Crime & Safety
Two Hours After Opening, Rohnert Park Casino Was At Capacity
Graton Rancheria, largest facility in Northern California, had to stop letting in customers as parking lot, building was full.
The new Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park had to shut its doors shortly after opening for business at 10 a.m. Tuesday because of the crowds that flooded the casino, the parking lot and nearby roadways.
The city of Rohnert Park tweeted late this morning, "The Graton Casino is filled to capacity at this time! Traffic through Rohnert Park and on surface streets in this area is extremely congested."
An earlier tweet stated that the casino's parking lot was full.
Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The California Highway Patrol is warning motorists that U.S. Highway 101 is gridlocked near the casino, and recommended that drivers use state Highway 116 to Stony Point Road as an alternate route.
A casino employee said at about 12:20 p.m. that staff had shut the doors and were only letting new people in when other visitors left.
Find out what's happening in Novatowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The city of Rohnert Park tweeted at about noon, "Casino is full. Casino patrons should consider returning tomorrow or another time when more casino access is possible."
City officials also noted that Redwood Drive has been closed at Golf Course West because of heavy traffic, and that there is congestion on Commerce Avenue.
The $820 million, 340,000-square-foot casino contains 3,000 slot and video poker machines, 144 blackjack tables and a poker room, among other features.
-Bay City News
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
