative support during the brief operating window. The tribe has not released detailed plans for worker support following the closure, while the broader resort project continues to represent potential future employment once legal matters are resolved.
Regulatory Context and Next Steps
Federal rules governing tribal gaming require a demonstrated historical connection to land placed into trust, and the Department of the Interior applied that standard when it withdrew eligibility for the Vallejo parcel in August 2026. The tribe's upcoming lawsuit will seek judicial review of the agency's determination under the Administrative Procedure Act, which allows challenges to federal decisions that tribes view as arbitrary or unsupported. Legal proceedings of this type often extend over multiple years, and the $700 million resort project now operates under a delayed schedule while the court process unfolds.
Conclusion
The closure of the Preview Casino marks a significant pause in the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians' Vallejo development, yet the tribe has signaled continued commitment to the larger resort vision through litigation and future planning. The federal eligibility reversal directly triggered the shutdown, and the resulting legal challenge will determine whether gaming operations can resume on the trust parcel. Employment impacts from the closure remain immediate for the affected workers, while the overall project timeline stretches into an uncertain period pending court outcomes.