Scotts Valley offers teaser for possible Vallejo casino
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians plans to open a temporary casino in Vallejo, while their larger casino project faces legal challenges and opposition.Summary
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians is moving forward with plans to open a “preview casino” in Vallejo, featuring Class II gaming machines, while awaiting a final decision on their larger, proposed $700 million casino project. This follows a recent federal court victory restoring their gaming eligibility. The temporary casino, located at 200 Columbus Parkway, will utilize existing modular buildings and is expected to open in January. However, the larger project, which includes residences, a tribal administration building, and a biological preserve, remains in legal limbo, with the Department of the Interior questioning the site’s qualification for gaming. Significant opposition comes from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, who argue the land holds ancestral significance for local Patwin tribes and that the Scotts Valley Band’s claims of historical connection to the area are false. U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa has also expressed concerns about the project's location, noting its distance from the tribe’s traditional homeland. The tribe is currently pursuing the dismissal of lawsuits brought by rival casino tribes.
(Source：The Reporter)