Scotts Valley Band Shuts Vallejo Preview Casino After Federal Eligibility Withdrawal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians ended operations at its Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late on August 2–3, 2026, following a notice from the U.S. Department of the Interior that removed gaming eligibility from the tribe’s trust parcel there. The temporary facility, opened to test market demand for a larger resort project, employed more than 100 people, and all activity stopped right after the federal communication arrived.

Background on the Temporary Facility

The Preview Casino served as a short-term demonstration site meant to show that a full-scale resort could succeed in the Vallejo location. Tribe officials positioned the modest operation as a necessary step to gather operational data and build local support before seeking approvals for permanent development. The site had run for only a brief period, yet it generated steady foot traffic and provided direct employment for over 100 workers drawn largely from the surrounding region.

The Federal Reversal and Its Basis

The Department of the Interior determined that the Vallejo parcel lacked sufficient historical connection to the Scotts Valley Band to qualify for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. That finding reversed an earlier eligibility determination and triggered the immediate closure requirement. Federal officials cited land-into-trust records and historical documentation as the deciding factors, while the tribe maintains that additional evidence supports its claim to the site.

Immediate Operational Consequences

Staff received notice on the same day the federal letter arrived, and the casino floor went dark by the following morning. Suppliers halted deliveries, security teams secured the property, and management began the process of final payroll and benefit transitions for the affected workforce. Local vendors who had supplied food, equipment, and services also felt the sudden stoppage ripple through their own schedules.

Tribe’s Planned Legal Response

The Scotts Valley Band has stated it will file a new federal lawsuit challenging the Department’s reversal. Legal counsel for the tribe is preparing arguments that focus on both procedural aspects of the eligibility review and substantive historical evidence the band believes was not fully considered. Court filings are expected in the coming weeks, and the tribe has indicated it will seek expedited consideration to limit further economic harm.

Regulatory Context for Tribal Gaming Decisions

Eligibility determinations under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act rest with the Department of the Interior’s Office of Indian Gaming, which evaluates land status, tribal history, and compliance with federal criteria. Similar reviews have occurred in other states, and outcomes often hinge on detailed land records and oral-history documentation. In this instance the Department concluded the Vallejo parcel did not meet the required threshold, prompting the closure order that took effect in early August 2026.

Employment and Community Effects

More than 100 positions ended with the shutdown, including dealers, supervisors, hospitality staff, and maintenance crews. Many of those workers live in Vallejo and nearby cities, so the sudden loss of income affects local spending patterns. The tribe has begun conversations with state workforce agencies to coordinate unemployment support and job-placement services for the displaced employees.

Conclusion

The closure of the Preview Casino marks a clear turning point for the Scotts Valley Band’s Vallejo project. While the federal decision ended the temporary operation, the tribe’s announced lawsuit keeps open the possibility of renewed gaming eligibility after further legal review. Observers note that the outcome of that litigation will shape both the band’s economic plans and the broader application of historical-connection standards to other tribal trust parcels in California.