Scotts Valley Pomo Tribe Ends Preview Casino Run in Vallejo After Federal Eligibility Withdrawal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, effective late Sunday night on August 2–3, 2026, after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe’s Vallejo trust parcel. The decision cited insufficient historical connection to the site, and the temporary facility had operated only briefly to demonstrate viability while employing over 100 workers. The tribe now plans to challenge the reversal in federal court, arguing it contradicts prior findings along with a 2025 court ruling. The closure marks the end of a short-lived operation that the tribe had positioned as an initial step toward broader gaming development on the parcel. According to the 500 Nations report, the Preview Casino opened with limited offerings and served primarily as a proof-of-concept venue rather than a full-scale destination. Observers note that such temporary facilities often help tribes establish operational benchmarks before permanent builds, yet this one faced an abrupt halt once federal approval was reversed. The U.S. Department of the Interior’s action came after an earlier determination had supported gaming eligibility on the trust land. The reversal focused specifically on the tribe’s historical ties to the Vallejo area, determining those connections fell short of requirements under federal Indian gaming regulations. The Scotts Valley Band maintains that previous administrative reviews and the 2025 court ruling had already affirmed the necessary links, creating a direct conflict with the new position. Workers at the facility received notice of the shutdown as operations wound down over the August 2–3 weekend. The more than 100 employees had handled gaming floor duties, guest services, and security during the brief run. The tribe has not released detailed plans for those staff members, although statements indicate efforts to explore alternative employment pathways within the organization’s other properties. Legal preparations for the federal court challenge are already underway. The tribe contends the Interior Department’s reversal lacks consistency with established records and prior judicial outcomes, and attorneys expect the case to test how historical connection standards are applied to trust parcels acquired outside traditional territories. Court filings are anticipated in the coming weeks, with the tribe seeking to restore eligibility and resume operations. The Preview Casino had been designed to showcase revenue potential and community impact in Vallejo. Revenue figures from its short period of operation have not been disclosed publicly, yet the tribe had described the site as meeting or exceeding internal projections for a temporary venue. That demonstration phase ended once the eligibility withdrawal took effect. And the August 2026 timing places this development amid ongoing discussions about tribal gaming expansions across California. Multiple tribes continue to navigate similar eligibility reviews, and the Scotts Valley Band’s experience may influence how future trust land applications are evaluated when historical presence is at issue. The Vallejo trust parcel itself was placed into federal trust status years earlier, setting the stage for the gaming eligibility process. The tribe had secured the land with the intent of developing a full casino resort once initial approvals cleared. The Preview Casino represented the first tangible step, allowing the band to gather operational data and build local partnerships before committing to larger construction. Federal regulators have not issued additional public statements beyond the eligibility withdrawal notice. The Interior Department’s decision letter reportedly emphasized that gaming on the parcel would require stronger documented ties to the tribe’s ancestral lands, a standard that recent administrative reviews found unmet in this instance. The Scotts Valley Band disputes that assessment and points to historical records submitted during earlier review stages. Community members in Vallejo expressed surprise at the sudden closure, given the facility’s recent opening and the jobs it provided. Local officials have not commented on any immediate economic ripple effects, though the loss of over 100 positions in a short timeframe draws attention to the facility’s role in the regional workforce. The tribe has indicated it will keep communication lines open with city leaders as the legal process moves forward. The planned court challenge will likely center on whether the Interior Department can reverse a prior eligibility finding without new evidence or a change in statutory criteria. The 2025 court ruling referenced by the tribe had addressed similar questions of land eligibility and historical connection, and the band argues that decision should guide the current matter. Legal experts following tribal gaming cases note that such disputes can extend for years before final resolution. In the meantime, the Scotts Valley Band continues to operate its other gaming properties outside Vallejo. Those facilities remain unaffected by the eligibility reversal tied specifically to the Vallejo parcel. Revenue from existing operations supports tribal programs and provides a foundation while the court case develops. The Preview Casino closure concludes a brief chapter in the tribe’s broader gaming strategy. The band had viewed the Vallejo site as a key growth opportunity, and the federal reversal shifts focus back to litigation and potential legislative or administrative remedies. Observers will watch the upcoming federal filings closely, because the outcome could clarify how historical connection standards are applied in future trust land gaming decisions.

Conclusion

The August 2–3, 2026, shutdown of the Preview Casino leaves the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians to pursue its challenge through the federal court system. The dispute over historical connection to the Vallejo trust parcel now moves from administrative review to judicial scrutiny, with the tribe citing prior findings and the 2025 court ruling as support for restoring eligibility. More than 100 workers have been affected by the closure, and the band’s next steps will determine whether operations can resume at the site.