California: Department of Interior reconsiders approval of Scotts Valley Band’s Vallejo casino

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced it will reconsider its approval of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians' proposed casino in Vallejo, California, days after two rival tribes filed a federal lawsuit challenging the project.  

The DOI’s decision temporarily rescinds the casino’s Gaming Eligibility Determination, though the land remains in trust for the tribe. The move follows legal action by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, who argue that the project threatens their ancestral lands.  

In January, the Biden administration approved the fee-to-trust application for the $700 million, 400,000-square-foot casino complex, which would be located on a 128-acre site near I-80 and Highway 37. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which operates the Cache Creek Casino Resort, claims the site is historically and culturally significant to their people and that the development could destroy important landmarks.  

The DOI now says it failed to properly consider additional evidence submitted after a 2022 court ruling and has decided to review the project’s eligibility under federal gaming laws.  

The tribes opposing the casino welcomed the department’s decision.  

"For more than a year, we have requested a fair, transparent, fact-based decision-making process," said Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Chairman Anthony Roberts. "It’s hard to know why the Biden Administration refused to follow these basic principles, but we’re glad the incoming Administration is committed to getting it right."  

Roberts added that losing the site without consultation was "extremely painful," and praised Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for stepping in to review the matter.  

Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation Chairman Charlie Wright also backed the move: "Kletsel Dehe is pleased that the Department of the Interior appears to be taking our concerns seriously, and we look forward to participating in a fair, transparent reconsideration process."  

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, which has been pursuing the casino for years, slammed the DOI’s reversal, arguing that its approval process was already thorough and legally sound.  

"The evidence supporting our tribe’s gaming approval is robust, well-documented, and consistent with prior rulings," said Scotts Valley Tribal Chairman Shawn Davis. He accused the rival tribes of using their influence to block competition.  

"The greed of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is disgusting. Despite their billions of dollars, they aren’t satisfied. The Scotts Valley Band will not be bullied, and we won’t back down."  

The DOI has invited tribes and other stakeholders to submit evidence and legal arguments on whether the Vallejo site qualifies as restored lands under federal law. The deadline for submissions is May 30, 2025.