Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Ends Preview Casino Operations in Vallejo After Federal Eligibility Withdrawal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late on August 4 and into the early hours of August 5, 2026, immediately after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's trust parcel because of insufficient historical connection to the site, and the facility had operated only briefly as a demonstration project while employing over 100 people.

Details of the Federal Decision and Immediate Shutdown

The U.S. Department of the Interior issued the withdrawal notice on the basis that the parcel lacked sufficient historical ties to the Scotts Valley Band, a determination that directly ended gaming operations at the temporary site, and the tribe responded by halting all activity at the Preview Casino without delay once the notice arrived.

Observers note that the closure affected more than 100 employees who had been working at the demonstration facility, which served as an initial step toward a larger resort project, while the federal action focused solely on the gaming eligibility of the specific trust parcel in question.

Tribe's Response and Planned Legal Action

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians stated that it intends to file a new federal lawsuit to challenge the Department of the Interior's decision, and the tribe emphasized that the full casino resort project remains on track once the dispute reaches resolution through the courts.

According to information shared by the tribe, the lawsuit will seek to reverse the eligibility withdrawal, and officials have indicated that construction and development timelines for the permanent facility depend on a favorable outcome in the upcoming legal proceedings.

Context of the Trust Parcel and Gaming Eligibility

The trust parcel in Vallejo had been placed into federal trust status for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, yet the Department of the Interior concluded that the location did not meet the historical connection requirements necessary for gaming under federal guidelines, and this determination led directly to the revocation of eligibility for the temporary Preview Casino operations.

Those who have followed similar cases know that gaming eligibility on trust land often hinges on documented historical presence, and the August 2026 withdrawal highlighted the strict application of these standards to the Vallejo site, even though the tribe had already launched the demonstration project to showcase its plans.

Impact on Employment and Local Operations

More than 100 workers lost their positions at the Preview Casino when operations ceased, and the sudden shutdown left the facility dark after only a short period of public access, while the tribe has not announced any interim measures to support affected employees during the transition.

The demonstration project had provided a limited window for the community to experience the tribe's gaming concepts, and its closure marks the end of that initial phase, although the Scotts Valley Band maintains that the broader resort development will continue once legal matters are settled.

Future Plans for the Full Casino Resort

The tribe has confirmed that the complete casino resort project will proceed after the resolution of the federal lawsuit, and leaders have expressed confidence that the permanent facility can still be realized on the trust parcel or through alternative arrangements that satisfy regulatory requirements.

One study of tribal gaming projects revealed that legal challenges to land eligibility decisions frequently extend timelines by several years, and the Scotts Valley Band appears prepared for that possibility while keeping its long-term development goals intact.

Conclusion

The closure of the Preview Casino represents a direct consequence of the U.S. Department of the Interior's ruling on gaming eligibility, and the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians now moves forward with plans to contest that decision in federal court while holding to its commitment that the larger resort will advance once the matter is resolved.