Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioThe Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians is moving forward with plans to open a temporary “preview casino” on its trust land in Vallejo, California, the tribe has confirmed. The update comes as its larger Bay Area casino project remains under renewed federal review and subject to legal challenges.
In a statement quoted by the Daily Republic, the tribe denied recent speculation that it has installed slot machines in its modular building at the site. It also outlined its intentions for the interim gaming facility.
“The tribe plans to operate a limited number of Class II gaming machines on its sovereign tribal land, repurposing the existing modular buildings on site to serve as the casino,“ the statement said.
The temporary facility is targeted to open in January 2026.
Tribe Frames Preview Casino as Interim Step
Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis described the preview casino as a way to move forward economically while the broader project remains under review.
“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,” Davis said in the statement.
He also criticized opposition to the project. He added: “We are moving forward despite the misleading opposition from a small handful of greedy casino operators led by Cache Creek.”
The planned preview casino will operate Class II gaming machines. This gaming category typically does not require a state gaming compact. It includes electronic bingo-based devices that resemble slot machines.
Federal Review Still Ongoing
The tribe’s announcement arrives as the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) continues a renewed review of whether the Vallejo site qualifies for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
Earlier in December, the DOI informed the tribe that its initial gaming eligibility decision “may have been based on a legal error.” The federal agency cautioned that the prior approval should not be relied upon during this reconsideration.
The review follows an October court ruling that affirmed the agency’s authority to reassess the project. The verdict also faulted the DOI for rescinding Scotts Valley’s gaming eligibility without proper notice.
The decision set the stage for a renewed federal review. At the same time, it did not prohibit the tribe from pursuing lawful interim uses of its trust land.
Legal Challenges Remain Active
Alongside the federal review, Scotts Valley is engaged in litigation tied to the Vallejo project.
In early December, the tribe filed motions to dismiss three federal lawsuits filed by rival tribes. The complaints aim to halt the project’s progress by challenging the land-into-trust decision.
The motions target cases brought by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation (Cortina Rancheria), and the United Auburn Indian Community (Auburn Rancheria). All three tribes argue that the DOI erred when it approved the Vallejo parcel for Scotts Valley earlier this year.
The opposing tribes argue that Scotts Valley does not have sufficient historical ties to the Vallejo area. This issue overlaps with the restored lands analysis now under review by the DOI.
What Comes Next
The next immediate milestone will be whether Scotts Valley can open the preview casino on its stated January timeline. In the longer term, the fate of the tribe’s planned Vallejo resort will depend on the outcome of the DOI’s renewed review and the resolution of pending legal challenges.
For now, the temporary preview casino signals the tribe’s intent to maintain momentum on the site.
