Federal Reversal Forces Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians to Close Vallejo Preview Casino

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians ended operations at its Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late on the night of August 2 into August 3, 2026, after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe’s Vallejo trust parcel. The temporary facility had opened only recently as a way to show that a larger resort project could succeed, yet the federal action brought those plans to an immediate halt. Employees received notice that shifts would cease right away, leaving more than 100 workers without jobs at the site.

Sequence of the Closure Decision

The Department of the Interior issued its determination after reviewing the historical connection between the Scotts Valley Band and the Vallejo parcel. Officials concluded that the link fell short of the standards required for gaming under federal law. The tribe had placed the land into trust specifically to support casino development, but the reversal removed the legal foundation for any gaming activity there. Operations stopped the same weekend the notice arrived, with no transition period granted for winding down tables or machines.

Those who managed the Preview Casino had designed it as a short-term demonstration project. The venue featured limited gaming options meant to build local support and prove market demand ahead of a full-scale resort. Revenue from the temporary site helped cover initial costs while the tribe pursued additional approvals, yet the federal notice overrode those efforts before further construction could begin.

Employment and Community Effects

More than 100 people had found work at the Preview Casino since its opening. Many held positions in gaming, food service, security, and maintenance. The sudden shutdown meant those jobs ended without advance warning beyond the federal notice itself. Local hiring had drawn workers from Vallejo and surrounding areas, creating a ripple through households that depended on the paychecks. Tribal leaders stated that payroll records confirmed the headcount, and they began exploring temporary support measures while preparing legal steps.

Tribal Response and Legal Plans

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians announced plans to file a new federal lawsuit challenging the Department of the Interior’s reversal. Attorneys for the tribe are preparing arguments that the historical connection meets the necessary criteria and that the withdrawal came without sufficient opportunity for additional evidence. Court filings are expected to seek reinstatement of gaming eligibility so the larger resort project can move forward again. Observers note that similar disputes have taken months or years to resolve through the federal court system.

According to the tribe’s public statement, the Preview Casino had operated in full compliance with all state and local permits up until the federal notice arrived. Security teams secured the property immediately after the last shift, and gaming equipment was powered down under supervision. The facility remains closed pending the outcome of the planned litigation.

Background on the Vallejo Trust Parcel

The land in question sits in Vallejo and was taken into federal trust for the benefit of the Scotts Valley Band. The tribe had argued that ancestral ties justified the trust status and the subsequent gaming application. Federal reviewers examined records of historical use, migration patterns, and documented connections to the site. When those records did not satisfy the eligibility threshold, the Department of the Interior reversed its earlier position and withdrew approval for gaming. The tribe maintains that additional documentation exists and intends to present it during the upcoming lawsuit.

Construction crews had already begun preliminary site work for the larger resort when the notice arrived. Architectural plans called for expanded hotel towers, multiple restaurants, and a full casino floor. Those blueprints now sit on hold while legal teams prepare their case. The Preview Casino had served as the first visible sign of progress on the project, drawing visitors and generating early revenue data that the tribe planned to share with investors.

Conclusion

The closure marks a sharp turn for the Scotts Valley Band’s Vallejo initiative. With the Preview Casino shut down and more than 100 positions eliminated, attention now shifts to the federal courtroom where the tribe will contest the Department of the Interior’s decision. The outcome of that litigation will determine whether gaming can resume on the trust parcel and whether the larger resort project regains momentum. Updates on the lawsuit filing and any subsequent rulings will follow as the case proceeds through the judicial process.