Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - June 2013 - 05:06

Contents JUNE

DEPARTMENTS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 08 GREAT GAMES 13 GAMING NEWS 16 ARIZONA LOTTERY 18 WINNING WAYS 22 FEATURE STORY 26 CASINO DINING 28 TRIBAL NEWS 30 TRAVEL—LAUGHLIN 34 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 36 CASINO NIGHTLIFE 38 HOT DEALS 40 CASINO BINGO DIRECTORY 42 GAMING INDUSTRY MVP INTERVIEW

22

44 FUN & GAMES

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES—A GAMING INDUSTRY LEADER FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS!

45 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 46 CASINO DIRECTORY

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13

42

JUNE 21ST: NASCAR SLOTS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN

NEW VEE QUIVA HOTEL & CASINO OPENS JULY 2ND

THE PROBLEM GAMBLING DIRECTOR LESLIE WELCH

Get in the driver’s seat with three NASCAR-themed bonus events that include an interactive race.

A 100,000 sq. ft. gaming floor, 950+ slot machines, 16 table poker room, 36 table games, 550 seat bingo hall!

Leslie Welch discusses her new role as Director and the mission of the Office of Problem Gambling.

azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

03

EDITOR’S NOTE

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 05 • ISSUE 06 PUBLISHER Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com

Bally Technologies - A Proven Industry Leader Bally Technologies is one of the most recognized names in the gaming industry.

Casino enthusiasts enjoy their innovative designs, immersive game play mechanics and popular licensed themes. That is why Bally’s products are prevalent in casinos all across Arizona, and the world. This month, we take a closer look at this proven industry leader in our feature story.

Gambling is a fun, thrilling, form of entertainment! However, for some, this innocuous activity can turn into a serious affliction. We are fortunate to have an organization like the Arizona Office of Problem Gambling to promote awareness and offer the much needed support for this devastating illness. Please read the interview with the newly appointed Director, Leslie Welch, if you or someone you know feels that gambling has become a problem because there is hope and help.

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 June 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 Shana Berschler 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 | June 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 love playing games that have progressives you can win on top of the games. I’m wondering, though, can a casino wait until the progressives have gotten really high and then remove the game from the floor before they get hit? My husband was playing his favorite $1 slot and the progressive got to $22,700 but usually it’s only between $10,000 and $15,000 and the game was taken away and replaced with something else. I play the video slots and there have been plenty of times this has happened to me too. Can you tell us what the rules are about removing those types of games?

Nora Nelson – Glendale, AZ A: Nora, this is an excellent question! We get several e-mails concerning this topic on a regular basis. A small percentage of each wager that a player makes on a slot machine connected to a progressive goes into the meters. Every single-level or multilevel progressive has starting values established by the slot manufacturers that are referred to as ’base values.’ These are the reset values that occur after a progressive has been hit.

Money that accumulates in the meters (above the base values on the progressive slots) must be given back to the players in some way. This is money that belongs to the players and not the casino! Therefore, if a casino decides to remove a progressive game, they have a couple of options of how to keep the money ‘on the floor’ so it can be won by players at a future time. One option is to redistribute the money to other existing progressive machines on the floor. However, since casinos tend to replace one progressive game with another, they usually end up adding the money into the meters of the new game.

Interesting facts about progressives: ●The Top Award on a progressive must occur, on average, once in every 50,000,000 plays according to the Arizona TribalState Gaming Compact! ●Very large progressives, like the MegaJackpots by IGT, are paid by the slot manufacturers and not the casinos! ●Even though it’s highly unlikely, progressive values can keep growing and growing in value forever and never be hit! ●Most progressives are set up so that players betting the maximum have an added advantage of winning the prizes. Always make sure to read the help screens to be clear about the rules.

Q: Very fine magazine you have. Please tell my wife that she doesn’t need to bet more than the minimum on the slots she likes to play. She’s convinced you can’t win anything playing the lowest credit amount, so she starts playing two or three times the minimum then comes crying to me when she’s out of money so quickly.

I say, “Play a smaller bet and make your money last longer woman.” Maybe she’ll listen to you.

Jack Wayworth – Chicago, IL & Cave Creek, AZ A: Jack, it sounds like your wife is disappointed that her bankroll is not letting her play the wagers she would like for as long as she would like. Determining the proper bankroll is very important to get the best overall entertainment experience! Every person needs to be realistic about how much money they can afford to bring to the casino and how long they would like their experience to last for. We usually recommend at least 100x the intended bet for every hour of play time as an absolute minimum! For example, $30 should last about one hour playing 30¢ wagers. However, betting two to three times the minimum bet on slot games can become expensive quickly. Therefore, based on your wife’s betting style, I’m hoping that her bankroll is at least $100 for every hour of desired play time (and more if she’s playing the newer, more volatile slots).

Q: I love playing slots. I’d rather play the video slots with the bonuses but I always seem to make more money playing the basic slots like the ones with the 7s, cherries, and bars. They’re not as fun but I’ve won some big jackpots. Can you tell me a few games you think are the best to play on the one line slots? Thanks!

Kamilla Tolnay – Phoenix, AZ A: Kamilla, in our opinion, the best mechanical steppers to play are Double Diamond (by IGT), Red, White & Blue (by IGT) and Blazing 7s (by Bally). They’re older games but you’ll still be able to find at least one (if not all three) of these games on casino floors. Most stepper products produce a win about once in every 12 to 20 games, but the games we’ve mentioned produce a winning combination about once in every 7 spins! Also, the Top Awards on all the games are extremely attainable. For example, the Jackpot on Double Diamond has a high probability

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 | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

Q&A On Everything Gaming

PLAYERS TALK

of occurring as it hits once in every 50,000 spins, on average.

Given that one spin takes about 5 seconds to complete, 50,000 spins translates to approximately one Jackpot every three days!

Now those are some great odds! Throw into the mix the fact that the wilds show up about once in every 25 spins and that makes for some exciting game play action while waiting for the Jackpot to happen.

Q: I’ve never won a drawing and neither have any of my friends or family. And, even with all the tickets I was able to collect … I still got nothing! How do we really know that the drawings aren’t set up? I feel the same way about slot tournaments. I can’t ever seem to get anything!!! Am I really just that unlucky?

Janice M. – Sun City, AZ

Here are a few more hints when playing the stepper games: Never, ever, sit down at these machines unless you are prepared to risk 300x your wager. Wins between 50x and 500x your wager will usually be attainable with that bank roll. Also, most casinos install the game with the max credit Jackpot proportionally higher than the one credit Jackpot. Therefore, you should play the maximum bet to gain an even greater advantage.

A: Janice, I’m sorry. I know that it’s very frustrating but it is just about luck and timing. However, collecting as many tickets as you can for a drawing is an excellent strategy! You’re definitely gaining an advantage and increasing your chances of winning, so keep that up!

Q: I read somewhere that the slot payouts can be as low as 75%, is that true?

Michael (M.T.) Thompson – Gilbert, AZ A: Michael, yes the minimum payback percentage for video keno games is 75%. For games that require no skill (such as slot machines) the minimum payback is 80% and for games that require skill (such as video poker) it’s 83%. These are Arizona minimums and they vary from state to state.

All Arizona casinos must seek prior approval by their Tribal Gaming Office and the Arizona Department of Gaming before conducting any drawings, tournaments, promotions, cash or prize giveaways. If a casino were to fix one of their marketing promotions they would be in direct violation of the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact. One of the main reasons the Arizona Department of Gaming exists is to ensure compliance with the Compacts and that there is no cheating. Trust me when I tell you, no casino would be foolish enough to jeopardize their gaming license over something as miniscule as a drawing or tournament! $

azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

07

GREAT GAMES

New Slots

Harrah’s Ak Ak--Chin First To Install Bally’s NASCAR Slots R

umbling onto the casino floor at Harrah’s Ak-Chin on June 21 is one of the most exciting themed slots in the gaming industry: NASCAR. This new title from slot giant, Bally Technologies, takes everything racing fans love about the sport and puts it into a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.

If you’re a fan of NASCAR, then you know it’s all about the drivers. This new slot won’t disappoint. The line-up is a who’s who of current racing royalty – Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, and Clint Bowyer. Not only can you theme the slot based on your favorite driver, but you’ll also enjoy audio and video featuring these stars of the oval.

be familiar with the incredible audio, the synchronized lighting and amazingly comfortable Pro Surround Chair. The minimum bet on this penny slot is an affordable 40¢ and the maximum bet is $3.20. This slot game has an exhilarating base game, three high-octane bonuses (Pit Stop Bonus, the Burnout Free Games, and a U-Race Bonus) plus a lifechanging progressive starting at $400,000!

Since NASCAR is played on the same cabinet as another Bally favorite, Michael Jackson King of Pop, slot players will already

Enjoy the thrill-ride of this great, new slot and good luck! $

FUN FACTS ●On straight-aways at 200 mph, NASCAR drivers travel 293 feet in one second, almost the length of an entire football field. ●On turns, NASCAR drivers can experience 3 Gs of force against their bodies, comparable to the forces pressing down on shuttle astronauts at liftoff. ●Temperatures in the car often exceed 100 degrees, reaching as much as 170 degrees by the floorboards. Drivers can lose 5-10 pounds in sweat during a race. If a driver loses more than 3% of his body weight in sweat and doesn't replace those fluids, focus and reflexes decline. ●In a race, a NASCAR driver maintains the same heart rate of 120-150 beats per minute for 3+ hours - same as a serious marathon runner for about the same length of time. ●SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers, which NASCAR has installed at most tracks, reduces crash impacts on drivers by 70% or more. ●No driver has died since NASCAR began requiring head-and-neck restraints in 2001.

NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. ©2013 Motorsports Licensing Company, LLC. All trademarks shown are used with the permission of their respective owners.

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

New Slots Coming Soon

GREAT GAMES

Triple Cheeseburger Deluxe

Multimediagames.com

Get ready for a mouth-watering experience at the sight of Triple Cheeseburger Deluxe, the 9-Reel, 40-Line video game from Multimedia Games with a burger building challenge of a bonus!

When three Bonus symbols land on the seventh pay line, the Burger Building Bonus round begins. Players pick from 25 spots to build their dream burger. Once the first bun is found, players will earn credits for each topping selected in succeeding picks.

When the second bun is found, the bonus will either end or award a Double Decker Burger with remaining picks at 2X. When the third bun is found, the bonus will again either end or award a Triple Decker Burger with remaining picks at 3X. Once the fourth bun is found, the bonus round is complete. During the bonus, the Bacon topping symbol awards a variable of 100 to 300 credits times the bet per line prize value! If a player builds a bun burger (two buns with no toppings) during the bonus round, 500 credits times the bet per line is awarded.

That’s not all, because who could forget the French Fries? When three Free Spin symbols land on the first pay line, players are awarded seven free spins where the French Fry symbol turns wild for all other symbols. Watch out, because taste buds will delight in the winnings with Triple Cheeseburger Deluxe!

Wild A Go-Go Travel back to the dancing days of the 1960s with Wild A Go-Go, the 5-Reel, 50-Line video game from Multimedia Games! This slot features stacked symbols and reel animation bringing some of the wildest dances back to the casino floor - all that is missing from this game are the go-go boots! Stacked symbols feature The Swim, The Pony, The Monkey, and The Jerk and take players to center stage as symbols can appear stacked on all four positions of a reel. When three, four or five Free Spin symbols land scattered anywhere on the reels, players will be thrust into winnings with the Free Spin Bonus Game. Free Spin symbols will pay out 2X, 10X or 25X the total bet, respectively, and award players seven free spins. Throughout the bonus, all stacked Dancer symbols become wild and free spins can be retriggered for up to 70 total spins! Players will be dancing down the casino aisles with Wild A Go-Go! $ azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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GAMING NEWS

Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino Opens July 2, 2013 Buffalo Named Best Slot 2nd Year In A Row Slot enthusiasts love playing Aristocrat’s Buffalo game because of its great math model and potential for very lucrative wins! Slot managers love the game and continue to offer it on their floors because of its popularity and constant play! In a 2013 independent survey of slot managers from 130 casinos in 26 states across the United States, Buffalo was named best slot game for the 2nd year in a row. In addition, Aristocrat’s Tarzan Lord of the Jungle and Wicked Winnings II were also ranked in the top ten of all slot games. $ Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino opens to the public on Tuesday, July 2 at 1:00pm.

This popular West Valley casino, located in Laveen, Arizona, includes a 100,000 square foot gaming floor stocked with over 950 slot machines, a 16 table poker room, 36 table games and a 550 seat bingo hall. The property’s restaurants include; the Valley’s only Ditka’s (founded by legendary NFL head coach Mike Ditka), Fatburger, Dunkin’ Donuts, Panda Express, Los Reyes de la Torta and more.

The new Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino is also home to a luxurious 90 room boutique hotel appointed with a modern look reminiscent of a Frank Lloyd Wright design.

Top quality amenities include customized toiletries that complement the first class dining and gaming at Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino. Large flat-screen televisions, pillow-top mattresses, ipod/iphone docking stations and more are included in every room and are just some of the amenities certain to create a stunning new hotel option in the West Valley.

National headliners in comedy and music are scheduled to appear to help introduce one-of-a-kind dining options, an expanded gaming floor and a brand new boutique hotel! Popular American rock band Starship opens the all-new 6,000 square foot Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino Event Center for the first musical performance with a show on July 12 and 13. Next up, Comedian Carlos Mencia performs July 19 and 20 followed by heavy metal icon Vince Neil who takes the stage on July 26 and 27. These performers will be featured in the celebration introducing the new amenities at the West Valley’s premier entertainment destination. $

About Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. operates three Arizona casinos owned by the Gila River Indian Community including Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Lone Butte Casino, and Vee Quiva Casino.

All three casinos offer a combination of slots, table games, bingo, poker and hotel and are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information about these events or any one of the three Gila River Casinos’ properties, call 1.800.946.4452 or visit their website at wingilariver.com.

azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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GAMING NEWS

Pai Gow Progressive Hits For $152,000 At Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino (Big hit puts total Pai Gow progressive jackpot awards over $500,000) On Thursday, May 9, 2013, Edmond Sawabini won $152,907 at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino when he won the Pai Gow progressive jackpot. The jackpot is linked between all three Gila River Casinos’ properties including Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Lone Butte Casino and Vee Quiva Casino. Since its inception, the Pai Gow progressive jackpot has paid out over half a million dollars to lucky winners at all three Gila River Casinos’ properties. For more information about the Pai Gow progressive jackpot or any of the three Gila River Casinos’ properties, call 800.946.4452 or visit their website at wingilariver.com.

14 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

ARIZONA LOTTERY

Winners & Jackpots

$50,000 Arizona Black Limited Winner!

G

erald Thomas of San Tan Valley was still in a state of shock after discovering that one of the four Arizona Black Limited Scratchers he had purchased was a big winner.

After going grocery shopping with his mother, he stopped at a gas station where he saw a Scratchers vending machine and then decided to make a purchase.

Gerald didn’t scratch the tickets until he returned home after going out with some friends. He was stunned when he saw that one of the tickets was a $50,000 winner. Just to be sure, although it was late, he woke up his parents to tell them and have them double check it. They agreed that it definitely looked like a winning ticket. Since this was on Friday, and he couldn’t redeem it until Monday, it was a very long weekend!

The only plans Gerald has for his winnings are to pay off all his bills, take his parents on a small vacation, and bank the rest. However, he couldn’t contain his excitement over winning. He said, “I’ve never won before and never expected it to happen.” The winning ticket was purchased from Valero Corner Store, 8424 S. Power Rd., Gilbert.

$50,000 Lucky Horseshoe Bingo Winner!

S

elena Mansouri of Phoenix and her boyfriend were in the store, and even though Selena purchases Scratchers about three times a week, she was still having trouble deciding when her boyfriend made the suggestion she buy Lucky Horseshoe Bingo.

Selena and her boyfriend took the ticket home and shared the scratching honors. She would scratch a section, then it would be his turn. As it happens, he ended up scratching the section showing that they had won the top prize of $50,000. Of course, neither of them quite believed it at the time.

After she knew she had a winning ticket, she signed the back of it and hid it, because she knew she couldn’t immediately go to the Arizona Lottery office to redeem it. She readily admits to having had trouble sleeping that night.

Selena works in the medical field and is ready for a break. After she pays off some bills, she intends to take a short, but much-needed, vacation. The winning ticket was purchased from QuikTrip, 2836 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix. $

For more information on the Arizona Lottery, visit arizonalottery.com. For the winning numbers call 480.829.7425 in Phoenix or 520.325.9141 in Tucson. All other areas in Arizona, call 1.800.499.3798.

16 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

WINNING WAYS

Hints & Tips

CHOOSE YOUR VIDEO POKER GAME WISELY! Below are the more common pay tables & payback percentages for the Video Poker game Bonus Poker. Shop around and make sure you’re playing at a casino whose game has the highest return!

WIN

5 COIN

PAYS Deuces Wild is one of the most popular

Royal Flush

4000

4000

4000

4000

Straight Flush

250

250

250

250

Four Aces

400

400

400

400

only provide a lot of excitement and an-

Four 2s, 3s, or 4s

200

200

200

200

ticipation but also make the game a lot less

Four 5s thru Kings

125

125

125

125

Full House

40

35

30

50

Flush

25

25

25

40

you are discarding all 5 cards 20% of the

Straight

20

20

20

25

time? Yes, 1 in 5 deals will have you draw-

3-of-a-Kind

15

15

15

15

ing all new cards. Patience is key and

Two Pair

10

10

10

5

Jacks or Better

5

5

5

5

99.17%

98.01%

96.87%

94.18%

PAYBACK %

Video Poker games on the casino floors.

The four Deuces, which are wild cards, not

volatile than most other Video Poker games. However, did you know that when playing this game using optimal strategy

knowing that discarding all 5 cards will yield wins 6% of the time!

Hint: When dealt a Wild Royal Flush with 3 Deuces, hold the Wild Royal!

7,000 times your bet with the same odds as a Royal?

The payback percentages for Video Poker are generally much higher than the payback percentages for Video Keno, but that doesn’t mean Video Poker is necessarily the better game. Numbers can be deceiving, especially in the case of payback percentages.

Sometimes the hit frequency is just as important as the payback percentage of a game!

Hit frequency describes how often various wins occur and how much they return relative to the odds of hitting them. For instance, when playing Video Keno whose 7-spot pays 7,000 to 1, the odds of hitting this award are about 1 in 40,000 games. Well, guess what? These are the exact same odds for hitting a Royal Flush playing Video Poker! In my opinion, the 7,000 to 1 payout for catching a 7-spot sure beats the 800 to 1 payout for a Royal Flush! And, the 6 out of 7-spot for a 400 to 1 payout isn’t so shabby either, especially since it happens 1 in every 1,300 games on average!

It’s still 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 would imagine that it would feel very different. The same goes for the ticket vouchers for the slot machines.

A $100 ticket just doesn’t feel the same as 5 twenties feel in our hands. 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!

18 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

Bally Technologies is a global company that specializes in the design, development, manufacture, distribution and sale of computerized gaming machines and systems products. They are the largest amongst several companies that create all kinds of merchandise and services for the casino gaming industry. They are also the world’s oldest slot machine manufacturer with a long tradition of creating games. In 1932, Raymond T. Moloney founded the company in Chicago during the Great Depression as a manufacturer of pinball machines! During its beginnings, the “Ballyhoo” arcade game laid the foundation for a company now referred to as “The World’s Game Maker.” Bally entered into the casino gaming market with the invention of their first slot machine called “Bally Baby” which debuted in 1936.

Since then, Bally has continued to be a gaming industry leader because of their innovation and design; achieving numerous significant technological milestones and setting the bar high for all other manufacturers. In 1963, Bally developed the first electro-mechanical slot machine with what is called a “bottomless hopper.” They were the first gaming company to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1975 and in 1976 they launched the world’s first slot management system. In the 2000s, Bally purchased many technology companies to further grow their business earning them several innovation awards in recent years. Celebrating their 80th anniversary in 2012, they became the first licensed internet gaming company in the U.S. to be part of the wave of the future in the casino gaming industry!

On top of their strong history, Bally continues to deliver great games to casino floors all around the world. Some of their newest and most successful titles include NASCAR video slots that feature such drivers as Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmie Johnson. The exciting game mechanic has players choosing their favorite driver and actually becoming part of the team! Slot enthusiasts that are ready to haggle their way through a bonus round will be absolutely thrilled with Bally’s new Pawn Stars slot game. Based on the smash hit cable television show, all four of the show’s witty characters—Rick, grandfather Richard (The Old Man), grandson Corey (Big Hoss), and Corey’s loveable sidekick Chumlee—are ready to entertain and make a deal with players. Bally’s other brand new slot games include a follow-up to the popular Cash Wizard called Tiki Magic (May 2013 issue), The Beach Boys, and a towering new dual-wheel version of the player favorite Hot Shot Progressive.

Bally has not only been busy creating amazing new slot games, but they’ve also been setting new world records! On May 11, 2013, Bally partnered with Mohegan Sun casino to successfully set the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Virtual Race!”

This innovative virtual race allowed players, on almost any slot or video poker game in the casino, to select their favorite driver through a bonus interface. The whole casino simultaneously cheered the virtual racers on in the hopes their pick would be the winner for cash, prizes, and other promotional items. In addition, back in April of 2013, the two companies partnered together to also break two other Guinness World Records, the “World’s largest Slot Tournament” and “Most Slot Machines Running the Same Game Simultaneously!”

Excitement is always around the corner with Bally! Recently, all their wide area progressive games have been on a hot streak!

On April 5, 2013, a lucky player at Paris Las Vegas casino hit a $1.4 million jackpot playing Grease. On May 1, 2013, another fortunate winner at Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut also won $1.8 million on Grease. And, on May 13, 2013, there was another slot winner for $1.3 million on Bally’s Triple Blazing 7s Wild Jackpot at a Montgomery, Alabama casino. It’s definitely worth giving these games a try while they’re still hot!

Continued on page 25

azgamingguide.com | June 2012 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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Continued from page 23

Another one of Bally’s newest and most successful titles is the Michael Jackson King of Pop slot that can be found in casinos all across Arizona and beyond. Bally did an incredible job bringing to life one of music’s most influential and biggest-selling stars of all time. This amazing slot has mystery wild bonuses and four Free Games bonus events based on some of Michael Jackson’s most popular singles including Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, Billie Jean, Beat It, and Smooth Criminal.

This 5-reel, 25-line slot utilizes Bally’s iDeck button technology allowing for an interactive digital experience. The game is also highlighted by the U-Spin Platinum Record Bonus in which the player touches and spins a virtual wheel to win credits and one of four Free Games experiences. The game also combines Bally’s new life-changing Cash Connection wide area progressive. The top progressive jackpot award is won with five scatter jackpots in the base game. In Beat It Free Games, Jackson appears on screen before every spin, sometimes awarding locking wilds which remain in place for the duration of the bonus. Billie Jean features the Big Bang play mechanic in which Jackson appears on the top screen and awards wilds. And Jackson’s trademark dance technique, the “Moonwalk,” takes center stage in Moonwalking Wilds.

Along with the unforgettable music that spans all ages and his distinctive dance moves, Michael Jackson King of Pop also uses favorite icons from Jackson’s career such as the signature fedora, the black shoes with the white socks, the black sunglasses, and of course the famous white glove! Stunning imagery, an unprecedented number of movie clips from some of Jackson’s renowned music videos, and a high overall hit frequency of 39.21%, make the game as irresistible as the King of Pop himself! For more information about this game and other Bally games, visit their website at ballytech.com. $

LOOK FOR THESE NEW GAMES BY BALLY Premium Games:

NASCAR, Pawn Stars, Hot Shot Progressive, Cash Wizard Tiki Magic, Beat The Heat, The Beach Boys, Diamond Heat

Video Slots:

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner, Sizzling Jackpots Titans Fortunes, Sizzling Jackpots Golden Winners, Heavenly Empress, Asian Beauties, Romantic Eyes, Dolphin’s Tale, Shadow Diamond, Scarlett’s Saloon, Golden Tower,

Stepper Slots:

Zodiac Fortune, Koi Treasures, Valley of Fire, Uptown Girl, Crystal Bay, Blue Oasis, Lucky Bamboo, Balloon Festival, Star Signs azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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Photo courtesy of Cliff Castle Casino Hotel

CASINO DINING

Mountain Springs Buffet Now Open At Cliff Castle Casino Hotel

T

he Mountain Springs Buffet at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in Camp Verde, Arizona, is now open and there’s an array of scrumptious options to choose from for the entire family at extremely affordable prices!

The Buffet features a Carving Station where guests can enjoy such delicacies as freshly carved turkey, pork roast, ham, and even London broil! The Action Station is always changing with their custom-made omelets and eggs in the morning, hamburgers and kabobs at lunch and T-bone steaks, shrimp and pasta and grilled salmon for dinner throughout the week. In addition, the buffet has a Full Salad Bar, a Bread Station, and Desert Bar featuring make-your-own sundaes, fresh baked cakes and pies, as well as sugar-free treats.

“We are excited to add the Mountain Springs Buffet to the Casino’s dining offering. Our goal is to provide excellent food and a great experience for our guests,” said Nathan Schreiber, the Director of Food and Beverage for Cliff Castle Casino Hotel.

The world-class grand buffet replaces the Gallery Restaurant.

Guests can relax in the modern southwestern décor of the Mountain Springs Buffet. The complete redesign features stateof-the-art technology including induction heating which uses beautiful serving pieces that stay cool to the touch and maintain food at the optimum temperature. Cliff Castle Casino Hotel is

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

the first to utilize this new technology in gaming food venues.

All prices for the Mountain Springs Buffet include all-you-candrink juice, soda, coffee and tea. Breakfast is $7, lunch is $11, and dinner is $13. Specialty days include T-bone Tuesdays with grilled-to-order T-bone steaks, Friday Fish Frys that includes baked fish too, and Prime Rib Saturdays for just $15. Children ages 3 years old to 10 years old eat at half price and children 2 years old and younger eat for free! The Mountain Springs Buffet is open for breakfast from 7am to 11am, lunch from 11am to 4pm, and dinner from 4pm to 10pm Sundays through Thursdays and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information about the buffet, please call 1.800.381.SLOT or visit their website at cliffcastlecasinohotel.com. $ About Cliff Castle Casino Hotel Centrally located in Camp Verde, Arizona, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, owned and operated by the Yavapai-Apache Nation, is a family destination that offers live-action poker, blackjack, more than 660 gaming devices, a 20-lane bowling center, a Kids Quest and arcade as well as year-round, world-class entertainment. Guests can enjoy fine dining at Storytellers Steakhouse and family dining at Mountain Springs Buffet, The Gathering Restaurant & Bar and Johnny Rockets. Hotel accommodations are available at the adjacent Hotel at Cliff Castle. For more information about Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, visit their website at cliffcastlecasinohotel.com.

TRIBAL NEWS

Another Arizona Tribe Gets A Team Of Their Own Arizona Rattlers Sign Sponsorship Deal With The Ak-Chin Indian Community

By Lana Hartmann

T

he Ak-Chin Indian Community is following in the footsteps of other Arizona tribes by partnering with a local professional sports team, the Arizona Rattlers. The 937 member Ak-Chin tribe that owns Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa has signed on as an official sponsor of the football team for the 2013 season. As part of the deal, the Arizona Rattlers’ field at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix will be renamed the Ak-Chin Field and the tribe’s seal will be prominently displayed on the field and around the arena.

The Arizona Rattlers are a professional Arena Football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League and they earned the 2012 Arena Bowl XXV World Championship, a title the team also claimed in 1994 and 1997.

“We are excited about the partnership we are fostering with the Arizona Rattlers,” Ak-Chin tribal chairman Louis J. Manuel Jr. said. “We respect the Rattlers commitment to community and know that our children will really enjoy the programs this relationship will foster.” For more information about the Arizona Rattlers, to view the schedule of games, or to buy tickets, visit their website at azrattlers.com.

The Ak-Chin-owned UltraStar Multi-tainment Center in Maricopa, Arizona is also a partner in the sponsorship deal and will be hosting viewing parties for all the ‘away’ Rattlers games for the 2013 season. The UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at AkChin Circle features nine venues conveniently located under one roof including theaters, dining, bowling, arcades and live

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is located in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale, Arizona.

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

The Arizona Rattlers field at U.S. Airways Center, the sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, will be renamed the Ak-Chin Field.

entertainment. “We know that working together, we are going to deliver a new and exciting guest experience, both in the arena and at the Multi-tainment Center,” said Adam Saks, the vice president of operations and general manager at UltraStar Multitainment Center. For more information about UltraStar Multitainment visit their website at ultrastarakchin.com.

Several Native American tribes in Arizona, who also operate casinos, have formed strong partnerships with Phoenix sports teams. The Gila River Indian Community and its casinos sponsor two professional sports teams, the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks. In addition, they recently expanded their sponsorship deal with the Phoenix Coyotes hockey team, giving the tribe new naming rights for the suite level at Jobing.com Arena.

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community first formed a marketing partnership with the Phoenix Suns in 2000. In May 2005, Casino Arizona (the casino owned by the tribe near Scottsdale) purchased the naming rights to the entrance of the Suns’ Arena, designating it Casino Arizona Pavilion. The tribe also hosts the spring training facility for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies at Arizona’s Salt River Fields at Talking Stick located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale. The 12,500 capacity park, which opened in February of 2011, also served as one of the venues for the 2013 World Baseball Classic in March! For more information about the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick visit their website at saltriverfields.com. $

TRAVEL—LAUGHLIN

Casino Directory, Best Bets & Gaming Statistics

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. 1,250+ Slots, No Smoking Slot Area, High Limit Slots Area, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Live Keno, and a Race & Sports Book.

Best Bet: 26th Annual Chefs Food Fest—June 20—5:30pm.

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: Loverboy—June 15—Doors 7pm—Show 8pm.

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: Martina McBride—June 22nd—8pm.

Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino 1.800.227.3849 or riversideresort.com. 1,300+ Slots, 270+ No Smoking 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: Ron Stubbs—Hypnotist—June 25-30—8pm.

Edgewater Hotel Casino 1.800.677.4837 or edgewater-casino.com. 750+ Slots, No Smoking Slot Area, Blackjack, 3 Card Poker, Let it Ride Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Craps, and a Race & Sports Book.

Best Bet: Clay Walker—July 5th—8pm.

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: Golf packages with Laughlin Ranch, call for info.

Harrah’s Laughlin 1.800.447.8700 or harrahslaughlin.com. 900+ Slots, No Smoking Slot Area, High Limit Slots Area, Blackjack, Bonus Blackjack,

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

Three Card Poker, Let It Ride Bonus, Pai Gow Poker, Craps, Roulette, Poker Room, Live Keno, and a Race & Sports Book.

Best Bet: Jeff Dunham—Comedian/Ventriloquist—June 15th.

Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall 1.800.634.3469 or pioneerlaughlin.com. 490 Slots, Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, Craps, Roulette, and a Sports Book.

Best Bet: Free getaway nights every month with points earned.

River Palms Resort Casino 1.877.787.7256 or river-palms.com. 550 Slots, Bingo, Blackjack, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Craps, Roulette, and a Sports Book.

Best Bet: Golf packages available, call for info.

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: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy—July 5th—8pm.

Laughlin’s Gaming Statistics March 2013 Slots: The loosest slots appear to have been the $25 machines, followed by $1, 25¢, 5¢, Multi-Denom, 1¢, and Megabucks machines (in that order).

Table Games: In terms of table games, the data indicates all the games were far tighter than the slots during the month. In order of loose to tight, the table games are ranked as follows: Twenty-one/Blackjack, Craps, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Roulette, and Three Card Poker.

Other: Live Keno was not a good wager during the month of March as it was more than twice as tight as the tightest slot, Megabucks. The Race Books were tighter than the slots and tighter than both Blackjack and Craps. The Laughlin Sports Pools were a pretty good bet during March. $ The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) regularly publishes statistics on gaming activity throughout Nevada according to state law and state gaming regulations. The most current information available at press time is from the month of March 2013. Directory Sources: NGCB and direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. For any updates to or inquiries regarding the information on this page, please contact us at editor@azgamingguide.com.

Featured Story

LAUGHLIN—TRAVEL 4 The elegant and relaxed atmosphere of the Boarding House Restaurant at the Pioneer continues to play host to three of Laughlin’s most popular food promotions. Thursdays is Steak & Lobster night for just $15.95, served from 4pm to 9pm. On Saturdays visitors can delight in the All-You-Can-Eat Baby Back Ribs for just $12.95.

And, to cap off each week, the Boarding House presents the area’s finest Champagne Sunday Brunch for only $11.95 from 8am to 1pm. Voted “Best Brunch” in the Mojave Valley New Press Reader’s Poll for 2012, this fabulous buffet is still the best value in Laughlin!

5

Reasons to visit Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall Laughlin, Nevada

1 Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall, the friendliest house on the river, has an incredible stay & play package exclusively available to Arizona Gaming Guide fans! When booking a two-night stay & play package, guests will receive $25 in free slot play (per day), $25 in pit match play (per day), and an additional $5 when signing up for the Round-Up Players Club. Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall has the most affordable and comfortable, boutique-style rooms in Laughlin, including pet-friendly rooms and breathtaking views that overlook the Colorado River. With standard room rates starting as low as $25 during the week, it’s hard to pass up such a great offer! (If using the Arizona Gaming Guide stay & play offer, mention code PROM10 when booking online or by phone 800.634.3469.)

2 The promotions during June and July are packed with fun at the Pioneer.

Players can earn up to 5X bonus points while playing their favorite slot games, win a 100-coin bonus in free play on 25¢ to $1 video poker machines when hitting a natural four-of-a-kind in the card of the day, or be one of the lucky players sitting in the right seat at the right time for $50 in free play during the hot seat drawings. Visitors to the Pioneer this summer won’t want to miss River Rick’s Golf Tournament during the month of June, the magnificent “Rockets over the River” fireworks show during the month of July, and the “Bullhead City River Regatta” during the month of August. For more information about these events and promotions, please visit pioneerlaughlin.com.

3 The Pioneer is one of the most popular destinations in Laughlin for boating and watercraft enthusiasts on the Colorado River. Lugging gear to and from a day on the water can be a real ordeal at most other properties. However, the convenience of the free street-level style parking enables guests to park their vehicles close to their guestrooms, making Pioneer a natural fit for boaters.

5 The Pioneer is known as “The Place Where The Locals Play” for a reason and it’s because they have more than 500 extremely loose slots, some of the best video poker and video keno pay tables, and the most liberal rules for their table games. The Pioneer is also the home to “Double Time Jackpots,” an exclusive Pioneer promotion that gives players the chance to double their winnings at the drop of a hat.

New slots and table games are added on a regular basis to keep the floor fresh and exciting. In mid-June, the Pioneer will be one of the first casinos in Laughlin to offer Ainsworth’s new A560 Quad Tronic slant top games to their patrons. These games have a classically sleek and ergonomically designed sound cabinet with 23” and 27” LCD monitors.

The Pioneer also features Blackjack with the most liberal rules in Laughlin where players can double-down on any first two cards and are paid 3-2 for a Blackjack. The Pit also offers Let it Ride and 3-Card Poker with the best payouts on the River, as well as live Roulette and triple odds on Craps!

The Round-Up Club, Pioneer’s Players Club, offers members an easy way to earn points while they play for big jackpots. The points can be redeemed for cash, meals, overnight stays, gift shop merchandise, and much more! Every $2 equals 1 point and every 1,000 points equals $5 cash back. Unlike most other casinos, the Pioneer’s machines pay out points evenly. In other words, video poker players earn points just as quickly as video slot players! Now that’s a deal! Members can also enjoy various benefits such as free getaway nights every month by just earning 2,500 points during a previous trip.

(New members need to earn just 1,500 points during their first visit.) $

azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

33

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Cabaret Lounge: Live bands every weekend Pavillion: No events scheduled at press time BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Variety including live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm BlueWater Showroom: The James & Ernie Comedy Duo—Jun. 15 Cage Rage On The River 5—Jun. 29 Gabriel Iglesias—Aug. 2. Tickets start at $60 Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: The Long Run Experience the Eagles (Tribute)—Jun. 7-8 at 7:30pm The Arizona Room: Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to dance!)—Mon, Tue from 6-8pm Throwback Thursday—Thu from 8pm to midnight UFC 161 Barao vs Wineland—Jun. 15 Casino del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 AVA Amphitheater: Puro Conjununto—Jun. 15 at 8pm Big Time Rush & Victoria Justice—Jun. 26 at 7pm 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. Stargazer Pavillion: No events scheduled at press time Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Comedy Night—Jun. 15 at 7:30 and 9:30pm Banda San Jose De Jose Alvarado—Jun. 29 at 9pm Karaoke with Bling Bling—We-Fr at 8pm La Vida Loca (Latin Music)—Fr at 9pm Variety of live music every Saturday night on the casino floor Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: ĐẠI NHẠC HỘI: Đêm Tình Yêu—Night of the Stars—Jun. 30 Groovin’ Fridays—Tucson's Funkiest Old School Dance Party!

Noches Caliente—Saturdays the hottest Tex Mex and Tejano music!

Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar: Karaoke Night in the Sports Bar—Wednesdays 7-11pm Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live music every weekend Events: Mega Night Yard Sale—Jun. 15 at 8pm Lunar Bingo—Jun. 15

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

Schedule of Events Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 Those with a love of live music won’t want to miss out on the Oasis Lounge’s summer entertainment. Clap, dance and sing along as you enjoy great vocals and unique performances from a wide repertoire of artists and bands. This month, Harrah’s kicks it off with the popular Walkens on Saturday, June 1. A Harrah’s Ak-Chin favorite, this high-energy band has the ability to play any genre of music while delivering unforgettable performances. This talented group has performed on stage with national acts such as The Gin Blossoms, Men at Work, The Posies, Little Feat, Collective Soul and The Smithereens.

Other acts include: Silhouette—Wednesday, June 5, 12pm–4pm.

Armed with a vibrant rhythm and blues sound with a hint of Motown, Silhouette is a soulful five-piece band whose members have performed with the likes of Natalie Cole, Etta James and the Michael Jackson Tribute Band.

Quantum—Friday, June 7, 8pm-1am.

Quantum hits the stage at Oasis Lounge to play a variety of hits from the 60s to today in a FREE energy-packed performance.

Robert Street Band—Saturday, June 8, 8pm–1am.

Enjoy the sounds of the Tempe-based, Robert Street Band. Performing hits across a wide range of genres including R&B, disco, funk, classic rock, ballads, and Big Band standards, this 12-piece band makes music that will make you move! Enjoy soulful vocals and dynamic sounds for what is expected to be an unforgettable performance in the Oasis Lounge.

Guy Pennachio—Wednesday, June 12, 12pm–4pm.

He has opened for Joan Rivers and Earth, Wind and Fire, and his vocal talents have earned standing ovations at some of the top venues in the country.

His ability to capture the sounds of Frank Sinatra makes him one of the most well-known tribute performers today. Covering all of Ol’ Blue Eye’s hits, he stays true to Sinatra’s music and delivers an unforgettable concert experience.

Western Fusion Trio—June 14 & 15, 8pm–1am.

Those with a love of country music won't want to miss this performance by Western Fusion Trio. Comprised of five respected, multi-talented music industry professionals, this dynamic performance will showcase everything from 70s and 80s hits to a modern mix of country and rock ‘n’ roll.

Trio 380—Wednesday, June 19 12pm– 4pm.

A combination of jazz standards and contemporary pop and R&B tunes, Trio380 has been performing on stages across Arizona for over ten years.

Known for their on stage energy and musical arrangements, Trio380’s music is sure to appeal to an audience of all ages.

Str8up—June 21 & June 22, 8pm – 1am.

Enjoy all your favorite current chart hits from Top 40 to Latin as Str8up takes the stage at the Oasis Lounge. This high energy band has won the hearts of fans with their sound and contagious dance moves. With over 20 years of experience, Str8up will have everyone dancing the night away.

Top Cats—Wednesday, June 26, 12pm – 4pm.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin will be offering an afternoon of rock ‘n’ roll featuring the four-man group, Top Cats. In addition to being known as the hardest working group in New Orleans, The Top Cats were also Louisiana Hall of Fame Inductees in 2005.

Checker’d Past—June 28 & 29, 8pm – 1am.

Armed with the vibrant sounds of the 80s and a hint of new wave, Checker’d Past is a dynamic group guaranteed to give an unforgettable concert experience. Take a step into the past, and be entertained with all your favorite onehit wonders from artists like Duran Duran, David Bowie and more.

Editor’s Pick

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Outdoor Arena: Kansas—Jun. 29 at 7pm Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munday Funday—Comedy Show begins at 7pm Live local talent Tuesday through Saturday Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Phoenix area bands & DJs offer free live entertainment We—Country, Th—Industry, Fr—Latin, Sa—Top 40/Dance Verona Chophouse: Sunday Jazz Brunch Live—10am to 3pm Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Event Center: The Highwaymen (Tribute)—Aug. 10 Night Groove—New Year’s Eve Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Featuring a variety of live music Thursdays and Fridays Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Sidewinders Bar & Grill: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom & Grand Ballroom: The Alan Parsons Project—Jun. 7 Boz Scaggs—Jun. 21 Cyndi Lauper—Jun. 22 Jim Gaffigan—Jul. 11 Happy Together Tour—Jul. 13 King of The Cage—Jul. 20 BoDeans—Jul. 26 An evening with The Gipsy Kings—Aug. 1 Coffee Garden: Dueling Pianos—Th, Fr & Sa from 8-11pm Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 AiRIA Unplugged: Friday & Saturday 4pm-2am. Featuring a variety of live music Encore Lounge Featuring a variety of live music nightly Showroom: Jewel-Greatest Hits Tour—Jun. 8 Strait Country (Tribute)—Jun. 14 Morris Day and The Time with The Dazz Band—Jun. 15 Andy Grammer/Vicci Martinez—Jun. 21 Rage In The Cage #166—Jun. 22-Oct. 12 Syvia Browne—Jun. 29

Talking Stick Resort Presents An 80s Flashback Featuring The Go-Go’s & The B-52’s Friday, July 12, 2013 What’s not to love about 80s music? The decade’s distinctive dance beats and carefree lyrics often bring up fun memories for generations young and old. This summer, Talking Stick Resort will bring Scottsdale audiences two successful bands from the iconic decade, The Go-Go’s and The B-52’s! The new wave rock bands will perform together in the Salt River Grand Ballroom for one night only on July 12. The Go-Go’s are an internationally successful pop rock band. Formed in 1978, the group made history as the first all-female group to top the Billboard charts that wrote their own songs and played their own instruments. Their debut album, Beauty and the Beat spent six consecutive weeks at number one and was certified triple platinum. Don’t miss the chance to sing along to songs like Our Lips Are Sealed, Head Over Heels and We Got the Beat when The Go-Go’s come to Talking Stick Resort.

The B-52’s are a new wave band rooted in rock and roll. Songs like Rock Lobster, Love Shack and Summer of Love are classic 80s staples that will get any flashback party started. Throughout a career spanning more than 35 years, the band has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide. Many of the B-52’s songs have been featured in films and television shows like The Flintstones, Pokémon: The Movie 2000 and The Simpsons. The B52’s also have performed live on numerous shows including, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Don’t miss the chance to catch two of music’s most fun bands when they perform live for one incredible night of 80s music.

Tickets are on sale now, so call 480.850.7734 or visit their website at talkingstickresort.com for more information. $

Yavapai Casino—Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744 Yavapai Cantina: Karaoke with Cruisin’ Susan—Fr at 8pm-12am Verify all details & age restrictions (generally 21 & over) 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.

azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

35

CASINO NIGHTLIFE

Degree 270 Gets Makeover O

kay, I know that I always give you the coolest and the newest places to visit around the Valley. I know I’m supposed to make sure that your entertainment dollars go further with my “insider information.” Most importantly, however, I know that it’s my job to make sure that you have a good time…with this column, with my radio show, on TV, and of course when I’m spinning records at my club. Well, this month I am just a little bit more excited to do my job for you, because I have some news that benefits both you and me!

If you have partied with me on the 14 th floor of Talking Stick Resort at Degree 270, it’s very likely that you have enjoyed yourself. I have gone to great lengths to make sure the performance, the lighting, and (most importantly) the music selection, is second to none. Additionally, the bartenders and security are among the nicest and most hospitable I’ve ever worked with in my career.

My favorite new feature, however, is the DJ booth! The dance floor has been repositioned with the DJ booth directly in front, ensuring a more intimate arrangement between the crowd and the DJ. With Talking Stick Resort right in our own backyard, you don’t have to leave town for a premium nightlife experience!

In conclusion, if you haven’t been in a while, come hang out with us again! If you have never been, there is no time like the present to come see all that Degree 270 has to offer! I promise that between the music, the view, and now the ambiance, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience! For more information about Degree 270, visit talkingstickresort.com/degree270.aspx.$

Ramses Ja Rudi King-Taylor II

•Music Director/On-Air Host (3-7pm) for KNRJ-FM 101.1 The Beat

In an effort to continuously improve your Degree 270 experience, the powers-that-be at the resort decided to renovate the nightclub. Now the bar is bigger and better than ever, with the same friendly staff you know and love! Are you planning a bachelorette party? No problem! Maybe a birthday shindig? No stress! We have tables available and bottle service for you and your friends!

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

•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.

HOT DEALS $ Receive A $25 Gas Card To Help Pay For Your $ Next Trip To Laughlin, NV $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ >>Take advantage of the Laughlin Pioneer Hotel & Gambling $ Hall’s Stay & Play promotion featured in the Laughlin Section $ on page 31 and we’ll give you a $25 gas card once we verify $ your stay and you complete a survey about your experience! $ With amazingly low room rates, a ton of free play every day $ and us taking care of the gas, what are you waiting for? E-mail $ us at editor@azgamingguide.com for more information. $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

CASINO BINGO DIRECTORY

Never Miss A Call With These Simple Tricks

P

rofessional bingo players can have five cards lined up in front of them and never miss a call, because they visualize patterns as their eyes dart from card to card. All it takes is concentration and a couple of mental tricks that become second nature with experience. Here are some tips on how to develop these mental skills, so you’ll never miss a call (no matter how fast-paced the game may be): 1. Ignore the numbers on the left side. For example, if you’re trying to determine whether you have N37, just swiftly skim the N column and keep an eye out for the digit 7. Don’t let your

brain waste time registering the entire number. If there is a numeral in the N column that ends in 7, quickly verify whether it’s 37 or not and move on.

2. Visualize the patterns. Four corners, stamps, kites, triangles, checkmarks…It can be really tricky remembering what the pattern needs to be while keeping up with the caller. One trick is to pre-daub all the squares that aren’t part of the pattern before the game begins. Another trick is to highlight the squares that are part of the pattern. This helps your brain focus on the important spaces as your eyes dart from one card to the other. $

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

Mo-Th at 4:30pm. Su at 11:30am.

350

Yes

Yes

No

Casino Arizona

Mo-Su at 6:30pm Daily Matinees 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 11:30am, 1:30 & 6pm.

300

Yes

Yes

Call for Kozmic Bingo & Other Late Night

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 05/01/13 & 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 | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

GAMING INDUSTRY MVP INTERVIEW

Veteran Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) employee, Leslie Welch, settles into her new role as Director of the Office of Problem Gambling (OPG) who, along with her team, is in charge of awareness, education, support, and provision of resources on problem gambling. We were fortunate to have an exclusive opportunity to work together with Shana Berschler, an ADG legislative and communications intern, in order to obtain this interview and introduce Leslie and the OPG.

Director Leslie Welch (bottom center) together with her Office of Problem Gambling Team. Top L-R: Ryan Ruelas, Elise Mikkelsen. Bottom L-R: Kathy Donner, Leslie Welch, Larissa Pixler. Photos: Jelena Momich.

By Shana Berschler

Can you tell us a little bit about your education and job experience before OPG? What was the most exciting part about finding out you were going to run OPG? I earned my bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Sociology and my master’s degree from NAU in AdministrationPublic Management. I was excited to be promoted to The Office of Problem Gambling. I began my career in state government with the goal of working in social services. This is an opportunity for me to focus my energy and attention on helping people and serving the public.

Is the person in question often away from home for long, unexplained periods of time?

Does the person in question hide his or her money?

There is a self assessment tool link available on our website, problemgambling.az.gov.

Some examples of the self assessment questions are: Have you ever lied to people important to you about how much you gambled?

Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

Do you gamble to try to get your money back?

Why do you believe OPG is important to the public? What are a few important resources OPG provides?

OPG is important to the public because there are social costs associated with gambling and our agency must address those issues.

Our resources are critical for the people of Arizona, especially the problem gamblers and their family and friends. OPG provides effective treatment services, a 24 hour hotline, education and prevention services, statewide self-exclusion program and helpful information on our website.

I think one of my close friends may be a problem gambler.

How do I go about confronting them and suggesting that they seek help through OPG? In my opinion, confrontation doesn’t work. Confronting, questioning, or interrogating a problem gambler serves no purpose and will only cause your friend to either avoid you or lie about their gambling. This is why we strongly recommend that anyone who is close to someone they believe is a problem gambler, to contact 1.800.NEXT.STEP. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your call is answered by specialists in the field of problem gambling.

What are the main warning signs of a problem gambler?

If you think someone close to you is a problem gambler, the questions to ask yourself are available on the GAM-ANON website at gam-anon.org/living.htm Some examples of the questions are listed here: Does this person ever gamble to get money to solve financial difficulties or have unrealistic expectations that gambling will bring the family material comfort and wealth?

42 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

It is important not to enable a close friend or family member who is a problem gambler. To help you understand the issue and learn how you can best help your family member or friend, I encourage you to reach out to one of our treatment professionals or get support from GAM-ANON. Our helpline, 1.800.NEXT.STEP, or problemgambling.az.gov, can direct you to these resources.

GAMING INDUSTRY MVP INTERVIEW What is one of your main objectives while running OPG? How do you plan on accomplishing this?

My first objective is to continue to provide the critical services OPG provides in the areas of treatment, education, and selfexclusion. My objective for the future is to research more in the area of prevention and increase awareness of problem gambling statewide.

Statistics say that teens that start to gamble have a better chance of getting involved in drugs and crime. How would you feel if one of your children started to gamble?

As a parent I would be very concerned. Gambling is considered a risky behavior, and if any child is partaking in it then their parents should be aware of the possible outcomes.

Do you become emotional when hearing stories throughout your day about obsessive gamblers who may have ruined their lives or burned bridges with family members and friends because of their addiction? How do you deal with this difficulty?

It is definitely heartbreaking to hear these stories, but I am a very hopeful person. It is always encouraging to know that people are contacting us to make positive changes. By calling OPG, people are expressing a desire to regain control of their lives. I try to focus and build on that.

Do problem gamblers recover or is it a life-long battle?

Each problem gambler has his or her own story and situation. I believe that problem gamblers can definitely recover if they commit to their programs.

What are your thoughts about online gambling? Do you believe giving people the right to gamble in the comfort of their own homes will increase problem gambling?

Today, there are three states with legalized gambling. There is so much we don’t know yet on the subject. We are definitely concerned about the effects internet gambling will have on problem gamblers and their families.

Did you ever expect that you would be running OPG? I am happy to be part of an organization that has a lot to offer our state. The success of OPG has always been due to the talent and expertise of its staff. Being a part of this team is something I hoped for. I believe the work I have done for OPG in the past several years has prepared me for this position. I know that problem gambling is a big issue in our state and nation, and I truly hope to be a part of the solution. $ For more information on the OPG, call 1.800.NEXT.STEP or visit their website at problemgambling.az.gov.

Shana Berschler is the legislative and communications intern for the Arizona Department of Gaming. Originally from New Jersey, she is currently a junior at Arizona State University and the Vice President of Recruitment for the Delta Gamma sorority.

azgamingguide.com | June 2013 | Arizona Gaming Guide

43

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 the Summer Solstice (June 21), find these words: BARBECUE, BASEBALL, CAMPING, HIKING, ICE CREAM, PICNIC, SANDALS, SOLSTICE, SWIMMING, and WATERMELON. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)

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44 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

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SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

“You know what luck is? Luck is believing you’re lucky, that’s all”

By Sami Becker

F

ind a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck!

Just like many gamblers, I’m very superstitious! I make wishes when blowing out birthday candles, on shooting stars and even on eyelashes that have gone astray! I don’t like black cats crossing my path and you definitely won’t see me walking under any ladders or breaking any mirrors just to prove bad luck won’t come my way!

I know there are many casino visitors that are also steadfast believers in luck, fate, chance, destiny, timing—call it whatever you want. A Bingo Hall has a larger assortment of colors on the heads of the Trolls sitting on the tables than any art supply store! And, I say, why not? There’s no proof that lucky charms or rituals can bring people good fortune at the casino, but there’s also no proof that they can’t! What I do know is that a

person’s attitude is very important. When people feel lucky it makes them feel happy and it’s the happy people that are usually having the most fun and enjoying themselves.

So, if you want to rub the slot screen each time you hit the spin button, wear a lucky hat at the tables or any other item of clothing or jewelry, visit the casino on particular days and times, or carry a charm for good fortune, then do it! Just as Stanley Kowalski said in A Streetcar Named Desire, “You know what luck is? Luck is believing you’re lucky, that’s all…To hold a front position in this rat race, you’ve got to believe you’re lucky!” $

Do YOU have something to rant or rave about?

Write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | June 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 919

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 696

Y

Y

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

866-332-9467

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 904

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

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 425

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

101 & Indian Bend

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 744

I-40, Exit 219

Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,076

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

24. Yavapai Casino

Y Y

Y Y*

Y

Y

Maricopa

22. Vee Quiva Casino

Y

Y

56

777 Hwy. 260

21. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino

Y

Y

I-17, Exit 289

17. Paradise Casino

23. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

855-765-7829 291

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

20. Talking Stick Resort

Y

Y

855-765-7829 1,089

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

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 05/01/13 & 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

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G N I M M I W S E U C E B R A B

S O L S T

I C E

46 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2013 | azgamingguide.com

Smoke-Free Area

02. BlueWater Resort & Casino

Y

Arcade

800-272-2438 596

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