Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - February 2012 - 04:02 by Arizona Gaming Guide

FEBRUARY

Contents FEATURE

14 GAMBLING & GOOD HEALTH IN ELDERLY Recent medical research supports the connection.

GREAT GAMES 08 FORTUNE PAI GOW POKER PROGRESSIVE™ Cliff Castle introduces a new table game. 11 BALLY TECHNOLOGIES IS 80 YEARS YOUNG The company’s history & their new slots. 12 RIBBIT™ BY COLOSSAL GAMING Always in the bonus—always good.

14 08

WINNING WAYS 16 IDENTIFYING “LOOSE” SLOTS Take a look around you and figure out the zone. 18 SLOT MACHINE QUIZ: TRUE OR FALSE? Side-by-side comparison of what’s fact or fiction.

CASINO DINING 20 FESTA BUFFET AT CASINO DEL SOL IN TUCSON The editor’s picks of Arizona’s casino buffets.

FAST FACTS 22 VALERIE SPICER: AIGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Experienced leader officially appointed. 22 TRIBAL SPOTLIGHT The White Mountain Apache Nation. 24 GAMING NEWS Slot giant IGT buys social site Double Down Casino.

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 26 CLAY WALKER AT DESERT DIAMOND CASINO The editor’s picks of Arizona’s casino entertainment.

REGULAR RESPINS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE What’s on our mind. 06 PLAYERS TALK What’s on your mind. 28 FUN & GAMES Sudoku & Puzzles to keep your mind sharp. 30 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN Rants, raves & reflections. 30 CASINO DIRECTORY Photo courtesy of Bucky’s Casino. © Copyright Bucky’s Casino. All Rights Reserved. www.buckyscasino.com Image courtesy of Shufflemaster, Inc. © Copyright Shufflemaster, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.shufflemaster.com Photo courtesy of Casino Del Sol Resort. © Copyright Casino Del Sol Resort. All Rights Reserved. www.casinodelsolresort.com

16 azgamingguide.com | February 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide

EDITOR’S NOTE

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 04 • ISSUE 02 PUBLISHER Chris Hoft chris@azgamingguide.com MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com

The year of the Dragon—Time for a change! On the heels of last month’s letter, I think it’s appropriate to share with you a few interesting facts about a second New Year celebration that just happened. January 23, 2012 marked the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrated around the world and particularly in Asia. According to the Chinese Zodiac, we will officially enter the year of the Black Water Dragon on February 4, 2012. Generally, dragon years are filled with new beginnings and good fortune. Entrepreneurs tend to be successful throughout the year and any new ventures are blessed with the dragon’s inherent luck and success. Those of you planning to get married, start a family, or anything new will have a very good year! In this month’s issue we focus on an Asian-themed card game now available at Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde along with several new slots including games by Colossal Gaming and Bally. We also summarize some recent research that gambling is linked to good health in the elderly! There’s a lot more packed into this issue along with some insights into “loose” and “tight” slots in Winning Ways and my favorite casino buffets! I chose to highlight the brand new Festa International Buffet at Casino del Sol and the Diamond Buffets at Desert Diamond Casinos. Please visit us at: www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide, become part of our community and share your thoughts and experiences with others who also love the same casino games you do. You can sign up for our enewsletter and find the current and back issues of the Arizona Gaming Guide on our website at www.azgamingguide.com. For your convenience, we have included the QR codes for both web addresses in our directory. Let me know what you think of our February issue and have fun! Cheers!

Alexandra

Alexandra Lang Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com 04 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mark Novak Alex Stewart Samantha Becker Lana Hartmann Elizabeth Torma ADVERTISING SALES Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com Alex Stewart alex@azgamingguide.com MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION www.azgamingguide.com www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide Copyright © 2012 The Arizona Gaming Guide. All rights reserved. The Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG) presents casino industry and gaming related facts as well as personal opinions and expects the reader to make his or her own decisions. All responses to reader emails and letters are to be considered as advice only. AGG accepts no responsibility and no liability for any actions of our readers based on the articles and advertisements presented within this publication. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners. You must be 21 or older to gamble. Please play responsibly. Help is available at 1.800.NEXT.STEP or problemgambling.az.gov. Arizona’s State Gaming Regulatory Agency: Arizona Department of Gaming 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007 1-602-771-4263 or azgaming.gov Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource: Office of Problem Gambling 1-800-NEXT STEP or 1-800-639-8783 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007 1-602-542-8998 or problemgambling.az.gov

PLAYERS TALK

Q&A On Everything Gaming

Q: LADY LUCK MEET UNCLE SAM Last year I won $2000 from a casino and had to fill out a tax slip. I’d like to reduce my gambling winnings and I’m wondering what records will prove my losses. Would an ATM withdrawal from the casino be proof as a loss? Anonymous – Kingman, AZ

Q: SECURITY PRESENCE AT CASINO ENTRANCES I feel like I’m being judged by the employees who stand at the front door to the casino. What’s their purpose anyway? They’re usually not friendly, so I don’t think they’re supposed to be there to greet customers. Honestly, they make me feel uncomfortable. L. Martin – Chandler, AZ

A: If you itemize your deductions, you can deduct your gambling losses for the year up to and including your winnings but no more than that! In order to be able to deduct gambling losses, accurate records of all gambling winnings and losses must be maintained. A log of the following information is usually sufficient enough:

L. Martin, if you’re feeling a little uncomfortable and perhaps intimidated, that’s not necessarily a bad thing! The security officers at the entrances to the casinos are there to keep undesirable people out. For the safety of all the casino personnel and patrons, they are a criminal deterrence. Their role is to monitor and report any suspicious behavior or indications of unlawful intent by alerting surveillance to possible incoming problems. Furthermore, they’re not just the first line of defense but also the last because they’re in a position to apprehend a thief making a run for the door.

1. 2. 3. 4.

The name and address of the gambling establishment The date, time, and type of wager that was made The machine number or table number you were playing The amount of money that was won and the amount lost

Of course, it’s always a good idea to have as much additional documentation as you can that supports your claims. This includes bank withdrawal slips, canceled checks, check-cashing slips, credit records, and the win-loss statements from all the gambling establishments. Most casinos can provide you with end-of-the-year player tracking documentation that contains all that information. Also, you had mentioned wanting to “reduce” your gambling winnings. Just as a precautionary measure, I wanted to make sure to mention that you can’t reduce your gambling winnings by your gambling losses and report the difference. The full amount of your gambling winnings must be reported separately from your gambling losses. In other words, you must report the full amount of your winnings as income and claim your losses as an itemized deduction (but only up to the amount of your winnings). Gambling winnings for the year must be reported on Form 1040 and gambling losses can be included in the list of itemized deductions on Schedule A, form 1040. Be careful to note that you cannot use 1040A or 1040EZ. For an in-depth explanation on tax laws and how they relate to gambling, take a look at Publications 505 & 525 from the IRS.

We have an added sense of security here in Arizona that we don’t have in other gaming jurisdictions. Nevada casinos (and most other commercial casinos across the country) do not mandate a physical security presence at the front entrances of the casinos. This leaves the casinos and those inside vulnerable. Remember the Bellagio robbery that happened a year ago? How is it that a person covered head-to-toe wearing a motorcycle helmet, a backpack and a gun was able to walk into the Bellagio casino and steal $1.5 million in chips from the craps table? Q: SERVER-BASED GAMING I want to know if the slot machines can be reprogrammed from a main computer somewhere in a back room at the casino without having to physically open the slot machine? I hear that’s going on in Vegas. David Shultz—Mesa, AZ David, this is called server-based gaming which we do not currently have here in Arizona, but can be found in some casinos in Las Vegas. This technology allows casinos to change slot game themes, denominations, and payback percentages with just a few keystrokes. First the Arizona Tribal State Compacts would need to be updated before we could use that system here.

ASK THE EXPERTS and get a $25 gas card if we decide to print your question! Do you have a question for our staff of casino gaming industry professionals and slot experts? Write us with your questions and comments in any area of gaming and we will make every attempt to publish a response in upcoming issues. Space is limited so we are unable to print every letter or e-mail we receive. Please include your name and mailing address with all correspondence. Mail to: Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277 or E-mail to: editor@azgamingguide.com.

06 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

Q&A On Everything Gaming Q: ARIZONA HAS TIGHT SLOT MACHINES All the slots are set tight in the Arizona casinos. I look around in the casinos and nobody is winning anymore. Edward Graham – Florence, AZ Edward, I’m sorry that’s how you feel because it’s simply not true! My team members and I participate in as many new game installs as we can and have all personally observed the settings. Slot Managers and Slot Techs all across the State of Arizona are actually installing new games at higher than average payback percentages; not to mention that our State’s minimum requirements (80% for non-skill games and 83% for skill games like video poker) are already much higher than the returns offered in most other jurisdictions! It’s clear from our discussions with casino executives that they understand times are tough and people have less money to spend on entertainment. They know that making machines tighter will only drive players away and hurt their bottom line in the long run. Also, it’s purely a misconception that “nobody is winning anymore” because nowadays very few casinos set their machines to lock up for small jackpots and non-taxable wins. A decade ago, while hoppers and coins were still prevalent, jackpots could be seen and heard! With the invention of TITO (ticket in-ticket

PLAYERS TALK

out) and coinless slots now we have to listen closely for the “Big Win” sounds incorporated into the games by the manufacturers. While I’m on that subject, my personal opinion is that the slot manufacturers are the ones we should be frustrated at and not the casinos. The new games that are coming out are more volatile than ever before and players will have a miserable experience if they don’t come prepared with the proper bankroll to wager through the inevitable dry spells. Q: OLDEST SLOT MANUFACTURER I never paid attention to which companies design the slot machines I like to play until I started reading your magazine. What I’ve realized is that almost all my favorite games are made by WMS. They seem to have the most games in the casinos. Have they been around the longest? Mary Mayfield – Surprise, AZ Mary, Bally is the oldest slot manufacturer in the world founded in 1932 by Raymond T. Moloney. Before producing slot machines, Bally originally created pinball games and other coin operated amusement devices. In 1936, Bally created its first slot machine and in 1975 became the first gaming company to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange! $

azgamingguide.com | February 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide

GREAT GAMES

New Table Games

Inside Strategy Scoop

Play it NOW at Cliff Castle Casino By Alex Stewart

This table game can be easily described as blackjack for poker players! Pai Gow Poker®, as a casino game, continues to regularly evolve and Shufflemaster, Inc. has brought us this exciting new version which is now available for play at Cliff Castle Casino-Hotel in Camp Verde, Arizona. Rachel Jackson, Table Games Manager at Cliff Castle Casino, is extremely excited about this new addition to their offering of games. Fortune Pai Gow Poker Progressive® is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and one joker. The point of the game is for your two poker hands to beat both of the banker’s hands. You are dealt seven cards each game and have to arrange them into your first five card poker hand (called the back) which must rank higher than the second two card poker hand (the front). The joker card is used as an extra Ace, except when you can use it to complete a straight, flush, or straight flush. You win even money (less a 5% fee in most cases) for beating both of the bank’s hands, your bet back for beating one of the bank’s hands and lose your bet if the bank beats both of your hands. If you play well, you’ll win every 3.5 hands, tie about once every 2.4 hands, and lose roughly every 3.3 hands. Put another way, you’ll lose only 3 out of 10 hands and win or push the rest. As a result, Pai Gow Poker® is a fun, low volatility game that won’t bust your bankroll quickly. To qualify for any of the Fortune wins, you make an additional wager that your seven cards will combine to make any poker hand of a straight or higher and a few special hands as well (in most casinos). These special hands include Five Aces, a Wild 7 Card Straight Flush, a Royal Flush with two 2’s, and a Natural 7 Card Straight Flush. Since there are several versions of this game around Arizona, Las Vegas, and the rest of the country, some of the pays change, but in general, you’ll win from 2 to 8,000 times your Fortune bet about once every five hands. Better still, if another player at the table has a Four-of-a-Kind or better with their seven card hand, you’ll win from 1 to 1,000 times your Fortune bet. This win is the Envy Bonus and hits often with a full table! 08 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

The casino’s dealer arranges their hands according to a defined set of rules referred to as The House Way which helps to determine the casino’s edge in the game. This strategy minimizes the casino’s losses. Most casinos allow players to request their hands be arranged according to these same rules. Most tables have House Way buttons available for players to use. In the event you prefer to make your own decisions at the table, we have a few general tips and suggestions for you that cover most situations, wagers, and available pay tables. 0 Pair: Highest card to back, the next two highest cards in front. 1 Pair: Pair in back and the next two highest cards in front. 2 Pair: Split unless the pairs are 6s and lower or an Ace for back. 3 Pair: Highest pair in front. 3-of-a-Kind: In back unless you can play 2 Aces in back & 1 in front. Double 3-of-a-Kind: Highest pair in front. Full House: Three of a kind in back and the pair in front. Straights, Flushes & Straight Flushes: Front is the strongest hand Four-of-a-Kind: 2s-6s back. Split 7s-10s unless you can put an Ace with a face card in front. Split Jacks-Kings unless you also have a pair of 10s or better. Split Aces unless you also have a pair of 4s or better. Royal Flush: In back unless you can split 2 pair as well. Split if an Ace, King, or pair make a front and a straight or flush make a back 5 Aces: Split unless a pair of Kings can be played in front

To qualify for jackpot wins, you also make an additional Progressive wager that your seven cards will form at least a Full House. The top two hands, a 7 Card Straight Flush and a Royal Flush pay all or a part of the current progressive jackpot value. Most of these progressive jackpots start at $1,000 or higher and can climb into the tens of thousands of dollars when they are awarded. In general, you’ll wager $1 and win from $5 to at least $1,000 or the value of the jackpot! Check with any Cliff Castle Casino Table Games employee for more information on the exact pays for each winning hand and remember that the pays may change from one casino to the next. $ Special thanks to Rachel J. at Cliff Castle Casino-Hotel, Ashley R., Stephanie G. & John S. at Shufflemaster, and Alicia G. & Phil J. at Mosak for their help. Images courtesy of Shufflemaster, Inc. © Copyright Shufflemaster, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.shufflemaster.com

New Slots

GREAT GAMES

By Mark Novak

Bally By The Numbers

Bally is the world’s oldest slot manufacturing business in the world and is celebrating its 80 year anniversary this year. The company, founded in 1932 by Raymond T. Moloney in Chicago during the Great Depression, was originally a manufacturer of pinball machines!

1975

Bally (BYI) became the first gaming company to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1975 and today is an industry leader in design and innovation.

1¢

The cost to play the very first Bally pinball machine was only one penny!

2500

Bally employs about 2,500 people and has more than 25 offices all around the world. More than 600 of those employees are dedicated to research and development!

200

The Bally corporate headquarters and a full-service manufacturing facility is located in Las Vegas and makes up to 200 games per day!

Ballyhoo! What a great game name given to Bally’s (and the world’s) first coin operated pinball machine way back in 1932. Bally eventually transitioned into slot machine design, manufacturing, and sales which has also led to a strong focus on providing support systems for casinos and lotteries. In some states, the company even offers million dollar progressive jackpots including Millionaire Sevens® and 1,000,000 Degrees®.

Bally Who? For a long time, players didn’t pay a lot of attention to their slots here in Arizona. Well times have changed! Almost every casino in the state has the newest version of Bally’s slots and all indications point to there being more on the way. At this point, the jury is out and we’ll see what the verdict is after you let us know what you think of these new Bally products! Money Vault® & Golden Pharaoh® Both slots feature a Directional Wild bonus where extra wild symbols appear and move out of the bonus symbol. Playboy®—Hot Zone At the end of any spin, one or more wild symbols can land on top of the reels. Your win can go from 0 to a ton of credits in a heartbeat if the entire screen is wild! Betty Boop’s—Love Meter® The classic cartoon returns to let players measure their Love Temperature on the screen in order to win 1 of 9 bonuses! Cash Wizard® Includes a Wizard Wild bonus and a distinctive two wheel Wizard Wheel bonus, among others, along with three progressive jackpots! Use editor@azgamingguide.com or our Facebook fan page to tell us what you think of Bally and their new slot games! $ azgamingguide.com | February 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide

GREAT GAMES

New Slots

Colossal’s

® Ribbit By Lana Hartmann

ut your preconceived notions of frogs aside with this slot! They may not turn into princes, but they sure will bring you some big wins if you’re nice to them! The best part about this game is that the bonuses happen often—every 75 spins, on average! Choose one of the two frogs as your own and watch them chase each other around the board on the giant screen during game play. Once the bonus is triggered, you’ll pick between winning multiplied free games (up to 15X) with or without some starting credits, increasing the value of the next bonus, or just taking credits and skipping the free games. Here’s a secret: no casino in Arizona currently has this game installed in a payback percentage that’s less than 88%! That’s not bad for a low denomination game. $

12 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

GAMBLING LINKED TO GOOD HEALTH IN THE ELDERLY By Lana Hartmann

any elderly people love visiting casinos and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to understand why their engagement in such a fun leisure activity can elevate their moods and happiness levels. However, numerous studies across the years have shown that gambling is not only a great form of entertainment, but that it can actually be a therapeutic diversion. With every trip to the casino, elderly gamblers who are 65 years and older may essentially be increasing their life span! According to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission and a recent study conducted by researchers at the Southern Illinois University and published in the Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis (2010), gambling has tremendous psychological and physiological effects on the elderly. The findings indicate older individuals who gamble recreationally have lower rates of depres14 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

sion, are in better physical health overall, are more inclined to be self-reliant, and have a larger social support network than their non-gambling peers.

With every trip to the casino, elderly gamblers may essentially be increasing their life span! According to a Yale study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry (2004) casino gambling, regardless of whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bingo, keno, slots, table games or pari-

mutuel wagering, is tremendously beneficial to the mental health of elderly gamblers. Higher levels of concentration, improved memory, and increased problem solving skills were all attributed to the positive side effects of gambling. Rani Desai, associate professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine, says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not entirely clear why there is a positive correlation of good health in moderate gamblers 65 years and older. "Although the underlying reasons remain hypothetical, proposed reasons include the increased activity, socialization and cognitive stimulation that are related to engaging in gambling," Desai and her co-authors said. "Such a mechanism would be consistent with the literature on healthy aging which indicates that more socially and cognitively active elders are, in general, healthier."

Elderly gamblers limit their casino spending, set a budget for each gambling excursion, and leave bank cards at home. There are opponents of gambling who argue that the elderly are draining their bank accounts and pensions and are being taken advantage of by the casinos. However, according to a gambling behavior study conducted by the University of Chicago (2007), senior citizens gamble to socialize and not to win a Jackpot. In fact, the study shows that elderly gamblers tend to be much more conservative and play it safer than the younger, recreational gamblers who show higher rates of problem gambling. Most seniors who gamble do so responsibly. Numerous studies have also shown that most elderly gamblers limit their casino spending, set a budget for each gambling excursion, and leave bank cards at home. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no denying that elderly people who lead an active lifestyle and engage in behavior that promotes both mental and emotional well-being (whether those activities are of a gambling nature or not) are generally happier. And, happier people tend to have a more positive attitude. Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Some theories suggest that those people with a positive outlook are able to cope with stress better which, in turn, reduces the harmful health effects of stress on the body. $ azgamingguide.com | February 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide

WINNING WAYS

Spotting “Loose” Slots

n most casinos, in particular larger properties, the placement of slots is carefully thought out all the way down to the payback percentage. How “loose” or how “tight” a slot is set when first brought onto the floor is not a haphazard decision for the Slot Department executives and GM’s office. As soon as a casino is big enough, say over 750 machines, casino executives put significant thought into how their property is laid out. As a result, patrons respond to their design by having high or low traffic volume areas which is frequently based on desirable and undesirable amenities the casino property offers, like restaurants, an entertainment venue, and so on. Casinos always want to maximize revenues out of every slot in the casino at all times. For this reason, slots in high volume traffic areas near an attractive amenity (Zone A), like the buffet, will see a lot of play. Games with a lot of play are a goldmine for the casino. These games can be set “tight” with high maximum bets and use math models with extreme ups and downs to their game play as they’ll get play regardless of their settings. At the opposite end of the spectrum is an area of the casino where traffic 16 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

volume is low and there is nothing attracting players to the surrounding area (Zone B). For example, a dark corner near a few Blackjack tables where visitors might be bothered by the rowdy antics of someone who just watched the dealer draw to 21! Logically, the casino has to approach slots in this area differently than those in Zone A. In order to keep the numbers up in Zone B, the slots have to be lower risk, at lower max bets, and set “looser” in order to keep players in the area, playing longer, and coming back on their next trip. Then there are the middle ground areas. That is, sections of the casino with high foot traffic volume with unappealing attractions (Zone C), or an area with an attractive destination but with low traffic volume (Zone D). Slots in Zone C have a low wager, medium game play and tend to be set “tight” to capture a player’s impulse to play on a whim. Slots in Zone D usually have a low bet, medium game play and are set “loose” to keep players in the area. Next time you visit a casino, be observant of what zone (A, B, C, or D) you might be in. You’ll have to observe the traffic volume and then come to a conclusion about how “loose” or “tight” the slots might be before you sit down and play! $

WINNING WAYS

Slot Machines

True or False? You can gain an advantage playing the slots. True! In addition to video poker which is a skill-based game, there are other video slot games which have skill based bonuses. The help screens explain the optimal playing strategies for these types of bonuses.

You can change the odds of a slot game in your favor. True! 1. When playing video poker, never play less than max bet on the game because the payback percentage at max bet is higher than the payback at the minimum bet. 2. When playing a slot game connected to a randomly triggered progressive, the player wagering the most at the bank has the best chance of being selected by the progressive controller. Increase your bet and you will increase you odds of getting the progressive! Or, just make sure you are the biggest bettor at the bank! 3. If your bankroll allows, play 25¢ and $1 slot games or higher. The higher the denomination, the higher the payback percentage. Penny games are usually set the tightest. 4. Always use a player’s club card, because you’re automatically changing the odds in your favor by earning cash back, comps and other casino offers.

The larger your bankroll, the better your chances of winning. True! Most bonuses on newer video slot machines happen every 100 to 200 spins, on average. Therefore, realize that having the correct bankroll will influence your ability of experiencing a bonus and ultimately winning on a game. 18 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

Using a players club card affects whether you win on a slot. False! The Random Number Generator (RNG) in a slot machine is the only factor that determines the outcome of every spin. The card readers, ticket printers, and bill validators are all separate mechanisms that are part of a slot machine designed to perform independent functions - one has absolutely nothing to do with the other! Casinos set slots to be tighter or looser whenever they want. False! Once a new slot machine arrives at a casino, it is initialized and the payback percentage is selected for the game. This is all done with a member of the overseeing gaming agency recording all the settings of the game. Casinos don’t change original settings because it requires permission and oversight by the Tribal and State gaming agencies and additional administrative time. Furthermore, the machines must be turned off (hence, not being played) during this entire process which is something no casino would ever want! You shouldn’t play a slot that just paid out a huge Jackpot. False! Every single spin is independent of the spin before and is determined by the RNG. All gaming regulations state, at the very minimum, that every single outcome on a slot machine must be random at all times and that no slot game will adjust the likelihood of an event happening based on the history of the previous games and/or payouts. The casinos plan for and know when a progressive will hit. False! Outcomes at the casino, whether they’re on the slot floor, in the card room or in the bingo hall, are all purely random. This is why casino games are thoroughly tested and heavily regulated! Stopping the reels can affect a game’s outcome. False! As soon as the “Spin” button on a slot is pressed, the result is determined by the RNG. The lights and animations on a slot are programmed into a game for entertainment purposes. Players can even press the “Stop/Spin” feature if they don’t want to wait for a win presentation to end or their credits to rack up in the machine without affecting the game’s outcome whatsoever. $

CASINO DINING

Casino Buffets

Casino Del Sol Resort

Spa & Conference Center in Tucson, AZ Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center is changing southern Arizona’s perception of buffet-style dining with the recent opening of Festa International Buffet. Festa features everything from international cuisine like dim sum to American comfort food like macaroni and cheese. Unlike other buffets, Festa’s offerings are cooked to order for each guest with made-from-scratch food prepared by people who love to cook. Festa International Buffet provides guests with a distinctive, affordable experience. Guests deserve the best and Festa is proud to offer the best dining options out there. Open daily, Festa also hosts specialty meals including Seafood Thursday, Sunday Brunch, and much more! Don’t let the ultimate in feasting pass you by; be a guest in their kitchen and let their attentive staff and culinary experts tantalize your taste buds and take you on a world dining tour. Per person pricing varies depending on the meal, with lunch ranging from $14-17, din-

20 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

ner ranging from $19-23 and specialty offerings—Seafood Buffet, for example—starting at $25. Festa International Buffet is open Sunday 9am to 11pm; Monday through Thursday 11am to 11pm; Friday and Saturday 11am to 2am. Casino Del Sol is southern Arizona’s premier place to play and win and the Club Sol rewards program is one of the most generous in the industry. Their two casinos offer players over 1,300 state-of-the-art slot and video poker machines, 22 tables for Blackjack and Poker and a 600-player bingo hall. Proudly owned and operated by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson, Arizona, Casino Del Sol and its sister casino, Casino of the Sun, have been in operation for the past 20 years. For more info visit CasinoDelSolResort.com or call 1-855-765-7829. Send us an e-mail to editor@azgamingguide.com and tell us what you think of Festa! $ Special thanks to Taby O., Rachel M. & Lisa G. at Casino Del Sol Resort. Photos courtesy of Casino Del Sol Resort. © Copyright Casino Del Sol Resort. All Rights Reserved. www.casinodelsolresort.com

Editor’s Picks of Casino Buffets

Our Favorite Casino Buffets Apache Gold Casino—Globe—928.475.7800 Wickiup Buffet: Taco Tuesday & Seafood Dinner Friday Hours: Lunch 11-2pm, Dinner 5-9pm Sa & Su Brunch 9-2pm, Sa & Su Dinner 5-9pm

CASINO DINING

The Diamond Buffet

at Desert Diamond Casinos (Tucson & Sahuarita)

BlueWater Casino—Parker—928.669.7777 BlueWater Buffet: Seafood Friday & “Prime Time” Saturday Hours: Breakfast 6:30-11am, Lunch 11-4pm, Dinner 4-10pm Casino Arizona (Salt River)—Scottsdale—480.850.7777 Eagles Buffet: Steamed Snow Crab Legs We & Th! Hours: Lunch Mo-Fr 11-3pm, Dinner Su-Th 4:30-10pm Sa & Su Brunch 10-3pm, Fr & Sa Dinner 4:30-11pm Desert Diamond Casinos—Tucson—866.332.9467 Diamond Buffet: Seafood on Mo & Su Champagne Brunch Hours: Lunch Mo-Sa 11-2pm, Dinner Mo-Sa 4-9pm Sunday Champagne Brunch 11-2pm, Sunday Dinner 4-9pm Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell—800.843.3678 Red Rock Buffet: Fr-Sa Crab Legs also Shrimp & Prime Rib Hours: Lunch Mo-Fr 11-2pm, Dinner Su-We 4-8pm (‘til 9 Th) Sa & Su Brunch 11-2:30pm, Fr & Sa Dinner 4-10pm Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa—800.427.7247 The Buffet: Fr & Sa Seafood also Sunday Champagne Brunch Hours: Lunch Mo-Sa. 11am-3pm; Dinner Su–Th 4pm-8pm & Fr & Sa 4pm-10pm; Sunday Brunch 9am-3pm

Treat yourself to a luxurious Champagne Brunch on Sundays or dive into the Seafood Extravaganza on Monday nights. No matter what you love, the Diamond Buffet has it for you and always at a low price. Sunday Champagne Brunch: 10am-2pm Dinner: 4-9pm Monday - Saturday Lunch: 11am-2pm Dinner: 4-9pm Dinner Themes feature Seafood Extravaganza on Monday nights, Asian on Tuesdays, Every Wednesday it’s a BBQ! And the week finishes with Pasta on Thursdays and Fiesta Fridays! For more info, call (520) 342-1327. $ Special thanks to Stephanie R., Michael G., Brett K. & Carole M. at Desert Diamond Casinos. Photo courtesy of Desert Diamond Casinos. © Copyright Desert Diamond Casinos. All Rights Reserved. www.ddcaz.com

Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop—800.929.8744 Buffet@Indian Pine Restaurant: Fr Seafood & Sa Prime Rib Hours: Breakfast 7-10:30am, Lunch 11-3:30pm Dinner 4-9:30pm, Sunday Brunch 9-2pm Mazatzal Casino—Payson—800.777.7529 Buffet@Cedar Ridge Restaurant: Arizona’s Best Fish Fry! Hours: Lunch Mo-Th 11-3pm, Friday 11am-10pm Saturday Buffet 11-3pm, Sunday Buffet 10-3pm Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Ocotillo Buffet: An international culinary adventure! Hours: Breakfast 7-10:30am, Lunch 11-3pm, Dinner Su-Th 49pm, Seafood Fr 4-10pm, Prime Rib & Shrimp Sa 4-10pm Casino del Sol—Tucson—520.838.6506 Festa International Buffet: Dim sum to American fare Hours: Mo-Th 11am-11pm, Fr-Sa 11am-2am, Su 9am-11pm Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale—480.850.7777 Wandering Horse Buffet: Expansive international cuisine Hours: Breakfast Mo-Sa 7-10:30am, Lunch Mo-Sa 11-3pm Dinner Su-Th 4:30-9pm Fr-Sa ‘til 10pm, Su Brunch 9-3pm All buffets are open daily. Please verify all details and any age restrictions with each casino. We are not responsible for incorrect or outdated information. azgamingguide.com | February 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide

FAST FACTS

Tribal Gaming

Valerie Spicer

Appointed Executive Director of the AIGA

he Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) announced on January 20, 2012 that Valerie Spicer has accepted the position of Executive Director of AIGA. Spicer, who had been serving as Deputy Director, was selected by tribal leaders during a national search. “Indian gaming is about economic opportunities for tribes, their communities and citizens of the State of Arizona” said Spicer. “The economic benefit that Indian gaming has afforded both non-tribal and tribal people alike is unparalleled. Witnessing this phenomenon over the course of my career is what truly drives me.” Spicer brings nearly 28 years of gaming experience to AIGA, having worked in the private and public sectors in gaming and gaming-related fields. Before serving as Deputy Director for AIGA, she was CEO of Gaming Strategies Group where she promoted business development with Tribal enterprises and governments and consulted to tribal and individually-owned businesses. She has consulted to the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, Casino Omaha, Global Gaming Group, Arizona Indian Gaming Association and worked for Dick Clark Signature

Entertainment. She was also Vice President and General Manager for Borrego Springs Bank and business development and public relations services to Viejas Enterprises. Named in 2004 as one of the “Top 25 People To Watch” by Global Gaming Magazine, Spicer has contributed her time and her talents to Indian gaming. She was co-chair for the landmark, ten-year Harvard/National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) National Census Data Impact Study and founder and co-chair of the American Indian Business Network. She also served as Founding Chair for NIGA Spirit of Sovereignty Scholarship Foundation. Spicer said she will work closely with the Tribal leadership to further the mission of AIGA. “This organization has an outstanding reputation for working effectively with tribes and with other gaming associations. I am honored to be asked to lead it and continue to have the opportunity to build upon our relationship with national and regional associations that are so important to this industry.” The AIGA has a membership of 17 tribes representing more than 90% of the Indian people living on reservations in Arizona. AIGA was established November 21, 1994 by Arizona tribal leaders. The Association is committed to advancing the lives of Indian people economically, socially, and politically so that Indian tribes in Arizona can achieve their goal of self-reliance. For more information about the AIGA, please visit their website at: www.azindiangaming.org. $

WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE T

he word “Hon-Dah” in the Apache language means “welcome to my home” and at ease is truly how you’ll feel when you visit Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center, Sunrise Park Resort, or any of the other enterprises of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. The reservation, which consists of 15,000 members and 1.67 million acres (over 2,600 square miles) in east-central Arizona, consists of pristine forests, wide savannahs, some of the richest wildlife habitats in the state, 26 sparkling lakes and 400 miles of breathtakingly beautiful streams. Through the Tribe’s Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Division, many leisure activities are available on the reservation and they are as diverse as the land; skiing, fishing, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, camping, raft22 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

ing, mountain biking, and more! The White Mountains are the ideal vacation destination; a powdery paradise for downhill and cross-country ski enthusiasts in the winter and an actionpacked adventure during the summer with scenic lift rides, July 4th celebrations, great fishing at Sunrise Lake, the Hon-Dah Pow Wow and the White Mountain Apache Tribe Fair and Rodeo. It’s the outdoor splendor that will probably bring you to the region, but you won’t want to miss the non-stop gaming action at Hon-Dah Casino Resort and Conference Center while you’re there. For more information about the White Mountain Apache Tribe please visit www.wmat.us. $

FAST FACTS

Gaming News

Slot Giant IGT Acquires Social Company

Double Down Interactive For $500 Million

International Game Technology (IGT), the global leader in design, development and manufacture of slot machines and systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated markets, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Double Down Interactive – a leading online social gaming company and developer of the popular DoubleDown™ Casino found on Facebook. Launched in April 2010, the DoubleDown™ Casino is the world’s largest virtual casino and one of the top four social media games in 2011 as rated by Facebook. According to AppData.com, DoubleDown™ Casino currently has 4.7 million monthly active users, up from 3.3 million in October 2011. With a broad and expanding portfolio, Double Down offers blackjack, slots, slot tournaments, video poker, and roulette to social gamers all around the world. The total consideration includes $250 million in cash, $85 million in retention payments over the next two years and up to $165 million in cash payable over the next three years subject to Double Down meeting certain financial performance targets. IGT expects to fund the transaction from cash on hand. The addition of Double Down provides IGT instant size and scale in the fast growing world of casino-style social gaming and is expected to broaden IGT’s popular gaming titles beyond the physical casino to Facebook, the world’s largest social network with over 800 million global users. This powerful distribution model is anticipated to provide IGT an opportunity to entertain players with consistent, ubiquitous, thrilling gaming experiences across multiple platforms. “Double Down and IGT share complementary cultures 24 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

focused on innovation and creativity. Both companies are committed to providing unrivaled quality, service and entertainment to millions of players,” said Greg Enell, CEO of Double Down. “Leveraging IGT’s Research and Development, global reach, and best-in-class content will provide our loyal player base with an even more robust experience and is expected to augment Double Down’s growth trajectory.” “As technological innovations increasingly influence consumer behavior, social dynamics are quickly transforming entertainment and gaming experiences everywhere,” said Patti Hart, CEO of IGT. “The addition of Double Down launches IGT into a leadership position in social gaming, extends our global reach through new mediums, and leverages our unmatched expertise in game development. We intend to drive meaningful value from this rapidly growing distribution platform that reaches a new, but complementary, demographic of gamers.” About Double Down Interactive Double Down Interactive is the leading casual games developer of "fun to play" casino experiences on the Internet. With veterans from top online game companies, the team is committed to providing consumers an online social casino experience that is unrivaled by anything else available. Anyone can play at the DoubleDown™ Casino by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/ doubledowncasino/ or www.doubledowncasino.com. Double Down Interactive is based in Seattle, Washington. About IGT International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of gaming machines and systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated markets. More information about IGT is available at www.IGT.com. $

ENTERTAINMENT

Casino Listings

Apache Gold Casino

Casino of the Sun

Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Cabaret Lounge: Neil Russell—Feb. 10 & 11 Wild Ride—Feb. 17 & 18 Jadi Norris—Feb. 24 & 25

Tucson, AZ—520.879.5450 Call for event details*

Cliff Castle Casino

BlueWater Casino

Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 BlueWater Amphitheater: Dwight Yoakam—Feb. 25 at 4pm Dig Lounge: Local & Regional Live Entertainment—Tuesdays & Wednesdays Totally 80’s Night—Thursdays Live DJ—Fridays & Saturdays

Jadi Norris Apache Gold Casino February 24th & 25th

Bucky's Casino Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744 Yavapai Cantina: Karaoke—Fridays Call for event details*

Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Stargazer Pavillion: Call for event details* Dragonfly Lounge: Enjoy live music including Rock, Country, R&B, and Latin.

Cocopah Resort Casino

Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 The Park: Call for event details* River Room: Zumba—Mondays & Tuesdays Karaoke—Wednesdays & Thursdays La Vida Loca—Fridays (featuring Norteña dance bands)

Foreigner Desert Diamond Casino March 1st

Desert Diamond Casino I

Casino Arizona (Salt River) Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: LoveShack—Feb. 2, 3 &4 Call for event details* Dwight Yoakam The Pima Lounge: Local bands BlueWater Casino playing rock, pop, funk, old-school and more from the 60's, 70's, 80's February 25th 90's & today. The Arizona Room Piano Lounge: Features a variety of music styles including the sounds of swing and jazz.

Casino Arizona (Talking Stick Resort)

Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Toni Braxton—Feb. 17 at 8pm Frankie Valli—Feb. 18 at 8pm Coffee Garden: Dueling Pianos—Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 8-11pm

Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Desert Diamond Sports Bar: Call for event details* Monsoon Nightclub: Call for event details*

Desert Diamond Casino II

Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar: Friday Night Party—Music, dancing & more Diamond Center: Clay Walker—Feb. 25 at 8pm Foreigner—Mar. 1 at 7pm Willie Nelson—Mar. 6 at 7pm George Thorogood & The Destroyers— Mar. 11 at 7pm Hotel California—Apr. 15 at 7pm

Willie Nelson Desert Diamond Casino March 6th

Desert Diamond Casino (Why) Why, AZ—866.332.9467 Call for event details*

Fort McDowell Casino

Toni Braxton Talking Stick Resort February 17

Frankie Valli Talking Stick Resort February 17

Casino del Sol

Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 AVA Amphitheater: Gabriel Iglesias—May 12th at 8pm Paradiso Bar & Lounge: Call for event details*

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Event Center: Slow Jams featuring Keith Sweat with special guest Force MD’s & Surface— Feb. 24 at 8pm Lucky 7 Saloon: Call for event details* Lunar Bingo: The one, the only, the original—Feb. 11

George Thorogood Desert Diamond Casino March 11th

Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino

Maricopa, AZ—800.427.7247 Oasis Lounge: The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley Feb. 14 at 8pm The Platters Feb. 29 at 1 & 3pm

Keith Sweat Quechan Casino Feb 10th Ft. McDowell Casino Feb 24th

Editor’s Pick

ENTERTAINMENT

Hon-Dah Casino

Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munday Funday—Comedy Show Doo-Wah Riders—Country/Western Show Band—Feb. 7-11 Groove City—R&B Variety—Feb. 14-18 Creagles—CCR/Eagles Tribute—Feb. 21-25 Skid Rodeo—Variety—Feb. 28-Mar. 3 Midnight Riders—Rock Variety—Mar. 6-10

Lone Butte Casino

Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Bands & DJs—Weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Verona Chophouse from 10-3pm

Mazatzal Casino

Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Event Center: Bobby Collins—Mar. 30 Surfin’ Safari—Jul. 28 Hotel California—Sep. 21

Paradise Casino Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Live entertainment—Fridays & Saturdays, call for event details*

Quechan Casino

Winterhaven, CA— 877.783.2426 Pipa Event Center: Keith Sweat—Feb. 10 at 8pm Air Supply—Feb. 24 at 8pm Sidewinders Bar & Grill: Live entertainment—Fridays & Saturdays Mirage—Soul and R&B—Feb. 10-11 Checker’d Past—80’s—Feb. 24-25

Bobby Collins Mazatzal Casino March 30th

Diamond Center Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita February 25th—8PM Tickets start at $20—520.294.7777 Certain artists just seem to have an innate sense of what it takes to please an audience. Clay Walker is one of those artists. Whether on stage or in the recording studio, Walker never gives less than a hundred percent, and it's that kind of dedicated work ethic combined with God-given talent that have made him one of the most successful country acts of the past decade.

Spirit Mountain Casino

Mohave Valley, AZ—888.837.4030 Call for event details*

Vee Quiva Casino

Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452 Club VQ: DJ Bronz—Fridays 11pm-2am

Wild Horse Pass Casino

Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Showroom: Rob Schneider—Feb. 25 Kansas—Ap. 14 E. Humperdinck—Apr. 22 Roberta Flack—Apr. 27 Keith Sweat—May 12

Yavapai Casino

Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744 Yavapai Cantina: Karaoke—Fridays & call for event details*

CLAY WALKER

Air Supply Quechan Casino February 24th

Please verify all details and any age restrictions with each venue. Venues, times, dates, and ticket information may be subject to change. Photos/images are copyright of the individual artist(s). All Rights Reserved. Not responsible for incorrect or outdated info. *More info from casino not available by press time.

He first topped the Billboard country singles chart in 1993 with "What's It to You" and followed with his second consecutive No. 1 hit, "Live Until I Die." Since then he's placed 31 titles on Billboard's singles chart including such additional chart toppers as "Dreaming with my Eyes Open," "If I Could Make Living," "This Woman and This Man," and "Rumor Has It." (The latter two songs each spent two weeks at the summit.) He's enjoyed his share of success at the cash registers and has consistently been one of the busiest artists on the road. He's scored four platinum-selling albums, signifying sales of a million units, and two gold albums, discs that sold over 500,0000 units. $ azgamingguide.com | February 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide

FUN & GAMES

SUDOKU

CASINO 101

Each of the columns, rows, and nine 3x3 grids must contain all of the digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear more than once in each column, row, and 3x3 grid. (Solution on page 30)

4 2

7 3 6

3 6

3 9

2 2

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

How well do you pay attention to details? Regardless of your casino game of preference, are you able to answer some basic questions about games offered at the casino? #1 How many numbers are there on a standard casino keno board? #2 How many seats are there at a blackjack table? #3 How many numbers on a standard bingo card? #4 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the disclaimer statement written on every slot machine? #5 How many lights on a slot machineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candle? (Solutions on page 30)

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

Hello! Customer Service Anyone?

I get a lot of complaints about really poor customer service in my e-mail. And, no, not all of them are purely a result of someone having a bad session at the casino! In some of these situations, casino employees are being rude and inconsiderate. I’m starting to wonder if employees are even interested in resolving customer service issues amicably. As a matter of fact I, myself, was recently involved in an extremely negative customer service situation over the holidays at a casino in another state. The entire exchange played out in front of a supervisor who did nothing to step in and address my concerns! Needless to say, I will not be visiting that casino ever again! I read somewhere recently that a casino received over 30,000 job applications in one year! You would think that after removing applicants who can’t get a gaming license and don’t have the proper qualifications, there would be a remaining pool of talented and motivated candidates; especially in this economy and job market! In my opinion, there needs to be more attention directed towards the hiring process, area-specific training sessions with focused content and managers who have more empathy towards their workforce and their patrons. In today’s world everyone is stressed out, including casino employees who interact with the public all day long. However, it’s the job of the managers to be on top of their front line staff because employees need to be led, motivated, rewarded and given positive reinforcement. When managers don’t perform their jobs well, nobody should be surprised when the employees they supervise don’t either. If you have a customer service issue, try to resolve it. I always make an effort to do so when it happens to me. Ultimately, you can always take your business to a different casino with better service. $ Do YOU have something to rant about? Write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | February 2012 | azgamingguide.com

Casino Gaming Directory Apache Gold Casino Resort 5 miles East of Globe on Highway 70 1-800-272-2438 or apachegoldcasinoresort.com 699 Class III Slots, 1,000 Seat Bingo Hall, 6 Blackjack Tables BlueWater Resort & Casino 11300 Resort Drive, Parker 1-888-243-3360 or bluewaterfun.com 471 Class III Slots, 350 Seat Bingo Hall, 6 Poker Tables, 7 Blackjack Tables Bucky's Casino Highway 69 and Heather Heights, Prescott 1-800-756-8744 or buckyscasino.com 301 Class III Slots, 7 Poker Tables, 10 Blackjack Tables Casino Arizona—Salt River 524 N. 92nd St, Scottsdale 1-480-850-7777 or casinoaz.com 800+ Class III Slots, Live Keno, 54 Table Games Casino Arizona—Talking Stick Resort 9700 E. Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale 1-480-850-7777 or talkingstickresort.com 800+ Class III Slots, Live Keno, 47 Poker Tables, 54 Table Games Casino del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd, Tucson 1-855-765-7829 or casinodelsol.com 956 Class III Slots, 694 Seat Bingo Hall, 16 Poker Tables, 22 Blackjack Tables Casino of the Sun 7406 S. Camino de Oeste, Tucson 1-855-765-7829 or casinodelsol.com 360 Class III Slots, 12 Class II Slots Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel 555 Middle Verde Rd, Camp Verde 1-800-381-7568 or cliffcastlecasinohotel.com 656 Class III Slots, 8 Poker & 10 Blackjack Tables Cocopah Resort Casino 15318 S. Avenue B, Somerton 1-800-237-5687 or cocopahresort.com 506 Class III Slots, 350 Seat Bingo Hall, 8 Blackjack Tables Desert Diamond Casino I —Tucson 7350 S. Nogales Highway, Tucson 1-520-294-7777 or desertdiamondcasino.com 1,089 Class III Slots, Live Keno, 270 Seat Bingo Hall, 17 Poker Tables, 19 Blackjack Tables Desert Diamond Casino II —Sahuarita 1100 W. Pima Mine Rd, Sahuarita 1-866-332-9467 or desertdiamondcasino.com 821 Class III Slots, 2 Poker & 8 Blackjack Tables

Desert Diamond Casino—Why Highway 86, Why 1-866-332-9467 or desertdiamondcasino.com 76 Class III Slots Fort McDowell Casino Beeline Highway 87 and Fort McDowell Rd 1-800-843-3678 or fortmcdowellcasino.com 843 Class III Slots, 37 Class II Slots, Keno, 1,700 Seat Bingo Hall, 15 Poker & 13 Blackjack Tables Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 15406 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa 1-800-427-7247 or harrahsakchin.com 1,089 Class III Slots, Keno, 250 Seat Bingo Hall, 6 Poker Tables, 19 Blackjack & Table Games Hon-Dah Casino, Resort & Conference Center 777 Highway 260, Pinetop 1-800-929-8744 or hon-dah.com 802 Class III Slots, 3 Poker & 4 Blackjack Tables Lone Butte Casino 1077 S Kyrene Rd, Chandler 1-800-946-4452 or wingilariver.com 850 Class III Slots, 1,500 Seat Bingo Hall, 22 Blackjack Tables Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Highway 87, Payson 1-800-777-7529 or 777play.com 413 Class III Slots, 6 Class II Slots, Keno, 280 Seat Bingo Hall, 3 Poker & 5 Blackjack Tables Paradise Casino 450 Quechan Drive, Yuma 1-888-777-4946 or paradise-casino.com 492 Class III Slots, 300 Seat Bingo Hall Quechan Casino 525 Algodones Road, Winterhaven, CA 1-877-783-2426 or playqcr.com 1,000+ Class III Slots featuring a High Limit Slot Room, 10 Poker Tables, 15 Table Games Spirit Mountain Casino 8555 Highway 95, Mohave Valley 1-928-346-2000 with 243 Class III Slots Vee Quiva Casino 6443 N. Komatke Lane, Laveen 1-800-946-4452 or wingilariver.com 846 Class III Slots, 500 Seat Bingo Hall & Tables Wild Horse Pass Casino 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler 1-800-946-4452 or wingilariver.com 990 Class III Slots, 25Poker&40Blackjack Tables Yavapai Casino 1500 E. Highway 69, Prescott 1-800-756-8744 or buckyscasino.com 235 Class III Slots

Source: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 12/01/2011 & when we went to press

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Casino 101 Solutions #1 80 #2 5-7 (depends on the casino) #3 24 (plus the free space) #4 Malfunction voids all pays and plays. #5 2 (white at the very top with a color below)

Sudoku Solution 5