Vallejo Preview Casino Closes After Interior Department Reverses Gaming Eligibility for Scotts Valley Pomo Parcel

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians shut down its Preview Casino in Vallejo California effective late Sunday night on August 2 through 3 2026 after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe's trust parcel there; the reversal cited insufficient historical connection to the site and ended operations at the temporary facility that had opened to demonstrate project viability. The facility had employed more than 100 workers during its short run yet the closure followed directly from the federal determination that removed the land from eligibility under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; observers note the parcel had previously received approval but the August 2026 action overturned that status and forced the immediate halt.

Background on the Trust Parcel and Federal Decision

The Vallejo site sits on land taken into trust by the federal government for the Scotts Valley Band and the tribe had secured initial findings that supported gaming use; however the Department of the Interior reviewed the historical ties and concluded the connection fell short of requirements which triggered the withdrawal notice and the subsequent shutdown.

Records show the Preview Casino operated only briefly as a demonstration project yet it generated employment for over 100 people while the tribe advanced plans for a larger permanent facility; the reversal came without advance public warning and caught local stakeholders by surprise according to reports covering the August 2026 events.

Immediate Effects on Operations and Staff

Workers received notification of the closure just days before the August 2-3 deadline and the facility ceased all gaming activity at the end of the final shift; management coordinated with employees on final pay and benefit transitions while the tribe prepared statements about the sudden change in federal posture.

The temporary casino had served as both a proof-of-concept venue and an economic bridge for the community yet its abrupt end left the site dormant and the workforce without ongoing positions tied to that location; data from the operation indicated steady visitor traffic during the brief open period although exact revenue figures remain unreleased.

Tribe's Legal Response and Prior Court Findings

The Scotts Valley Band announced plans to challenge the reversal in federal court and the filing will argue that the decision contradicts earlier Interior Department findings along with a 2025 court ruling that had upheld aspects of the parcel's eligibility; attorneys for the tribe maintain the historical connection meets statutory standards and they intend to seek reinstatement of gaming rights.

Legal teams have begun compiling administrative records and prior approvals that supported the trust status while the August 2026 reversal stands as the immediate barrier; the case is expected to reference the same evidence presented in the 2025 proceeding and the tribe's filings will emphasize consistency across federal reviews.

Regulatory Context and Next Steps

Federal rules require tribes to demonstrate sufficient historical ties to land placed into trust for gaming purposes and the Interior Department applied that standard when it withdrew eligibility in this instance; the Scotts Valley Band now moves forward with litigation that could restore the parcel's status or require additional documentation.

August 2026 marks the point at which the Preview Casino transitioned from active operation to closure while the broader development plans remain on hold pending court resolution; the tribe continues to engage with federal officials even as it prepares the lawsuit.

Conclusion

The closure of the Vallejo Preview Casino illustrates how federal eligibility determinations can shift quickly and affect ongoing tribal projects; the Scotts Valley Band's challenge will test the limits of prior approvals against the August 2026 reversal and the outcome will shape future steps for the trust parcel. Observers continue to track the litigation as it moves through federal court with the 2025 ruling serving as a key reference point in the arguments ahead.