Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Closes Preview Casino in Vallejo After Federal Eligibility Withdrawal
Written by Parker Sullivan · Aug 5, 2026
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Closes Preview Casino in Vallejo After Federal Eligibility Withdrawal
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians ended operations at its Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late on a Sunday night in August 2026 after the U.S. Department of the Interior removed gaming eligibility from the tribe's trust parcel in that city, and the move came because officials determined the land lacked sufficient historical connection to the tribe under federal criteria.
Federal Decision Triggers Immediate Shutdown
The temporary facility, which had provided jobs for more than 100 workers, ceased all activities without delay once the eligibility withdrawal took effect, and this action placed the tribe's larger resort development on hold while legal options moved forward. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the parcel failed to meet the necessary standards for gaming because historical ties remained too limited to satisfy regulatory thresholds, and the decision applied directly to the Vallejo site even though the tribe maintains other land holdings elsewhere.
Employment and Operational Effects
More than 100 employees lost their positions when doors closed that Sunday night, and the abrupt halt affected daily operations that had included slot machines along with table games in the preview format. Those who studied the timeline note that the facility had functioned as a short-term bridge while the tribe advanced plans for a full-scale resort, yet the federal ruling interrupted revenue streams and construction timelines in one coordinated step. Observers note that similar eligibility reviews have occurred in other regions when parcels sit outside traditional territories, and this case followed the same administrative path through the Bureau of Indian Affairs review process.
Legal Challenge Under Administrative Procedure Act
The tribe has begun preparation of a new federal lawsuit that will challenge the eligibility withdrawal under the Administrative Procedure Act, and the filing targets the Department of the Interior's determination as arbitrary or unsupported by the full record. Legal teams plan to argue that the historical connection analysis overlooked key evidence of tribal presence and use in the region, while the suit seeks to restore eligibility so operations can resume. Researchers who track tribal gaming cases point out that Administrative Procedure Act claims often center on whether agencies followed proper procedures and considered all submitted documentation before issuing final rulings, and this upcoming complaint follows that established route.
Impact on Broader Resort Project
The full resort project remains suspended while litigation proceeds through federal court, and this pause affects contractors, suppliers, and additional hiring that had been scheduled for later phases. Data from the National Indian Gaming Commission shows that tribal facilities frequently rely on phased openings to build cash flow before larger builds reach completion, yet the sudden loss of preview revenue removes that foundation in this instance. The tribe continues to operate other gaming properties outside Vallejo, and those sites remain unaffected by the current eligibility decision on the trust parcel.
Background on the Trust Parcel and Gaming Rules
Federal law requires that land placed into trust for gaming must demonstrate a connection to the tribe's historical territory or meet specific exceptions outlined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and the Vallejo parcel did not clear that review. The U.S. Department of the Interior evaluated maps, oral histories, and archival materials before concluding that ties proved insufficient, and the ruling blocked further gaming use at that location. Those who've examined similar decisions know the process involves multiple layers of review at both the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Office of Indian Gaming, and the outcome can shift when new evidence surfaces during litigation.
Next Steps for the Tribe and Community
Community members and tribal leaders have stated they will pursue the lawsuit vigorously to overturn the eligibility finding, and court filings are expected within the coming weeks according to statements released by the tribe. The case will likely examine whether the Department applied consistent standards across comparable trust applications filed by other tribes in California and neighboring states. Meanwhile the shuttered preview site sits empty while the legal process unfolds, and local economic effects include lost wages plus reduced tax contributions that had supported city services in Vallejo.
Conclusion
The closure of the Preview Casino marks a significant pause in the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians' expansion plans, and the pending Administrative Procedure Act lawsuit will determine whether gaming eligibility returns to the Vallejo trust parcel. The Department of the Interior's decision rested on historical connection criteria, and the outcome of the new federal case could influence how similar parcels are evaluated in future reviews. Operations remain halted as of August 2026 while both sides prepare arguments, and the broader resort project waits for resolution through the courts.