Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Closes Preview Casino in Vallejo After Federal Withdrawal of Gaming Eligibility

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians closed its Preview Casino in Vallejo, California, effective late Sunday night on August 2–3, 2026, after the U.S. Department of the Interior withdrew gaming eligibility for the tribe’s Vallejo trust parcel, and the temporary facility, which had operated briefly to demonstrate viability for a larger resort, employed over 100 people with operations halting immediately following the federal notice citing insufficient historical connection to the site.

Details of the Closure Announcement

Officials with the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians confirmed the shutdown took effect at the end of the weekend in early August 2026, and the decision came directly after receipt of the federal determination that removed the parcel from eligibility for gaming activities under existing tribal regulations.

The Preview Casino served as a short-term demonstration site intended to show operational readiness ahead of any potential larger resort development, yet the U.S. Department of the Interior’s action reversed prior approvals tied to that specific trust land.

Factors Cited in the Federal Decision

Reports indicate the withdrawal rested on findings that the tribe lacked sufficient historical connection to the Vallejo location, and this determination prompted the immediate cessation of all gaming operations at the site without any transition period.

The tribe received formal notice from federal authorities and acted swiftly to comply, bringing all activities to a halt by the night of August 2 into August 3, 2026, while staff and patrons were informed of the sudden change in status.

Employment and Operational Impact

More than 100 individuals held positions at the Preview Casino during its brief run, and the closure eliminated those roles effective immediately after the federal notice arrived, leaving workers to seek new opportunities in the regional gaming sector or related industries.

The facility had functioned solely as a temporary proof-of-concept operation rather than a permanent venue, which meant its workforce faced abrupt displacement once eligibility ended.

Tribe’s Planned Legal Response

Representatives for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians stated plans to file a new federal lawsuit challenging the reversal of gaming eligibility, and this step follows the closure as the tribe seeks to contest the U.S. Department of the Interior’s assessment regarding historical ties to the parcel.

The lawsuit aims to address the withdrawal that affected the Vallejo trust land, with legal proceedings expected to examine the basis for the federal decision that ended operations at the Preview Casino.

Background on the Temporary Facility

Established to test market demand and operational feasibility, the Preview Casino opened for a limited time in Vallejo and ran until the August 2026 shutdown, and its short lifespan reflected its role as an interim step rather than a long-term gaming destination.

According to available reports, the site demonstrated basic casino functions while the tribe pursued broader development goals tied to the trust parcel before the eligibility change occurred.

Conclusion

The sequence of events began with the federal notice on gaming eligibility, led directly to the late-night closure on August 2–3, 2026, and now points toward upcoming litigation as the tribe works to resolve the status of its Vallejo trust parcel through the courts. Observers note that the Preview Casino’s brief operation and the subsequent halt highlight the direct link between federal determinations and tribal gaming activities at this specific location.