Graton Resort & Casino hosts groundbreaking for $1bn expansion
The casino has started to construct a new parking structure with solar panels.
US.- The Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California, has hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of a $1bn expansion. Construction will start on a new parking structure with solar panels to be followed by an additional hotel wing and a casino floor expansion.
The casino will add approximately 144,000 square feet, 2,000 new slot machines, a new poker room and a new high-limit area. A new five-storey hotel wing will have over 200 rooms, a 28,000 square-foot rooftop restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating for 480 guests and a 3,500-seat theater.
The expansion of the property will employ 2,000 temporary construction jobs and 600 permanent new employees. Graton Resort & Casino is already one of Sonoma County’s largest private employers.
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Tribal chairman Sarris said: “This is an exciting day, and we’re thrilled to begin construction. The expansion reflects our consistent mission to provide the highest quality guest experience at Graton Resort & Casino. We’ve been working on these plans for several years, and we’re excited to create new job opportunities here in Sonoma County.”
In February, the Graton Resort & Casino announced the introduction of an updated Graton Rewards Program. The free incentive programme offers exclusive access to offers and experiences based on reward levels.
Another resort in California, Jamul Casino, has announced an expansion with a new luxury hotel. The 16-story boutique hotel will offer 200 rooms, including 52 suites. It will be accompanied by a six-story parking structure with 350 parking spaces. Casino guests will directly access the hotel through a climate-controlled, enclosed pedestrian sky bridge.
California reinstates moratorium on cardroom expansion
California governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 341, which extends the state’s moratorium on issuing new cardroom licences for another 20 years. Smaller existing cardrooms will be allowed to add limited new tables. The bill was supported by 40 Californian tribes.
The 1997 Gambling Control Act imposed a 25-year moratorium on cardroom expansion. After expiring at the beginning of the year, the new law proposed a further 20-year freeze on new licences. The bill establishes that cardrooms with fewer than 20 gaming tables will be able to add up to 10 new tables.
