Graton Resort Unveils Major Expansion With New Gaming And Dining Spaces
Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California, will launch the next phase of its $1billion expansion on May 4, introducing a large non-smoking gaming area and several new dining venues.
The development marks another step in the resort’s transformation into a major gaming and entertainment destination in Northern California.
The expanded casino area will feature just under 2,000 slot games - many debuting globally - along with a new poker room and a high-limit slots lounge designed for premium players.
The property continues to invest heavily in its gaming experience, even as players nationwide increasingly explore digital platforms such as online casinos.
Expanded Gaming Floor & Non-Smoking Casino Area
The resort’s updated design blends modern architecture with artwork reflecting the culture of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which owns and operates the property.
The new non-smoking casino floor represents a major milestone for the resort, offering guests an alternative environment while enhancing the overall gaming experience.
The expanded gaming floor will also introduce three new restaurants led by renowned chef Roy Ellamar and Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar, vice president of culinary operations.
The restaurants will focus heavily on Sonoma County’s local produce, reinforcing the resort’s commitment to regional ingredients and dining experiences.
The centerpiece of the expansion is AYA, a 28,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant designed by David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group.
The $40m venue highlights Coastal California cuisine with Asian influences and offers sweeping views of the Sonoma hills from two outdoor terraces.
Menu highlights include crudos, locally sourced oysters, wild-caught seafood and wood-grilled fish and meats.
Ingredients will include produce grown on the resort’s adjacent 40-acre farm alongside premium selections such as Japanese Wagyu, organic lamb, and pork.
“Graton’s latest expansion reflects the modern casino playbook—bigger gaming floors, standout dining, and immersive experiences designed to keep resorts competitive in an entertainment market increasingly shaped by digital gaming.”
Future Plans Look Bright
The expansion also brings a strong focus on entertainment and casual dining.
Playbook Sports Bar will seat 168 guests and feature wall-to-wall big-screen televisions, a halo-style video wall, and personal screens at every table.
The menu elevates traditional sports bar fare with options such as Detroit-style pizza, beef-tallow Buffalo wings, birria nachos, cheeseburger egg rolls, smoked pork belly burnt ends and a pastrami banh mì.
Another new addition, SoCo Dough Co., will serve freshly baked doughnuts and gelato daily, featuring flavors like Pistachio Rose, Ube Honeycomb and Vietnamese Coffee.
Specialty iced lattes, milk drinks with cold foam and breakfast items - including an everything doughnut with scallion cream cheese will also be available.
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To support the expansion, the resort is hiring over 430 staff members across various departments, including 160 positions in culinary and food and beverage, to work with the Ellamar team.
Additional developments are already in the works to be part of the larger expansion project. This year, the resort has plans to open more dining options and a new nightlife concept.
The resort is also planning to open a 200-room hotel tower and adults-only pool area in 2027.
With additional gaming space, new dining destinations, and the creation of hundreds of new jobs, the next step in the development of Graton Resort & Casino promises continued growth for the casino and the surrounding Sonoma County region.
