​Following Major Court Win, Scotts Valley Band to Open Preview Casino in Vallejo

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians proudly announced plans to open a small preview casino following the recent federal court decision restoring gaming eligibility for the Tribe’s homeland in Vallejo. 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.

“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.” Shawn Davis, Chairman of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. “We are committed to working with the City and our neighbors to support and benefit the community as we develop our land.”

Class II gaming machines are electronic gaming devices that may look similar to slot machines but operate on a bingo-based system. A federal court recently restored the Tribe’s gaming eligibility on the site, paving the way for the Tribe to exercise their gaming rights. No additional federal or state approval needed to operate these games, and the preview casino will operate while the Department of the Interior continues its review of gaming eligibility consistent with the Tribe’s legal victory in October. The overall site configuration will remain unchanged, with the current modular buildings and parking lot staying in place.

“We are moving forward despite the misleading opposition from a small handful of greedy casino operators led by Cache Creek,” said Chairman Davis. “Vallejo is our home – we are here to stay and here to make a difference in our community.”

The preview casino is temporary, as the Tribe continues advancing plans for a larger, permanent facility. The full project is expected to generate significant local benefits, including thousands of construction jobs and thousands more permanent jobs. Future plans for the site also include tribal government offices, 24 housing units for tribal members, and the preservation of open space. The Tribe would need to negotiate a compact with the state to operate Class III games which include traditional slot machines and house-banked card games. The Tribe continues to collaborate with the City to address impacts from the project.

An opening date has not yet been finalized, but it is projected to open next month.