Graton Resort & Casino November 5 marked its first 10 years as the largest Indian casino in Northern California, Indian Gaming reported.
During that decade the casino, based in Rohnert Park, has welcomed more than 50 million visitors and achieved a reputation as one of the best employers in the San Francisco Bay Area. With about 2,000 employees, it is the second-largest corporate employer in Sonoma County.
In June Graton broke ground on a $1 billion expansion that will include a larger casino floor with 2,000 new slots, a new poker room and high-limit area and an additional five hotel wings with 200 rooms, creating an additional 600 jobs. The expansion will also include a 3,500-seat theater, a rooftop restaurant that can serve nearly 500 guests and a five-level parking structure with solar panels and EV charging stations.
Greg Sarris, chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Chairman, said in a statement: “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, I’d like to acknowledge our dedicated team members who go above and beyond every day to make sure that our property is the best of the best.” He continued, “When most organizations were experiencing the ‘Great Resignation’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the opposite happening here at Graton Resort & Casino. When our doors re-opened, 98% of team members returned. People make their careers at Graton.”
Employees at Graton have fully paid medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement plans and comprehensive wellness programs. It also provides free legal help for employees who want to become U.S. citizens. Sarris said, “Our tribal culture has a strong ethos of taking care of one another. That is also true of our business enterprises.”
The chairman concluded, “We want to serve our community, and we feel it is our responsibility as stewards of the people and land in and around Sonoma County. We’ve given to local educational institutions, arts organizations, food banks, literacy organizations, historical groups, emergency relief and housing non-profits. I am so proud of our commitment to each other and to those who we can help. Together, we make a better life for those around us.”
Casino employees are also given a set amount of paid time that they can use for Volunteer Days.
