Graton Resort & Casino Marks 10-Year Anniversary
ROHNERT PARK, CA — As Graton Resort & Casino marked its 10-year anniversary this week, there was much to celebrate, according to a news release.
Since opening its doors Nov. 5, 2013, in Rohnert Park, Graton Resort & Casino has attracted more than 50 million visitors.
With a full-time staff of roughly 2,000 team members, Graton marks its first decade as the second-largest corporate employer in Sonoma County — another cause for celebration.
"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," said Greg Sarris, chairman, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. "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 [our] team members returned. People make their careers at Graton."
At the onset of the pandemic, Graton vowed to keep paying all its employees and keep their benefits intact.
According to Graton Resort & Casino, its team members have fully paid medical, dental and vision benefits, 401k retirement savings and comprehensive wellness programs.
With Graton Resort & Casino being a business enterprise of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the resort is committed to the Tribe's mission of social justice. Innovative programs, such as free legal assistance for team members on the path to U.S. citizenship, ESL classes, organic food in the team member dining room, leadership training and fair wages, have become an example for other businesses in hospitality and gaming, according to the news release.
"Our tribal culture has a strong ethos of taking care of one another," Sarris said. "That is also true of our business enterprises."
Employees Look Back, See How Far They've Come
When Graton opened in 2013, Buoi Nguyen, a married father of two, left a job at a casino competitor to become a slot shift manager. In 2017, Nguyen was promoted to slot operations manager. He says enjoys the good pay and benefits, including a 401k-matching program, further growth potential and the supportive culture at Graton.
"A lot of times, it's not always greener on the other side of the pasture, but I wanted to take a chance to move up in slots, so I did," Nguyen said. "It was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my career and in my life."
Ernie Arnaga is the director of facilities and has also been at Graton since it opened. When he first applied for a supervisor position, he did not get the job but was offered a different position. Being Native American and wanting to support a Native-owned business, he took the job at a big pay cut, knowing that he would be able to excel and show his worth. Arnaga was confident that he would be able to move up.
He advanced to supervisor, then engineering manager, before becoming the director of facilities.
"I did not expect to go as far as I have," Arnaga says. "It’s been a wonderful ride, and I have been taken care of more than I can ever give back. Graton has become a second home for me, and I enjoy working with many different people. I hope to be here until I retire."
Graton Gives Back
Graton Resort & Casino/Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria contributes millions of dollars annually to community organizations and causes, according to the news release.
"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," Sarris said. "We’ve given to local educational institutions, arts organizations, food banks, literacy organizations, historical groups, emergency relief and housing non-profits."
Each year, Graton team members can use a set amount of paid time for Volunteer Days. Here are some of the organizations Graton says have benefited from its employees volunteering:
- Humane Society of Sonoma County
- Rohnert Park Animal Shelter
- Food for Thought
- COTS (Committee on the Shelterless)
- Palms Inn (shelter)
- City of Santa Rosa Creek Commission
- City of Rohnert Park Creeks
- Habitat for Humanity
- Tolay Park
"I am so proud of our commitment to each other and to those who we can help," Sarris said. "Together, we make a better life for those around us."
$1 Billion Expansion
Lastly, another thing to celebrate on the anniversary is the $1 billion expansion currently underway at Graton Resort & Casino.
In June, the resort broke ground on the $1 billion project which includes a casino floor expansion adding 2,000 new slot machines; a new poker room and a new high-limit area; a new five-story hotel wing with more than 200 rooms; a 28,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating for 480 guests; a five-level parking structure with solar panels and EV charging stations; and a 3,500-seat theater.
The expansion of the property will employ 2,000 temporary union construction jobs and create 600 new permanent team-member roles at Graton Resort & Casino.
