The Department of Interior has approved two controversial tribal casino projects in California and Oregon, marking a significant development in tribal gaming expansion.

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians received approval for a $700 million casino project in Vallejo, California, while the Coquille Indian Tribe secured approval for a gaming venue in Medford, Oregon. Both approvals include placing the designated lands into federal trust for gaming purposes.

These approvals face opposition from multiple fronts. Local tribes contest the ancestral claims to the lands, with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation challenging Scotts Valley's claims to Patwin ancestral territory. In Oregon, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians previously sued to block the Coquille project, alleging "reservation shopping."

The approval process has been lengthy and complex. The Coquille project, initially rejected under the Trump administration in 2019, was revived after a federal judge deemed the rejection "arbitrary and capricious." The Scotts Valley Band had been awaiting a decision since 2016.

Both tribal leaders celebrated the decisions. Coquille tribal chair Brenda Meade emphasized the significance for tribal advocates, while Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis expressed gratitude for recognizing their ancestral connections. However, opposition continues, with Cow Creek chair Carla Keene indicating plans to contest the Coquille decision.

These approvals represent a significant shift in tribal gaming expansion, though ongoing legal challenges may affect their implementation.

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