Graton Resort Casino Advances Next Stages of Its Billion Dollar California Expansion

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria operate Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park, California, where crews continue work on a multi year project valued at one billion dollars. After the May 4 2026 debut of a 144,000 square foot smoke free gaming floor that added roughly 2,000 slot machines along with new poker and high limit zones plus three dining venues, project leaders have turned attention to the remaining elements of the master plan. As of June 2026 crews prepare sites for a hotel tower, an entertainment venue, and further build out across the property.

Details Behind the May 2026 Gaming Floor Launch

The new smoke free floor opened on schedule and immediately increased overall gaming capacity while introducing AYA rooftop restaurant, Playbook Sports Bar, and SoCo Dough Co. to serve guests. Observers note the addition brought dedicated spaces for poker and high limit play that sit apart from the main floor yet remain integrated with the rest of the casino layout. The full non smoking wing still requires completion, and project documents indicate that work will proceed in phases to minimize disruption to daily operations.

Next Construction Priorities Through 2027

Planners list a 200 plus room hotel tower as the next major vertical structure, followed by a large scale entertainment venue designed for concerts and special events. Additional dining outlets and hospitality services will accompany the hotel, while expanded gaming capacity will fill remaining square footage once the non smoking areas reach full build out. Construction timelines released by the tribe show overlapping schedules that allow the hotel foundation work to begin before the entertainment venue steel rises, keeping overall momentum on the billion dollar budget.

Workforce Growth Supports Ongoing Phases

Since January 2026 the casino has hired 500 new employees to staff the expanded floor and support services, and recruitment continues for 300 additional positions. Job categories range from table games dealers and slot technicians to culinary staff and hospitality roles tied to the forthcoming hotel. Human resources updates indicate that training programs run concurrently with construction so new team members can transition smoothly once each phase opens.

Regional Context and Tribal Gaming Framework

Graton Resort Casino sits within Sonoma County and operates under a tribal state compact that governs gaming activities on the rancheria land. According to National Indian Gaming Commission filings, the property contributes to the broader network of tribal casinos across California that together generate substantial economic activity for their communities. Project leaders coordinate with local agencies on traffic, utilities, and environmental reviews to keep the timeline intact while the remaining structures take shape.

Looking Ahead

With the gaming floor already operating, attention now centers on vertical construction that will add overnight accommodations and live entertainment options to the Rohnert Park destination. The tribe continues to publish periodic updates on hiring milestones and construction benchmarks, giving the public a clear view of how the one billion dollar investment unfolds through successive phases. Those updates confirm that the 200 room hotel tower and entertainment venue remain on track for teh next wave of openings once current groundwork finishes.