​Federal Court Restores Gaming Eligibility for Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians

Vallejo, California — The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled in favor of the
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, restoring gaming eligibility to the Tribe’s trust land in Vallejo.

“This victory is about more than gaming—it’s about fairness, tribal sovereignty, and the fundamental right of our people to move forward in building a brighter future,” said Chairman Shawn Davis of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. “We appreciate Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s commitment to uplifting tribal communities, and we look forward to working collaboratively with him and his team going forward as we develop our homeland.”
The Tribe had challenged the attempt to rescind and reconsider its prior determination that the Vallejo property qualified as “restored lands” under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
(IGRA).

“Today’s decision opens the door to new opportunities and prosperity for our tribal members and for
our neighbors in Vallejo and Solano County,” said Chairman Davis. “Lobbying from competing tribal casinos has not and will not deter us from moving forward.”

The Tribe originally received a favorable gaming eligibility determination on January 10, 2025, following nearly a decade of litigation and agency review. That decision confirmed the Tribe’s Vallejo property as eligible for gaming under IGRA, paving the way for long-awaited economic development. However, less than 90 days later, Interior abruptly reversed course—without notice or consultation—purporting to suspend the property’s gaming eligibility, even though its trust status remained intact.

In a decisive opinion, the court held that the agency’s actions violated the Tribe’s constitutional rights. “Once Interior took the Vallejo parcel into trust and determined that it was eligible for gaming, Scotts Valley acquired a legitimate property interest in that determination. Because the agency rescinded the parcel’s gaming eligibility with barely any notice or hearing, it infringed the Band’s due-process right.”

The court concluded that, “Given the rescission’s constitutional defects, the Court will vacate it.”

“The Court’s decision reaffirms that the federal government cannot revoke a tribe’s rights without fair process,” said Patrick R. Bergin, Counsel for the Tribe. “Scotts Valley welcomes this ruling, which restores the Tribe’s gaming eligibility and ensures that Interior must follow the law before taking it away.”

The ruling takes immediate effect, reinstating the Tribe’s ability to move forward with its Vallejo project.

To learn more about the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, visit: https://www.scottsvalley-nsn.gov/heritage.