- Details
- By Chez Oxendine
- Gaming
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians plans to open a temporary “preview casino” in Vallejo as federal officials continue reviewing the tribe’s eligibility to conduct gaming on its trust land.
The tribe confirmed the project in statements reported by the Daily Republic and California Casinos, describing the facility as a Class II operation using modular buildings on the 128 acre site placed into trust in 2023. Chairman Shawn Davis said the preview casino is intended to provide economic activity while the U.S. Department of the Interior reconsiders the tribe’s restored lands status.
“This is a sovereign decision to move forward with a temporary Class II facility while the federal process continues,” Davis said in comments to the Daily Republic. He added that the tribe “has not installed slot machines” at the facility.
California Casinos reported the preview casino is expected to open in early 2026. The tribe has pursued a larger $700 million Class III casino resort in Vallejo since taking the land into trust, a project that remains under federal review after a court ordered Interior to revisit its earlier determination.
The preview casino faces the same staunch opposition as its more permanent successor. In a joint statement sent to Tribal Business News, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, Lytton Rancheria and the United Auburn Indian Community said they had “serious concern” about Scotts Valley advancing a gaming facility before the federal review is complete.
The tribes pointed to a federal judge’s warning that Scotts Valley would be “ill‑served” by relying on its temporarily restored eligibility during the reconsideration process.
“This is about ensuring the law is followed,” the tribes said. “We support economic development for all tribes but the process must be respected.”
Scotts Valley maintains that the preview casino complies with federal law because Class II gaming does not require a state compact. “We are moving forward carefully and within our rights,” Davis said in the Daily Republic report.
The tribe has not announced a firm opening date.
