A federal judge on Monday greenlit the California Gaming Association to file an amicus brief in a high-stakes dispute over a $700 million casino project in Vallejo, California, keeping the fight between two tribes and the federal government firmly in the spotlight.
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden approved the trade group’s motion Friday in a concise minute order, allowing the association to weigh in on a potential dismissal motion by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. The tribe had sought to intervene in another tribe’s lawsuit to block the project.
Background: Lytton Rancheria vs. Federal Government
In April 2025, the Lytton Rancheria of California sued the federal government, alleging violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) over the rushed approval of the Scotts Valley Indians’ casino. The $700 million project has ignited legal battles over tribal sovereignty and federal oversight.
The Scotts Valley Band attempted to intervene in Lytton Rancheria’s suit in December 2025, aiming to file a dismissal motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 19.
