That quarterly payment would go from $2 million to $2.75 million if the tribe takes full advantage of its slot machine cap. The compact also increases the amount of money the rancheria pays into the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, an allocation that benefits nongaming tribes.
Only Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland, owned and operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, has more, with 7,000 slot machines The gaming floor expansion could give the facility the second-largest slot floor in all of California.
The deal comes amid the tribe’s pursuit to enlarge not only its gaming floor but its hotel space outside Rohnert Park, positioning itself as a dominant player in the local hospitality market and California’s $8 billion annual tribal gaming industry. The compact will replace the agreement signed in 2012, and increases the number of authorized slot machines at the Graton casino from 3000 to 6000.
The deal was announced by governor Newsom’s office on March 9. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and the State of California have entered into a new Tribal-State gaming compact that could see the tribe double the slot machines available at their Graton Resort and Casino.
