River Rock Casino in Geyserville is getting a complete transformation after Caesars Entertainment teamed up with the Dry Creek Rancheria tribe. Construction started this month on what will become Caesars Republic Sonoma County, with plans to open in summer 2027.
The current tent casino will be replaced with a proper resort that includes over 1,000 slot machines, 28 table games, and a 100-room hotel. The tribe first opened River Rock back in 2002, and this $300 million upgrade represents their biggest investment yet.
The expansion reflects growing opportunities in the casino industry as different states embrace gaming partnerships. Some regions focus primarily on digital platforms, like Wisconsin online gambling sites, that offer slots, table games, and fast withdrawal options. On the other hand, California’s established tribal gaming framework continues attracting major operators for ambitious resort developments.
Located off Highway 101, the resort promises breathtaking views of Alexander Valley vineyards and the Russian River. The partnership launched when Dry Creek Rancheria selected Caesars as its development and management partner for the integrated resort. Citizens Financial Group led project financing, with Gaming and Leisure Properties serving as the primary real estate partner.
This marks Caesars Entertainment’s expansion of its Republic brand, already launched in Scottsdale and Lake Tahoe. The Sonoma County location will be the third Republic property, designed to blend with wine country’s character while maintaining the brand’s luxury standards. The hotel will come with a spa, pool, and fitness center. Visitors can expect several restaurants, including a steakhouse, café, and Asian restaurant, plus bars with views of the valley. The existing casino will stay open while construction happens next door.
Tribal Chairman Chris Wright says the project will help both the tribe and the local community. The Dry Creek Rancheria has called the Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys home for over 5,000 years, receiving federal recognition as a sovereign nation in 1915. Tourism officials think the new hotel rooms will bring more overnight visitors who’ll spend money at area wineries, restaurants, and shops around Geyserville and nearby Healdsburg.
The new resort will be part of the Caesars Rewards program, so guests can earn points to use at other Caesars properties around the country. The loyalty network spans over 50 destinations nationwide, giving the Sonoma property access to a massive customer base. Right now, River Rock has about 900 slot machines and 11 table games in its temporary tent building that covers 62,000 square feet.
Gaming and Leisure Properties helped fund the deal because they see potential in tribal casino partnerships. The company likes working with experienced casino operators on projects like this. The company sees this as a smart bet on tribal gaming’s future, especially given that tribal gaming revenue hit a record $41.9 billion nationwide in 2023.
More tribes are ditching the old casino tent approach for real resorts these days. They want to pull in wine tourists who have deeper pockets than day gamblers. Tribes figured out they can build fancy hotels and still keep control of their land and operations.
The construction timeline allows River Rock to keep operating while crews build the new resort nearby. This approach protects the tribe’s current income during the multi-year development process. The project should create plenty of construction work for local crews and provide hundreds of permanent jobs once the resort opens.
Sonoma County already sees millions of wine tourists every year. Now they’re betting some of those visitors will want to gamble after a day of tastings. Guests will be close to famous wineries like Kendall-Jackson and Jordan, plus dozens of smaller family operations.
When finished, this will be one of the biggest hospitality projects in Sonoma County history. The new facility aims to serve both local gamblers and tourists wanting upscale experiences in wine country.