Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Shuts Down Vallejo Preview Casino Following Federal Eligibility Withdrawal

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians ended operations at its temporary Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, late on the night of August 3 into August 4, 2026, after the U.S. Department of the Interior revoked gaming eligibility for the tribe's trust parcel in that location. Officials cited insufficient historical connection between the band and the site as the basis for the decision, which directly halted all gaming activities at the facility. The closure affected more than 100 employees who had been working at the temporary site, and the band has indicated it will pursue new legal action under the Administrative Procedure Act to challenge the reversal. This development comes after a 2025 federal court ruling that had supported the tribe's position on the Vallejo parcel, creating a shift in the regulatory landscape for the project.

Background on the Trust Parcel and Gaming Eligibility

The U.S. Department of the Interior's action focused on the specific criteria for Indian gaming eligibility under federal law, particularly the requirement for documented historical ties to the land placed into trust. The agency determined that the Scotts Valley Band did not meet the threshold for the Vallejo property, leading to the immediate withdrawal of authorization for gaming operations. This ruling overrode prior assessments and forced the swift shutdown of the Preview Casino, which had been operating on a temporary basis while the tribe pursued full development plans.

Observers note that the timeline placed the closure into effect just after midnight on August 4, 2026, leaving no window for continued play or transitional operations at the site. The band had established the Preview Casino to generate revenue and build operational experience ahead of a larger permanent facility, yet the federal determination ended those activities without advance notice beyond the eligibility withdrawal itself.

Impact on Employees and Local Operations

More than 100 workers received notification of the shutdown, which eliminated positions tied directly to casino floor functions, hospitality services, and administrative support at the Vallejo location. The temporary nature of the Preview Casino meant that many roles were structured around short-term expectations, yet the sudden end still created immediate employment gaps for those involved. Local suppliers and contractors connected to the facility also faced disruptions as gaming activity ceased.

The band has stated that it will explore options to support affected staff while preparing litigation, although no specific assistance programs have been detailed in public announcements. Those familiar with similar tribal gaming closures point out that workforce transitions often involve coordination with state labor resources and tribal employment services, and the Scotts Valley Band appears positioned to follow established patterns in this area.

Legal History and Planned Next Steps

A 2025 federal court decision had previously favored the Scotts Valley Band in matters related to the Vallejo trust parcel, allowing the tribe to move forward with temporary gaming while broader issues remained under review. That ruling provided the foundation for the Preview Casino's opening, but the Department of the Interior's subsequent eligibility withdrawal introduced a new administrative layer that the band now seeks to contest through the Administrative Procedure Act. The APA framework permits challenges to agency actions on procedural and substantive grounds, and the tribe has signaled its intent to file a fresh lawsuit on that basis.

Legal representatives for the band have not released detailed arguments at this stage, yet the filing is expected to focus on the consistency of the Interior Department's historical connection assessment with earlier determinations and court findings. The process under the APA typically involves review of the administrative record and can extend over several months before any preliminary rulings emerge.

Regulatory Context in August 2026

The August 2026 decision aligns with ongoing federal scrutiny of off-reservation gaming proposals and the standards applied to trust land acquisitions for gaming purposes. The Department of the Interior has applied similar historical connection reviews in other cases, and this outcome for the Scotts Valley Band reflects that broader enforcement approach. The reversal notice referenced in official communications emphasized the specific parcel's lack of qualifying ties, distinguishing it from lands where eligibility had been affirmed.

State and local authorities in California maintained a monitoring role throughout the Preview Casino's operation, yet the federal eligibility withdrawal served as the decisive factor in the closure. The band continues to hold other gaming interests outside Vallejo, which remain unaffected by this particular determination.

Conclusion

The shutdown of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians' Preview Casino marks a clear endpoint for the temporary Vallejo operation and sets the stage for additional litigation under the Administrative Procedure Act. With more than 100 jobs impacted and a prior favorable court ruling now countered by the Interior Department's eligibility withdrawal, the band faces a renewed legal process centered on the historical connection standards applied to its trust parcel. Developments in the coming months will hinge on the outcome of the planned APA challenge and any related administrative reviews.