Scotts Valley Casino Resort gets support from The Coalition of Large Tribes
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has gained support from the Coalition of Large Tribes in its bid to develop Scotts Valley Casino Resort, a 400,000-square-foot casino resort in Vallejo, California.
The property would include a casino, restaurants, a hotel and spa, and a family entertainment center with a movie theater, arcade, and a bowling alley at a cost of $700m.
Chairman Shawn Davis of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, said: “We are deeply grateful to the Coalition of Large Tribes for standing with us. This case is about more than one tribe — it’s about the basic right of all tribal nations to rely on final decisions from the United States government. We are focused on moving forward with our project to uplift our members and create thousands of local jobs, and we continue making progress.”
“As COLT recognised in its brief, the Department’s about-face has consequences for every tribe seeking to achieve economic self-sufficiency. After enduring centuries of mistreatment by the federal government, we will not allow our work to develop our homeland to be deterred or derailed.”
In a decisive ruling last month, the US District Court for the District of Columbia denied efforts by three outside tribes to intervene in the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ lawsuit challenging the federal government’s sudden reconsideration of a key gaming decision.
The Court found that the proposed intervenors—Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and United Auburn Indian Community —lacked the legal standing necessary to join the case. In doing so, the Court reinforced that the matter at hand concerns only the Tribe and the federal government.
“This ruling gives us momentum and keeps distractions out of court.” said Tribal Chairman Shawn Davis. “Now we will keep pressing forward to defend our land and our rights. We are moving forward to building economic opportunities for our members and the entire Vallejo community.”
The Tribe filed suit on April 1, 2025, after the Department of the Interior abruptly rescinded its January 10 decision placing the Tribe’s Vallejo land into trust and deeming it eligible for Indian gaming. The Tribe argues the rescission violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and constitutional guarantees of due process.
The Court’s ruling rejected attempts by outside interests to derail or delay the Tribe’s case, finding that their claimed injuries were too speculative and disconnected from the federal agency action under review.
The Tribe will continue to pursue its claims to restore certainty and fairness to the federal decision making process and secure long-promised opportunities for self-determination and economic growth.
