Scotts Valley Band Closes Vallejo Preview Casino After Federal Reversal on Trust Land Eligibility

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians shut down its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo late Sunday night in August 2026 after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's Vallejo trust parcel, and the reversal stemmed from a determination that the land lacked sufficient historical connection to the tribe.

That small-scale Class II facility had operated only briefly yet employed over 100 workers before the federal action forced the immediate closure, and the tribe described the decision as unlawful while announcing plans to challenge it through new litigation.

Background on the Vallejo Trust Parcel and Gaming Eligibility

The Department of the Interior had previously placed the Vallejo parcel into trust for the Scotts Valley Band, yet a subsequent review concluded the site did not meet the historical connection requirements needed to support gaming activities under federal rules, and this finding directly triggered the withdrawal of eligibility that ended operations at the Preview Casino.

Observers note the tribe had moved forward with the temporary facility while pursuing a larger development, but the August 2026 reversal halted those plans at the smaller site and forced a reevaluation of timelines across the project.

The Shutdown and Immediate Effects

Staff received notice of the closure on the final evening of operations, and the facility ceased all gaming activities by midnight Sunday, which left the building dark and the parking area empty by Monday morning in late August 2026. The Class II games that had drawn local visitors disappeared quickly once the eligibility withdrawal took effect, and tribal officials coordinated the wind-down to comply with the federal determination without delay.

More than 100 employees who had staffed the Preview Casino faced sudden job loss, and the tribe began working on transition support while preparing its legal response to the eligibility reversal.

Tribe's Position and Planned Legal Action

The Scotts Valley Band called the Department of the Interior's decision unlawful and stated it would file a new federal lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act to contest the withdrawal of gaming eligibility for the Vallejo trust parcel. That lawsuit aims to restore the tribe's ability to conduct gaming on the land, and tribal leaders emphasized that the action would address what they view as procedural shortcomings in the federal review process.

According to the tribe, the larger $700 million resort project remains on hold rather than canceled, and officials continue to explore pathways that could revive the full-scale development once the eligibility issue receives judicial review.

Status of the Larger Resort Development

The Preview Casino served as an early step toward the bigger $700 million resort the tribe had envisioned for the Vallejo site, yet the federal reversal placed that broader project on an extended timeline while litigation proceeds. Tribal representatives have indicated the larger facility is delayed but not abandoned, and they continue to monitor opportunities that could reopen the path to construction once eligibility questions reach resolution in court.

Those who've followed the project note the temporary facility provided both revenue and operational experience, yet its short run ended abruptly when the Department of the Interior issued its final determination rejecting Class III gaming eligibility for the trust land.

Conclusion

The closure of the Preview Casino marks a clear turning point for the Scotts Valley Band's Vallejo efforts, and the tribe's planned lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act will test the Department of the Interior's August 2026 determination in federal court. Meanwhile the $700 million resort project sits in a holding pattern, with more than 100 former employees awaiting outcomes that could shape future opportunities on the trust parcel. The situation continues to unfold as legal filings advance and tribal leaders maintain focus on restoring gaming eligibility for the site.