Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Closes Preview Casino in Vallejo After Federal Eligibility Reversal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians ended operations at its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo California effective late Sunday night in August 2026, and this action followed directly from a U.S. Department of the Interior decision that withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's Vallejo trust parcel. The parcel no longer qualified because officials determined it lacked a sufficient historical connection to the tribe, and the closure occurred immediately after the tribe received the notice. The facility had run only briefly as a small-scale demonstration project intended to show operational viability ahead of a larger planned resort development, and it had employed over 100 workers who faced abrupt job loss when the doors shut.

Sequence of Events Leading to the Shutdown

The tribe opened the Preview Casino to establish a foothold in the Vallejo market while pursuing broader gaming rights on the trust land, yet the Interior Department's reversal removed the legal foundation for continued gaming activity at that site. Officials issued the decision after reviewing historical records, and they concluded the parcel did not meet the criteria required under federal Indian gaming regulations for land taken into trust after 1988. The tribe had operated the temporary venue for a short period, during which it generated revenue and tested market demand, but the federal action overrode those efforts and forced the immediate halt of all gaming activities.

Employees received notice of the closure alongside the tribe's announcement, and management directed staff to wind down operations without delay once the eligibility withdrawal took effect. The small-scale nature of the facility meant it served primarily as a proof-of-concept operation rather than a full-scale destination, yet it still represented a significant employment source for the local community in Vallejo. Observers note that such temporary facilities often bridge the gap between land acquisition and full resort construction, but regulatory setbacks can interrupt that timeline without warning.

Details of the Federal Decision

The U.S. Department of the Interior based its ruling on an assessment that the Vallejo trust parcel did not demonstrate adequate historical ties to the Scotts Valley Band, and this finding directly contradicted earlier determinations that had supported the tribe's gaming plans. Federal regulations require tribes to show a connection to land taken into trust after the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act took effect, and the new review concluded those connections fell short. The decision arrived after the tribe had already invested in the temporary casino setup and begun limited operations, which created an abrupt shift in the project's status.

According to reports from 500 Nations, the tribe learned of the eligibility withdrawal and responded by closing the facility that same evening. The action aligned with standard federal procedure when trust land loses gaming eligibility, and it left the tribe without an operational venue while it prepares its next steps. The Interior Department's determination referenced specific historical documentation that differed from materials submitted in prior applications, and this discrepancy formed the core of the reversal.

Tribe's Planned Legal Response

The Scotts Valley Band intends to file a new federal lawsuit that challenges the reversal under the Administrative Procedure Act, and the complaint will argue that the decision contradicts previous federal findings as well as a 2025 court ruling on similar land eligibility issues. Legal teams for the tribe have begun preparing the filing, which will seek to restore gaming eligibility for the Vallejo parcel. The lawsuit represents the latest in a series of administrative and judicial actions the tribe has pursued to secure gaming rights on its trust land.

Court records from the referenced 2025 case established certain precedents regarding historical connection standards, and the tribe plans to cite those holdings to demonstrate inconsistencies in the current Interior Department position. The Administrative Procedure Act allows challenges to federal agency actions when they appear arbitrary or unsupported by the record, and the tribe's attorneys expect to present evidence showing that earlier approvals relied on the same documentation now deemed insufficient. This approach follows common practice when tribes contest land eligibility determinations that affect gaming operations.

Immediate Effects on Workers and Operations

More than 100 employees lost their positions when the Preview Casino closed, and the sudden nature of the shutdown left little time for transition planning. The temporary facility had provided entry-level gaming jobs along with support roles in hospitality and security, and those positions ended without advance warning beyond the Sunday night notice. Local workforce data from teh Vallejo area shows that tribal gaming projects often serve as important employment generators during early development phases, yet regulatory changes can eliminate those opportunities quickly.

Equipment and inventory from the small-scale operation now sit in storage while the tribe evaluates its options, and the site itself remains under tribal control pending the outcome of the planned litigation. The demonstration purpose of the Preview Casino meant it operated with limited floor space and gaming options compared to a full resort, but it still delivered measurable economic activity during its brief run. Management has indicated that all gaming activity ceased as required, and no plans exist to reopen under the current eligibility status.

Conclusion

The closure of the Scotts Valley Band's Preview Casino marks a direct consequence of the Interior Department's eligibility withdrawal for the Vallejo trust parcel, and the tribe's upcoming lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act will test whether that decision aligns with prior findings and the 2025 court precedent. Operations ended late Sunday night in August 2026 after more than 100 workers received notice, and the facility's short history as a viability demonstration project concluded without further opportunity to expand. The case now moves into federal court, where arguments about historical connection standards and administrative consistency will determine the next phase for the tribe's gaming aspirations on that land.