California native tribes invite-only casino project collapses after just seven days leaving $700M on the table
A California tribe’s casino jackpot turned into a bust after just one week.The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians was forced to hit pause on its newly opened, invitation-only preview casino in Vallejo after federal officials pulled the plug on the tribe’s larger $700 million gambling resort plan.The temporary casino, housed in modular buildings near Columbus Parkway, opened its doors July 25 — but was shut down by Aug.1 after the U.S.
Department of the Interior reversed its approval for the project.The agency pulled the plug on the tribe’s casino plans, ruling it hadn’t shown the required historical connection to the land needed to keep the gaming dream alive.Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs William H.Kirkland III determined the Vallejo property did not qualify under a federal exception allowing gaming on restored tribal lands.“Consequently, the Vallejo parcel does not qualify as restored lands within the meaning of applicable law, and the Band may not conduct gaming on the parcel pursuant to (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s) restored lands exception,” Kirkland wrote in a decision issued last week.The ruling sent the tribe’s $700 million casino dream straight to the penalty box, putting the sprawling 160-acre development near Interstate 80 and Columbus Parkway on ice.The high-stakes project was no small bet: plans called for an eight-story casino, restaurants, bars, a ballroom, parking garage, two dozen homes, tribal offices and a 45-acre biological preserve.Instead, the tribe’s big casino gamble is now stuck at the legal roulette table.The Interior Department dealt the tribe a surprise plot twist, reversing an earlier federal decision that had cleared the way for the Lake County-based group’s casino plans.
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