6 Aug 2026
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Shuts Preview Casino After Federal Eligibility Reversal
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo late Sunday night after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's Vallejo trust parcel, and the move came because officials determined the land lacked sufficient historical connection to the tribe.
Observers note the small-scale Class II facility had operated only briefly yet still employed more than 100 workers, while the shutdown followed the federal reversal that stripped the parcel of eligibility for gaming activities under current rules.
Details of the Federal Decision
The Department of the Interior issued its determination in August 2026 after reviewing the trust land status, and the agency concluded that the parcel did not meet the criteria needed for gaming eligibility because of the tribe's limited historical ties to the specific site in Vallejo.
Those who've tracked similar cases know the decision directly affected the Preview Casino's ability to continue operations, since the facility relied on the parcel's gaming status to remain open even at its limited scale.
Immediate Closure and Workforce Impact
The tribe acted quickly once the eligibility was withdrawn, and staff closed the doors to the Preview Casino on the same night the news arrived, which meant more than 100 employees learned their workplace would no longer operate under the existing arrangement.
People familiar with the timeline report the closure happened without prior public warning, although the tribe had prepared statements explaining the sudden halt in service to customers and staff alike.
Tribe's Response and Legal Plans
The Scotts Valley Band described the Interior Department's action as unlawful, and tribal leaders announced plans to file a new lawsuit in federal court challenging the reversal under the Administrative Procedure Act.
According to statements released by the tribe, the legal effort will seek to restore gaming eligibility for the Vallejo parcel while addressing what the band views as procedural shortcomings in the federal review process.
Legal observers point out that lawsuits under the Administrative Procedure Act often focus on whether agencies followed proper procedures, and the tribe's filing is expected to argue that the eligibility withdrawal did not adequately consider historical evidence presented by the band.
Status of the Larger Resort Project
The $700 million resort development the tribe has proposed for the same area now faces delays, yet tribal representatives stated the overall project remains active and has not been abandoned despite the current setback.
Construction timelines and financing arrangements for the full resort will require adjustments following the gaming eligibility change, and the tribe indicated it will continue working on those elements while pursuing the court challenge.
Community members in Vallejo have watched the project's progress since the Preview Casino opened, and local reports show the temporary facility served as an early test of operations before the larger build-out was scheduled to begin.
Background on the Trust Parcel and Class II Operations
The Vallejo trust parcel was placed into federal trust for the Scotts Valley Band several years ago, and the tribe had secured approval for Class II gaming which covers bingo-style games and certain electronic machines but excludes full casino table games like those allowed under Class III compacts.
Because the Preview Casino operated under Class II rules, its closure came swiftly once the underlying eligibility for the land was removed, whereas a Class III facility would have required additional state agreements that were never in place for this site.
Conclusion
The closure of the Preview Casino marks a clear pause in the Scotts Valley Band's Vallejo gaming efforts, and the tribe's planned lawsuit plus continued work on the $700 million resort now represent the next steps in a process that remains unresolved as of late August 2026.
Further updates are expected once the federal court filing occurs and any related administrative reviews take shape, while the band maintains that its historical connections and legal arguments support restoration of eligibility for the trust parcel.