Scotts Valley tribe's $700M Solano County casino project in legal limbo

Tribe plans to open "preview casino" on trust land as federal review continues

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians announced plans to open a "preview casino" on its trust land in Vallejo, California, as the tribe's $700 million casino and resort project remains in legal limbo awaiting a final decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior on the tribe's gaming eligibility for the site. Several other local tribes have filed lawsuits and publicly opposed the Scotts Valley project, arguing it is on ancestral lands that do not belong to the Scotts Valley tribe.

Why it matters

The Scotts Valley casino project has become a contentious issue, pitting the tribe against several neighboring tribes who claim the land is part of their ancestral territory. The federal government's reconsideration of the initial approval for the project has created uncertainty and the potential for further legal battles, which could have broader implications for tribal gaming rights in California.

The details

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) initially approved the Scotts Valley tribe's plans for the $700 million casino and resort project. However, the DOI later acknowledged this approval may have been a "legal error" and initiated a reconsideration process following lawsuits filed by several other local tribes, including the Yoche Dehe Wintun Nation, Lytton Rancheria of California, United Auburn Indian Community, and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation. These tribes argue the land is part of their ancestral territory and have publicly opposed the Scotts Valley project. Despite the ongoing federal review, Scotts Valley plans to open a "preview casino" on the trust land in Vallejo.

  • In January 2025, the DOI initially approved the Scotts Valley tribe's casino project.
  • In March 2025, the DOI acknowledged the initial approval may have been a "legal error" and initiated a reconsideration process.
  • In late 2025, a federal judge rejected Scotts Valley's attempt to stop the DOI reconsideration process.
  • A final ruling by the DOI on Scotts Valley's gaming eligibility is expected this summer.

The players

Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians

A Native American tribe planning to build a $700 million casino and resort project in Vallejo, California on trust land.

United States Department of the Interior (DOI)

The federal agency that initially approved the Scotts Valley tribe's casino project but is now reconsidering the tribe's gaming eligibility for the site.

Yoche Dehe Wintun Nation

A Native American tribe that has publicly opposed the Scotts Valley casino project, arguing the land is part of their ancestral territory.

Lytton Rancheria of California

A Native American tribe that has publicly opposed the Scotts Valley casino project.

United Auburn Indian Community

A Native American tribe that has publicly opposed the Scotts Valley casino project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“That is ancestral Patwin territory. It has been, it always will be.”

— Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman, Yoche Dehe Wintun Nation (cbsnews.com)

“Our concern here is specific and process-based. Where the Department of the Interior is actively reconsidering gaming eligibility, and the court has cautioned against reliance on interim decisions, moving forward with gaming activity at this site before that review is complete risks undermining trust in the process and creating avoidable conflict among tribes and local communities.”

— Charlie Wright, Chairman, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation (cbsnews.com)

“This is never about greed on our part. It's about another tribe breaking centuries-old cultural traditions and trying to set up shop in another tribe's ancestral homeland.”

— Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman, Yoche Dehe Wintun Nation (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

A final ruling by the DOI on Scotts Valley's gaming eligibility is expected this summer.

The takeaway

The Scotts Valley casino project has become a contentious issue, pitting the tribe against several neighboring tribes who claim the land is part of their ancestral territory. The federal government's reconsideration of the initial approval for the project has created uncertainty and the potential for further legal battles, which could have broader implications for tribal gaming rights in California.