This page contains archived news updates for Graton Resort Casino from 2025. These items were originally posted on the casino's profile page and have been preserved here as part of the 500 Nations legacy news archive. Major stories from this year may also appear as standalone articles in the main News section.
Archived News Items
Graton will be Largest Northern California Casino in 2026
November 1, 2025
The $1B construction project underway at Graton Resort and Casino is scheduled to open an expanded casino in early 2026 making it the largest casino in Northern California. Graton is adding 144,000 square feet to its gaming floor and adding 2,000 more slot machines, a new poker room and a high-limit gaming area.
California's largest casino is Yaamava' Resort Casino in San Bernardino County. It is the largest casino in the U.S. west of Las Vegas.
2026 Comparison Here is how the two largest casinos in California will compare in size in 2026:
Construction will continue at Graton into 2027 to add 200 more hotel rooms, an expanded pool area, a roof top restaurant, a 3,500-seat entertainment theater, and a five-level parking garage.
Graton Resort & Casino celebrated the groundbreaking this week for its hotel expansion project expected to be completed in 2027. The hotel project is part of the $1 billion expansion begun in 2023 that will expand the Graton casino into the second largest in California, and add 220 more hotel rooms, a rooftop restaurant, a 3,500-seat entertainment theater, and a 5-level parking garage.
Hotel Expansion
Graton Hotel Expansion 2025-2027 | Guest Room
The hotel expansion project will add two new towers to the existing tower opened in 2016. When finished, Graton's hotel room capacity will increase from 200 to 420.
"The expansion of our luxurious hotel and the addition of an adults-only pool underscore Graton's dedication to solidifying our position as a premier destination for leisure and entertainment. We are thrilled to offer our guests even more reasons to visit and enjoy the unparalleled hospitality Graton is known for."
- Lana Rivera, President at Graton Resort & Casino
Graton Hotel Expansion 2025-2027 | Adult-Only Pool
The expanded hotel accommodations will include a VIP entrance and an expanded lobby with retail shops. Guests will enjoy luxury room amenities, an adults-only pool with luxury cabanas, a poolside bar, and a poolside entertainment stage.
Graton Resort & Casino has hired two renown chefs, Roy Ellamar and Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar, to lead the transformation of its food and beverage program and elevate Gratib into a premier dining destination.
The married couple have individually earned culinary pedigrees with award-winning restaurants across the country. Chef Roy Ellamar was born and raised in Hawaii where he developed his culinary expertise by creating seasonal, farm-to-table menus. Ellamar worked in Las Vegas at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand, and his own restaurant, Harvest by Roy Ellamar, at the Bellagio.
"It's been a long-held dream of mine to be immersed in the rich agricultural bounty of wine country, and Graton fully embraces this by sourcing ingredients from the region. I'm really excited to cook in the seasons and to work with celebrity farmer William Henpenn to create a bespoke produce program for us that will definitely set us apart. Sonoma County also produces amazing duck and Dungeness crab, as well as incredible milk, butter and cheese, olive oil and, of course, the amazing pinot noir."
- Chef Roy Ellamar
Chef Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar had an impressive culinary career in several major Las Vegas resorts and most recently was the Executive Chef of Restaurant Operations at Caesars Palace.
"This isn't simply about opening another restaurant," Murphy emphasizes. "It's about crafting a new culinary standard, delivering truly unforgettable moments, and doing so in a way that feels comfortable and welcoming to everyone."
- Chef Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar
Graton Resort and Casino is currently undergoing a $1 billion expansion that will make it the second largest casino in California. One of the highlights of the project will be a 28,000 sq-ft rooftop restaurant, which is under the management of Chef Roy Ellamar.
Graton Casino's $1B Expansion Project | April 2025 Update
April 19, 2025
The $1 billion expansion project at Graton Resort Casino will be completed in phases. Here are the construction timelines for the expansion project.
Casino Expansion This expansion project will open in early 2026 and add another 144,000 square-feet to Graton's casino floor. The new space will have 2,000 more slot machines and 20 more table games, a new poker room, high-limit gaming area, and a sports bar. There will also be a rooftop restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
Hotel Expansion Construction on the new hotel tower will begin in this June. This 6-story hotel addition will be on the southside of the existing hotel and feature 221 rooms. An expanded pool area will be added later.
The Event at Graton Resort & Casino This entertainment theater is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026. The venue will present concerts and other liver performsnces with a seating capacity for 3,500 guests.
Parking Garage The new parking garage was completed and opened on August 12, 2024. The structure supports the additional parking needs for the total expansion project by providing 1,600 more parking spaces and 32 EV charging stations.
The $1 billion expansion project at Graton Resort Casino reached a major milestone this week, as the construction crew hoisted the final steel beam into place to complete the exterior framework for the new casino addition.
The event was celebrated with a traditional topping off ceremony attended by casino officials, construction crew members, and guests. The symbolic beam was painted white and signed by Graton Rancheria members and guests. An American flag was attached to the beam before lifting into place.
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Graton Resort and Casino celebrates expansion milestone - Courtesy of The Press Democrat, Mar 26, 2025. Available from YouTube
Graton Resort & Casino is undergoing a massive $1 billion expansion project, which will make it the second largest casino in California. Construction will be completed late this year.
GRATON EXPANSION STATUS
Casino Expansion of the casino will be completed late this year. Construction crews are adding 144,000 more square feet to the gaming floor. The new space will be hosting 2,000 more slot machines, a new poker room, and a high-limit gaming area.
The enlarged casino will bring the total number of slot machines at Graton Casino to 6,000. This will be the second most in California behind the 7,200 slot at < a href="ca-yaamava.asp">Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Southern California.
Parking Garages A new parking garage on the southside of the casino is finished and open for use. The garage provides 1,800 vehicle spaces and a pedestrian walkway to the casino. Construction continues on a 5-story parking garage on the eastside, which will add 1,600 vehicle spaces and 32 EV charging stations.
Hotel The expanded hotel will open in a later stage. A new five-story hotel wing will double the number of guest rooms to 421 and will feature a large, 28,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant.
SHILOH CASINO LAWSUIT
As the Graton casino expansion continues, the Graton Rancheria is fighting new competition from Koi Nation in nearby Winsor. Two months ago the Koi Nation received federal approval to build a $600 million casino resort, named Shiloh Resort & Casino, on a location within 15 miles of Graton. Graton Rancheria has filed a lawsuit to overturn the approval issued by the Depart of Interior. The case was filed Feb. 14 in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.
GRATON CASINO WEBSITE
You can learn more about the $1 billion expansion project at Graton Resort & Casino on its website. Click here.
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Graton Hotel Expansion 2025-2027 | Guest Room
Graton Hotel Expansion 2025-2027 | Adult-Only Pool
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