Graton Resort & Casino Opens Expansive New Smoke-Free District in Sonoma County

Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California opened its largest expansion to date on or around May 29, 2026 when a 144,000-square-foot smoke-free dining, gaming, and entertainment district welcomed visitors for the first time, and this addition brings nearly 2,000 new slot machines along with several new venues while creating more than 450 jobs in Sonoma County.

Key Features of the New District

The new district combines gaming floors with dining and entertainment spaces under one roof, yet it operates entirely smoke-free which sets it apart from many traditional casino environments across the state, and observers note that the design allows guests to move seamlessly between slot areas, restaurants, and bars without leaving the controlled setting.

Almost 2,000 slot machines occupy a significant portion of the expanded space while new table games and other gaming options fill out the remaining floor, and this scale represents the single largest increase in gaming capacity at the property since its original opening.

New Venues and Culinary Additions

Three signature venues anchor the entertainment offerings including the AYA rooftop restaurant led by Chef Roy Ellamar, the Playbook Sports Bar, and SoCo Dough Co. which specializes in fresh dough-based items, and each space was designed to operate independently while remaining connected to the larger district layout.

AYA sits on the rooftop level and focuses on elevated dining experiences whereas Playbook Sports Bar provides multiple screens and casual seating for game viewing, and SoCo Dough Co. occupies a central spot that serves quick bites throughout operating hours.

Employment and Economic Effects

More than 450 new positions were created to staff the expanded facilities with roles ranging from gaming attendants and culinary staff to maintenance and guest services, and these hires add to the existing workforce at the property which already supports hundreds of local residents in Sonoma County.

Local suppliers and contractors also benefited during the construction phase while ongoing operations continue to draw from regional vendors for food, beverages, and equipment, and reports from industry coverage indicate the expansion aligns with broader tourism growth patterns in the North Bay area.

Multi-Year Development Plan

This opening marks the first phase of a longer development timeline that will later introduce a hotel tower, an adults-only pool area, and a dedicated theater space, and planners have scheduled subsequent phases over the coming years to avoid disrupting current operations.

Each future element builds on the new district's infrastructure so that the property can expand capacity without requiring complete redesigns of existing spaces, and project timelines remain subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions typical for large-scale hospitality builds in California.

Conclusion

The May 2026 launch of the smoke-free district at Graton Resort & Casino adds measurable gaming and dining capacity to the Sonoma County property while generating hundreds of new jobs and setting the stage for additional phases that include lodging, recreation, and performance venues, and this measured approach allows the resort to integrate growth with existing operations.