Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Ends Operations at Vallejo Preview Casino Following Federal Eligibility Reversal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, effective late Sunday night on August 3 and 4, 2026, after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe’s Vallejo trust parcel, and observers note that this decision hinged on findings of insufficient historical connection to the site.

According to reports, the closure followed a 2025 federal court ruling that had initially favored the tribe in related proceedings, yet the recent administrative action reversed course on eligibility requirements and prompted immediate operational shutdown at the facility.

Details of the Federal Decision and Its Timing

The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the withdrawal of gaming eligibility in early August 2026, and the Scotts Valley Band responded by halting all casino activities at the Vallejo location by the end of that weekend, while the tribe has indicated plans to pursue new litigation under the Administrative Procedure Act to challenge the reversal.

Those familiar with the case point out that the trust parcel in Vallejo had been under review for gaming purposes, and the department cited lack of sufficient historical ties as the key factor in determining the site ineligible for continued operations, which forced the band to act swiftly on the closure.

Workforce and Operational Impacts

More than 100 employees faced direct effects from the shutdown, and the band coordinated the wind-down process over the final days of operation to manage the transition, although specific details on severance or relocation support remain under discussion among tribal leadership and staff representatives.

Local records show the Preview Casino had operated as a temporary venue while longer-term plans developed, and the sudden end to activities highlights how federal determinations on land eligibility can alter employment landscapes in communities hosting such facilities.

Legal Background and Planned Next Steps

A prior 2025 federal court ruling had supported the tribe’s position on aspects of the Vallejo parcel, yet the Department of the Interior’s 2026 action introduced a new administrative layer that the band now intends to contest through Administrative Procedure Act filings, and legal experts tracking similar cases note that such challenges often focus on procedural aspects of eligibility reviews.

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has maintained that the Vallejo site meets necessary criteria for gaming, and the tribe’s statement on the closure referenced ongoing efforts to secure judicial review of the department’s decision without providing further operational timelines at this stage.

Context of the Trust Parcel and Gaming Eligibility

Trust land designations for tribal gaming require demonstrated historical connections under federal guidelines, and the Department of the Interior’s assessment concluded that the Vallejo parcel did not satisfy those standards based on available records and documentation, which led directly to the eligibility withdrawal announced in August 2026.

People who follow tribal gaming developments point to the sequence of events where the 2025 court outcome created temporary momentum, but the subsequent administrative reversal shifted the trajectory and required the band to cease activities at the Preview Casino to align with the updated federal stance.

Conclusion

The closure of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ Preview Casino marks a significant development in the tribe’s efforts to establish gaming operations in Vallejo, and the planned litigation under the Administrative Procedure Act sets the stage for further legal examination of the eligibility determination. The impacts on over 100 employees underscore the broader effects of federal land and gaming decisions, while the August 2026 timing reflects the immediate response required by the Department of the Interior’s action. Those monitoring the situation will watch how the new court filings progress and whether additional resolutions emerge for the trust parcel in question.