Four California tribes raise concerns over Vallejo temporary casino plan

The Vallejo casino saga is ongoing, as a joint statement has been sent by four California-based tribes expressing “serious concern” with the temporary preview casino.

A statement seen by ReadWrite was sent out by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Lytton Rancheria of California, and the United Auburn Indian Community.

The tribes said that: “Any move to proceed at this time would come despite a clear warning from the federal court overseeing the matter that Scotts Valley would be ‘ill-served’ by relying on the temporary restoration of gaming eligibility while the Department completes its reconsideration, which the Court has directed be conducted expeditiously and thoroughly.”

Anthony Roberts, Chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation added: “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.”

Tribal leaders issue concerns overs temporary preview casino in Vallejo

Other tribal leaders echoed those concerns, emphasizing that their objections are rooted in process rather than opposition to economic development. Chairman Wright of the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation said the issue is “specific and process-based,” warning that moving ahead with gaming while the Department of the Interior is actively reconsidering the site’s eligibility risks eroding trust in the federal review process and creating unnecessary conflict among tribes and surrounding communities.

Chairperson Andy Mejia of the Lytton Rancheria of California similarly stressed that the dispute is not about blocking development, but about making sure it proceeds lawfully and responsibly. Mejia cautioned that moving forward with a casino, even a temporary or “preview” facility, while the Department reassesses its own prior decision “risks undermining the integrity of the federal review process.”

The tribes also pointed to the Department of the Interior’s acknowledgment that its earlier approval of the Vallejo site may have been based on legal error. They argue that substantial evidence submitted by local tribes was not considered, raising serious questions about whether the land qualifies for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Chairman John Williams of the United Auburn Indian Community warned that pushing ahead amid unresolved legal questions could leave all parties exposed. “Rushing forward in the face of unresolved legal questions does not create certainty or shared prosperity,” he said. “It puts Vallejo, the Tribe, and neighboring communities in an untenable position if the Department ultimately determines that the land is not eligible for gaming.”

In their joint statement, the tribes reiterated their call for the Scotts Valley Band to pause any gaming operations until the federal reconsideration is complete and a final determination is issued. “We respect the sovereignty of all Tribes,” the statement concluded. “That respect includes honoring the courts, the federal process, and the rights of neighboring tribes whose ancestral, cultural, and historical ties to this land are at stake.”

The preview casino would be located at 200 Columbus Parkway in Vallejo and would represent a teaser for what’s to come from Scotts Valley. The plan is to have a 160-acre casino which would include 24 single-family residences, a tribal administration building, a parking garage, and a 45-acre biological preserve area. However, the plans for the fully fledged larger casino remain in limbo.

What are the latest happenings in the Vallejo casino saga?

It was back in Spring of 2025 when two Native American tribes filed a federal lawsuit to try and stop the big casino project planned for Vallejo, by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. At the time, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Nation of the Cortina Rancheria, both Patwin tribes, say the Bureau of Indian Affairs did not follow the proper process when it approved handing over the land to Scotts Valley.

There were also concerns because the casino would be built right near several historic Patwin village sites.

After several back-and-forths, early January 2026 saw a Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation spokesperson tell ReadWrite that the decision by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians to move ahead with a temporary casino was “deeply hurtful.”

UPDATED: Full statement added on February 3, 2026.

Featured image: Canva / Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Lytton Rancheria of California, and the United Auburn Indian Community via press release

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