Pomo Tribe from Scotts Valley File Lawsuit Against Department of Interior Due to casino access obstruction on Vallejo Road
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians' ambitious plans for a $700 million casino resort in Vallejo, California, are currently embroiled in legal and regulatory challenges. The project, initially approved by the Department of Interior in January 2025, has since been put on hold due to a review of whether the land qualifies for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
The decision to reconsider the gaming eligibility was made following a lawsuit by rival tribes, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, who dispute the Scotts Valley Band's ancestral claim to the lands. The United Auburn Indian Community, operators of the Thunder Valley Resort, have also joined the legal battle, challenging the Scotts Valley casino.
The Scotts Valley Band, based around 100 miles away in Mendocino County, denies the rival tribes' claims that their lawsuit is commercially motivated and "anticompetitive." They argue that their historical account of lineage linking them to the area is not demonstrably Patwin, as claimed by the opposition.
The tribe's original reservation, the Sugar Bowl Rancheria in Lake County, was terminated in 1965 as part of a broader federal termination policy. However, in 1991, the Scotts Valley Band regained federal recognition, but they have been without an official reservation until the Vallejo parcel was taken into trust.
A significant development in the case occurred on June 10, 2025, when the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia confirmed the trust status of the tribe's land in Vallejo. This ruling supports the tribe's ancestral claims to the area and moves them closer to having their rights upheld.
Despite this progress, the legal and regulatory hurdles regarding the eligibility for gaming remain unresolved. The Scotts Valley Band is seeking to secure a gaming agreement with the City of Vallejo and negotiate a gaming compact with California, but these efforts are contingent on resolving the ongoing litigation.
Recently, the Scotts Valley Band filed a federal lawsuit and an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to block the Department of Interior's decision to reconsider the gaming eligibility decision. The tribe argues that further reconsideration could cause potential harm during the court proceedings.
As the case unfolds, the future of the Scotts Valley Band's casino plans in Vallejo remains uncertain. The outcome will likely have significant implications not only for the tribe but also for the local community and the broader California gaming industry.
- The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians' ongoing legal battle against rival tribes, such as the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, over the eligibility of their Vallejo casino land under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), continues to stall their $700 million casino resort plans, originally approved in January 2025.
- The Scotts Valley Band's recent federal lawsuit and emergency motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) aim to block the Department of Interior's decision to reconsider the gaming eligibility, fearing potential harm during the court proceedings.
- The future of the Scotts Valley Band's casino plans, including casino-games, lotteries, and the broader casino-and-gambling industry in California, hangs in the balance as legal and regulatory challenges persist, delaying the potential economic benefits for the local community and the tribe.
