Contents JANUARY
DEPARTMENTS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 09 GREAT GAMES 14 GAMING NEWS 16 ARIZONA LOTTERY 18 FEATURE STORY 26 CASINO DINING 28 TRIBAL NEWS 30 TRAVEL—LAUGHLIN 32 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 34 CASINO NIGHTLIFE 36 FUN FACTS 38 HOT DEALS 40 CASINO BINGO DIRECTORY 42 FUN & GAMES
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45 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 46 CASINO DIRECTORY
WINNING STRATEGIES & GAMBLING TRICKS FOR MAXIMUM SUCCESS IN 2013!
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26
36
BETTY BOOP’S FORTUNE TELLER
10 WAYS TO SURVIVE BUFFET DINING
OVERVIEW OF LUCKY SYMBOLS
Bally Technologies delivers a follow up to their successful line of Betty Boop slot machines!
Nothing says indulgence like an allyou-can-eat buffet and casinos have been offering them for decades!
What kind of elephant statue you should buy and what to do with it in order to bring yourself luck.
azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
03
EDITOR’S NOTE
Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 05 • ISSUE 01 PUBLISHER Chris Hoft chris@azgamingguide.com MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com
Happy New Year! May it be your best one yet! We’re extremely fortunate to have so many wonderful casino options available to us in Arizona and the surrounding states, so if you’re one of those people that only visit casinos close to where you live, make this the year you try something different. My team and I have compiled information from previous issues in order to give our readers a great perspective on how all us casino enthusiasts need to stay ahead of the game for the coming year. Vow to have fun and make this your best year yet! Also, we’ve noticed recently how Arizona’s casinos are becoming more and more progressive and aggressive with their slot floors. Gone are the days when new slots were as abundant as unicorns! Now, games we just saw at the big casino trade show in October are already hitting the casinos as this issue goes to print! I love it! Check out our Great Games section for more information. 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 January issue and have fun! Cheers!
Alexandra
Alexandra Lang Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com
“Like” us on Facebook because
we “Like” you too!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ramses Ja Cindy Esquer Riley Meredith Blessing McAnlis-Vasquez 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 © 2013 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 | January 2013 | 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: I’m always feeling cheated and I can’t help but think all the games I’m playing are set up for me to lose. I’m not winning as much as I used to win playing the slots. I haven’t hit a jackpot on keno, and the tables don’t do anything for me either. I think the casinos are becoming greedy and they keep tightening the machines which is making it impossible for any of us to win anything. I can never make any money. Richard Evans – Tempe, AZ A: Richard, whether you play slots, cards, bingo, keno, or any other game in a casino, 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, because these games of chance are based on random outcomes that favor the casino. They are, in a nutshell, mathematically calculated to work against you! That is fact. Therefore, if you are one of those people that always complains about the casinos cheating players, setting up the cards, or rigging the slot machines, you’re just being foolish! Gambling is a legal and highly lucrative business. The casinos, whether commercial or tribal, have absolutely no reason to cheat players! 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. There are, however, ways everyone can increase their odds of winning, 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! An informed gambler is a smart gambler. So, if you enjoy casino gaming, then you have to make the commitment to educate yourself about the games you’re playing. That’s the only way you will have a fighting chance against the casinos. Make sure you read the help screens, 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.
Q: How can we be sure the slots we’re playing are really functioning properly and who oversees the casinos to make sure everything is fair? Does someone from the state come by and inspect the games to make sure that everything is on the up and up? Are the Indian casinos here in Arizona monitored like the ones in Vegas? Casey Mitchell – Scottsdale, AZ A: Casey, both commercial and tribal casinos are heavily regulated and closely monitored by several state and national agencies. There are actually three distinct regulatory levels for all tribal gaming operations. First, tribal governments regulate gaming on their reservations with their own commissions. Second, tribes that have compacts with the state (like Arizona does) are regulated by state government agencies (like the Arizona Department of Gaming—ADG). Finally, the National Indian Gaming Commission and Federal Government agencies such as the U.S. Justice Department, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the Department of the Interior also play significant roles in the oversight of tribal gaming. Then, of course, there are also agencies like the FBI, IRS, the U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Marshalls, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs all of whom have some level of regulatory involvement. The ADG Machine Compliance Technicians randomly inspect gaming devices at all of Arizona’s casinos on a regular basis. Their visits are unannounced and they are usually able to do spot checks at 8 to 10 casinos every month! The ADG technicians announce their visit to the Tribal Gaming Office first and then a Tribal Gaming Agent, a Casino Slot Technician, and a Casino Security Officer accompany the Machine Compliance Technicians around the casino during the inspection. A typical spot check usually consists of 50 different slot games. While there, the ADG technicians open the slots, enter the setup
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 | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
Q&A On Everything Gaming menus and verify the percentages, the software, and make sure the seal tapes are still in place. Then, they perform communication tests with the accounting system and run bills and tickets through the acceptors. They also make sure to check that all the accounting meters (credits in, credits out, credits played, etc.) are working correctly.
Q: I love playing Video Poker and I usually play Jacks or Better and Double Double Bonus Poker. Sometimes I also play Deuces Wild. You’ve talked about learning the strategies for these games, but I’m too old to remember which cards to hold in different situations. Can you give me some basic advice? Thank you so much. June Hoffard – Bullhead City, AZ A: June, the best advice I can give you is to choose your Video Poker game wisely. Each casino offers different payback percentages for each game and what you need to do is observe who has the best pay tables for your favorite games. For example, there are Jacks or Better games that, at a 5 coin max bet, pay 45 coins for a Full House and 30 coins for a Flush whose payback percentage is nearly 100%! However, there are also casinos in Arizona that only have this game set at 30 coins for a Full House and 25 coins for a Flush at a 5 coin max bet for a much
PLAYERS TALK
lower return of less than 95%! Think about what a huge difference this is! Each time you get a Full House playing the worse pay table, you’re losing 15 coins. This is three extra games or in terms of money $3.75 (when playing quarters) less. Not to mention all the money you’re losing each time you win a Flush! It adds up very quickly. Remember, the point of the low wins such as Full Houses, Flushes, Straights, and 3-of-a-Kinds is to keep you in the game until you get something bigger such as a Four-of-a-Kind. Bad Video Poker pay tables desecrate your bank roll too quickly and don’t give you a fighting chance.
Q: I play Blackjack while I’m waiting for my wife who loves playing the slots. Up until now, I’ve been able to play with $50 and walk away even after a couple hours at the tables. Lately, I haven’t had much luck and it seems like the Blackjacks aren’t coming around much anymore. I was just wondering how hard it is to get dealt a Blackjack? Roy Avery – Buckeye, AZ A: Roy, a player gets dealt a blackjack hand of 21 about once in every 21 hands (I’m not kidding about this number—it’s just a cool coincidence). This is about 4.8% of the time for single deck games and 4.7% of the time for six deck games. $
azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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New Slots at Desert Diamond Casinos
GREAT GAMES
Desert Diamond First To Install Brand New KISS Slot Slotss The designers at WMS bring bonus reel sets, amazing audio & a classic rock icon to the casino! Multi-Array Base Game On every spin, players have a chance to “unlock” one, two, or three bonus reel sets. Any band member symbol appearing on reel five (1, 2 or 3 can appear on any spin) of the Demon (main) reel set awards a spin of the corresponding band member’s reel set. Each unlocked reel set is enhanced with one of three bonus features. The bonuses include reel strips with all the low value symbols removed, additional Wilds, and Wild reels. Each unlocked reel set can also award a Top Box prize for the appearance of the Starchild symbol.
Desert Diamond Casinos Installs Cheers By WMS First In Tucson Join your favorite characters from the television classic in Cheers video slots. The exciting wheelbased features combine with clips from the show to create one slot you'll want to spin again and again. Five Wheel symbols award spins of the Lucky Round Bonus Wheel for the chance at mini-bonuses or a multiplier of up to 100X a player’s awarded Cheers Credits. Land just three Wheel symbols in the same spin in the Free Spins to bank credits toward a spin on the Lucky Round Wheel Bonus at the end of the Free Spins.
Bonus Games Bonuses are triggered with three Bonus symbols on the Demon reel set. Players pick to uncover one of three bonus rounds. The Band Prize bonus awards one of the four top box prizes at random. The Free Spins bonus awards up to 15 free games with a multiplier of 1X or 2X. The free games session can be extended if three Bonus symbols appear during a free game. The KISS Alive bonus allows players to select one of four guitar picks while attempting to find the letters K, I, S, and S before having four speakers blow out.
Wait! There’s More!
Backstage Pass This slot’s payback ranges from 87% to 94%, and features a hit frequency of around 40% with a 6040 split between the base and bonus game for the 90% payback version (typical at many casinos).
Desert Diamond Casinos just announced the arrival of Superman slots by Aristocrat and Grease slots by Bally Technologies as well!
I Want To Rock And Roll All Nite! Perhaps one of the most unique features of this brand new slot is the ability to select your own soundtrack while you play the game. Make sure to touch the upper left corner of the screen where “press for song selection” is indicated and you’ll be able to choose which KISS hits you want to hear next! KISS—A rock and roll icon •KISS is regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time. Their career milestones are staggering. KISS holds honors as one of America's top gold record champions, recording 37 albums over 36 years and selling over 100 million albums worldwide. •Over thirty years of record-breaking tours around the globe include high-profile appearances at Super Bowl XXXIII, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the 2005 Rockin' The Corps concert dedicated to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and most recently, the 2009 American Idols Finale before thirty million viewers. azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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GREAT GAMES
New Slots at Fort McDowell Casino IGT’s Sex And The City—Out On The Town Get ready for a fabulous night out! This 5-reel, 40 payline widearea progressive game offers a 50-credit minimum bet and the excitement of vertically expanding wilds. Three heart symbols trigger one of three exciting base game bonus rounds. Pick an outfit to accessorize in the hopes of finding large credit values and multipliers during the Dress to Impress Bonus. In the Perfect Pair Bonus, players help a character search for the perfect pair of shoes while discovering random credit values. The High Style Respin Bonus awards a base game respin with a guaranteed wild reel. Four thematic group bonuses immerse players in true Sex and the City fabulousness: The Big Night Out Bonus, The Grab a Cab Bonus, The Fabulous Free Spins Bonus, and Touch of Sparkle Group Bonus. Players select one of five characters to play and each base game has symbols corresponding to that specific character from the series. Play it at Fort McDowell!
Aristocrat’s The Mummy Players can win like an Egyptian with dual symbols and a threelevel progressive. Tons of video footage brings all the favorite movie characters to life all for a 40-credit minimum bet. There’s no pyramid scheme here–just Hollywood-style action, adventure and fun! In the Wild Strike Feature, 2 to 5 meteors strike the reels each one turning a random symbol wild. In the Ancksunamun Remix Feature, all Jar symbols become wild and all 15 symbols are lifted by the Mummy sandstorm and remixed into random positions. In the Wheel Bonus Feature, up to 3 spins of the Wheel are awarded. The feature ends when Treasure Tomb, Wild Storm or The Mummy Progressive Feature is triggered or 3 spins have been played. In the Treasure Tomb Feature, during each of the first 3 rounds, the player chooses 1 mummy to shoot revealing a credit prize. In the 3rd round, if the selected mummy reveals “Block,” the feature ends. If the selected mummy reveals “Treasure Room,” a final pick in the treasure room is awarded. In the Free Spin Wild Storm Feature, 6 free games are awarded. For each wild spun up, 2 additional wild will be created. The Mummy Progressive Jackpot Feature awards 5 picks from among 15 scarabs. Players select scarabs to reveal how many steps they advance through the map to determine the level of jackpot won. Play it at Fort McDowell! $
10 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
GREAT GAMES
New Bally Technologies Slots Coming Soon
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oming soon to Arizona casinos is Betty Boop’s Fortune Teller, which will win over even the staunchest of psychic skeptics with its mind-boggling number of dazzling features. It is the new companion game to the hit Betty Boop’s Love Meter, both based on the iconic cartoon character and her playful dog Pudgy. Two progressive jackpots – “Pudgy’s Predictions” (major) and “Boop-Oop-A-Doop” (minor) – are available to win at any bet level. A top progressive features Bally’s new life-changing Cash Connection wide-area progressive, available at max bet. Dubbed Betty’s Fortunes Jackpot, it is awarded via five-of-akind scatter pay symbol on the base game reel set. A near-area progressive version of the game is also available. Betty and Pudgy act as fortune-telling guides in this game’s fully-rendered 3D environment. Betty reads your palms, celebrates wins, and even offers you a little help along the way. The game features Bally innovations such as the iDeck, U-Spin Wheel, and U-Choose bonuses. Betty Boop’s Fortune Teller offers an unprecedented 15 bonuses at any bet. After hitting three U-Spin symbols, you are awarded with a real-time 3D Fortune Wheel that you can touch, slide, and spin. The Fortune Wheel is full of surprises, such as the Palm reading, where you’ll put your hand on the iDeck so Betty can read your palms. Credit and multiplier values are awarded based on the reading of your life line, heart line, success line, and fate line. The game also includes several free game and multiplier bonuses, from Signs of the Zodiac Free Games and Crystal Ball Free Games, to Pudgy’s Magical Multiplier Free Games, during which Betty randomly intervenes to help players who get only 1X or 2X. “I can change your future!” or “I can help you with that!” she declares, giving you a free second try. The U-Choose Bonus gives control to the player, letting you pick your preferred bonus. In the Spin ’Til You Win bonus, for instance, you’ll decide whether to “Take Win” or “Spin Again.” If you choose the latter, you’ll keep going until you win. Is your good fortune right around the corner? Find out with Betty Boop and Pudgy. $ Bally Technologies Did you know that Bally is the oldest slot manufacturing company in the world? Bally was founded in 1932 by Raymond T. (Ray) Moloney. It was created as the manufacturing arm of parent company Lions Manufacturing Corporation to develop a small, but highly profitable pinball game called the "Ballyhoo." Bally Manufacturing, as it was known then, created and distributed coin-operated amusement devices before entering into slot machine production.
12 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
GAMING NEWS
Here’s what our fans had to say on our Facebook page when we asked them to fill in the blank for a new slot machine game name!
Bally Technologies’ Michael Jackson King of Pop slot hits for more than $1.5 million at Lac Courte Oreilles Casino in Wisconsin!
Wheel of
December 12, 2012
OFF THE WALL
!
Frances Contreras—Dreams Michael OBrien—Destiny Susan Ortiz Deason—Chance, Luck Sharon Ireland—Winners Patricia Clelland Isles—Fame Sandy Rashleger Tennant—Riches Patricia Cyscon Florek—Winnings Alexis Martin—Determination Jon Scott—Freedom Stevie Tom Begay—Opportunity Mary M. Bayer—Easy Street Charlene Donahue—Amazement Fela Music—Riches Lorraine Amaral—Treasure Jamie Lee Rollins—Wacky Wonderment, The World, Perpetual Pleasantries, Possibilities Bonnie Young—My Own Janice L Graziano—Hot Spins Josh Andrews—Fish Frank Albanese—Despair Tammy Dover—Chance Richard Colburn—Opportunity Ryan Walter—Misfortune Donna Smith—Casino Queen Jackie Christoffel—Life Vernon LeMoine—False Hope Debi Murtagh—Money Susan Guardado—Dreams Lorraine Enriquez—Cha Ching Jewels Johnson—Cars Cathy Hayes—Fun and Money Thanks to everyone who submitted an idea, you guys are all very creative! If you haven’t joined our Facebook community, please take a moment to do so. There’s always something going on and generally we spread the word first to our Facebook fans when we hear of any new casino news. We also hold exclusive contests and giveaways on our Facebook page all the time. We think it is time you visit our page at: facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide, “like” our page and become a part of our community! $
14 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
Bally Technologies, a leader in slots, video machines, casino management, interactive applications, and networked and server-based systems for the global gaming industry announced that its Cash Connection wide-area progressive slot link hit for $1,572,006 at Lac Courte Oreilles Casino in Hayward, Wisconsin on November 30, 2012. Tami DeMarr of Hayward Wisconsin hit the jackpot while playing Michael Jackson King of Pop at 9:30am. Michael Jackson King of Pop features one of the most widely beloved and influential artists of all time in an exciting, music filled game on Bally’s new Pro Series V22/32 cabinet with the custum, Pro surround sound chair. Offering everything from mystery wilds bonuses and free game bonus events and featuring hit songs Bad, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dirty Diana, and Smooth Criminal, this game is highlighted by a U-Spin Platinum Record Bonus and video clips showcasing the performer. With a history dating back to 1932, Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies designs, manufactures, operates, and distributes advanced gaming devices, systems and technology solutions worldwide. Bally’s product line includes reel-spinning slot machines, video slots, wide-area progressives, interactive and mobile applications, and Class II, lottery, and centraldetermination games and platforms. Bally also offers an array of casino management, slot accounting, bonusing, cashless and table management solutions. For more information on Bally Technologies and their entire catalog of slot machines, you can visit their website at www.ballytech.com, or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. $
GAMING NEWS
Talking Stick: A Cultural & Entertainment Destination
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alking Stick: a Cultural and Entertainment Destination, located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale, Arizona, is making the most of its great attractions. And people are talking! They are talking about 36 holes of memorable golf at Talking Stick Golf Club and about the stylish accommodations, exciting showroom, pool, spa and casino at Talking Stick Resort. People are talking about the exciting mix of shops, restaurants and attractions at the Pavilions at Talking Stick and the full calendar of concerts and events topped off by spring training baseball at Salt River Fields. And, they’re talking about the newest Courtyard by Marriot Scottsdale Salt River which offers visitors comfortable accommodations at an outstanding value and great meeting space options. Talking Stick is the first cultural and entertainment destination in Indian Country. As a public-private partnership, the destination brings together private investors and Community enterprises to maximize success. The destination is conveniently located within the northern corridor of the Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian Community at Pima-101 Freeway and Indian Bend Road, adjacent to Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and Fountain Hills. It is just fifteen minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and only ten minutes from the Scottsdale Municipal Airport.
“In addition to our great location, we also have amazing views. We’re surrounded by the McDowell Mountains, Camelback Mountain, Red Mountain and Four Peaks. Each of our attractions offers unobstructed, panoramic views of the magnificent Sonoran desert landscape so whether visiting during the day, watching the sunset or marveling at the night skies, our visitors experience a destination unlike any other in the state,” said Blessing McAnlis-Vasquez, Marketing Manager of the Talking Stick destination. McAnlis-Vasquez explained that the Community chose the name ‘Talking Stick’ because of its cultural significance. Pima (Akimel O’odham) carvers historically recorded events and milestones on Pima calendar sticks. The calendar stick designed for Talking Stick recognizes several “firsts” for the Community: all in this special location. The first symbol on the calendar stick represents the people of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The second symbol signifies Pavilions at Talking Stick, which was the first power center on Indian land. The third symbol refers to Talking Stick Golf Club, the first PGA designed course in Indian Country and the fourth symbol signifies the Talking Stick Resort, the Community’s first mid-rise building. The fifth symbol represents Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the first major league spring training facility built on Indian land. “We don’t believe there is another place in Indian Country that offers this mix of experiences for visitors,” McAnlis-Vasquez emphasized. “We’ve got it all – shopping, dining, luxury to affordable accommodations, sports, concerts and events and some of the best entertainment opportunities in the Valley. Our Tribal Council made the decision to brand all these attractions as one destination so visitors can see at a glance all we have to offer. Talking Stick: A Cultural and Entertainment Destination is another “first” for our Community and we invite everyone to come and see what people are talking about.” For more information, please call 480.362.7740 or visit www.srpmic-nsn.gov. $ azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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ARIZONA LOTTERY
Winners & Jackpots
Arizona Powerball Jackpot Winning Ticket For $192 Million Claimed By Fountain Hills Resident
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he Arizona Lottery hosted a press conference recently to announce the Arizona Powerball jackpot winning ticket being claimed by an Arizona resident. The $587.5 million jackpot is the largest in Powerball history, with a cash option of $384.7 million, before taxes. The Arizona winner will share the record-breaking Powerball jackpot with the jackpot winners from Missouri, Mark and Cindy Hill. He elected to take the cash option and will receive a lump sum of $192 million, before taxes. The winner is married, in his thirties and resides in Fountain Hills, Arizona, the town where the winning ticket was purchased. He and his wife are originally from Pennsylvania and relocated to Arizona last year. He used to play Powerball all the time, but has only played twice since living in Arizona. The day of the draw, the winner went to 4 Sons Food Store and asked for $10 in Powerball Quick Pick tickets and handed the clerk a $20 bill. The clerk asked if he would like the full $20 in tickets instead, to which the winner replied "no." After leaving the store, the winner placed the ticket in his car visor and left it there overnight. The next morning, when he heard there was a winner from Arizona, he checked the winning numbers on ArizonaLottery.com and couldn’t believe his eyes. The winner immediately pulled together a legal and financial team to advise him and outlined a day-by-day plan. When the winner claimed his ticket, he indicated that he and his family are creating a solid financial plan for the future, which will include setting up a charitable organization to benefit the causes they believe in. The winner decided to decline publicity, but issued the following statement: "It is difficult to express just how thankful we are for this wonderful gift. We are extremely grateful and feel fortunate to now have an increased ability to support our charities and causes. Obviously, this has been incredibly overwhelming and we have always cherished our privacy. Therefore, we ask that inquiries be directed only to our law firm, Rhoads & Sinon LLP at 717-237-6765 or at arizona@rhoads-sinon.com. Thank you." "It has been an extremely busy and exciting week for the Arizona Lottery," said Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery. "It was a thrill to meet with the Arizona Powerball jackpot winner this morning, and after all the speculation, we are very pleased the winner is an Arizona resident." The winning Arizona Powerball jackpot ticket was purchased at the 4 Sons Food Store in Fountain Hills located at 13779 N. Fountain Hills Blvd. The store will receive a check for $25,000, the established retailer incentive for selling a winning Powerball jackpot ticket in Arizona. $
About the Arizona Lottery The Arizona Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products; it receives no General Fund dollars from the State. Proceeds from sales of Lottery tickets - over $3 million per week - fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out more than $5 billion in prizes to players, over $2.8 billion in net profit to the state and almost $591 million in commissions to all the Arizona Lottery retailers.
16 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
$1,000,000 Spur-Of-The-Moment Purchase
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len Van Wagoner, a winter resident of Mesquite, is not a regular Lottery player, but when he finally decided to purchase some Powerball tickets, it was the right time and the right place. He and his wife drove up to Beaver Dam Lodge and he said, “Let’s buy some Lottery tickets. It’ll give us something to play during the month.” He ended up buying two multi-draw Quick Picks on Powerball. He then put them in his briefcase and forgot about them. That briefcase went to Utah and Texas, was left in hotel rooms, the back seat of a rental car, etc. Glen said, “I was very lucky.” Back in Utah, he decided to check the local Mesquite news online and that’s where he read about a $1,000,000 Powerball ticket that was still unclaimed. He knew it couldn’t be his, but it jogged his memory. Glen remembered the Powerball tickets he’d purchased and got them out of the briefcase to check. He saw that his numbers for the September 15, 2012 draw matched the winning numbers, but had no idea what he’d won until he did a little more checking. He said, “My heart was jumping all over the place.” It took him a few more minutes to convince his wife that he wasn’t seeing things. Because he’d forgotten about the tickets, he didn’t redeem his $1,000,000 Powerball until October 10, 2012, almost one month later. The couple plan to pay off some bills and invest the rest for retirement. Glen said, “It’s been so much fun, I’m ready to do it again.” The winning ticket was purchased from Beaver Dam Lodge located at 452 Old Highway 91 North, Beaver Dam. $
WINNING
SECRETS Gambling Tricks To maximize your chances for a successful 2013 year! By Lana Hartmann
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isiting a casino is an exciting entertainment option, but before you consider participating in this form of recreation, you need a game plan! It’s important to be just as organized about a trip to the casino as you are preparing for a party or even just doing your weekly grocery shopping. For instance, looking through the weekly ads and collecting coupons can save you a lot of money on your groceries. Furthermore, writing out a grocery list can save you both time and money by introducing order to your shopping—preventing you from forgetting items you may need to go back for again and buying items that aren’t necessary. The path towards a “lucky” and “winning” 2013 is to follow some basic guidelines outlined in this article. Do your homework, just like you would for any other entertainment activity before you leave for a casino trip. If you can incorporate a few simple measures into your planning routine this year, you will have taken significant steps towards becoming a smart gambler in 2013. And, if some of the topics are already part of your routine, good for you! Spend the extra time introducing yourself to those concepts you’re not familiar with. If you use this opportunity to make a change and approach your casino entertainment in a new way right now, you’ll certainly have continued positive experiences at the casino this year and many more years to come! Good luck and have fun!
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Choose Your Casino Wisely A casino is a business, so make sure whichever casino you play at is living up to your expectations. Never choose a casino purely based on convenience. We are lucky to have our pick from so many casinos across the entire state of Arizona and the surrounding states. Try an out-of-town casino you’ve never been to and make it a weekend getaway. You may just find your new favorite! Play Higher Denomination Machines Generally, the higher the denomination the higher the payback percentage. Casinos do this to reward players that are willing to place higher bets. If you play a 30 line penny game at times five for a $1.50 bet, this is the same as playing a 30 line nickel game at times one for the same wager. The nickel game will, most likely, be set at a higher payback percentage.
Common Payback Percentages By Denomination Generally speaking, the higher the denomination the higher the payback percentage is of a game. Based on our team’s combined industry experience and new game installs we’ve been privy to, here’s a breakdown of percentages by the game’s denomination: 1¢ (85-91%), 2¢ (87-91%), 5¢ (88-92%), 10¢ (89-93%), 25¢ (9295%), $1 (93-96%), $2 (94-96%), and $5 (95-97%).
Set A Budget And Be Realistic Establishing a bankroll is one of the most important lessons to learn. You certainly don’t go to the movies without a very good idea as to how much the entire experience will cost you, right? If you don’t consider how many spins on a slot machine or hands at the Blackjack table your money will buy you when determining your budget for a night out at the casino, then you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Bringing $100 with you to the casino if you intend on playing for several hours may not be such a reasonable expectation. If you’re playing the slots at 50 cents per spin, your $100 will buy you 200 spins. You may be done with those spins and out of money in 15 minutes or less if things don’t go well. Always be realistic when setting your budget. You don’t want to be out of money waiting around for your friends or family or, worse yet, running to the ATM machine for more money! Always leave the plastic at home to avoid those exorbitant transaction fees.
Another popular misconception amongst players is that they “don’t play enough to earn anything.” What players forget to take into account is that card readers record the aggregate total amount of ALL money played through a machine (including the wins along the way). It’s not uncommon for a player to put $20 in a machine and play through $200. The card reader records all the money played through the machine and not just the initial money inserted by the player. Therefore, points do add up very quickly during a play session, even when placing low bets. Just be careful, card readers can be sensitive so check that your player’s card is accepted when first inserted into the machine by looking for the welcome message. Then, glance over to the reader on a regular basis to make sure the card is still being registered. Read The Help Screens There are oodles of hints and tips disclosed within the pages of a slot machine’s help screen! The casinos are just hoping that you won’t take the time to read the information that’s there. Besides the pay tables and the basic functionality of the game, here are just a few of the many, many secrets that are hidden in the help screens: 1. Picking Strategies for bonuses. Risk bonuses that involve player decision on whether to “keep win or risk win for higher rewards” are considered strategy (or skill) games. Regulatory agencies heavily scrutinize these types of games and require manufacturers to disclose the “best strategy” for the game in the help screen. 2. Whether or not bonuses are predetermined. Sometimes your picks in bonuses are already predetermined and it just doesn’t matter where you pick. If a regulatory agency feels that a bonus may be misleading to the players, they will force the manufacturers to include a comment in the help screen. 3. Rules for the progressives and bonuses. Knowing which features of a slot game are available for each bet step is important. All these rules are defined in the help screen. So, next time you sit down to play a slot, take a peek at the help screen. You may be surprised to find what’s there! Sign Up For Free Slot Tournaments Many casinos are starting to offer short, usually 15 or 20 minute, free tournaments that give you a chance to win cash and prizes without having to risk any of your own money! (Continued on page 22)
Always Use A Player’s Card Points accumulated on a player’s card can be used towards cash back and/or free play, food, hotel rooms, show tickets, and more! If you don’t take advantage of the extra benefits that come with using a player’s card, then you’re giving the casino an even greater advantage! Worried that the slot recognizes when a card is inserted and the performance of the game is compromised as a result? Don’t be! The game’s random number generator in each machine is the only factor that determines the outcome of every spin. The card readers, ticket printers, hoppers, and bill validators are separate mechanisms that are part of a slot machine designed to perform independent functions and one has absolutely nothing to do with the other! azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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Play With Cold Hard Cash Picture yourself sitting at a Blackjack table pulling out one $10 bill after the other and betting on each hand with real money rather than plastic chips! I believe it would feel very different. The same goes for the ticket vouchers for the slot machines. Don’t move from one machine to another with a ticket in hand. A $100 ticket just doesn’t feel the same as five twenties feel in our hands. You may just think twice about staying at a machine if you have to dig into your purse for that second or third $20 bill! So, whether you’re playing with chips or tickets, don’t forget that they both still represent cold hard cash. Always keep that in the back of your mind when you’re at the casino! Bet Max When Playing Progressives If you’re going to play a slot machine that is hooked up to a progressive, make sure you are playing max bet. Slot manufacturers are designing more and more games that only award progressives to players that are playing max bet. You don’t want to be sitting at a machine feeding the progressive meters if these awards aren’t even accessible to you! The other type of progressive slots that are very popular are those that happen randomly and don’t require you to bet max to qualify for the progressives. However, the player that is wagering the most at the bank has the best chance of being selected by the progressive controller. (Yes, that is why that max bet player keeps winning the progressive!) If you can’t afford to play max bet on a progressive slot or be the biggest bettor at the bank that has randomly triggered progressives, then just don’t play these types of games. Cover All The Pay Lines All The Time This is one of the biggest mistakes we see players making when we walk casino floors. Playing all the pay lines increases your chances of hitting a winning combination on more lines. This is particularly important for the large number of games that have bonus events triggered by symbols landing on active pay lines. If, for example, you decide to “save money” by playing only 20 lines on a 30 line game, you’re actually decreasing the winning combinations available in the game and going through your bankroll even faster. In some cases, playing 30 lines can give you up to 50% higher hit frequency over playing only 20 lines, and who doesn’t want to win more often? Apprehensive about what we’re saying? Do a comparison and see for yourself. Play $10 at 20 lines and $10 at 30 lines on the same game. You’ll feel the increased wins. The extra 10 lines will pay off during the base game and will really pay off during a free games bonus with much larger bonus wins on average. Take Advantage Of Double/Triple Offers On The Same Day Casinos, whether intentionally or unintentionally, sometimes send out several offers for the same day. It’s even better when you can take advantage of a raffle or a drawing while there as
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well. Carefully examine all the offers sent to you by the casino and visit during the most opportune times. In addition, many casinos offer great deals during the week on food, lodging, and golf. Playing with a player’s card may even earn you 2X to 10X more points on a weekday! Try Something Different Look at all the options available to you at the casinos! Not only are there a lot of different kinds of slot machine games, but there are several other casino games you might find entertaining as well. Changing what games you play on a regular basis will help keep things fresh and interesting for you. Consider playing Blackjack, but don’t play using hunches the way most players do. Learn basic strategy and stick to it in all situations. It’s not hard and should take less than 2 hours to learn. In doing so, you will be able to decrease the house edge down to 0.5%. Don’t be intimidated to ask a dealer or a pit boss if the casino offers “training sessions” for new players. Bingo is also another excellent option! Just $5 to $10 a pack offers several hours of entertainment—you can’t beat that! If you’re willing to risk a little more money, you can increase your odds of winning by purchasing more packs. Bingo is a really fun activity you can do on your own or with friends and family! Sign Up For A Daily Poker Tournament Want some major action for a relatively minor investment? Head straight for the poker room and obtain information on the casino’s daily poker tournament schedule! I guarantee you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck. Most tournament buy-ins can be as low as $25 and usually don’t exceed $100, provide several hours of entertainment, and offer the potential for some very handsome returns. The beauty of poker is that the rules are simple and the game is so much fun to play. However, the key to mastering the art of poker and gaining an advantage over other players is by paying attention to body language signals and controlling your own mannerisms and emotions. To become proficient at doing this, it’s important to play the game as frequently as possible. As the saying goes “practice makes perfect” and this is where the daily tournaments are a real advantage. You can practice with tournament games until you become an expert poker player, before you begin playing in cash games, without having to invest a large amount of money. (Continued on page 24)
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Know The Bonus Pulls-To-Hit The most important number every true slot enthusiast should know is the bonus pulls-to-hit (the average number of spins it takes to trigger a bonus event), even if it’s just a ballpark figure. There is a mathematical model behind each slot game, so you don’t have to rely on blind luck when playing the slots. First of all, this number is important because it helps you determine an appropriate amount for your bankroll. Let’s assume that your favorite slot game has a bonus pulls-to-hit of 120 (see example below). If you intend on wagering 30¢ per spin and it takes 120 spins to get into the bonus, then you can expect to spend about $36 before you trigger a bonus. Therefore, a reasonable bankroll for this scenario would be $40. This amount of money would, most likely, allow you to experience the game’s bonus at least once. And, as all of us who play the slots know, the bonuses are where the players have the best chance of making a little bit of money. Second of all, knowing a game’s bonus pulls-to-hit provides you with a base value for comparison. In other words, when you’re aware of what your typical performance is on a particular slot game you can have certain expectations. If you reach your $40 mark but haven’t triggered a bonus, then it may be time to end the play session and come back to the machine at another time. Here’s a general rule of thumb: highly volatile slots usually take over 180 spins (on average) to get into a bonus, medium volatility slots take about 120 spins (on average) to trigger a bonus, and less volatile slots have a much lower average pulls-to-hit of between 60 and 80 spins. Calculating the Bonus Pulls-To-Hit First, sit down at your favorite slot machine and as soon as you begin your play session, start counting how many spins it takes to get into the bonus. Then, start keeping track of each bonus. For example, say it takes 116 spins to hit the bonus the first time, then 155 spins to hit it again, then 77 spins, and then 132. Add all the numbers together, 116+155+77+132=480 and then divide by the total number of bonuses played (in this case 4). On average, it takes 120 spins to trigger a bonus on this game! Slow Down Finishing more spins than the person next to you is not going to earn you a prize. Playing super fast only puts you at risk for losing money quickly and potentially shortening your play session! Slot machine manufacturers have gone to great lengths to program exciting sounds and animations into the games. Never play more than one machine at a time. Playing two or three machines at once just means you are risking your money two to three times faster. Don’t play frantically. Sit back, let the credits rack up, and enjoy all the wonderful presentations. Take What You Win Home Unfortunately, chances are you’re just not going to break even or get ahead at the casino. That’s just plain fact. Even if you’re playing the highest payback percentage games, you’re still most likely to fall short of what you came with. So, during those times you do manage to get ahead, stop playing! Casino games have a way of sensing when a person becomes greedy! Enjoy the win and take it home. $
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When The House Edge Isn’t Our Worst Enemy
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ll of us who participate in gambling for entertainment purposes can point to at least one casino trip where we could have made better choices. We lost because we were our own worst enemy. We’ve all been guilty of gambling late into the night, way past when our bodies were telling us that it was time to quit. And, how many of us have come home with screaming headaches due to eye strain or not hydrating ourselves enough while at the casino? What about the times we ate everything in sight for dinner at the buffet because we gambled through lunch? When we neglect our normal routine and we don’t treat our bodies right then bad things usually happen. If we’re leaving the casino intoxicated, tired, achy, hungry, thirsty, with leg cramps and a sore behind, then we’re probably also leaving broke. We’re ending up feeling physically awful and emotionally drained as well. What about the classic, “I won, but I gave it all back” nightmare? This hurts more than the worst hangover possible. We finally win something at the casino, something worth bragging about to our friends and family, but we have nothing to show for it. This is usually about the time Cher’s song comes to mind, “If I could turn back time, if I could find a way …” Well, there is no “way” other than preventing it from happening to begin with. The casino is a fun place and there’s a thrill associated with the risk involved with gambling. No one can deny that. But, there needs to be discipline. Don’t ever allow yourself to be your own worst enemy at the casino. If you find yourself saying, “I wish I would have, could have, or should have …” then you need to take a step back and see how you can modify your behavior for the better. Listen to your body because it will get upset if you smoke too much, drink too little or too much and don’t eat enough. Don’t sit for hours on end at the tables or the slots, it’s simply not healthy. If your body is tired and you’re yawning every few seconds, it’s time to go home. And, if lady luck has been kind to you, celebrate the occasion and appreciate your winnings! Don’t use the money as an opportunity to chase after more money! Make it a New Year’s Resolution for 2013 and say, “I will not be my own worst enemy at the casino.”
CASINO DINING
Buffets
10 Ways To Survive Buffet Dining Nothing says indulgence like an all-you-can-eat buffet and casinos have been cultivating this popular genre for decades! In fact, the first modern-style buffet had its origins in a Las Vegas casino. In the 1940’s, the owners of the El Rancho Hotel & Casino advertised the “Buckaroo Buffet” where their patrons could have a quick bite to eat for $1 and then resume their gambling. Late-night gamblers, with limited options, also enjoyed the affordable and practical buffet-style dining. Nowadays, the appeal isn’t so much about convenience or quantity as it is about variety. Guests can enjoy more expensive food options like lobster, crab, prime rib and exotic meats and cheeses they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to take pleasure in at home. Patrons also have much more control over the food they eat at a buffet than they would at a sit-down restaurant.
fect our waistlines. Here are some simple guidelines to follow: #1. Don’t skip meals. If you’re planning a trip to the buffet for dinner then don’t skip breakfast and/or lunch to “make room.” Going to a buffet feeling ravenous is just a recipe for disaster. In fact, having a small snack such as a handful of nuts and a small piece of fruit a couple hours before the meal will help satiate your hunger and prevent overeating.
Here in Arizona, we are lucky to have a variety of scrumptious buffet options to choose from. And as long as we don’t overindulge on a regular basis, a trip to the buffet doesn’t have to af-
#3. Don’t drink your calories. A 12 oz glass of soda can have as many as 200 calories, a glass of sweetened iced tea has about 150 calories and juices can have up to 250 calories! A 12 oz glass of
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#2. Always start with the soup. Soup fills you up and tends to have less fat than some of the other selections. Choose clear broths such as chicken noodle or tomato based options such as vegetable or minestrone which have far less calories and bad carbohydrates than do cream based soups such as clam chowder and cream of potato.
Buffets beer has approximately 150 calories, a 5 oz glass of red or white wine has about 125 calories, and a 1.5 oz shot of hard liquor has nearly 100 calories! Opt for bottled water, unsweetened iced tea or coffee instead and save the calories for something else (like dessert)! #4. Check your options. Just because you’re at a buffet doesn’t mean you have to sample every single dish! Your plate doesn’t have to look like Mount Everest by the end of the buffet line. Before you do anything, take a quick walk around and look at all the stations, then make your selection based on what you want to have the most. #5. Avoid foods that are high in calories. The dishes that tend to have the highest amount of calories and fat per serving are those that are drenched in creams and heavy sauces and those that are deep fried. Skip main entrees such as chicken alfredo and veal marsala and side dishes such as macaroni and cheese and scalloped potatoes. Limit, to a small portion size, any dishes that are battered and deep fried. If you must, have a couple of breaded shrimp or a few fried calamari and that’s all. #6. Choose nourishing foods. All buffets offer grilled and baked meats, fish and steamed vegetables; all of which are healthy options. Many buffets are also beginning to offer healthier alternatives such as brown rice, quinoa, and couscous – all of which are more wholesome choices than white rice, bread and pasta. #7. Limit yourself to three plates. Start with the soup plate and proceed to the main plate. Then, choose a third plate option as either your salad or dessert. If you still feel like you would like to have a second round of something “salty” after the main course, go build yourself a huge salad. The salad will fill you up and you, most likely, won’t have the room for dessert. A gigantic salad, even with a tablespoon of dressing, will still have far fewer calories than a dessert. #8. Eat slowly. Taking your time during a meal makes you feel fuller faster. Savor each bite and chew food thoroughly. Studies have shown that it takes our brains 20 to 30 minutes to register feelings of satiety. A good habit to get into, whether eating out or at home, is to frequently put all utensils down in between mouthfuls. Another benefit of eating slowly is that it aids in digestion. #9. Stop eating when you’re full. Eating out at a buffet takes a lot of self control. It’s so easy to overindulge in order to “get your money’s worth.” You don’t have to be a member of the “clean plate club” at the buffet. Although we all know it’s not good manners to leave food on your plate, if you feel satisfied or if something just doesn’t taste that appealing don’t eat it! #10. Remember, it’s not all about the food. Enjoyable company is what makes a good meal great. Spending time conversing with family and friends will naturally slow down your eating which will aid in proper digestion. Socializing during a meal can also prevent you from overindulging. $
CASINO DINING
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 Arizona (Salt River)—Scottsdale—480.850.7777 Eagles Buffet: Seafood Fr, Prime Rib Sa, Champagne Brunch Su.! Hours: Lunch Mo-Fr 11-3pm, Dinner Su-Th 4:30-10pm Sa & Su Brunch 10-3pm, Fr & Sa Dinner 4:30-11pm Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde—800.381.7568 The Gallery Restaurant Buffet: Seafood & Crab Leg Dinner! Hours: Mondays 4-9pm Cocopah Casino—Somerton—800.237.5687 Artisan Restaurant Buffet: Prime Rib/Seafood Fr, Breakfast Sa-Su Hours: Fr 5-9pm, Sa 7-11am, Su 7-Noon 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 10-2pm, 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-Sa 11-2pm, Dinner Mo-We 4-8pm (‘til 9 Th) Su Brunch 10-2pm, Fr & Sa Dinner 4-10pm, Su Dinner 2-8pm Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa—800.427.7247 The Buffet: Fr & Sa Seafood also Sunday Champagne Brunch Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner. 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 Casino del Sol—Tucson—520.838.6506 Festa International Buffet: Seafood Th, Brunch Su Hours: Mo-Th 11am-10pm, Fr 11am-11pm, Sa 7am-11pm, 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 4:30-10pm, Su Brunch 9-3pm All buffets listed are open daily. Please verify all details and any age restrictions with each casino. We are not responsible for incorrect or outdated information.
Did you know that the buffet table originates from the Brännvinsbord—Swedish schnapps table from the middle of the 16th century? Also, the smörgåsbord (Swedish for “table of sandwiches”) was a meal where guests gathered before dinner for a pre-dinner drink, and was not part of the formal dinner to be followed. In many cases women and men were served the smorgasbord in different rooms. azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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TRIBAL NEWS
AIGA CHEF’S CHALLENGE at the Trade Show: Doing Business in Indian Country
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n the evening of November 13, 2012, the Arizona Gaming Guide staff arrived at the Rawhide Western Town just south of Chandler, AZ on the Gila River Indian Reservation for an evening of pure dining delight! The Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) had just kicked off their three day trade show which included a Chef’s Challenge as part of the program. Every casino and tribe was asked to participate by having members of the food and beverage staff from the casinos or a different tribal enterprise create some Native inspired dishes to be judged by the trade show participants. The competitors included Colin Rible—Executive Chef at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort, Benjamin Downs—Executive Chef at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, Christian Movassaghi—Executive Chef at Casino Arizona Salt River, Jon Anderson—Executive Chef at Rawhide, Jason Jonilonus—Executive Chef at Casino del Sol, Dale Jager—Food and Beverage Director at Fort McDowell Casino Resort, Nephi Craig—Executive Chef at Sunrise Resort,
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Kurt Schroeder—Executive Sous Chef at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, Michael Bujold—Executive Chef at Desert Diamond Casino I (Tucson). This amazing array of talent cooked up dishes featuring Native inspired ingredients including quail eggs, local pecans, chorizo, pumpkin, prickly pear, local lemons, local honey, local pork, saguaro, mesquite, poblano, local limes, local goat cheese, ancho, blue corn, acorns, polenta, game hens, squash, butternut squash, cactus, apricot, apple, agave, tequila, fry bread, wild mushroom and salsa, just to name a few! Once the attendees sampled all the dishes, voting commenced in order to determine which Chefs would place first, second, and third. After all the fantastic food was provided by the competing teams, Benjamin Downs—Executive Chef at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel placed Third, Jon Anderson—Executive Chef at Rawhide placed Second, and Chef Nephi Craig from Sunrise Resort captured First Place. He will keep the Chef’s Challenge trophy in his restaurant at Sunrise until the 2013 Chef’s Challenge when all the chefs will be back to do battle once again!
TRIBAL NEWS “We’re very proud of our Chefs for what they accomplished at the inaugural AIGA Chef’s Challenge,” said Nathan Schreiber, food and beverage director at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel. “It was an honor to participate in this event and to be selected by our peers as one of the top three tribal-owned casino restaurants in the state.” The Cliff Castle culinary team’s competition menu included ancho-acorn bisque with pumpkin seed creme and polenta croutons, and an achiote game hen salad with squash ribbons, pine nuts, chayote, roasted butternut, cactus, arugula, apricot and apple with a lime-agave vinaigrette. Executive Chef Nephi Craig—Chef’s Challenge Winner Chef Nephi Craig has 14 years of culinary experience not only in America but around the world. He’s worked at The Country Club at DC Ranch and at Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician, among many other renowned restaurants and hotels. Nephi is also an enrolled member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is half Navajo. Chef Craig is the Founder of The Native American Culinary Association or NACA, an organization/network that is dedicated to research, refinement and development of Native American Cuisine. NACA Chef and Founder Nephi Craig also provides training, workshops and lecture sessions on Native American Cuisine to schools, restaurants and tribal entities from across America and abroad. A highlight of his work with NACA is when Nephi was able to help prepare a Native American themed menu for the renowned James Beard Foundation at the James Beard House in New York City. This was Craig’s second James Beard Dinner in two years. Chef Craig is also a published author. Craig has written pieces for the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. and the Center for American Indian Elderly. Craig writes about the current state and evolution of Native American culinary traditions affected by hunting, fishing and agricultural rights, as well as United States and Indian relations in Native American History. NACA Chef Nephi Craig has served as head chef for four international tasting dinners. These culinary events were held in London, UK; Cologne, Germany; and Osaka, Japan. Chef Craig has also served as head chef in Sao Paulo, Brazil working for the United States Consulate and Senac College providing training, workshops, and various tasting dinners showcasing Native American Cuisine during the Shared Indigenous Heritage Festival in 2007. Nephi Craig is currently the Executive Chef at Sunrise Park Resort Hotel on the White Mountain Apache Reservation near Show Low, AZ. $ Many thanks to Valerie at the AIGA, Pam & Martha at Strategies, and especially to Linda O. at the AIGA for her photos on the previous page!
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TRAVEL—LAUGHLIN
Casino Directory & Best Bets
Photo courtesy of Las Vegas Convention & Visitor’s Authority. © Copyright Las Vegas Convention & Visitor’s Authority. All Rights Reserved.
Aquarius Casino Resort 1.800.662.LUCK or aquariuscasinoresort.com. 1,300+ Slots, No Smoking Slot Area, High Limit Slots Area, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Live Keno, and a Race & Sports Book. Best Bet: Panorama Room Special—Enjoy a 15th floor view in a luxury room & resort amenities. $49.99 + tax until January 31. Avi Resort & Casino (owned by the Fort Mojave Tribe) 1.800.430.0721 or avicasino.com. 1,000+ Slots, Bingo, Blackjack, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Hold'em Fold'em Poker, Three Card Poker, Craps, Roulette, Poker Room, Live Keno, Race & Sports Book, and a KidsQuest. Best Bet: The Mojave Resort Golf Club is in walking distance! Colorado Belle Hotel Casino Resort 1.877.460.0777 or coloradobelle.com. 750+ Slots, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Poker Room, Live Keno, and a Race & Sports Book. Best Bet: Shows of Integrity 2013 at the E Center. Gem, Mineral, Jewelry & Bead Show. Hourly Door Prize Drawings! January 18-26, 2013: 10am-6pm. January 27, 2013: 10am-5pm Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino 1.800.227.3849 or riversideresort.com. 1,000+ Slots, 270+ NonSmoking Slot Area, High Limit Slots Area, Seven Bingo Sessions Daily, Blackjack, Bonus Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, Deuces Wild Hold'em Fold'em Poker, Emperor's Challenge Pai Gow Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Craps, Roulette, Poker Room, Live Keno, and a Race & Sports Book. Best Bet: Cruizin’ On The River—Charity Classic Car Show. January 17-20, 2013. Open to all years, makes & models, street rods, muscle cars, trucks, classics & specialty vehicles, 4x4 & motorcycles. Edgewater Hotel Casino 1.800.677.4837 or edgewater-casino.com. 750+ Slots, NonSmoking Slot Area, Blackjack, 3 Card Poker, Let it Ride Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Craps, and a Race & Sports Book. Best Bet: Neil Sedaka—Live in the E Center! From teen pop sensation of the 50’s to superstar in the 70’s, Neil Sedaka continues to inspire audiences worldwide as a singer, songwriter,
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composer and pianist. Tickets from $25, 16 and older event. Golden Nugget Laughlin 1.800.237.1739 or goldennugget.com/laughlin. 1,000+ Slots, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker Room, and a Sports Book. Best Bet: $30,000 Tipsy Turvy Slot Tournament! January 24-26, 2013. A $50 entry fee with a $10,000 first place prize! Harrah’s Laughlin 1.800.447.8700 or harrahslaughlin.com. 900+ Slots, NonSmoking Slot Area, High Limit Slots Area, Blackjack, Bonus Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride Bonus, Pai Gow Poker, Craps, Roulette, Poker Room, Live Keno, and a Race & Sports Book. Best Bet: Defending the Caveman—Comedy Show. February 12—March 3, 2013 (dark Fridays). Tickets start at $25. Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall 1.800.634.3469 or pioneerlaughlin.com. 500+ Slots, Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, Craps, Roulette, and a Sports Book. Best Bet: $49 Video Poker Tournament Friday, January 25 and 26, 2013! Call for more information. River Palms Resort Casino 1.877.787.7256 or river-palms.com. Slots, Bingo, Blackjack, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Craps, Roulette, and a Sports Book. Best Bet: Reba On The River—Reba McEntire will be performing under the stars on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Room packages include two concert tickets and a two night stay (Friday and Saturday). You can also add Sunday, March 17, free. Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino 1.800.243.6846 or tropicanax.com. 1,000+ Slots, Bingo, Blackjack, Three Card Poker Progressive, Royal Match 21 Progressive, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Mississippi Stud Progressive Poker, Let it Ride Progressive Poker, Craps, Roulette, and a Sports Book. Best Bet: Polka Fest at Tropicana! Jan. 10-12, 2013 includes Live music, dancing and FOOD! Room packages available. Sources: Direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates.
Special Events
LAUGHLIN—TRAVEL
Reba On The River At The Laughlin Amphitheater!
Don’t miss her show on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 7pm. Reba McEntire’s career has produced over 56 million in worldwide album sales; 64 Top 10 hits; the #1 TV sitcom for 6 consecutive years on two networks; successful clothing, footwear and home collections; a stint on Broadway that garnered a Drama Critics Award; the recipient of 15 American Music Awards, 13 ACM Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Association Awards, 2 GRAMMYS and a National Artistic Achievement Award by U.S. Congress. This show will sell out! Be sure to book your room and tickets now.
Taste Of Laughlin Three great days of culinary excellence featured outdoors on the Riverwalk, the first festival of the New Year! Enjoy great outdoor weather, food, and free live entertainment. The event hours are 4pm to 9pm Fri. Jan. 18; Noon to 9pm Sat. Jan. 19; and Noon to 6pm Sun. Jan. 20.
The River Palms Hotel and Casino Package Starts at $199.99 plus tax and includes 2 Concert Tickets, 2 Nights, Fri. & Sat., Mar. 15 & 16, plus you can add Sun., Mar. 17 for FREE. This Special Early Bird Booking Discount is available through Feb. 15, 2013. Call 1-800-835-7903 and ask for Promo R2167. Ticket upgrades are also available. The Tropicana Hotel and Casino Package Starts at $229.99 plus tax and includes 2 Concert Tickets, 2 Nights, Fri. & Sat., Mar. 15 & 16, plus you can add Sun., Mar. 17 for FREE. This Special Early Bird Booking Discount is available through Feb. 15, 2013. Call 1-800-343-4533 and ask for Promo T2167. Ticket upgrades are also available. Both these packages are available for purchase now!
Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park & Trails Complete! Designated as one of only two “America’s Great Outdoors” projects in Nevada, and also one of the “America’s Great Outdoors River Restoration” projects, the park is now open for public use. The project includes 5.25 miles of trails, day-use areas, picnic sites, shade shelters, fishing piers, equestrian facilities, a highway bridge overpass and underpass, and provides access to the Colorado River. The next time you visit Laughlin, don’t miss this great park and trail system. For more information, visit the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s website at www.usbr.gov. $
Photo courtesy of USBR. © Copyright USBR. All Rights Reserved.
azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
31
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
Schedule of Events Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 River Room: Zumba Fitness—Mo & Tu at 6pm Sunset Lounge: Live Jazz & Free Cocktails—Tu 6pm Karaoke—We-Fr at 8pm La Vida Loca—Fr at 8pm Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: Groovin’ Fridays Noches Caliente—Saturdays the hottest Tex Mex and Tejano music! Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar: 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: Kix Brooks (Brooks & Dunn) Tucson Rodeo Concert—Feb. 23 at 7pm
Kix Brooks Desert Diamond Casino Tucson Rodeo Concert February 23
Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Events: Silver Car Auction—Jan. 18 & Jan. 19 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live music every weekend.
Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Cabaret Lounge: Live bands every weekend Pavilion: Jan. 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: Hulk Hogan’s Micro Championship Wrestling—Jan. 12 at 6pm. $20. Willie Nelson—Mar. 2. Tickets start at $55. Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Jan. schedule not available at press time. The Arizona Room Piano Lounge: Closed for renovations. Casino del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 Kino Stadium: College All Star Game—Jan. 11 at 7pm Event Center: B.B King—Feb. 13 at 8pm Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Dragonfly Lounge: Variety including live bands, karaoke & DJs—Ladies Night every Th, Open late on Fr & Sa.
32 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
Willie Nelson BlueWater Resort & Casino March 2 Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—800.427.7247 Oasis Lounge: Jan. schedule not available at press time. Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munday Funday—Comedy Show Clark Country (Country/Rock)—Jan. 1-5th Vinyl Tattoo (Classic Rock)—Jan. 8-12th
Schedule of Events
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
Wynona & The Big Noise—Feb. 16 Jay Leno—Feb. 17 Kenny Rogers—Mar. 23 Coffee Garden: Dueling Pianos—Th, Fr & Sa from 8-11pm
Michael Grimm Talking Stick Resort Sundays & Mondays Jan. 6 - Apr. 8 Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Phoenix area bands & DJs offer free live entertainment Mo-Sa Verona Chophouse: Sunday Jazz Brunch Live—10am to 3pm
Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Encore Lounge: Featuring a variety of live music nightly. Showroom: Legends of Country Music Show “Classic Country Sundays” Now-Sunday Mar. 10, 2013 The Pettybreakers (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tribute)—Jan. 5 TNT (AC/DC Tribute)—Jan. 12 Lea Salonga—Jan. 18 USA Belly Dance Queen Show & Competition—Jan. 19 Don Rickles—Jan. 26 Jay Mohr—Feb. 1 Dead or Alive the Bon Jovi Experience—Feb. 2 Oak Ridge Boys—Feb. 8 Neil Sedaka—Feb. 17 Wilson Phillips—Feb.23 Engelbert Humperdinck—Mar. 9 Yavapai Casino—Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744 Yavapai Cantina: Karaoke with Cruisin’ Susan—Fr—8pm-12am Live Music Tuesdays & Saturdays—7-10pm. $
Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Event Center: Jan. schedule not available at press time. Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Jan. schedule not available at press time. Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Pipa Event Center: EP EXPO 2013—Tribute Weekend to The King—Jan. 17-19 The Temptations—Feb. 15 at 8pm Vicky Lawrence—A Two Woman Show—Mar. 1 at 8pm Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine—Mar. 16 at 8pm Sidewinders Bar & Grill: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends. Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 Orange Sky: Michael Grimm—Two acoustic sets at 7 & 9pm Sunday & Monday Nights Jan. 6-Apr.8 The Showroom & Grand Ballroom: Gregg Allman—Jan. 8 King of the Cage presents Regulators—Jan. 19 David Alan Grier—Feb. 2 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, missing, or outdated information.
Engelbert Humperdinck Wild Horse Pass Casino March 9 azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
33
CASINO NIGHTLIFE
Exclusively Featuring Ramses Ja
Phoenix Area Casinos Offer Late Night Bingo Action! Lone Butte Casino B.A.D. Bingo 2
10pm until the last winner is paid out!
Fridays 11:30pm to 1:30am. Buy-ins start at $10 per pack.
For more information contact Casino Arizona at 480.850.7777 or visit www.casinoarizona.com.
Late Night Bingo Just Got Caliente! Featuring Old School, R&B, Tejano, and Cumbia music, plus great drink specials. Win $5,600 Guaranteed cash! Hosted by DJ Rockin' Rob.
Fort McDowell Casino Lunar Bingo
Lone Butte Casino B.A.D. Bingo
The third Saturday of every month, Fort McDowell Casino transforms its 1700-person capacity Bingo Room into a thunder dome of fun, prizes, and bingo fever!
Saturdays 11:30pm to 1:30am. Buy-ins start at $10 per pack. Bingo After Dark! Enjoy live music and DJ Rockin' Rob, killer light shows, great beer specials, and B-I-N-G-O! Win $5,600 guaranteed cash! For more information contact Lone Butte Casino at 1.800.WIN.GILA and then press 5 or visit www.wingilariver.com. Casino Arizona L8 Nite Bingo Fridays and Saturdays with doors at 10pm and games at midnight. Buy-ins start at $10 per pack. Featuring a nightclub-worthy sound system, and the most elaborate lighting display around! Local radio legend, Corina (Kool 94.5 FM) is the host and radio personality (101.1 FM The Beat) and celebrity DJ Ramses Ja has the music going from
34 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
Buy-ins start at only $5. Payouts as big as $500 along with giveaway prizes including flat screen televisions, barbeque grills, video game consoles, and more. For more information contact the Fort McDowell Casino at 1.800.THE.FORT or visit www.fortmcdowellcasino.com. Ramses Ja Rudi King-Taylor II
•Music Director/On-Air Host (3-7pm) for KNRJ-FM 101.1 The Beat
•Resident DJ/VJ for KTVK-3TV Friday 10am •Host of R.E.D.Y. Set Radio •Official Bum Squad DJ •DJ Vatican Member •For more information on Ramses Ja, visit his website at: www.ramsesja.com.
FUN FACTS
Bet You Didn’t Know …
There are over 5,000 species of ladybugs and they are considered to be lucky by many cultures all over the world! One interesting legend says when a ladybug lands on a young girl, the number of spots indicate the number of children she will have! Many Germans enjoy eating sauerkraut with pork to start the New Year off on the right foot, because the cabbage leaves symbolize money and pigs are a good luck symbol in that culture.
The way in which a horseshoe should be hung over a door varies from culture to culture. Many believe that for a horseshoe to be truly lucky the heels need to be pointing upward so the luck does not fall out. Others believe that the horseshoe must be hung pointing downward so the luck pours over all who pass underneath. And, there are still others that believe the way in which the horseshoe is hung isn’t as important as the material it is made of and the condition that it is in. Traditionally, iron horseshoes were considered to be the luckiest because iron stems from a powerful union of the two most basic elements—rock and fire. And, the horseshoe must be used (not new) and found by accident because its luck only comes after it has been worn by a horse.
Rainbows represent a bridge between this world and the world of the gods. The idea of a pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow is of Celtic origin.
36 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
A FOUR LEAF CLOVER is considered a lucky symbol, because the first three leaves are a symbol of FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE and the fourth leaf is the one that symbolizes LUCK. In the Irish tradition, the Shamrock (the three-leaf clover) represents the Holy Trinity; one leaf for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God’s Grace.
Buy a statue of an elephant with the trunk up and rub it on your way out the door when you start your day for good luck.
HOT DEALS
You Get The Very
BEST Of Casino Offers Statewide!
Talking Stick Resort— Resort—Scottsdale Treat Yourself To A New Year’s Present—You Deserve It! Hotel rates at one of the Valley’s hottest resorts are starting as low as $149 per night. Guests who book a stay for two consecutive nights in any luxury room or suite will also receive a $50 resort credit. The credit can be used to indulge in luxurious spa treatments, golfing,
38 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
delicious dining, live entertainment and much more! In fact, guests can use the credit toward all amenities throughout the resort, excluding gaming. To take advantage of this special rate, valid now through January 13, simply visit their website at www.talkingstickresort.com. or call 480.850.7734.
CASINO BINGO DIRECTORY
Planet Bingo & Recent Jackpots Planet Bingo is a linked progressive system which can be played on every game by placing an extra wager when you buy your pack. In Arizona, we recommend you play the game at Fort McDowell Casino, where the bingo hall pays out over $1 million every month! If you are traveling, you’ll find Planet Bingo at select casinos in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin. So make sure you ask for “Planet Bingo” when you walk into the hall! Recent jackpots include the following big wins: Blue—$41,235.00, $84,766.00, $142,430.00 and $77,245.00 Green—$10,200.00, 11,724.00, $33,213.00 and $35,412.00 As of the publishing of this issue, the Blue jackpot was over $77,000.00, and the Green jackpot was over $32,000.00. Both of these jackpots are national and can be won by players during sessions held across the country at any time. The Red and Yellow jackpots are individual to each casino, so their amounts range in value from around $200.00 to over $6,000.00 depending on the number of players making wagers on Planet Bingo, and when the last jackpot was awarded at each casino. Good luck everyone! $
Casino
Sessions
Seats Smoke-Free Area Electronic
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
Mo-Su at 6:30pm Sa-Su at 12:30pm
1000
Yes
Yes
L8 Nite Bingo Fr & Sa Doors at 10pm. Games at midnight
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.
1275
(2 sections: enclosed or in general seating)
Yes
Fr & Sa at 12:10am. Call for Lunar Bingo schedule.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin
We-Su at 11:30am, 2:30, 3:30, and 6:30pm
470
Yes
Yes
No
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-888.777.4946.
Vee Quiva
Daily at 12:30 & 6:30pm.
366
Yes
Yes
Bingo Eclipse Sa at 11pm.
Yes
Late Night
Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 12/01/12 & 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.
40 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
FUN & GAMES
SUDOKU
WORD SEARCH
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 46)
In honor of National Puzzle Day on Jan. 29, find these words: ARIZONA, GLOBE, PARKER, PRESCOTT, MOHAVE VALLEY, TUCSON, CAMP VERDE, SOMERTON, WHY, FORT MCDOWELL, MARICOPA, PINETOP, CHANDLER, PAYSON, YUMA, LAVEEN, SCOTTSDALE. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)
7
2
3
P
5 4
9 6
8
4
3 4
9
3
7
8
1
5
7 3
1
5 6
E
L
A D
D L
L
E
W O D C
8
1
42 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
S
T
A C
Q N P
N C
G F
G
F
O
F
O H P
X
T
O C
S
K
J
F
V
M T
R
O
T
U
C
S
O N G
R
E
K
R
A
P
M A R
I
C
O
P
A Q Y
N O
T
R
E
M O
S
V
B
K
A Z
G
E
B
O
L
G
W H Y
K
O M
C N
I
L
E
D R
E
V
P
A
O A
F
P
K
P
I
N E
T
O P
G D
I
Z
A
P
R
E
S
C
O
T
T
R
S
L
R
Y
I
C
H A N D
L
E
R
D
C
B
S
Z
G
R
V
N E
E
V
A L
F
O D
B
C
P
A R
O
L
K
W Z
G
E
A
L
L
E
V
Z
9
5
V
Z
I
N M O H A V
Y
V
S
M A C
Y
R
U
A
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
LESS Frustration in 2013 By Sami Becker
The answer is in your own hands
My colleagues have prepared for this issue across the past few weeks by echoing a common theme—how to best approach casino gaming in the new year. I think it’s equally important for me to examine what my readers can do in order to make their visits to casinos in 2013 better, happier, and less frustrating. Let’s face it, losing can already be infuriating enough, but having other negative experiences on top of that can make for a really bad gaming experience. Here are some tips I believe will make your casino visits in 2013 much less frustrating: #1. Avoid Boredom. Don’t let the game bore you. If you are no longer having fun, walk away and find a new game or just come back on a different day. One of the first indicators is when your eyes start to wander and you become focused on everything and everyone else except what is happening with the game you’re playing! Not good, because you’re now more likely to become influenced by events around you. Many of these events are out of your control but as a result of your “boredom,” may influence you to react to them in a negative manner.
#2. Keep Smiling. The more you smile, the happier you are in the moment and throughout life. If something begins to irritate you, fight back with smiles and laughter. #3. Become a Foreigner. One of our readers wrote in to tell us a little trick she frequently uses when she’s not feeling social and just wants to concentrate on her game and not be sidetracked by other players. If the person next to her wants to socialize and she doesn’t she smiles, shrugs and says “No English” in whatever accent comes to mind. She pretends not to understand English and she’s left alone. If telling a little fib keeps you focused on your game and distraction free then just do it! #4. Don’t Chase. If you find yourself too focused on “winning back” your bankroll, too focused on not hitting the bonus, too focused on how everyone else is winning and you’re not, too focused on how negative your experience is, walk away! $
Do YOU have something to rant about? Write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com
azgamingguide.com | January 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide
45
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
11300 Resort Drive
Parker
888-243-3360 523
03. Bucky’s Casino
1500 E. Hwy. 69
Prescott
800-756-8744 309
04. Casino Arizona
101 & McKellips
Scottsdale
480-850-7777 927
Y Y
05. Casino del Sol 06. Casino of the Sun
12. Fort McDowell Casino
16. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Camp Verde
800-381-7568 656
15318 S. Ave. B
Somerton
800-237-5687 509
Y
Y
Y
7350 S. Nogales Hwy.
Tucson
866-332-9467 1,089
Y
Y
Y
Y
I-19, Exit 80
Tucson
866-332-9467 697
Y
Y
Hwy. 86, Milepost 55
Why
866-332-9467
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
Y
Maricopa
480-802-5000 1,089
Pinetop
800-929-8744 806
1077 S. Kyrene Rd.
Chandler
800-946-4452 850
Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson
Payson
800-777-7529 422
Y
450 Quechan Dr.
Yuma
888-777-4946 506
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 736
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 244
23. Yavapai Casino
Y
Y
777 Hwy. 260
21. Vee Quiva Casino
Y
56
Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 883
101 & Indian Bend
Y
Y
I-17, Exit 289
17. Paradise Casino
22. Wild Horse Pass Casino
Y
855-765-7829 296
15406 N. Maricopa Rd.
20. Talking Stick Resort
Y
Y
855-765-7829 1,032
14. Hon-Dah Casino 15. Lone Butte Casino
Y
Y
Tucson
Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.
13. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Y
Tucson
10. Desert Diamond Casino II 11. Desert Diamond Casino-Why
Y
5655 W. Valencia Rd.
08. Cocopah Resort Casino
Y
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 Y
Y
Y
Y Y
Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 12/01/12 & 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!
azgamingguide.com
facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
Word Search Solution
Sudoku Solution
E L A D S T T O C S
1
7
6
2
8
4
3
5
9
3
9
2
7
5
1
6
4
8
5
8
4
9
6
3
1
7
2
6
5
2
8
4
7
9
1
3
4
1
9
5
3
2
8
6
7
7
3
8
6
1
9
4
2
5
9
5
1
4
7
8
2
3
6
8
6
3
1
2
5
7
9
4
2
4
7
3
9
6
5
8
1
L L E W O D C M T R O F T U C S O N R E K R A P M A R I C O P A N O T R E M O S A
E B O L G W H Y N
Y U M
E D R E V P M A C A O
P
P
I N E T O P
Z A P R E S C O T T Y I C H A N D L E R S O
R
N E E V A L A
N M O H A V E V A L L E Y
46 Arizona Gaming Guide | January 2013 | azgamingguide.com
Smoke-Free Area
02. BlueWater Resort & Casino
Y
Arcade
800-272-2438 607
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