Scotts Valley deals Vallejo in with smaller preview casino
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians opened a limited preview casino in Vallejo amidst ongoing legal disputes.Summary
The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has opened a small preview casino in Vallejo, operating with a limited number of Class II gaming machines in repurposed modular buildings. This move comes seven months later than originally planned and occurs while the U.S. Department of the Interior is reconsidering the tribe's gaming eligibility following legal challenges.
The tribe's long-term vision includes a $700 million facility featuring 24 residences, a tribal administration building, and a 45-acre biological preserve. While the Vallejo City Council has approved a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the city shares in the economic benefits, the project faces significant opposition from other tribes, such as the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, who argue the project threatens local ancestral lands and cultural resources.
A final decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior regarding the tribe's eligibility to build a larger casino is expected by the end of July.
(Source：The Mercury News)