Scotts Valley Tribe Prepares for Vallejo Casino Preview Launch

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has announced plans to open a preview casino in Vallejo, California, following a recent legal victory that restored its gaming eligibility. While the tribe has not yet received final approval for a permanent casino, it will operate a limited number of Class II gaming machines at 200 Columbus Parkway in Vallejo. This temporary casino is set to utilize two modular buildings that will be repurposed to create an approximately 6,000-square-foot facility.

Shawn Davis, Chairman of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, emphasized the significance of this development in an email, stating, “This facility will allow us to exercise our gaming rights and provide meaningful economic opportunity for our members and all Vallejo residents while we work on our permanent facility.” The preview casino is expected to open sometime in January 2025, although the exact date has yet to be confirmed.

Legal Context and Casino Plans

The preview casino will feature gaming machines reminiscent of traditional slots but based on a bingo-style operation. Importantly, this type of gaming does not require additional federal or state approvals. The tribe can operate while the U.S. Department of the Interior reviews its gaming eligibility, a process that follows the tribe’s legal victory in October 2025. The existing site will not undergo major changes, maintaining its current configuration with modular buildings and a parking lot.

Despite the promising news for the tribe, the journey toward a permanent casino remains fraught with challenges. In October, Judge Trevor McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia declined to validate the tribe’s efforts to expedite the reconsideration process regarding their gaming eligibility. This decision followed concerns raised by local tribes about whether the Vallejo site qualifies for gaming, with indications from the Department of the Interior suggesting that previous approvals may have been based on legal errors.

In response to opposition from rival casino operators, particularly the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Davis stated, “We are moving forward despite the misleading opposition from a small handful of greedy casino operators led by Cache Creek.” He emphasized the tribe’s commitment to establishing economic opportunities in Vallejo, asserting that the tribe has fought for generations to reach this point.

Opposition and Community Concerns

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has voiced strong opposition to the casino opening, raising legal concerns that the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians is encroaching on ancestral lands of local tribes and threatening critical environmental and cultural resources. Tribal Chairman Anthony Roberts has publicly challenged the claims made by Scotts Valley regarding historical ties to the land, stating, “Let me be clear. Augustine never lived in Vallejo and never used or occupied lands here.”

Roberts criticized the Department of the Interior’s decision-making process, asserting that evidence submitted by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation was ignored. The tribe argues that the move to open a preview casino disregards ongoing legal uncertainties and threatens the cultural integrity of the Patwin people, who have longstanding connections to the region.

In a broader political context, U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa has also expressed concerns about the casino project, suggesting that the Department’s previous determination of gaming eligibility stretches the definition of “restored lands” too far. LaMalfa highlighted that the proposed casino site is approximately 90 driving miles from the tribe’s ancestral homeland near Clear Lake.

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians is not only pursuing a temporary preview casino but is also advancing plans for a larger, permanent facility. Their proposal entails constructing a $700 million casino on a 160-acre site, which would include residential units, a tribal administration building, a parking garage, and a 45-acre biological preserve.

As the tribe continues to navigate these complex legal and community dynamics, it remains committed to fostering collaboration with the city of Vallejo to mitigate any impacts from the project. The future of the permanent casino, however, remains uncertain as the review process unfolds, highlighting the intricate balance between economic development and community heritage.