U.S. Government Approves Land Transfer for California Native Casino

The U.S. Department of Interior approved a 128-acre land transfer to the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians in California, who plan to build a 400,000 square-foot casino.

The terms of the transfer place ultimate control of the land in the hands of the U.S. Government, which will allow the tribe to control the area. This is a major milestone for the previously-homeless native group.

The outline for the new casino includes eight stories, a biological preserve, an administration building, and 24 housing units for tribal members.

Another casino coming to California?

An attempt was made to obtain the land in 2019. However, the effort was denied due to a supposed lack of tie between the group and the land in question.

A federal court judge later overruled that decision and said the government breached the limits of its powers. The Biden administration is now conducting a review and could finalize the agreement before Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

While the progress is a significant milestone for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, it is a setback for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which says that it has ties to the land, not the other group. It also posited negative traffic and environmental impacts that would result from awarding the land to its opponents. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsome added to the debate by stating the Scotts Valley Band lacked historical linkage to the area, even writing a letter to the U.S. Department of Interior in opposition.

Despite that, the Vallejo City Council voted in November that it would work with the Scotts Valley Band if the land was placed into trust.

Making headway at long last

The new recipients of the land had their home taken from them nearly 60 years ago.

The Scotts Valley Band was given 54 acres of land by the U.S. Government in 1907. However, the land was reclaimed in 1965 as part of an effort to strip Indians of their isolated communities and force them to assimilate into traditional American society.

The tribe regained federal recognition following a lawsuit in the 1990s, though it was not restored the land it lost.

California’s gaming community is heavily controlled by the tribes. Non-native groups can offer gambling services at cardrooms, though they may not offer the same games that are in operation at tribal locations.

There’s been a recent surge in attempts to open casinos across California due to the soaring popularity of gambling. This joins efforts such as Cloverdale Rancheria Resort & Casino in Sonoma County, which was already approved, and the Shiloh Resort & Casino Project in Santa Rosa, which is still pending approval.