Vallejo 'Preview Casino' Update | Regional Tribes' Opposition
February 1, 2026
Update
In late December the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians announced plans to open a "preview casino" on their 160 acres of land in Vallejo, CA near I-80 and Highway 37. The opening date was to be as early as January 2026.
Now that February has arrived without opening the casino, is the tribe retargeting its timeline? If so, there has been no public announcement, no press release and no update on the tribe's website. Last Friday a tribal administrator confirmed there is no opening date set at this time.
Approval Re-evaluation
In the meantime, the U.S. Department of the Interior continues to re-evaluate the tribe's gaming eligibility after the department withdrew its original casino approval last March. The withdrawal was issued by the new administration to determine whether the previous administration was thorough and complete in its evaluation of the Scotts Valley tribe's qualifying ancestral ties to the Vallejo casino site.
Last October, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that (1) the Department of the Interior has the right to re-evaluate its casino decision, and (2) the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians have the right to continue its casino development on its Vallejo land.
Tribal Opposition
Four regional tribes oppose the Vallejo casino. Each claim ancestral rights to the same land, and three will experience a negative financial impact from the Vallejo casino.
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
This tribe operates Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, near Woodland. The casino is just 61 miles from Vallejo.Lytton Rancheria
This tribe operates the San Pablo Lytton Casino located 20 minutes from Vallejo.United Auburn Indian Community
This tribe operates Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Lincoln about 90 miles from Vallejo.Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation
This tribe is located near Williams and does not have a casino.
Last week the four tribes issued a joint statement expressing their "serious concern" over the Vallejo preview casino.
"The court was explicit that its ruling should not be viewed as a green light to proceed with gaming activity while the federal review is ongoing. Moving forward with this short-term cash grab ignores the court's warning, disrespects the reconsideration process, and jeopardizes the city of Vallejo's limited public safety and other resources for its citizens."
- Anthony Roberts, Chairman Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
The Scotts Valley Tribal Chairman Shawn Davis responded to this statemen in an email to the Daily Republic:
We will not be intimidated by fearmongering disguised as concerns about compliance. It's an all-too-familiar tactic seeking to block economic opportunity for their own financial gain. There was no opposition from these parties when new developments went up across the street. Only when a casino was announced did opposition and concerns arise. We remain committed to securing the long-delayed opportunity for economic self-determination, supporting the community of Vallejo, and returning our people home
- Chairman Shawn Davis, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians
This story is developing and will be updated as new information becomes available.