Scotts Valley Band Ends Preview Casino Operations in Vallejo Amid Federal Eligibility Withdrawal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, immediately after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's Vallejo trust parcel due to insufficient historical connection, and this small-scale Class II facility which had operated briefly and employed over 100 workers shut down late Sunday night following the federal reversal in August 2026.

Details of the Federal Decision and Immediate Closure

The Department of the Interior issued its final determination rejecting Class III gaming eligibility for the Scotts Valley Band's Vallejo trust land, and observers note that the tribe responded by halting all operations at the Preview Casino without delay while the larger $700 million resort project faces postponement though it remains part of the tribe's long-term plans.

Workers received notice of the shutdown as gaming activities ceased, and the facility which featured limited Class II games such as bingo and electronic pull-tabs closed its doors permanently on that Sunday evening with no indication of reopening under current eligibility rules.

Tribe's Position and Planned Legal Action

The Scotts Valley Band described the Department of the Interior's action as unlawful, and the tribe announced intentions to file a new federal lawsuit challenging the withdrawal under the Administrative Procedure Act while emphasizing that the decision does not end the overall development effort in Vallejo.

Legal representatives for the tribe have begun preparing documents for the upcoming case, and those familiar with similar disputes point out that the Administrative Procedure Act allows challenges to agency decisions when procedural or substantive errors appear in the record.

Background on the Vallejo Trust Parcel and Gaming Eligibility

The Vallejo trust parcel came under review after the tribe acquired the land for potential casino development, and federal reviewers determined that the parcel lacked sufficient historical connection to the Scotts Valley Band's traditional territory which led to the denial of gaming rights under established criteria.

Earlier approvals had allowed the Preview Casino to open on a temporary basis, yet the August 2026 reversal directly impacted that short-term operation and forced the immediate closure while the tribe evaluates next steps for the full-scale resort.

Employment Impact and Community Context

More than 100 employees lost positions when the Preview Casino shut down, and local workforce data shows that such facilities often provide entry-level jobs in hospitality and gaming support roles which the tribe had highlighted as economic benefits during the brief operating period.

Community leaders in Vallejo have not issued formal statements on the closure, and the tribe continues to communicate with stakeholders about the status of the larger project which remains delayed but not abandoned according to official tribal announcements.

Conclusion

The closure of the Preview Casino marks a significant setback for the Scotts Valley Band's immediate gaming plans in Vallejo, and the upcoming lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act will determine whether the Department of the Interior's eligibility decision stands or faces revision while the tribe maintains focus on its broader development objectives.