JULY
Contents
20
DEPARTMENTS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE What’s On Our Mind. 06 PLAYERS TALK What’s On Your Mind.
08
08 GREAT GAMES—NEW SLOTS COMING SOON Colossal Gaming’s New Lineup Of Slots. 11 GREAT GAMES—NEW SLOTS Desert Diamond Casino In Tucson Strikes Oil First. 12 GREAT GAMES—POKER TSR’s ARENA Hosts July Promos & Tournaments. 14 WINNING WAYS—HINTS & TIPS Fact Or Fiction. 17 GAMING NEWS A Bad Bet Right Out Of The Gate. 18 CASINO DINING What Salads To Try At Your Favorite AZ Casinos. 20 FEATURE STORY AZ Gaming Tribes Celebrate 10 Years Of Giving. 22 CASINO BINGO DIRECTORY Come On Bingo Caller Make Me Holler! 25 FUN FACTS From The Strange To The Creepy.
11
26 TRIBAL NEWS Crooked Arrows—See This Film. 28 TRAVEL Exquisite European Casinos Are Very Different. 32 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT List Of What’s Happening Around The State. 34 CASINO NIGHTLIFE An Exclusive Look At Phoenix Area Casino Nightlife. 36 FUN & GAMES Sudoku & Puzzles To Keep Your Mind Sharp. 37 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN Rants, Raves & Reflections. 38 CASINO DIRECTORY Locations & Amenities.
28 azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
03
EDITOR’S NOTE
Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 04 • ISSUE 07 PUBLISHER Chris Hoft chris@azgamingguide.com MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com
Introducing Fresh Talent!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com
We are fortunate to welcome Ramses Ja as an exclusive addition to our team this month. He will be sharing his unique perspective on casino nightlife in our extended entertainment section. Having gained years of experience as a DJ for several Phoenix area radio stations, a television station, numerous clubs and other venues, he also continues to exhibit his DJ talents at casinos around Phoenix and Las Vegas. We can’t wait to read what he’ll continue to spin for us each month! In addition, we have a fantastic article on how 10 years of Tribal gaming has directly benefitted Arizonans and a piece on how European casinos are very different establishments from those we visit here in the United States. 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 e-newsletter and find current and back issues of AZ Gaming Guide on our website at www.azgamingguide.com. Let me know what you think of our July issue and have fun! Cheers!
Alexandra Alexandra Lang
Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com The story on Cliff Castle Casino Hotel’s new penny slots (May 2012) should have been credited to Cliff Castle employee Kris Foreman.
“Like” us on Facebook because
we “Like” you too!
ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ramses Ja Mark Novak Alex Stewart Samantha Becker Lana Hartmann ADVERTISING SALES Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com Elizabeth Torma liz@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 posts, e-mails 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
www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide 04 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
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: DISAPPEARING SLOTS Could you settle a debate between my husband and myself? When we visit the casinos in our area we find some of our favorite slot machines gone, nowhere to be found. My husband says they are gone because their payouts are greater than what they took in. I say that the machines are just old and there are many new ones that they want to display. What do you have to say? MaryEllen Miles – Tucson, AZ A: MaryEllen, I must say that both you and your husband are right about this one! When a slot department decides to remove a game from the floor, one of the primary reasons is because of the performance data. Ultimately, a slot needs to be making the casino and/or the slot manufacturer money! Some slot games are on “participation” which means that the casino and the slot manufacturer share in the profits. If one or both of the parties are not satisfied with a game’s performance, then a new game will be put in its place with the anticipation that it will provide better results. The other reason that a slot game may be removed from the floor is purely because of its age. Even if it is popular with players and makes money for the casino, sometimes the software and the parts can’t be supported by the manufacturer anymore! If something on the slot needs to be replaced like a monitor or a button panel, the parts may not exist anymore! Every slot manufacturer needs to be able to offer technical support to the casino and this means replacing any parts that are malfunctioning. If this can’t be done quickly and efficiently because parts need to be created there is a risk that a game will be “out of service” for an extended period of time. Q: HANDLE BAR VS. SPIN BUTTON A long time ago, a guy told me that it’s possible to pull the handle in exactly the right way to hit something on a machine. Is that true? I don’t like pulling the handle, I’d rather just press the button if it doesn’t matter. Ed Murdock. – Mesa, AZ A: Ed, Oh boy … this sounds like yet another crazy casino myth that must be circulating around. First of all, there are no
gears or levers or springs which control the outcome of a spin anymore on mechanical reel slot games. Both the video reels and the classic slot games with the sevens and bars are run off of a computer and a random number generator—they actually have been for decades! Therefore, if you prefer pressing the spin button over pulling the handle, go ahead and do so because the result will be the same. Just as an additional side note: stopping the reels while they’re spinning by pressing the spin button, or by pulling the handle down quickly or holding it down, also has no effect on the outcome of the game. It just ends the spin quicker. Q: SLOT COMBINATIONS & THE RNG Hi guys, love the magazine, I can never wait for the next issue. My first question: when playing the classic 3 reel slots, does the RNG give one winning combination per spin or does it give a separate combination for each reel? For example, sometimes it seems like maybe the first and the last reel keep showing a winning combination and the middle reel keeps missing. And, second question: if a bonus consists of free spins, is each spin a result of a new RNG combination or is the whole bonus pre-determined before it starts? Eric Kalocin – Chandler, AZ A: Eric, these are great questions clearly based on the keen instincts you have! In the Class III gaming environment of slot machines, any individual random outcome has an independent random number associated with it. So, with respect to your classic three reel slot question, each reel is an independent event and the computer program running the game asks for three random numbers of the random number generator (RNG) as soon as the "spin" button is pressed by a player. The first random number is used to determine where the first reel lands, the second random number defines the outcome of the second reel, and finally the last number generates the result of the third reel's spin. Just to put your mind at ease, in Arizona, 100% of the classic 3 reel slots are Class III slot machines which abide by this common gaming industry regulation. Your extended example concerning what is called a "near
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 | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Q&A On Everything Gaming miss" (first and third reels hit, second reel does not) gets into the territory of slot machine game design. While common gaming industry regulations prevent the probability of "near misses" becoming too large for the highest valued symbol (typically the symbol that pays the most or pays a progressive) of a slot machine game, they do not regulate the probability of "near misses" for the other (lower value) symbols. Slot machine game designers are not always careful when they generate the long run probabilities for symbols that aren't paying the highest, are wild, are multipliers, and so on. As a result on many classic three reel games (as well as video slots) players experience "near miss" situations for certain symbols (like a white seven or a two bar) quite often. This leads to players questioning the behavior of the slot, as you are. There's nothing wrong with the game, it's just designed that way. Possibly on purpose, possibly because the designer was lazy or doesn't really understand slot machine game design or what turns gamblers on or off to a slot. In our opinion, we strongly believe the "near miss" lower value symbols on classic three reel slots are purely the result of sloppy work and a lack of understanding on the part of the design team. As far as free games bonuses go (we're still discussing Class III gaming), we've essentially answered your question already. Each event, which as a whole or in part contributes to the
PLAYERS TALK
evaluation or awarding of a pay, must have its own random number associated with it. If five reels are used to play a free games bonus, then as each free spin starts, five random numbers are used to determine the outcome of each reel. On the next spin, the software of the slot machine grabs five more random numbers for the five reels, and so on. $
CLASS II VS. CLASS III SLOTS If you are playing a Class II video slot then you are, in essence, playing a bingo game and the reel spins, bonuses, animations, and sounds are purely for entertainment purposes. In Arizona, Rocket Gaming is currently the only slot manufacturer with Class II gaming devices in the casinos. You can easily spot them by the bingo card in one of the corners of the screen and a disclaimer which states that the reels and any animations are for entertainment purposes only. Class II video slots use one central computer to determine random outcomes for each slot machine connected to it. The central computer randomly selects wins and losses from a finite list of outcomes and sends the result to a slot as soon as a spin button is pressed. As you can imagine, the drawing of the random numbers is very different between Class II and Class III slots.
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
07
GREAT GAMES
New Slots Coming Soon
Bigger is Better By Lisa Black
W
alk into any casino over the past half century and you cannot help but to notice the flashing lights and bellringing, playful musical sounds of the magical slot machines. Today, in 2012, it is safe to say that what you experience both visually and audibly when entering a gaming facility is not your Aunt Trudy’s slot machine. The trend now is high definition graphics, flawless sound clarity, interactive themes and large footprint games. Colossal Southwest Gaming has grown to be the leading edge company for providing this technology to casinos in Arizona. The games are interactive, fun, bright, player-centric, highly entertaining and most of all - BIG! Large format slot gaming has taken the country by storm. The 4600 series of games is a prime example. The 46” diagonal HD screen loaded with vivid color and an Infinity sound system draws in the slot player even
Did You Know … Colossal Gaming was formed in 2003 by gaming veterans on a mission to bring new and unique game play to the Native American casinos. Each of their founders has over 20 years of experience with some of the most advanced and successful companies in the history of gaming and a passion to bring the next big innovation to casino floors. From day one, Colossal Gaming’s philosophy has been to provide exciting game play that is engineered for FUN! They are pioneers in large-format slot gaming and all of their cabinets have extremely high-quality craftsmanship, eye-catching graphics, vivid colors, and non-stop action. These are just some of the many reasons this young company has experienced tremendous growth in the past few years!
With most Colossal games, players are tracking their progress towards bigger bonuses on the top section of the monitor while playing the base game. A truly unique interface that must be experienced by all slot enthusiasts!
08 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
New Slots Coming Soon
GREAT GAMES
The New Wave of Slot Gaming within the ambient noise of the casino! And, once a slot enthusiast begins playing one of the fun, innovative themed games, he or she will remain at the machine for an extended period of time.
the game. This factor is elevated by allowing the player to accumulate and save bonus points for even larger bonus opportunities! This is innovation and cutting edge technology at its best.
Take, for example, the game titled “Beach Party Kachingo.” The game consists of five reels with three visible symbols per reel. Pays are determined by matching symbols in consecutive reels starting with the left-most reel. Wild symbols, a player favorite, are also part of the “Beach Party Kachingo” appeal!
Colossal Gaming understands what’s exciting and fun for slot players and that’s why their designs are so unique and so popular. They attract slot players, keep them interested and coming back for more. Casinos throughout the country continue to have tremendous success with Colossal Gaming machines because they receive significant play due to their popularity with players.
Additionally, the game features an interactive bonus which allows the player to make choices. First, the awarding of “bonus points” takes place and second is the redemption of these bonus points for free spins and in some instances, free credits. This empowers the player to have a bit of the “excitement” stake in
For more information contact Lisa Black, the Account Executive for Colossal Southwest Gaming, via mobile phone at (602) 663-0535 or via email at lblack@colossalswg. $
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
09
New Slots
GREAT GAMES
Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson is first to install IGT’s hot new slot exas Tea® is back and it’s bigger and better than ever! The thrill of gushing oil derricks and winning Texas Ted’s fortune is now experienced on the larger-than-life Center Stage™ 103-inch video display. Game Play This 5-reel, 40-payline, 300 credit max bet game now brings the popular Texas Tea brand to the Center Stage™ series. In the base game, helicopters, classic cars and TNT explosives bust onto the screen to award wilds and multiplier wins. Players become part of the thrills and enjoy nonstop entertainment when they choose one of four amusing characters—Texas Ted, Texas Tina, Horace the Horse, or Armando the Armadillo—to represent them in the bonus events. The four immersive bonus games can be played as a group on the overhead screen. Two free games bonuses, the Fishing Pier Free Games bonus and the Heart of Texas Free Games bonus will keep players engaged while the West Texas Oil bonus and Houston, We have a Bonus games provide interactive, hilarious fun. Texas Tea ® Center Stage™ is a fun twist on the classic favorite that will have players gushing for more. To read more information about this game or other games by slot manufacturer IGT, visit their website at: www.igt.com. More New Slots By IGT While visiting Desert Diamond Casino—Tucson, you may want to try some of their other latest additions such as: Dia de Muertos, Jaguar Princess, Shadow of the Panther, LobsterMania2, Sex and the City, Dirty Dancing, and The Hangover. And, get ready to hear your favorite Elvis song because IGT’s new slot, Elvis the King, is now live at Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita! $
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
11
GREAT GAMES
Poker
ARENA Poker Room At TSR Hosts Thrilling Table Poker Promotions & Events In July
J
ust like the temperatures that continue to rise in the Valley, the gaming floor at Talking Stick Resort is getting even hotter with exciting poker events and promotions taking place throughout July. Visit the ARENA Poker Room this month to take advantage of unbeatable jackpot bonuses, exclusive Player Rewards Club specials, and the chance to compete in a variety of daily poker tournaments to win jackpots as high as $20,000! AZ State Championship Satellite Tournaments & Sign-ups Talking Stick Resort is gearing up for the return of the AZ State Poker Championship and now is the time to secure your seat! Currently in its 8th year, the annual five day tournament is scheduled to begin Friday, August 10. To enter, players can visit the property’s Box Office or call 480-850-7734 to sign up. There is a $1,000 buy-in with a $70 entry fee (unlimited entries). The buy-in provides $15,000 worth of tournament chips for a chance at a guaranteed $1 million jackpot! Qualifying satellite tournaments are happening daily in the ARENA Poker Room. Players may participate in one of the tournaments for a chance to bypass the buy-in and entry fee and “win a seat” to the State Championships! On-Going Promotions Royal Flush Wheel Spins Every day in July, players with a Royal Flush will get a chance to spin the prize wheel and win up to $500 cash! High Hand Wheel Spins Players holding a four-of-a-kind or higher in Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha and Stud games earn the chance to spin the wheel and win cash prizes every Sunday, Monday, and Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm. Get Your Aces Cracked Players who get their aces cracked in Texas Hold ‘Em games between 2 and 10 am will receive an extra $100. Player Appreciation A good breakfast is the best fuel for a full day’s worth of gaming and throughout July, $3 breakfast specials will be offered in the ARENA Poker Room every day from 2 am to 12 pm. Also, Player Rewards Club members who play for a full eight hours will receive a $5 food voucher valid for one year. A valid Player Rewards Club Card must be swiped in and out to receive credit. For more information about Talking Stick Resort’s current and upcoming events and promotions, please call 480-850-7777. $
12 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
UPCOMING EVENTS & TOURNAMENTS Exciting poker tournaments are scheduled to take place every Saturday and Sunday in July. Sign-ups begin at the poker cage every Monday prior to tournament dates. (Prize pools based on number of entries.) July 7
July 21
Big Stack No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em $300 buy-in with $30 entry fee 11:15 am
Super Big Stack, Bountry, & Turbo $200 buy-in with $25 entry fee 11:15 am
July 8
July 22
Divisional Point Challenge Finals 11:15 am
Jack & Jill Tournament $50 buy-in with $15 entry fee 11:15 am
July 14 Super Bounty & Big Stack No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em $200 buy-in with $25 entry fee 11:15 am
July 28
July 15
July 29
Ladies No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em $60 buy-in with $15 entry fee 11:15 am
Omaha Hi-Lo Limit $120 buy-in with $30 entry fee 11:15 am
No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em $125 buy-in with $25 entry fee 11:15 am - guaranteed prize $20,000
WINNING WAYS
Hints & Tips
FACT or FICTION By Lana Hartmann
C
ashing out your ticket and reinserting it into the slot machine resets the game. Therefore, if you’re losing, all you have to do is trick the machine and press the CASHOUT button. This will guarantee that the machine will stop being cold and start performing better—most of the time. Wouldn’t this be absolutely wonderful if it were true? I read this drivel on a casino forum on the internet posted by a socalled gambling professional. My first inclination was to leave a nasty comment about how wrong it is to mislead people with ludicrous information, but I resisted. Instead, I decided to be
much more proactive and write an article about it! First, let’s get one thing straight. Whether you enjoy playing bingo, keno, slots, cards, or any other casino game, you have to understand that they are all designed to make the “house” money. The “house,” meaning the casino, will always have the advantage over you regardless of the game you choose to play. The reason, in a nutshell, is because every single casino game is mathematically calculated to work against you. All the games at the casino are games of chance that are based on random outcomes that favor the casino. I’m sorry, but these are the facts. $
You can “beat” the casino. FICTION
You can “increase your odds” of winning. FACT
While there are ways to increase your chances of winning and decrease the house edge, there is no way to “beat” the casino. Don’t ever let any so-called professional gamblers convince you otherwise. Stay away from books, magazines, and ridiculous “winning methods” that make ludicrous claims. They are all scams. You just can’t influence a game that is based on a random event. Think about it this way, would a so-called professional gambler need to waste his or her time trying to make extra money selling books or writing internet blogs or magazine articles if they knew all the secrets to winning big at the casino?
There are ways everyone can increase their odds, and therefore decrease the house edge, while at the casino. Our main goal with this magazine is to provide all of you with information that will help you maximize your chances of coming out ahead, so that in the long run you have more winning sessions than you do losing ones. That’s about all you or I can hope for!
Typical house advantages in popular casino games range from 0.5% to 30% or more. This means you are losing 5 to 30 cents for every dollar you wager. This is the price associated with playing these games. And, that is why casino gaming should always be considered a form of entertainment and never a way to make money.
14 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Come prepared with the appropriate bankroll for the games you’re playing and your bet level, read the help screens for hints and tips given by the slot manufacturers, use optimal playing strategy when playing skill games such as blackjack and video poker, increase your return by using a player’s card, and seek out the casinos that offer the best promotions and games with the highest payback percentages. That’s where we’ll be your eyes and ears. Listen to our advice, so you can maximize your chances of winning and be entertained every time you visit a casino!
Arizona Department Of Gaming Makes Another Bust
GAMING NEWS
A Bad Bet Right Out Of The Gate
T
he Belmont racetrack was not the only one that received bad news this weekend as gamblers found themselves on the run when agents from the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) raided an unlicensed horse race in Pinal County, near the rural community of Picacho. The investigation began earlier this year when the ADG’s Intelligence Unit responded to an anonymous phone call from a concerned citizen regarding possible illegal horse races. Undercover agents gathered evidence suggesting violations of various state gambling statutes including: conducting a criminal enterprise, promoting gambling, benefitting from gambling, and possession of gambling devices. On the afternoon of June 9, 2012 the ADG, with the assistance of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Attorney General’s Office, executed search warrants and conducted the raid, shutting down the operation and seizing evidence. Agents from the Arizona Department of Agriculture were also on hand to ensure the safety of the horses. “The photo finish today turned out to be mug shots,” said
Mark Brnovich, Director of the ADG, the state agency that regulates casinos and gambling in Arizona. “Illegal gambling can take many different forms, and we will continue to make investigating these types of crimes a priority.” The Arizona Attorney General’s Office will now determine the final charges for prosecution. For questions or to report illegal gambling, contact the ADG office at: 602-255-3888. $
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
17
Salads
A perfect choice to take a break with between play sessions
This month, it is all about the salads! Food historians credit the ancient Greeks and Romans for first experimenting with salads (mixed greens with dressing) as menu items during meals. Traditionally, any number of raw vegetables were served with a dressing of oil, vinegar, salt, and herbs. The word “salad” actually derives from the Latin root word of “sal” (salt) and historical records indicate references to “salata” (salted things) as a part of meals.
Apache Gold Casino—Globe—928.475.7800 Wikiup Buffet: This salad bar has every salad, topping and dressing imaginable. Everyone can come up with their own salad creation.
The timing of when salad is served during a meal depends on what cultural customs the meal is based on. For example, in the western world, meals influenced by French cuisine have the salad course served after the main course. However, in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and in other parts of Europe, the salad course is normally served after the appetizer course, but before the main course. Either way, we are fortunate that many restaurants serve salads as stand-alone menu items.
Casino Arizona (Salt River)—Scottsdale—480.850.7777 Willows Restaurant: The Greek Spinach salad is a blend of hand tossed spinach, cucumbers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, topped with feta cheese and fresh herb dressing. Cholla Steakhouse: If you love Italian meats don’t skip the Caprese Salad with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes & basil oil.
Since Summer has arrived and our bodies crave lighter food in Arizona’s extreme heat, we’ve explored salad options on casino restaurant menus around the state for you to try! $
18 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Casino Salads You Must Try
BlueWater Casino—Parker—928.669.7777 River Willow Steakhouse: Try the signature house salad featuring Bleu Cheese, dried fruit & walnuts in a Balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Casino del Sol—Tucson—855.765.7829 An Del Sol: Mr. An’s Spicy Seafood Salad contains assorted fish, cucumber, beet, radish, sprout, golden beet, onion, sliced and mixed with Mr. An’s special spicy sauce.
Salads at Arizona’s Casinos
CASINO DINING
Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde—800.381.7568 Johnny Rockets: All-American fare includes classic salads like the Caesar and the Chicken Club Salad with chicken tenders or grilled chicken breast served on crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce with chopped bacon, ripe tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese & dressing. Desert Diamond Casinos—Tucson&Sahuarita—866.332.9467 The Steak House: Along with several traditional choices, we’d recommend you try the Summer Spinach Salad with candied pecans, onions, dried cranberries, goat cheese in a raspberry Balsamic vinaigrette. The Agave: Try the local cuisine inspired Agave Chopped salad with jicama, queso fresco, tomatoes, black beans, roasted corn, spicy pecans, cranberries, carrots, topped with their own Agave dressing. Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell—800.843.3678 Café 87: The only casino restaurant with Crab Louie salad on the menu! Don’t skip over this delightful West Coast invention from the early 1900s featuring crab, eggs, tomato, asparagus, cucumber, romaine, and a spicy dressing. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa—480.802.5000 The Range Steakhouse: As requested by their guests the Spinach Salad has returned to the menu as an energizing blend of fresh spinach, bleu cheese crumbles, candied walnuts, and bacon vinaigrette. Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop—800.929.8744 Indian Pine Restaurant: Your best bet is in the Far East with the Oriental Chicken Salad and its grilled boneless chicken breast, served with their house oriental dressing and fresh greens, topped with chow mein noodles and roasted almonds. Mazatzal Casino—Payson—800.777.7529 The Cedar Ridge Restaurant: Have the best of both worlds with their Grilled Steak Salad. The salad is a mix of grilled marinated steak strips, romaine, iceberg, baby field greens, borsin cheese and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Ironwood Steakhouse: Bring on the deli meat with the Chopped Salad highlighting finely chopped romaine, Genoa salami, Mortadella, Cappacola, Provolone, red onions, pepperoncini, sweet peppers, tomato all blended with a red wine vinaigrette! Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale—480.850.7777 Blue Coyote Café: Try the spicy Asian inspired Thai Salad with romaine, nappa cabbage, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, snow peas and a sweet thai chile dressing.
Caesar Cardini’s Invention The creation of Caesar Salad is generally credited to Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini during a Fourth of July rush in one of his restaurants in the summer of 1924. His kitchen was no longer well stocked with ingredients due to the increased business so he made do with what was available and decided to toss the salad tableside for additional flair.
Traditional Caesar Salad ingredients: Romaine or Cos lettuce Olive oil Fresh crushed garlic – often in olive oil Salt to taste Fresh-ground black pepper Wine vinegar Lemon juice or lime juice - fresh squeezed Worcestershire sauce Raw or coddled egg yolks Freshly grated Parmesan cheese Freshly prepared croutons
Limitless variations exist and common ones include: Other varieties of lettuce Grilled poultry (most often chicken), meat, shellfish, or fish Capers Romano cheese Anchovies Bacon
Did you know Ranch is the most popular dressing served in restaurants across the United States?
Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler—800.946.4452 Café 24-7: Try the signature Wild Horse Pass Salad hosting sliced chicken breast, red seedless grapes, sliced Swiss cheese, candied pecans with Organic baby greens tossed in their own poppy seed dressing. Yavapai Casino—Prescott—800.756.8744 Yavapai Cantina: After you play some brand new slots in their dedicated non-smoking slot floor, try the tender popcorn chicken salad. All restaurants have different hours of operation. Please verify all details and any age restrictions with each casino. We are not responsible for incorrect or outdated information.
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
19
Arizona Gaming Tribes
Why? Because in 2002, when voters passed Proposition 202 which ensured that tribes could continue to have gaming compacts with the State of Arizona, Tribal leaders established the Arizona Benefits Fund which shares revenue with all Arizonans. Revenues directly support education, trauma and emergency care, wildlife conservation and economic development through tourism in this state, issues that Tribal people, like all Arizonans, care deeply about. The fund also provides revenue to fully support the Arizona Department of Gaming and various programs that help problem gamblers.
statewide have received more than $344,000,000 to pay for teachers’ salaries, reduce class size, prevent student drop out and enhance and improve instruction in core subjects like reading and math. Sixty-four hospitals statewide have received more than $172,000,000 for emergency services and trauma care.
So how has this worked out? The numbers tell the tale. The grand total from ten years of giving back to Arizona is $782,029,895.95 – and growing. Since 2002, Tribes have contributed more than $701,000,000.00 to the Arizona Benefits Fund which has meant that school districts
The math is impressive but the real impact is found in the stories. Here are just a few… The UMC Level 1 Trauma Center is one of eight centers in the State and is the busiest trauma center in Arizona. It serves a population of 1.5 million people. It’s also among the nation’s leaders in length of hospital stay, low treatment costs, and low mortality rates. According to Peter Rhee, M.D., medical director, UMC Trauma Program and chief, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, UA Department of Surgery, “Without the money made available from the tribal leaders, the trauma center in Tucson would not be where it is today.”
20 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Arizona Benefits Fund dollars are supporting Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) marketing campaigns and protecting habitats for Arizona wildlife like Desert Bighorn Sheep and Gould’s Turkey. The Willcox Fire Department received $125,000 from the Tohono O’odham Nation to buy a Type 6 Quick Attack Truck which is used in wildland fire fighting. “We are a small community in the southeast corner of the state, and we are on a state contract to protect wildlands. We work
Celebrate Ten Years of Giving To All Arizonans inside the community and on state lands. I have been with the city for 17 years and, while we do get grants from FEMA, this is the largest grant we have ever received. Our trucks are 25 to 30 years of age. The City of Willcox has never before purchased a brand new piece of firefighting equipment. This is a first time for us,� said Captain Jack Weaver of the Willcox Fire Department in 2008. Also that year, the Gila River Indian Community presented the Phoenix Children’s Museum with a 3-year grant for $500,000. The money helped complete the museum which is located in the refurbished Monroe School in downtown Phoenix.
when State budgets have dramatically underfunded these efforts.
These revenues have literally been true life-savers for all Arizonans.
In addition to these shared revenues, individually Tribes contribute an additional 12% of their net win directly to neighboring cities, towns and counties to provide revenue to police and fire departments, social service and cultural organizations and support myriad other needs. Since 2002, tribes have contributed more than $82,000,000 to support social, cultural and infrastructure needs in their neighboring communities.
Not only do these funds cover unfunded trauma and ER services, they are used to improve patient care and patient survival rate, support education of health care workers and provide community programs for injury prevention. Both the Arizona Game & Fish Department’s Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund and State Tourism Fund have received almost $50,000,000 each, a revenue stream that has been crucial for these agencies to achieve their missions, especially during the last few years
Ten years of sharing tribal gaming revenues proves that Tribal gaming produces real numbers, real jobs and real benefits. $ This article and the pictures below are courtesy of The Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA). For more information, point your browser to www.azindiangaming.org and www.benefitingarizona.org. Special thanks to Pam H. & Martha H. at Strateg!es (www.strategiesaz.com), Valerie S., Jason N., and Linda O. at the AIGA.
CASINO BINGO DIRECTORY
Casino
Sessions
Seats Smoke-Free Area Electronic
Late Night
Apache Gold
Su, We, Th at Noon. Fr & Sa at 7pm. 1st Mo of the month at 7pm
1000
No
No
No
BlueWater
Su at 1pm. Mo-We at 6pm.
350
Yes
Yes
No
Casino Arizona
Arriving Oct. 2012!
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Casino del Sol
Daily at Noon, 1:30, 2:15, 6:30 & 7:15pm
694
Yes
Yes
Cosmic Bingo Sa at 11pm.
Cocopah
Daily at 1:30 & 6:30pm
350
Yes*
Yes
No
Desert Diamond I
Th-Mo 1:30, 2, 6, 6:30 & 7pm
270
No
Yes
No
Fort McDowell
Sa & Su at 6:45am. We-Mo at 9am. Daily at 12:30 & 6:30pm.
1700
Yes
Yes
Fr & Sa at 12:10am. Lunar Bingo 7/4, 7/21, 8/18, 9/15, 10/27, 11/17, 12/22 & 12/31.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin
We-Su at 11:30am, 2:30, 3:30, and 6:30pm
470
Yes
Yes
Friday Night Bingo at 11pm on the 1st & 3rd Friday of every month.
Lone Butte
Sa & Su at 10am, Noon, 3:45, 5:30 & 6pm. Daily at Noon & 6:30pm.
750
Yes
Yes
B.A.D. Bingo 2 Fr at 11:30pm & B.A.D. Bingo Sa at 11:30pm.
Mazatzal
Mo-Th at Noon. Tu & Th at 6:30pm.
280
Yes
Yes
No
Paradise
Daily at 1:30 & 6pm.
300
Yes
Yes
Varies-call 888.777.4946 for details.
Vee Quiva
Daily at 12:30 & 6:30pm.
366
Yes
Yes
Bingo Eclipse Sa at 11pm.
Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 5/01/12, casino websites & direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates. *Cocopah Resort Casino offers “Smoke-Free Sundays” which is a casino-wide non-smoking experience every week from 4am Sunday to 4am Monday.
22 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
FUN FACTS And The Grand Prize Is …
CELERY! The ancient Greeks used to award celery to the winners of sporting events and marathon runners often carried celery stalks.
Creepy 666 The sum of all the numbers on a roulette wheel adds up to 666!
Howdy Partner! Vegas Vic, the neon cowboy sign that towers over Fremont street in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest mechanical neon sign and it has been in the same location since 1951! Vegas Vic has even been updating his wardrobe with the times! From the 50’s through the 60’s, his shirt was white with yellow checkered stripes. Then, in the 70’s, his shirt was painted solid yellow and in the 90’s a little flare was added with a new red and yellow checkered pattern. It seems it may be time for a new look for Vegas Vic!
Job Opening! In eighteenth-century English gambling dens, there was an employee whose only job was to swallow the dice in the event of a police raid. These ancient dice were often made from ankle bones and shoulder blades of sheep! Now, that’s hard to swallow!
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
25
TRIBAL NEWS
Native American Feature Film
Crooked Arrows is a feel-good and inspiring family film set against the excitement of the fastest growing sport in the country—lacrosse. Weaving the modern world of the game with its Native American roots—the film tells a heartening universal story that goes far beyond the excitement on the field.
A
mixed-blood Native American, Joe Logan (Brandon Routh) is eager to modernize his reservation's casino by expanding on the land of his ancestors, but first he must prove himself to his father, the traditionalist Tribal Chairman (Gil Birmingham). The Chairman will only grant Joe's request on the condition that he meets his challenge—coaching the reservation's struggling high school lacrosse team which competes against the better equipped and better trained players of the Prep School league.
coordination of basketball and the physicality of football. It’s an incredibly inclusive and active sport.”
Joe reluctantly accepts, only to soon realize the challenge will require a leadership he had forfeited years ago as a star lacrosse player. Lost on how to reach his players, Joe finds that the answer lies deep in the traditional cultural heritage of the sport. Gaining the respect of his team, Joe helps them restore pride and return the game of lacrosse to their people.
“It was a story that needed to be told,” said Kakaionstha Betty Deer who portrayed Grandma Skye. “This is the creator’s game and we still use it in the long house. We still use it as a medicine game.”
Producer Mitchell Peck, who had played the sport growing up and witnessed firsthand the devotion of those who loved the game, recognized that a lacrosse movie would be a great opportunity to tell a classic underdog story with a unique setting. “I had this idea of what the first lacrosse movie should be, because it hadn’t been done before,” said Peck. “As a sport, lacrosse has its own energy blending the speed of soccer and the hand-eye
26 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Significantly, lacrosse is a sport that is also of Native American origin and that’s what gives the Crooked Arrows story another key distinction—it is that rare film that presents an honest glimpse into contemporary Native American culture and celebrates the rich tradition of Native American lacrosse.
“There has been such an appalling lack of representation in modern pop culture—as another ethnic group in our multicultural society, they’ve been left out,” said Producer J. Todd Harris.“ As one of the Native Americans in our cast remarked, she said to be Native American in today’s society is often to feel invisible. I thought that was a profound statement.” Harris and Peck were intent on ensuring authentic lacrosse action on the field and an accurate representation of Native
Native American Feature Film
TRIBAL NEWS
American culture. To achieve the former, they partnered with Sports Studio, led by premiere sports coordinator Mark Ellis (The Natural, Miracle, Invincible, The Rookie). For 15 years, Ellis has directed and coached Oscar® winning actors and Hall of Fame athletes in over 30 movies grossing more than one billion dollars at the box office. Ellis has distinguished his company as the only multi-sport film specialist in the world—consulting on every sports genre including football, basketball, baseball and hockey. Ellis and the rest of the Crooked Arrows team were determined to have the very best players onscreen representing the sport, and began a nationwide casting search in lacrosse hot spots such as Boston, Baltimore, and Long Island. Ensuring that the Native American culture was properly represented also began with the actors. While Peck and Harris had met with several casting directors, they knew Rene Haynes was the right choice because of her experience. Haynes had been the casting associate on Dances With Wolves, and had gone on to cast dozens of Native American centric films. “Rene was brilliant,” said Harris. “She knew basically every Native American actor in the country and was really plugged in. She was a total trooper and we couldn’t have done it without her.” “We were very sensitive to authenticity when casting the film,” said Peck. Indeed, all of the team members on The Crooked Arrows are Native American. Brandon Routh, who portrays the mixed-blooded coach of the team, Joe Logan, and Chelsea Ricketts, who portrays his sister, are Native American descendants. “I read the script, met with producers and was whisked off to Baltimore with them to see the NCAA championship games and be a part of the lacrosse world which was awesome,” said Routh. “When you have people that are so passionate about a project, and you have a script that has as much heart as this does, it’s a win-win.” Their outreach in the Native American community also helped the filmmakers cast their lacrosse team. “Finding these 12 Native American players wasn’t as easy until we reached out to their communities,” said Harris. “We went all across the Northeast part of the country, Los Angeles, New Mexico, and found some great lacrosse players, said Ellis. “We brought the best of the best together and over the course of their first week at training camp, they really started playing well together as a team.”
Left: Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Center: Chelsea Ricketts (The Killing), Right: Gil Birmingham (The Twilight Saga)
“A lot of people think of it as just a game, but everything that I know, I can relate to lacrosse,” said Tyler Hill, a Silverfoot, and Captain of The Crooked Arrows. “Like taking care of your family, or taking care of whatever it is that you hold close to you. You never want to drop the ball.” When asked to describe the film in his own words, actor Gil Birmingham states, “It’s the story of a man and his son trying to find their way in an often times confusing world. What’s really great is the father trying to instill the cultural values onto his son who really does have a good intent, but the method does not justify the means. It’s got great character, a human story. And it’s an uplifting film that people will be able to relate to either being a sports fan, or lacrosse fan.” Crooked Arrows is playing in the Phoenix Area at Harkins Theaters Shea 14 located at 7354 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale (corner of Scottsdale Rd. & Shea Blvd.). Call 480-948-6555 or visit their website at: www.harkinstheaters.com for specific show times. More information about Crooked Arrows, including a complete listing of theaters screening the film is also available at the website: www.crookedarrows.com. $ azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
27
TRAVEL
Europe
Exquisite European Casino Destinations Gorgeous, but very different from American casinos By Lana Hartmann
C
asinos in Europe are breathtakingly beautiful, both inside and out, but major differences exist between our American casinos and those on the other side of the Atlantic. So, before you change your bankroll into Euros, here are some things you should be prepared for: Members Only You’ll soon miss how easy and hassle-free it is to walk into any American casino when you first try to enter one in Europe. Here in America, aside from being carded if your age is questionable, you can just stroll in. This is not the case in most European casinos. Only members of the casino are admitted by showing valid identification, so if you are not a member you must first join the club before you are allowed access!
28 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Becoming a member means signing up for their player’s club card and providing such information as your name, address, birthday, phone number, and a scan of your passport. In addition, your photo will be taken so hopefully you’re not shy in front of a camera. The whole process may be a bit unnerving to some people, but overall it’s quite amusing. Can you imagine your favorite casino in America not allowing you to enter until you’ve signed up for their club card? Entrance Fee Come prepared to pay an entrance fee of 10 Euros (about $14 USD), on average, if you are a new member and slightly less in most cases if you are an existing member. Many, but not all, casinos are kind enough to return the entrance fee back to you
in gaming chips—a clever way on their part of guaranteeing a minimum amount of play from each patron! Dress Code Ten years ago, almost all European casinos had a strict dress code policy which meant a suit and tie for men and elegant dress for the ladies, but this has slowly started to change. Even though many casinos still abide by these rules, some have adopted the American “casual” dress code while others are somewhere in between. Depending on the casino, policies range from “elegant,” and “business casual,” to “smart casual.” To avoid any embarrassing situations and the risk of being turned away at the door, make sure to inquire about the dress code policy before you visit any European casino. Casino di San Remo in San Remo, Italy.
Hours of Operation There are very few casinos that are actually open 24 hours in Europe. If you enjoy gambling at a casino during the day, you will be disappointed to know that most casinos in Europe don’t open until the afternoon or early evening. Common hours of operation are 4pm to 4am, although some open as early as 1pm and as late as 7pm or 8pm. In some casinos, slot players are allowed earlier access by one or two hours. Casino Games Casinos in Europe are small. The largest have only slightly more than 1,000 slot machines and 80 tables and the small ones consist of 50 to 100 slots and 10 to 15 tables. The good news is that the slot count usually outnumbers the table count in almost every casino and the popularity of slots is just as prevalent in Europe as it is in America. Just ten to twenty years ago, some European casinos didn’t even have slot machines and those that did had just a dozen or so tucked away in a dark corner. Nowadays, the casino floors in Europe are beginning to look more like they do in American casinos; much less floor space is being dedicated to table games to make room for more slots!
Grand Hotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic made famous by the movie “Casino Royale.”
Traveling with Family In almost all European casinos, the minimum age requirement is 18 years. Don’t expect to be able to bring the little ones in, even if the intention is to dine at one of the restaurants as a family. The casinos in Europe are entertainment options for adults only. In fact, many casinos only have snack bars and not full-blown restaurants inside the casinos. The good news is that since most of the casinos are attached to hotels, there is plenty to do for the young ones on the premises. Continued on page 31
The Hotel Splendid Casino, Conference & Spa Resort in Budva, Montenegro
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
29
Continued from page 29
Casino Baden in Baden-Baden, Germany
Hints & Tips If you’re planning a longer stay in Europe and possibly visiting the same casino multiple times, you might want to inquire about their monthly passes or annual passes which can save you money on entrance fees in the long run. But a word of advice, most casinos in Europe do track your number of casino trips and there are limitations. Make sure to ask for a detailed explanation when calling ahead of time to ask about the dress code. Even if a casino says they want their patrons to be comfortable and “casual” dress is allowed, this probably doesn’t mean shorts, jeans and sandals are acceptable. In fact, for most Europeans “casual” merely suggests no ties or evening dresses are needed, but closed footwear, long trousers for men and women, and no sportswear is what’s implied. Casino Monte Carlo in Monaco, France during the daytime and in the evening used in various James Bond films.
Aerial view of Monte Carlo in Monaco, France.
Employees of European casinos receive a significant portion of their pay from the Tronc, in other words from your tips. Of course, giving up a share of your profit is completely voluntary. However, according to legend, such a courtesy is favored by the Goddess of Luck—Fortuna! One of my absolute favorite casinos to visit when in Europe is the famous Monte Carlo in Monaco, France (pictured left). It’s one of the oldest and most famous casinos in the world. The construction was completed in 1863 and was designed by the same architect that designed the Paris Opera House—Charles Garnier. The classical style architecture surrounded by a garden terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is breathtakingly beautiful! And, with over 1,000 slots (the largest collection in all of Europe), it’s a must see for all gaming enthusiasts! $ azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
31
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Cabaret Lounge: Live bands every weekend—July schedule not available at press time BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Variety including live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm BlueWater Showroom: Cage Rage on the River 2—Jul. 7 at 7pm Actress/Comedienne Loni Love—Jul. 28 at 7pm Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Doo Wah Riders—Jul. 3 & 4 Wanted (Bon Jovi Tribute) - Jul. 6 & 7 Trüe2Crüe (Mötley Crüe Tribute) - Jul. 20 & 21 L.A. Vation (U2 Tribute) - Jul. 27 & 28 The Arizona Room Piano Lounge: Features a variety of music styles including the sounds of swing and jazz. Start times: 4pm weekdays & 5pm weekends Casino del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 AVA Amphitheater: Chicago & Doobie Brothers—Jul. 11 at 8pm Joe Cocker & Huey Lewis and the News—Jul. 15 at 8pm Skid Row, Warrant, LA Guns—Jul. 20 at 8pm Earth, Wind & Fire—Jul. 31 at 8pm Seal & Macy Gray—Aug. 3 at 8pm Los Tigres del Norte & Banda Recodo—Aug. 4 at 8pm Pitbull—Aug. 5 at 8pm Duran Duran—Aug. 12 at 8pm Crosby, Stills and Nash—Sep. 5 at 8pm Def Leppard & Poison—Sep. 12 at 7pm Jeff Dunham—Sep. 15 at 8pm Marco Antonio Solis—Sep. 21 at 8pm Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Stargazer Pavillion: Larry the Cable Guy—Sep. 2 at 8pm Dragonfly Lounge: Variety including live bands, karaoke & DJs—Ladies Night every Th, Open late on Fr & Sa. GarthGuy Live! (Garth Brooks Tribute) - Jul. 5-7 at 7 & 9pm
Friday Night Party—Music & dancing at 8pm or after the featured game. Saturday Night Party—Music & dancing at 8pm or after the featured game. Diamond Center: Garratt Wilkin and the Parrotheads (Jimmy Buffett Tribute)—Jul. 14 Back in Black (AC/DC Tribute)—Aug. 18 at 7pm Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Radisson Ballroom: Oh What A Night! (Frankie Valli Tribute) - Jul. 14 at 8pm Happy Together Tour—Jul. 15 with performances by The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Garry Puckett and The Union Gap, and Mickey Dolenz Sean Paul & Black Uhuru—Jul. 20 at 6pm Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live music and karaoke every weekend. Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—800.427.7247 Oasis Lounge: The Walkens—Jul. 20 & 21 at 8pm Marty Ramirez—Jul. 27 & 28 at 8pm Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munday Funday—Comedy Show Creagles (CCR/Eagles Tribute)—Jul. 3-7 Ronnie and the Classics—Jul. 10-14 Stephanie Eason—Jul. 17-21 Kid-n-Nic—Jul. 24-28 Vol. 1—Jul.31-Aug.4 Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Phoenix area bands & DJs perform live throughout the week. Verona Chophouse: Sunday Jazz Brunch Live—10am to 3pm Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Event Center: Surfin’ Safari (Beach Boys Tribute)—Jul. 28 Hotel California (Eagles Tribute)—Sep. 21
Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 River Room: Zumba Fitness—Mo & Tu at 6pm Sunset Lounge: Karaoke—We-Fr at 8pm
Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: DJ Rudy Espinoza—We—9pm DJ Anthony—Th—9pm Also featuring a variety of live music on the weekends. Event Center: Brenton Wood—Jul. 28 at 7pm
Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: Friday Night Groove—Join 106.3FM The Groove for a dance party now through Dec. 28. $5 cover, ladies free! Noches Caliente— Saturdays the hottest Tex Mex and Tejano music!
Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Pipa Event Center: Pat Benetar & Neil Giraldo—Jul. 20 at 7pm Sidewinders Bar & Grill: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends.
Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar:
Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom & Grand Ballroom:
32 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
EDITOR’S PICK Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale presents music legends Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo on July 17 and Quechan Casino Resort in Yuma hosts the rock duo on July 20. Known as one of the most influential couples in rock & roll, hits by Benatar/Giraldo include "Love Is a Battlefield," "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," "Heartbreaker," "Promises in the Dark," and "We Belong." The powerhouse duo has been married and making music together for more than 33 years. Their groundbreaking path of success includes a collection of multi-platinum albums, Top 40 singles, Grammys and American Music Awards, plus rave reviews and countless sold-out concerts.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts—Jul. 6 Aaron Lewis—Jul. 15 Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo—Jul. 17 Paul Rodriguez—Jul. 27 A.B. Quintanilla III & The Kumbia Kings/Allstarz—Jul. 28 Con Funk Shun—Aug. 3 Lakeside—Aug. 11 Yes & Procul Harum—Aug. 17 David Cassidy—Aug. 24 Little Feat—Sep. 15 Joe Walsh—Sep. 21 TOTO—Sep. 23 Asia—Nov. 13 Coffee Garden: Dueling Pianos—Th, Fr & Sa from 8-11pm Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Encore Lounge: Featuring a variety of live music. Showroom: Night Ranger—Jul. 7 Los Tigres del Norte—Aug. 3 Cinderella—Aug. 4 America—Aug. 11 Air Supply—Aug. 25 Latin Legends Live! - Sep. 7 Blood, Sweat and Tears—Sep. 14 49 Laughs—Sep. 15 Merle Haggard—Sep. 21 Psychedelic Furs—Sep. 27 Alfie Boe—Oct. 13 The Temptations—Oct. 26 Yavapai Casino—Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744 Yavapai Cantina: Coming Soon! Live Bands—We, Trivia games & prizes—Th, Karaoke—Fr—8pm-Midnight, Live Bands—Sa
The Benatar/Giraldo partnership remains an unstoppable force in the music industry. Neil Giraldo serves as producer, arranger, co-writer, and lead guitarist for the iconic singer. The acclaimed multiinstrumentalist is also known for helping shape the distinctive and renowned Benatar sound. He helped create chart-topping hits for John Waite, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Steve Forbert, The Del Lords, Beth Hart and many other artists. In the 80s, Benatar and Giraldo ranked among the most heavily played artists on MTV. Their video, "You Better Run," from the Crimes of Passion album was the second video to ever air on the television network, making Giraldo the first ever guitar player featured on the channel. Benatar and Giraldo have sold over 30 million copies of their 12 original albums along with two live records and an anthology. In August 2003, the CD, Go, was released, the first album of new Benatar/ Giraldo songs in seven years. Benatar released her long-awaited autobiography in 2010, Between a Heart and a Rock Place, which allowed the world a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of one of the most beloved female rock 'n' roll icons of all time. In between albums, the extraordinary pair enjoys devoting time to their 2 daughters, philanthropic/charity work, production projects, writing, touring, managing their vitamin company, and developing new music that is slated to be released in 2013. Cliff Castle Casino Hotel will “Git -R-Done!” on September 2nd with comedian Larry the Cable Guy. He is one of the members of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, a comedy troupe which also includes Bill Engvall, Ron White, and Jeff Foxworthy (with whom he has starred on Blue Collar TV). He has released seven comedy albums, of which three have been certified gold by the RIAA for shipments of 500,000 copies. In addition, he has starred in three Blue Collar Comedy Tour-related movies, as well as in the films Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, Delta Farce, and Witless Protection. He is widely known for voicing Mater in the Cars franchise. Larry the Cable Guy's famous catchphrase "Git-R-Done!" is also the title of his book. Call 1.800.381.7568 or visit www.cliffcastlecasinohotel.com for more info. Verify all details & age restrictions for each event. Venues, times, dates, & ticket information are subject to change. Photos/images copyright of the individual artist(s), photographer(s), or venue(s). All Rights Reserved. We are not responsible for incorrect/outdated info.
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
33
CASINO NIGHTLIFE
Exclusively Featuring Ramses Ja
THE CASINO NIGHTLIFE JUST GOT EVEN By Ramses Ja
A
Hotter!
nytime is a good time to hit the casino, but with 24 hours in a day, there is always time for more fun! Long gone are the days where casino entertainment only took place from 6pm until 10pm. Nowadays, casinos boast nightlife entertainment that make them one stop shops for people looking for a good time! Here in the valley, there are a few places where the gaming experience and the nightclub experience exist in perfect harmony!
Lone Butte Casino Lone Butte plays host to B.A.D. Bingo 2 on Fridays! Angie Gomez from Mega 104.3 FM is the host of this wildly entertaining bingo experience, while the Manic Hispanic provides the soundtrack—playing everything from Cumbias, Salsa, Tejano, Old School, and R&B Music! With a $10 Buy-In and a chance to win anywhere from $400 to $1000 dollars, this is guaranteed fun for any bingo fanatic. Doors open at 10pm with the first game starting at 11:30pm. >>>Visit www.wingilariver.com for more info. Fort McDowell Casino The original Phoenix-Area late night bingo experience can still be found at Fort McDowell Casino Lunar Bingo and their dedicated Lunartics comprise one of the wildest parties
34 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
in the city! Once a month, 101.1 FM The Beat’s Tyler Martinez and Hospe lay claim to the bingo hall at Fort McDowell and provide tunes ranging from classic rock, to hip hop, to house, to top 40! Every Lunar session affords attendees the chance to win prizes ranging from iPads, to PS3s, and gas cards to digital cameras…not to mention CASH! >>>Visit www.fortmcdowellcasino.com for more info. Wild Horse Pass Casino The crown jewel that sits atop Wild Horse Pass Casino is known as Airia! Join Benjamin Cutswell on Fridays and DJ Decipha every Saturday at this upscale, Vegas-inspired nightclub. Chandler’s premier nightlife experience affords partygoers the chance to dance to the best in top 40, house, dance, and electro! Enjoy bottle service, VIP tables, or cabana tables in a club that rivals the best in Las Vegas! >>>Visit www.airiathenightclub.com for more info.
Talking Stick Resort Casino For the Scottsdale crowd, nothing beats the nightlife experience offered by Talking Stick Resort! On the 14 th floor of this beautiful casino rests Degree 270. The club boasts views of the entire city with open-air patios and the best in top 40, house, and dance music from the likes of DJ Los, DJ Rocko, DJ Kenji, and headlining resident Ramses Ja every Thursday through Sunday from 8pm—2am! >>>Visit www.talkingstickresort.com for more info. $ Ramses Ja hosts 6pm-12am weekdays on 101.1 FM The Beat in Phoenix! He is the resident DJ for Your Life A to Z Fridays at 10am on KTVK-3TV Channel 3, & Resident DJ for Talking Stick Resort. >>>Visit ramsesja.com for more info. azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
35
FUN & GAMES
SUDOKU
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Each of the columns, rows, and nine 3 x 3 grids must contain all of the digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear more than once in each column, row, and 3 x 3 grid. (Solution on page 38)
2
4
9
6
4
6 2 7
8 5
7 5
3
4
1
7
2
3 3 2
8 4
5
There are sixteen dots shown below. Connect them with six straight lines without lifting your pen from the paper. (Solution on page 38)
9
4
7
3
6
1
6
3
CASINO MATH 101
WORD SEARCH
If the chance of having a White Seven land on the first reel is 30%, the chance of having a White Seven land on the third reel is 45%, but the chance of having a White Seven land on the second reel is 5%, then what are the chances of having the center pay line on the three reel classic slot display White Seven, not a White Seven, White Seven?
Find these words chosen to honor July 4th—the USA’s Independence Day! British, Colony, Declaration, Fireworks, Flag, Fourth, Freedom, July, Liberty, Patriots, Revolution, Thirteen, USA, Parade Words appear left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, and diagonally in any direction. (Solution on page 38)
Furthermore, pretend the chance of landing on a blank right above or below the White Seven on reel two is 20%. What are the chances of having the center pay line on the slot present a “near miss” where the middle reel is just one position off from the three White Seven win? All you classic three reel slot players know exactly what we mean! (Solution on page 38)
36 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
N
H
Y
T
Y
P
A
R
A
D
E
Y
O
Z
E
H
A
N
U
O
B
A
S
U
I
S
S
I
Q M O
Z
T
B
L
F
T
K
T
R
A
J
U
L
H
N
I
R
A
R
O
T
C
A
K
T
O
B
B
E
R
O
I
E
F
S
R
F
R
C
E
E
A W
R
E
U
U
G
I
F
J
R
D
L
E
T
N
O
V
T
V
I
J
T
O
C
R
A
F
G
I
K
V
U
Z
Y M
E
I
P
A
S
V
J
L
P
A
D
L
D
F
L
H
T
V
Y
F
X
J
Z
X
S
F
R
E
V
O
L
U
T
I
O
N
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
By Sami Becker
Is it GREED or just GOOD BUSINESS?
Sami, why do the casinos have to stay open for 24 hours? They are just being greedy. Like they don’t make enough money already! … They have ruined the lives of many people. I really hope you print this and if you do please keep my name anonymous. I’m sorry but in my personal opinion, I don’t believe the casinos are being greedy. Casinos are businesses and, like all other businesses, they are focused on maximizing their revenue while minimizing cost to increase profit levels. A casino wouldn’t stay open 24 hours if the costs outweighed the revenues, so they must be making a profit. There are several grocery chains and restaurants, such as Wal-Mart and I-Hop, that also remain open 24 hours to maximize their profits. Would you argue that those establishments are being greedy as well and taking advantage of people that may have a food addiction? The majority of the casinos’ revenue (estimated to be around 96% according to the National Gambling Impact Study Com-
mission) comes from patrons that are not problem gamblers. Unfortunately, this does mean that 4% of the casinos’ revenue does come from those that do have an addiction. However, even though casinos are businesses, they have absolutely no desire to take advantage of individuals with a gambling problem! In fact, every casino in the state of Arizona strongly encourages responsible gambling and prominently displays the problem gambling hotline number, 1-800-NEXTSTEP, throughout the casino. It’s not right for anyone to look at the casinos as the “bad guys” who take people’s money or fuel gambling addictions for their own interests, just as restaurants shouldn’t be blamed for their overweight patrons! Anyone who doesn’t understand that gambling is a form of entertainment shouldn’t be going to a casino. Ultimately, every person needs to take responsibility for their own actions. I’d love to hear other people’s opinions! Send me an e-mail to: sami@azgamingguide.com and let me know what you think! $
azgamingguide.com | July 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide
37
Y
11300 Resort Drive
Parker
888-243-3360 493
03. Bucky’s Casino
1500 E. Hwy. 69
Prescott
800-756-8744 303
04. Casino Arizona
101 & McKellips
Scottsdale
480-850-7777 931
Y Y
05. Casino del Sol 06. Casino of the Sun
12. Fort McDowell Casino 13. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
16. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino
Y Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Camp Verde
800-381-7568 656
15318 S. Ave. B
Somerton
800-237-5687 504
Y
Y
Y
7350 S. Nogales Hwy.
Tucson
866-332-9467 1,065
Y
Y
Y
Y
I-19, Exit 80
Tucson
866-332-9467 738
Y
Y
Hwy. 86, Milepost 55
Why
Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 906
Y
Y Y*
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
800-929-8744 802
1077 S. Kyrene Rd.
Chandler
800-946-4452 850
Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson
Payson
800-777-7529 407
Y
450 Quechan Dr.
Yuma
888-777-4946 470
Y
18. Quechan Casino
I-8, Exit 166
Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+
19. Spirit Mountain Casino
8555 Hwy. 95
Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 247 Scottsdale
480-850-7777 732
6443 Komatke Ln.
Laveen
800-946-4452 846
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.
Chandler
800-946-4452 990
1505 E. Hwy. 69
Prescott
800-756-8744 236
23. Yavapai Casino
Y
Y
480-802-5000 1,089
21. Vee Quiva Casino
Y
Y
Pinetop
101 & Indian Bend
Y
66
Maricopa
17. Paradise Casino
22. Wild Horse Pass Casino
Y
I-17, Exit 289
777 Hwy. 260
20. Talking Stick Resort
Y
Y
15406 N. Maricopa Rd.
15. Lone Butte Casino
Y
Y
Y
855-765-7829 966
14. Hon-Dah Casino
Y
Y
855-765-7829 324
Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.
Y
Y
Tucson
866-332-9467
Y
Y
Tucson
10. Desert Diamond Casino II
Y
Y
5655 W. Valencia Rd.
08. Cocopah Resort Casino
11. Desert Diamond Casino-Why
Y
7406 S. Camino De Oeste
07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel 09. Desert Diamond Casino I
Y
Y
Y Y
Y Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
azgamingguide.com
facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
Word Search Solution N O I T A R A L C E D
T Y P A R A D E H N A S U S S I O L F K T R L H I R R O T T O B B E O I E R R C E E W R E U I R D E T N O T J T O R A F G I U Y M I P A S L F L H Y F R E V O L U T I O N Casino Math: Connecting The Dots: 0.3 x 0.95 x 0.45 = 0.12825 (1 in 8 spins) 0.3 x 0.2 x 0.45 = 0.027 (1 in 37 spins) About 11 “near misses” for every 3 white sevens!
Sudoku Solution 2
4
7
9
8
3
6
1
5
3
6
5
4
2
1
8
9
7
1
9
8
6
7
5
4
3
2
7
2
6
8
9
4
1
5
3
5
1
4
3
6
2
7
8
9
9
8
3
1
5
7
2
4
6
6
3
2
5
4
8
9
7
1
8
7
1
2
3
9
5
6
4
4
5
9
7
1
6
3
2
8
38 Arizona Gaming Guide | July 2012 | azgamingguide.com
Y
Y Y Y
Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 5/01/12, casino websites & direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates. *Cocopah Resort Casino offers “Smoke-Free Sundays” which is a casino-wide non-smoking experience every week from 4AM Sunday to 4AM Monday
For information on the casinos & much more, scan our QR codes with your smartphone!
Smoke-Free Area
02. BlueWater Resort & Casino
Y
Arcade
800-272-2438 634
Spa
Globe
RV Park
Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe
Golf
01. Apache Gold Casino Resort
Hotel
Slots
Poker Room
Phone
Table Games
City
Live Keno
Location
Bingo
Casino
High Limit Area
CASINO DIRECTORY
Y Y