Graton Resort & Casino Opens Expansive New Smoke-Free District in Rohnert Park
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; this addition brings nearly 2,000 new slot machines along with multiple new venues and creates over 450 positions in Sonoma County.
The project represents the initial stage of a longer development plan that will eventually incorporate a hotel tower, an adults-only pool, and a theater, according to details released around the opening date.
Key Features of the New District
Visitors entering the new district encounter a dedicated gaming floor equipped with the additional slot machines, while separate spaces house the AYA rooftop restaurant led by Chef Roy Ellamar, the Playbook Sports Bar, and SoCo Dough Co.; each venue operates within the smoke-free environment that distinguishes this section from other areas of the resort.
The layout connects these elements into a single district designed for dining, gaming, and entertainment, allowing guests to move between options without leaving the expanded footprint, and the scale of nearly 2,000 machines increases overall capacity at the property in a single phase.
Employment and Local Impact
More than 450 new jobs accompany the opening, covering roles in food service, gaming operations, and facility management across the venues, which provides measurable employment growth in the Rohnert Park area during the rollout period.
These positions integrate into existing resort operations while supporting the increased visitor volume expected from the added floor space and amenities, and the hiring aligns with the first phase of the multi-year plan rather than future stages.
Future Development Phases
After this initial district opens, subsequent phases will introduce the hotel tower, adults-only pool, and theater over the coming years, extending the resort's infrastructure beyond the current 144,000-square-foot addition without altering the smoke-free designation of the new gaming and dining areas.
The phased approach allows construction and operational adjustments to proceed sequentially, beginning with the completed district that includes the specified restaurants and bar alongside the expanded slot inventory.
Context Within Sonoma County Gaming
The Graton Resort & Casino expansion occurs at a property already operating in Sonoma County, where the addition of nearly 2,000 slots and new venues increases the range of on-site options available to guests; reports from industry outlets such as Yogonet confirm the timing and scope of the May 2026 opening.
Local economic contributions from the new positions and visitor spending remain tied to this specific development step, which precedes the later hotel, pool, and theater components scheduled for later years.
Operational Details of the Venues
AYA operates as the rooftop restaurant under Chef Roy Ellamar's direction, offering dining within the smoke-free district, while Playbook Sports Bar provides viewing and service areas integrated with the overall entertainment focus, and SoCo Dough Co. adds a dedicated food option for guests moving through the 144,000-square-foot space.
These establishments function alongside the gaming floor that houses the new slot machines, creating a contained environment where multiple activities occur without exposure to smoke from other resort sections.
Conclusion
The May 2026 opening of the 144,000-square-foot district at Graton Resort & Casino marks the completion of the first phase in a multi-year project that adds nearly 2,000 slot machines, three named venues, and more than 450 jobs while establishing the foundation for a future hotel tower, adults-only pool, and theater in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County.