Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - June 2014 - 06:06

DEPARTMENTS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 08 GREAT GAMES 16 WINNING WAYS 19 CASINO DINING 20 ARIZONA LOTTERY 23 FEATURE STORY I 24 FEATURE STORY II 26 TRIBAL NEWS 29 GAMING NEWS 34 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 35 TRAVEL 36 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 38 CASINO NIGHTLIFE 40 CASINO BINGO 42 FUN & GAMES

MULTIMEDIA GAMES LETS ARIZONA IN ON THE ACTION WITH THE 2014 TOURNEVENT!

44 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 46 CASINO DIRECTORY

MONTE CARLO SLOT BY BALLY AWARDS LUXURY

WMS PUTS KISS INTO A COLOSSAL REELS SLOT

COLLEGE STUDENTS: GAMBLING & GRADES

The cash wheel is the path to three progressives, free games, or credits.

And there’s four bonuses too!

Shout It Out Loud! The Colossal Reels family is back with a theme that’s Hotter Than Hell!

College students are two to three times more likely to develop a gambling problem than other adults.

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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

Multimedia Games brings TournEvent to AZ! If you’ve ever participated in a slot tournament at your favorite casino, forget everything you experienced. Multimedia Games is bringing their national slot tournament to two of Arizona’s most popular casinos (Desert Diamond Casino and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino) this August. Winners at each casino get an all-expense paid trip to the finals in Las Vegas where $500,000 in cash is up for grabs.

This issue has a sneak peek on exciting new slots by WMS, Bally, Aruze, and Aristocrat. Plus, gaming industry veteran Al Moe gives us the inside scoop on blackjack bankrolls. Staff writer Lee Allen provides us with an in-depth look at the Tohono O’odham Tribe’s philosophy of Him:Dag. Winning Ways writer Rodric Hurdle-Bradford delivers more on player’s clubs. And, entertainment writer Ramses Ja talks to the Fort’s Lunar Bingo DJs. As always, we also give you the latest information on gaming news, hot deals, entertainment, bingo, and so much more!

Please visit us at: facebook .co m /ArizonaGam ingGuid e , 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 Gam ing Guid e on our website at azgam ingguid e.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 Al Moe Ramses Ja Cindy Esquer Lee Allen Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford Amanda Riddle Melody Hudson Samantha Becker 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 © 2014 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 2014 | 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: I haven’t had much luck at the casinos lately. I can’t remember the last time I came home with more money than I went to the casino with. Even when I win, which is so rare, it’s always short of what I came with. I really like playing the slots with the bonuses, not the boring ones with the sevens and bars. Can you tell me which is the best video slot to play to have a chance of winning?

Mildred “Minny” Standford—Iowa/Arizona Minny, if you want to play the best video slot on the floor with the greatest payback percentage to the player (using optimal strategy over the long run) then you have to play video poker!

The simplicity of video poker is really the true beauty of the game. The pay table is right there in front of you and there’s no guesswork involved. You know what the winning combinations are and you know what the associated pays are. The other advantage to playing video poker is the interaction with the game.

It doesn’t replace the exciting bonuses programmed into the video slots, but you feel as though you’re playing a real game as opposed to just pressing a button and watching the reels spin.

If you are new to video poker, here are 3 basic tips to get you started: 1. Familiarize yourself with the different types of poker games.

If you want to play for a little while then opt for the minimum risk and lower return games such as Jacks or Better or Bonus Poker where a hand of two pairs pays twice your bet back. If you’re willing to risk your stake for the possibility of much higher returns, look for games such as Double Double Bonus or Triple Double Bonus Poker where the four-of-a-kind hands have much higher pays. Avoid multi-hand, multi-play or specialty games and just stick to the basic poker games.

2. Play using optimal strategy. Buy a video poker book and/or strategy card for optimal play to increase your chances of winning in the long run. To become a more proficient player, consider practicing at home on one of the many websites that offer video poker games online such as videopoker.com.

3. Always, always, always play max bet at the denomination you feel most comfortable, so in the event you get a Royal Flush (the top hand) or the bank is connected to a progressive you get the full benefit. Playing less than max bet is one of the biggest mistakes players make. For example, if you’re playing the mini-

mum bet of $1 on a dollar video poker machine and you hit the Royal Flush, this win (in almost all situations) will pay you $250. Now, if you’re playing a quarter video poker game at max bet for $1.25 and you hit the Royal Flush, you will win $1,000 (at the very minimum, unless it’s a progressive, in which case it will be even more).

Q: In the AZ Gaming Guide of May 2014 they mention (TGO). They explained ADG but not TGO. “Be calm and just know that machine malfunctions unfortunately do happen,” said Jelena Momich, the Project Specialist for ADG. “Contact the TGO immediately so they can begin their investigation.” Thank You, Donald Krankkala—Anthem, AZ Donald, we apologize for the oversight in the “Malfunction Voids All Pays And Plays” article. TGO stands for Tribal Gaming Office. Every tribal casino in the country has a TGO. This organization is the first level of external regulation for tribal casinos. According to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, there are three levels of regulation for tribal gaming. The first level is “local” and falls under the responsibility of the TGO, the second level is “state” and is overseen by a department within the state government, and then the final level is “federal” and several different departments within the federal government share the responsibility of regulation. Here in Arizona, in order to adequately regulate tribal gaming, each tribe has their own TGO. Sometimes their offices are practically a stone’s throw away from the casino and in other cases, their offices may be a short distance away, especially if a tribe operates more than one casino. However, there is always at least one individual from the TGO on duty at the casino no matter the time or the day. In other states with tribal gaming, the system will be exactly the same. Each tribe will also have their own TGO in addition to a state organization overseeing all the TGOs. In the event of a dispute at a card game, slot machine malfunction, or similar incident, patrons should ask to contact a representative of the TGO in order to begin an investigation.

Commercial gaming (as in Nevada) does not require a TGO because there is no tribe involved. In those cases, a state agency (The Nevada Gaming Control Board for example) handles the regulatory process. $

and get a $25 gift or 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 2014 | azgamingguide.com

GREAT GAMES

Table Games—Blackjack

By Al Moe

or most casino players, the idea of managing a bankroll kills the fun of gambling. Nobody likes balancing their checkbook. Heck, we don’t even like looking at our bank account online, and that’s easy to do! Instead, we trust that things will work out and no checks will go bouncing away.

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Unfortunately, that’s a serious problem when you co-mingle your living expenses with your gambling expenses, and that’s what gambling is—an expense. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just as going to dinner and a movie shouldn’t be a bad thing if you can afford it. Gambling is entertainment and you have to manage that entertainment cost like you do your air conditioning and cooling costs during the summer in Arizona!

Managing your bankroll at a $5 table as opposed to a $25 table The best thing you can do is set aside a few dollars each week to save for your next trip to the casino. When you want to try another game or limit, consider the house edge and your chances of winning before setting your per-bet limit. If you play a 6-spot keno ticket and bet 10% of your bankroll on each game, you’ll probably only get to play 10 games before you go bust. Your chances of winning are small at keno and that’s why the payoffs are so high!

At blackjack, your chances of winning a hand are much higher, almost 50-50, so you can safely bet more of your bankroll as a percentage and still have a nice evening without going broke (we hope). So consider a bet of 2% of your bankroll to be about right.

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If you have a bankroll of $500 and are playing $10 per hand, you’ll do fine. If you try to get by with just a $50 bankroll, it’s much more likely you’ll hit a streak where the house gets ahead of you by five bets and you’ll be toast. That’s what usually happens to players when they try to jump to a $25 minimum game, they don’t have the bankroll for short-term variance and go broke.

For long-term success, play your same best game at the $25 table as you do at the $5 table, but have enough units in your bankroll to survive the usual ups and downs. A good rule of thumb is to have a minimum of 40 units of your bet to play blackjack and not be wiped out by short-term variance. So, to play $25 per hand you should be ready to risk $1,000. That’s a realistic bankroll for a chance of reaching the long run.

When you jump up to the $25 table, make flat bets (one unit of $25) to start and see how you do. Bet 2 or 3 units if you are winning and drop back down to 1 unit during any bad streaks; don’t chase your losses. And, when you do win a little, don’t be afraid to take a break. Just remember, you can always come back later. $

Writer Al Moe has worked in the casino industry for many years.

He has lived and worked in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. He also attended the University of Nevada, Reno. He is an avid writer and blogger, author of “Vegas and the Mob"—available at Amazon.

He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.

GREAT GAMES

New Slots Coming Soon

Ninja Warrior

By Aruze Gaming

T

he Japanese master in stealth and martial arts displays his combative abilities in this 5 reel 30 line stepper Ninja Warrior. This Innovator from Aruze offers a 1¢ denomination, the Ninja Bonus, the Ninja Star Selection, a multiplier of up to 350X, and free games. Ninja Warrior has 3 consecutive stacked WILD symbols that appear on reels 2 through 5 to increase players’ winnings.

BONUS symbols appearing on 3 or more consecutive reels beginning with the leftmost reel trigger the Ninja Bonus. The Ninja Bonus is comprised of the Ninja Star Selection and 10 free games. If 3 BONUS symbols trigger the Ninja Bonus, players will have 1 Ninja Star Selection.

If 4 BONUS symbols trigger it, players will have 2 Ninja Star Selections. Finally, if 5 BONUS symbols are triggered, players will have 3 Ninja Star Selections. Multipliers awarded in the random roulette during the Ninja Star Selections will be multiplied together. The maximum multiplier that can be awarded and issued for each win during the 10 free games is 350X. Conquer the Ninja Warrior and become a star…a NINJA STAR! For more information about this slot game and other exciting Aruze games, visit their website at aruzegaming.com.

The Rolling Stones

By Aristocrat

H

ot licks will spill from the Rolling Stones Slot Machine, a low volatility 40-line game with a minimum bet of 50 credits, putting players in the front row with the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band! Players settle into the immersive iChair and experience 5.1 surround sound while their favorite Stones songs play and animation on the interactive LCD screen spin and merge into concert footage.

The game begs players to go on a roll with four interactive features with high hit rates. In Wild Licks, the Rolling Stones Lick logo randomly appears and licks wilds onto the screen. In Rock ‘N’ Roll Steel Wheel, players spin to win credits, World Tour Picks or Start Me Up! Free Games. In World Tour Picks, players pick international Licks for credit prizes; if the player finds all 4 band members they win all prizes and a bonus band member pick. Seven free games are awarded and played on an 80-line 10x5 reel set on the top screen in Start Me Up! Free Games. Visit aristocratgaming.com for more information about Rolling Stones and other new games by Aristocrat Technologies. $

10 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

New Slots Coming Soon

GREAT GAMES

Monte Carlo

By Bally Technologies

By Amanda Riddle

G

et ready to live in the lap of luxury with Bally’s new Monte Carlo video slot, which takes slot players to a luxurious high-roller casino, complete with a deluxe penthouse suite, hot nightclub, and cool cabana.

Monte Carlo is stuffed with bonuses and four different ways to spin the Cash Wheel. The wheel can award one of three progressive jackpots, credits, or up to 12 free games in both Nightclub Free Games with Expand ing Wild s and Cabana Free Games with Lock ing Wilds.

The fun starts with bonus symbols on the first, third, and fifth reels. You’ll move through the high-end hotel to the front desk where you choose one of four envelopes. Four unique bonuses are available to win – Cabana Free Games, Nightclub Free Games, Casino Card Match, or Penthouse Pursuit.

In the Penthouse Pursuit bonus, you move through a hotel suite picking at least eight items in up to three unique rooms. You can win credits, extra picks, and possibly a spin of the Cash Wheel.

The awards add up throughout the session as you touch the screen to pick items.

In Casino Card Match, pick from 27 playing cards until three match to win credits or a spin of the wheel. You’ll enjoy additional interaction with the Vault Pick Bonus. When vault symbols appear on the second, third, and fourth reels, touch the game screen to choose one to open, winning credit awards or a spin of the Cash Wheel.

For added excitement, Monte Carlo includes a mystery wilds bonus. At the start of any spin in the base game, gambling plaques fall onto the game screen and turn wild. Make sure to look for Monte Carlo on casino floors in the coming months. Spin the Cash Wheel and taste the riches!

Also coming to Arizona casinos in the near future is Titanic! The beloved 11-time Academy Award-winning movie has returned as a new, branded video slot game. For more information about Monte Carlo and Titanic, as well as other new and existing games by Bally Technologies, visit their website at ballytech.com. $

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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GREAT GAMES

New Slots Coming Soon

Winning Fortune Progressives & Colossal Reels KISS By WMS Gaming Winning Fortune Progressives Increased Interaction in an Asian-focused, Five-level, Local Area Progressive Featuring a five-level local area progressive and a stunning art package, the Winning Fortune Progressives game is designed specifically with the Asian aesthetic in mind.

The Winning Fortune Progressives game allows you to enjoy a level of control where the higher the bet, the more progressive symbols appear along the horizontal reel and the better the chance at winning a progressive! But that's not all! The Winning Fortune Progressives game allows you to choose where to place the progressive symbols before spinning the wheel, giving you a level of interaction like never before.

Launching with three base themes, each with its own unique free spin bonus! Watch as up to 120 MYSTERY symbols are added to the Dragon’s Legend bonus, WILD multipliers slide up and down reels during the Far East Fortunes Deluxe bonus, and pick the ratio of free spins and multipliers you want in the Wishing You Fortune bonus!

Colossal Reels KISS Featuring Traditional and Oversized Reel Sets with Transferring WILDS Shout It Out Loud! The Colossal Reels family is back and this time with a theme that’s Hotter Than Hell! Featuring a standard 5x4 reel set alongside the 5x12 Colossal Reels set, KISS slots offer 100 lines of action with a little something extra — the sweet sound of Rock and Roll!

Watch as WILD reels appear on the smaller reels and start a symbol transfer that turns the entire corresponding reel on the Colossal Reels set WILD in the transferring WILDS feature, or win up to 20 free spins in the Free Spin Bonus.

The KISS theme also offers a nudging WILD feature; during the Free Spin Bonus if one or more WILD symbols appear on the smaller reel set, the rest of the stack will nudge into place, filling the reel with WILDs and transferring over to the corresponding reel on the Colossal Reels set!

So get ready to Rock And Roll All Nite , because this new Colossal Reels theme is sure to pull the trigger on your LOVE GUN! Visit wms.com to learn more about these exciting new games. $

12 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

WINNING WAYS

Step outside of Arizona’s big cities and discover the benefits of gaming in the rural and resort casinos

By Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford

T

he casino competition in Arizona has dramatically increased in the last decade as the state’s number of casinos has doubled since 2004.

The results of this competition have benefited players across the state with more enhanced player reward programs and perks. In the last issue of AZ Gam ing Guid e , we explored the VIP player rewards landscape at casinos in both the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. In this issue, we look at the player perks available at casinos in smaller rural and resort cities.

A Range of Rural Options BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, Arizona, allows its players to reward themselves with the benefits of ‘The Club.’ They welcome players ‘to a better club’ by offering VIP players invitations to events and more discounts.

The highest level of player reward in ‘The Club’ is the Platinum level which is gained by earning 75,000 base points in a sixmonth period or 25,000 base points in any calendar month.

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Platinum members don’t wait in line as they have VIP express lines for the hotel, grille, cage, club and valet. They receive priority seating at River Willow fine dining and suite upgrades.

Daily VIP Lounge access and free dining at the BlueWater Grille are major perks as well as personalized VIP services. Discounts to the gift shop and for golf are additional benefits, along with complimentary movie tickets. Player level evaluations occur between October through March and April through September.

“To get more out of every casino visit we encourage our players to use The Club player card,” says Joe Perez, promotions and event manager at BlueWater Resort & Casino. “Whatever their favorite game is, they just play to earn valuable points in a simple way—for every dollar wagered on slots they can earn one base point and for every two dollars wagered on video poker they earn one base point. Players can redeem their YOUR points from The Club for free slot play, hotel, food, retail and more.”

At Cocopah Casino in Somerton, Arizona, they host a monthly ‘high-roller’ VIP party. “This invite-only party is designed for a selected group of VIPs as a ‘thank you’ for their high level of play and patronage,” says John Giles, marketing director for

WINNING WAYS Cocopah Casino. The ‘high-roller’ party is a full-catered event with complimentary food, drinks and live music. It is held on the first Tuesday of every month and the selection process is based on a sliding scale of the top patrons from the prior month’s gaming action, as VIPs have to continue to qualify every month to participate.

During the second half of 2014, Cocopah Casino will be developing a more traditional player tier system that will offer plenty of great gaming and casino perks for all visitors.

“Like all tier systems, the higher the level the better the rewards will be,” says Giles. “Currently, our VIP parties are a great way to continue building our strong patron loyalty base. The parties are very personal events as the menu is set by our patrons.

Whatever they want we get it for them and you do not get more personable than that.”

Many Arizonans will be heading north this summer to get out of the heat and if you stop by Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in Camp Verde, Arizona, make sure you are familiar with their Castle Club player rewards program. On both slot and video poker machines you earn one point for every one dollar played.

The highest player level available at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel is Diamond and that VIP status remains in effect for a 12-calendar month period. They also receive preferential VIP service at the cashier, buffet, special event ticket lines and Castle Club Desk.

For those headed out west, Paradise Casino in Yuma hosts several promotions for VIP guests who play often. The most original of which takes place during the player’s birthday month.

During this month, player rewards club members get to swipe their card at specific kiosks and Elite players, the highest playing level available, can win up to $500! Now that’s a birthday gift that would definitely be remembered!

So as your summer travels take you across the state, don’t wait, enroll in the local casino’s player rewards program and start down the path to being a VIP player! $

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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CASINO DINING

Monday Breakfast Buffet At Harrah’s Ak-Chin

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crambled eggs, bacon, sausage, chorizo, biscuits, hash browns, and more...much more...is what you’ll find at the new breakfast buffet on Mondays at Harrah’s Ak-Chin! Open from 7am to 11am, the reasonably priced $5.99 buffet will start anyone’s week off on the right foot. Plus, seniors 55 and older enjoy an even greater discounted rate of $2.99!

You won’t want to miss their lunch and dinner buffets as well!

The Buffet at Harrah’s Ak-Chin is a must-eat Phoenix casual dining destination. The extensive selection of favorite cuisines include American, Asian and Mexican in addition to handcarved meats accompanied by all the sides, salads and soups you can imagine. However, be sure to save room for their famed dessert station. You won’t want to miss out on their heavenly gelato and homemade cakes and pies!

While every meal at The Buffet at Harrah’s Ak-Chin is special, you’ll definitely want to visit on Friday and Saturday nights for their scrumptious Seafood Buffet dinner or on Sunday for their Champagne Brunch! For more information about The Buffet at Harrah’s Ak-Chin, call 1.480.802.5000. $

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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ARIZONA LOTTERY

New Game

Arizona Lottery Announces New All or Nothing Game T

he Arizona Lottery’s newest draw game, All or Nothing, launched May 18 and players have a chance to win $25,000 by matching all or matching none of the drawn numbers.

All or Nothing is the first Arizona Lottery game offering players the chance to win twice daily, Monday through Saturday, with drawings at approximately 10:30 am and 6:59 pm. Players have the option of manually picking ten numbers between 1 and 20 or choosing a computer-generated Quick Pick . Players who match all or none of the selected numbers win the top prize of $25,000.

Besides the top prize of $25,000, there are eight ways to win, with other prizes ranging from $2 to $250. Players who match one or nine numbers win $250. Those that match two or eight

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numbers win $10. And, those who match three or seven numbers win $2. Tickets cost just $2 each!

“All or Nothing is the Arizona Lottery’s first game to draw twice in one day, which is in direct response to our players’ requests for more ways to win,” said Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery. “We are thrilled to launch All or No thing and expect it to be extremely popular with our players.”

The new All or Nothing game will replace the Arizona Lottery’s draw game 2by2 which ended on May 17. For more information about the new All or Nothing draw game or any other new or existing Arizona Lottery games, please visit their website at ArizonaLottery.com. $

Winners

Penny Krause

$50,000 Casino Slots Winner

By Cindy Esquer

ARIZONA LOTTERY

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obert Brito, a public servant from Phoenix, purchased the winning The Pick ticket at the QuikTrip located at 6702 W. Glendale Ave. in Glendale. Brito and his wife haven’t decided what they are going to do with their winnings, but said he is thankful to God and plans to enjoy life one day at a time.

“Robert and Anna are a humble couple and presenting them with a check for Arizona’s own jackpot game was an honor,” said Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery. $

$3.3 Million The Pick Winners

enny Krause of Minnesota is a traveling ER nurse on assignment in Arizona. Since she plays instant scratch games back home, it was natural for her to play them here. Penny’s husband was supposed to get her a Crossw ord ticket from the Lottery express machine. He inadvertently pressed the wrong button and purchased a Casino Slots ticket instead. Penny was disappointed, but while her husband drove the car, she scratched the ticket. She was shocked when she finished scratching the ticket to uncover the prize amount of $50,000. When she told her husband, he quickly pulled the car over to the side of the road. The “mistake” ticket turned out to be a lucky $50,000 mistake. Penny plans to use the money to pay off some bills. The rest of it will be put into savings. The winning ticket was purchased at Food Mart, 710 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.

Robert and Anna Brito

P

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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S

even percent of college students struggle with problem gambling, three times higher than the national average.

Problem gambling among college students inflicts financial, professional, and emotional damage. College students are two to three times more likely to develop a gambling problem than other adults.

College students are faced with an immense amount of pressure including academic performance and social inclusion.

Along with student loans, students are solicited an average of 50 credit cards per year, giving problem gamblers immense opportunities to incur additional debt.

Students who suffer from problem gambling often exhibit behaviors of: •Depression or suicidal thoughts due to gambling losses •Social withdrawal •Possible illegal activity to finance gambling •Using student loans for gambling •Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling Compulsive gambling, like drug and alcohol abuse, creates increasingly difficult life issues and situations for college students and their families. Despite the increased accessibility and promotion of gambling, help is available to those who suffer.

The first step is to call the Arizona Office of Problem Gambling at 1-800-NEXT STEP to get free, confidential information. Each

caller will be connected with a knowledgeable, caring professional who will listen in an empathetic, nonjudgmental way and connect problem gamblers with resources needed to deal with it. The Arizona Office of Problem Gambling website is also an additional resource to get help (problemgambling.az.gov). The website offers a broad range of resources designed to help problem gamblers overcome this addiction.

One of the most effective tools offered to problem gamblers is the self-exclusion program. This is an opt-in process which allows a self-acknowledged problem gambler to voluntarily exclude him or herself from entering all Tribal casinos within the state of Arizona for a specified period of time. Problem gamblers can also sign up to ban themselves from access to casino ATMs and Internet gambling sites.

Other resources include the Tribal/State-funded out-patient treatment, a specialized program dedicated to addressing the impact and root of gambling addiction. Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon are resources that offer fellowship from men and women who share in similar experiences, helping others recover from compulsive gambling.

Students who suffer from the urge to gamble are often faced with feelings of loneliness, depression, and despair. It is through the help of seasoned professionals and like-minded individuals that students can return to a happy and successful college life. $

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

23

Multimedia Games Takes Their 2014 Nationwide Slot Tournament On The Road

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f you have been to Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson or Harrah’s Ak-Chin in Maricopa over the past year or so, you will remember when the new banks of Multimedia Games slot machines were installed.

Perhaps you even tried some of the game themes like Cham illion, Carnival in Rio, Alakazam!, Kingdom of Siam, Stallion Spirit, or even Triple Cheeseburger Deluxe . All of them are great games in their own right, but what’s hiding behind the games and waiting to be unleashed is an exclusive set of slot tournament games!

Multimedia Games began two state-wide TournEvents (that’s their name for the bank of games) during 2012 in California and Washington. The company conducted slot tournaments on their existing TournEvent machines across both states and crowned one winner in each state as a regional slot champion.

By the time 2013 rolled around there were more and more banks of TournEvent machines across the country and Multimedia held a national TournEvent to crown one slot champion.

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After multiple rounds of play all across the country, the nation’s best slot player in 2013 was Maria of Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Minnesota. As the winner, she took home $100,000 cash!

This year, Multimedia has even more banks of TournEvent games installed in local casinos and they are in full swing with the 2014 TournEvent. There are over 100 casinos participating and $500,000 at stake with the winner taking home $200,000.

Here in Arizona, both Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa are hosting local TournEvents in August; Desert Diamond on August 15th and 17th and Harrah’s Ak-Chin on August 19th. Around 400 individuals, possibly more, are given the opportunity to compete at each property.

Each local winner receives a paid vacation for two ($800 in airfare, 5 days/4 nights at the Wynn, $500 in food & beverage credit at the Wynn) to Las Vegas, Nevada. Plus, even if the local winner is in last place at the national TournEvent in Vegas, they will get $500 cash!

The entire concept is unique, from top to bottom. The TournEvent itself is played right on your local casino’s floor. As the TournEvent games are already part of the slot floor, players won’t be shuffled off to a separate tournament area. Instead, the TournEvent games will be set to tournament mode on the day of the competition.

Players will have a few minutes to get the highest score by spinning the reels, popping balloons on screen for extra credits and watching for the Money Man to appear and award extra credits making the race to first tense and exciting right from the start.

TournEvent is not your typical “smack-smack-smack” slot tournament. Players really have to pay attention to what is happening on screen and be ready to touch the screen for bonus credits. And, these games have the

TournEvent Quick Facts    

National Slot Tournament by Multimedia Games Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, August 15 & 17 Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, August 19 400 people compete to win a casino’s TournEvent and qualify for the national TournEvent in Vegas  Over 100 casinos around the USA are participating  $500,000 in cash prizes at the national TournEvent: 1st Place: $200,000 6th Place: $9,000 2nd Place: $75,000 7th Place: $8,000 3rd Place: $50,000 8th Place: $7,000 4th Place: $25,000 9th Place: $6,000 5th Place: $10,000 10th Place: $5,000 Prize amounts for 11th Place through Last Place to be determined by Multimedia Games (minimum $500). current tournament’s scoreboard built in on top of the individual slots and on the massive overhead monitors.

In addition, there's a video camera in each slot capturing each player’s exciting big win face all the way up to the last second. Everyone will know who is ahead and who is ready to overtake first place from one spin to the next!

For those of you who may have already experienced playing in a slot tournament on the TournEvent games (as several members of our staff already have) in the recent past will have a distinct advantage in knowing how a TournEvent slot tournament works. If you have not, August may just give you your chance.

Make sure to check at the player’s club or with a slot attendant if your favorite casino has the TournEvent games and if the casino is participating in the national TournEvent. You might even request that your favorite casino get Multimedia's TournEvent machines and be added to the national TournEvent in 2015! You can find additional information online at TournEvent.com. $

TRIBAL NEWS

By Lee Allen

T

he calendar stick of the desert people reveals a long history with the Sonoran Desert as homeland. According to the Tohono O’odham nation web page: “Our predecessors, the Hohokam, settled along the banks of the Salt, Gila, and Santa Cruz Rivers thousands of years ago. Master dwellers of the desert, they built vast ball courts and huge ceremonial mounds and created sophisticated canal systems to irrigate crops, leaving behind pottery and jewelry of stone, shell, and clay. Following our ancestral heritage, we became scientists of our environment using weather patterns to plant and harvest a tapestry of crops. We continue to live this proud heritage today as 21st century Tohono O’odham.”

The Tohono O’odham desert, or Bean People, are related culturally and linguistically to the Pima Indians (Akimel O’odham or People of the River) and were known as semi-nomadic people who traveled between summer camps and winter villages located near water sources. Travel between the fields along the river, inhabited during the growing season and the well sites in the mountains where game and wild foods could be found, was mandatory in order to survive.

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

The early O’odham land mass in the Southwest, known as the Papagueria, extended south to Sonora, Mexico; north to Central Arizona near Phoenix; west to the Gulf of California, and east to Southern Arizona’s San Pedro River. Today the Nation is the second largest reservation in the state in both population and geographical size --- approximately 28,000 members in 11 individually governed districts spread out over 2.8 million acres or nearly 4,500 square miles.

In the late 1600s, Jesuit missionaries worked with the Tohono to build such edifices as the world-renowned San Xavier (White Dove of the Desert). The San Xavier reservation was established in the late 1800s and the Tohono O’odham, then called the Papagos, adopted their first Constitution in 1937.

The tribe has grown and prospered over the years with the additions of business parks, casinos, resort hotels and other contemporary signs of success, all of it based on the Him :d ag of the people that takes the wisdom from the past and creates solutions for the future. The word itself has various translations revolving around similar themes. Him:dag to some means “our

TRIBAL NEWS path.” Others refer to it as “a way of life, a culture, a custom or practice.” Former tribal chairman Angelo Joaquin Jr. described it as “the crucial balance between mental, physical, and spiritual health.”

Reference that earlier mention of a “tapestry of crops,” the sand people had to work hard to grow what they could and take advantage of what else the desert might give up --- the key being the coming of the rainy season moons (Jujk iabig Mam sad ) when famine gave way to feast.

Fields that had lain fallow since the winter crop harvest were ready to plant and if sown within a month after Summer Solstice, they could produce a crop quick enough for harvest before fall --- and the lean times --- returned. The stimulating power of rain in a parched desert represents more than just moisture.

“When the rains come, they change the world,” said one O’odham elder.

“While the desert appears unproductive to most visitors, it served the Desert People well and in many years produced more food than could be harvested by local villages,” wrote ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan, citing a variety of edibles from cholla cactus buds to mesquite bean pods, prickly pear pads, and saguaro seeds and fruit. “Over an annual cycle, as many as six discrete pulses of wild foods can occur, each with its own complex of plant species. Whether superabundant and storable or rare and perishable, these plants helped shape and succor cultures within the Sonoran Desert, serving as calories, cures, and characters in tribal legends.”

The special relationship of the tribe with the saguaro cactus characterizes their response to an arid homeland, not treating the tall sentries as a separate life form, but classifying the giant cacti as “that which is human and stands on earth --- they, too, are Indians.” It is also from the saguaro that the O’odham pluck its succulent fruit in June to boil down into jams and jellies and wine to be consumed in a ritual encouraging the arrival of the

rainy season, that harbinger of life that fosters growth and survival.

The Tohono are probably best known to the outside world as growers of the traditional “Three Sisters,” corn, squash, and tepary beans (along with some tasty melons).

In 1996 two tribal members, Terrol Dew Johnson and Tristan Reader, formed the non-profit Tohono O’odham Community Action group dedicated to creating a healthy, cultural, vital and sustainable community on the nation. Food sovereignty or the right of peoples to healthy and culturally-appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods became a TOCA cornerstone.

“For the Tohono O’odham, food is the foundation of health, culture, community, family, and economies,” says TOCA President/CEO Johnson, an accomplished and award-winning basketmaker. “Beginning with our first community garden in 1996, TOCA has built a set of food system programs that contribute to public health and cultural revitalization.” [Those efforts won Johnson and Reader a Ford Foundation ‘Leadership for a Changing World’ award] While the TOCA programs are designed to return traditional foodstuffs to tribal members, the public at large can also benefit in the form of “traditional/delicious/healthy” meals at the Tohono Desert Rain Café in Sells [see Arizona Gam ing Guid e , Dining, February 2014] or through excess crop produced in the fields on the San Xavier District that are sold at a small vegetable market near the famous Mission San Xavier del Bac, south of Tucson.

Desert Rain Café is located at Tohono Plaza, Main Street, Sells.

For more information, call 520.383.4918.

San Xavier Coop Farm is located at 8100 S. Oidak Wog, Tucson For more information, call 520.741.9303. $

Diane Humetewa Confirmed by US Senate to be First American Indian Woman Federal Judge Hopi Citizen Diane Humetewa made history on May 14, 2014 when she became the first American Indian woman to serve on a federal bench as judge for the U.S. District Court for Arizona.

On February 27, 2014, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Humetewa’s nomination. Previously Humetewa served as an Appellate Court Judge for the Hopi Tribe Appellate Court. Up until her confirmation, Humetewa was serving as Special Advisor to the President and Special Counsel in the Office of General Counsel at Arizona State University. She is also a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

27

GAMING NEWS $100,000 Jackpot Hits At Desert Diamond Casino On May 6, 2014, lucky guest John T. stopped by Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment’s Tucson location and struck a jackpot of $100,050! John hit his mega jackpot playing the $1.00 Blazing Sevens slots by Bally Technologies.

Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise said, “Congratulations to John T. on his huge win—I’m sure he’s got some big plans for it! We’re always thrilled to see our guests walk away with major jackpots. We can’t wait to see who will win big next at Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, Tucson’s place to play.”

Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment has three locations in Southern Arizona (Tucson, Sahuarita, and Why). For more information about the casinos and their latest slots, visit ddcaz.com or call 866.DDC.WINS.

Player Hits Big On WMS Wide-Area Progressive WMS Gaming Inc., a Scientific Games company, recently announced that a player hit a big jackpot on one of their wide-area progressive slot games at the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi on May 6, 2014. For Stephen Schick of Deltona, Florida, his golden ticket came in the form of a $911,230.73 jackpot win on a WMS WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY slot machine.

Dean Ehrlich, WMS Senior Vice President of Global Gaming Operations, said, “Congratulations to the winner of this significant wide-area progressive jackpot! WILLY WONKA has quickly become a player-favorite since its original release last June and is now offered in a 3-reel mechanical slot as well.”

The WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY game offers unique bonus rounds drawn straight from the motion picture classic. Powered by the Sensory Immersion 2.0 motion chair, the Chocolate River Bonus allows players the chance to experience the iconic Wonk atania ride through exciting motion effects, and the Elevator Bonus flies the player up above the factory like Charlie himself, bringing Willy Wonka’s world of pure imagination to the casino floor.

AGS To Acquire Colossal Gaming American Gaming Systems (AGS), a leading designer and manufacturer of Class II gaming machines for the Native American market with an emerging presence in a broad range of commercial Class III markets in the United States, just announced their acquisition of Colossal Gaming.

Colossal Gaming was founded in 2003 by industry veterans Steve Weiss, Alison Stroh, and Lowell Hansen, as a game design studio with the mission to bring new and unique game play to the industry. Colossal is a pioneer in large-format slot gaming, and the designer and manufacturer of top performing games such as Hot at the Top and Colossal Diamonds. $

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

29

GAMING NEWS

Arizona Tribal Gaming Revenues Are Stable

By Jelena Momich

T

he Arizona Department of Gaming just announced that tribal contributions to the state from gaming revenue will be approximately $24 million for the quarter that ended March 31, 2014. Tribal contributions are within one half of a percent compared to the same quarter last year.

The quarterly tribal contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund will be distributed as follows: Instructional Improvement Fund/Education: Trauma and Emergency Services Fund: Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs: Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund: State Tourism Fund: Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention: TOTAL contributions for the quarter ended March 31, 2014:

$12,067,234 $ 6,033,617 $ 2,000,000 $ 1,723,891 $ 1,723,891 $ 480,584 $24,029,217

The Arizona Department of Gaming, in partnership with Arizona’s tribes, regulates Indian gaming. Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, tribes with casinos contribute one to eight percent of their Class III gross gaming revenue to the state, cities, towns and counties. In Arizona, Class III gaming includes slot machines, jackpot poker, blackjack, keno and off-track pari-mutuel betting. There are currently 23 Class III casinos in the state. Tribes send contributions to the state Arizona Benefits Fund every three months. $

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

GAMING NEWS

Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino Receives AAA Four Diamond Award

By Melody Hudson

V

ee Quiva Hotel & Casino has been awarded the esteemed AAA Four Diamond Award. By meeting strict criteria measuring all aspects of service and amenities, Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino has proven to be among the top hotel properties in Arizona and has earned the award in its first year of operation.

“We are honored to be awarded this prestigious designation,” said General Manager, Jeff Martin. “The team here at Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino has diligently worked hard since our opening to

provide the best guest experience in the valley with the highest quality amenities. This recognition shows that tremendous effort has not gone unnoticed.” The AAA Diamond Rating process is North America’s premier hotel rating program. The program provides one of the industry’s most reliable ratings to guide lodging decisions for vacationers and business travelers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. This is measured by the degree of hospitality, service, amenities and attention to detail a property offers its guests. The system provides hotel guests with a quick and dependable rating on service levels at thousands of hotel properties both locally and internationally.

“AAA developed the Diamond rating system more than 75 years ago as a travel resource. It is one of the only rating systems that include on-site evaluations by anonymous inspectors,” said Linda Gorman, Communications and Public Affairs Director for AAA Arizona. “Earning a Five or Four Diamond Award is one of the highest accolades in the travel industry.” In fact, out of over 29,000 approved AAA properties worldwide, only 5.3% are awarded the four diamond designation.

Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino is one of three casinos owned and operated by the Gila River Indian Community. Opened in July of 2013, the property includes over 950 slot machines, 36 table games, 90 well-appointed hotel rooms, over 6,000 square feet of conference space, 6 dining options headlined by Arizona’s only Ditka’s restaurant, and the Vee Quiva Event Center. $

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

33

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

Directory & Gaming Statistics

Aquarius Casino Resort 800.662.LUCK aquariuscasinoresort.com.

1,250+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, blackjack, table games, roulette, craps, keno, race/ sports book.

Avi Resort & Casino (Fort Mojave Tribe) 800.430.0721 avicasino.com.

1,000+ slots, bingo, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, keno, race/sports book, KidsQuest.

Colorado Belle Hotel Casino 877.460.0777 coloradobelle.com.

750+ slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, keno, race/sports book. Build your own amazing burger at Pint’s Brewery!

Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino 800.227.3849 riversideresort.com.

1,300+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, bingo, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, keno, race/sports book.

Edgewater Hotel Casino 800.677.4837 edgewater-casino.com.

750+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, blackjack, table games, roulette, craps, race/sports book. Great all-around casino!

Golden Nugget Laughlin 800.237.1739 goldennugget.com/laughlin 1,000+ slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, sports book. Sign up for the player’s club and spin for free play!

Harrah’s Laughlin 800.447.8700 harrahslaughlin.com 900+ slots, no smoking slot area, high limit slots area, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, poker room, live keno, race/sports book.

Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall 800.634.3469 pioneerlaughlin.com 490 slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, sports book. Make sure to check out the video poker & reel slots!

Laughlin’s Gaming Statistics March 2014 Slots

River Palms Resort Casino 877.787.7256 river-palms.com 550+ slots, bingo, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, sports book.

Don’t miss the view of the river from Denny’s!

Tropicana Laughlin 800.243.6846 tropicanax.com 1,000+ slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, and a sports book.

Stop in for lunch at Carnegie’s or the Poolside Café and enjoy the food!

Hold % Tables

Hold %

Loose $1

4.44

Blackjack / 21

16.16

$5

4.45

Craps

17.88

25¢

4.93

Roulette

20.07

Multi-Denom 5.76

Pai Gow Poker

21.42

5¢

7.24

Let It Ride

26.89

1¢

10.98

Other Table Games 27.79

$25

13.81

Three Card Poker

Tight Megabucks

13.84

Other We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. To inform us of updates, please email editor@azgamingguide.com. The Nevada Gaming Control Board publishes statistics on casino gaming activity in Nevada according to their state’s gaming regulations. The most current data for Laughlin at press time is from three months prior. *A negative hold percentage indicates that game overpaid during the stated month.

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

Loose Sports Pools Race Books

Tight Live Keno

31.46

Hold % Win Amount

Dollars

7.49

Slots

42.0 mil.

16.19

Tables

4.3 mil.

30.18

Other

0.6 mil.

Laughlin, Nevada

TRAVEL

J

ust after dark on Independence Day, Friday, July 4, the huge 24th annual Rockets Over The River fireworks display will be free for public viewing along the entire Laughlin River Walk and your favorite Laughlin hotel. This extraordinary display is one of the most spectacular and exciting in the West as the pyrotechnic company shoots its rockets into the dark desert sky and the reflection of each exploding shell shimmers over the swift-moving Colorado River.

Fabulous patriotic music will be choreographed to the show and simulcast over speakers by Laughlin hotels and local radio stations. You won't want to miss this all-American celebration and breathtaking event!

While there, you can also celebrate Independence Day weekend with all-American country singer, 5-time Gram m y winner and New York Times bestselling author, Wynonna Judd once dubbed by Rolling Stone as “the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline.� Tickets start at just $25. $

azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

35

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Listings

Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Cabaret Lounge: Featuring a variety of cover bands, local & regional acts. Call for info.

BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm BlueWater Showroom: Another Night Of Comedy—Jun. 14 Cage Rage 7—Jun. 21 Divas of MAD TV—Jul. 5 Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Garth Guy (Garth Brooks Tribute)—Jun. 6-7 Double Vision (Foreigner Tribute)—Jun. 20-21 The Rising (Bruce Springsteen Tribute)—Jun. 27-28 The Arizona Room: Jordan Benson with Heartlyn Rae (Country)—Mondays 8pm Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to dance)—Tuesdays at 6pm The AZTEX Band (Latin, R&B, Old School, Funk)—Tuesdays 8pm Country Dance Nights (Learn to dance)—Wednesdays at 6pm The Tommy Ash Band (Country)—Wednesdays & Thursdays 8pm Marley Taylor Band (Cover band)—Sundays from 9pm to 1am Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 AVA Amphitheater: Gran Festival De Folklore Feat. Mariachi Vargas—Jun. 29 Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Dragonfly Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands, karaoke & DJs Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Karaoke with Bling Bling—Th-Fr at 8pm All night DJ music in the River Room with DJ Sosa—Saturdays A variety of live music every Saturday night on the casino floor Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: Dance Fusion with Desert DJs—Fridays Noches Caliente—Saturdays the hottest Tex Mex and Tejano music!

Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar: Karaoke Night—Wednesdays 7-11pm Live music or DJs—Fridays & Saturdays Diamond Center: The Righteous Brothers’ Bill Medley—Jun. 7 Carnival of Wonders—Jun. 21 Chris Isaak—Jul. 18 Kenny Rogers—Jul. 3 Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular—Aug. 9 Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live music every weekend

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

Renowned music icon Kenny Rogers is coming to the Diamond Center for a special Independence Day weekend concert on Thursday, July 3, 2014. Tickets start at $45 and are on sale now. Doors open at 7:30pm and the show starts at 8:30pm. A groundbreaking recording artist, distinctive vocalist and consummate entertainer, Kenny Rogers is one of the elite few whose voice is instantly recognized the world over. The country and pop superstar has endeared music lovers around the globe with his amazing songs, heartfelt performances and rare storytelling ability while receiving countless awards for his music and charity work. He is unique in that he has enjoyed success in such a variety of genres—jazz, folk, country and pop. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said “Get your 4th of July weekend started early with one of America’s most accomplished singer-songwriters, Kenny Rogers! Be sure to get your tickets early so you don’t miss this great opportunity to see a true music legend at the Diamond Center.”

Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 The Lounge: Ra ndy Linder Ma y 9, Co ld Sho tt Ma y 10, The Walkens May 16, Neal McCoy May 17, Quantum May 23, Laura Walsh May 24 Wild Wednesdays No o n to 4pm: The Wa lk ens Trio Ma y 7, Silhouette May 14, Frankie Valli Tribute May 21, Swingtips May 28 Ladies Night o n Mo nda y nights (Live DJ-May 5, 12, 19 & 26) Margarita Sundays po o lside pa rties (Kush Co untry Ma y 26) Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munday Funday—Comedy Show begins at 7pm Featuring a variety of live local talent Tuesday through Saturday Pow Wow in the Pines—Jun. 7 & 8 Native American Art Festival Pre-Show—Jun. 20 White Mountain Bike Rally—Jun. 27 & 28 America—Jul. 5 Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Phoenix area bands & DJs offer free live entertainment throughout the

Editor’s Pick week featuring the Valley's best local bands & DJs Verona Chophouse: Talented Musicians—Saturdays 5-9pm Sunday Jazz Brunch Live—10am-3pm

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Talking Stick Resort Presents

Collective Soul Live at the Pool—June 27, 2014

Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Apache Spirits Lounge: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends.

Ladies’ Night on Thursdays with a DJ. Event Center: All My Rowdy Friends (Hank Williams Jr. Tribute)—Jun. 14 One More From The Road (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute)—Aug. 8 Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Australia’s Thunder From Down Under—Jun. 7 Zapp Band & Candyman—Aug. 16 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: Jimmy Vaughan—Jun. 7 Staind—Jun. 8 Creedence Clearwater Revisited—Jun. 15 Gregg Allman—Jun. 20 Dennis Miller—Jun. 21 311—Jun. 29 Twin Arrows Navajo Casino—Flagstaff, AZ—855.946.8946 Featuring a variety of local, regional & headlining acts. Call for info.

Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452 VQ Live: Featuring a variety of cover bands, local & regional acts. Call for info.

Event Center: DSB (Journey Tribute)—Jun. 6 The New VQ Comedy Series—Jun. 7 All My Rowdy Friends (Hank Williams Jr. Tribute)—Jun. 13 AJ Castillo—Jun. 28 Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 AiRIA Unplugged—Live music Fri & Sat 4pm-2am Encore Lounge—Featuring a variety of live music nightly Classics With A Twist—Featuring jazz music & cocktails Thu-Sun Showroom: Bobby Vinton—Jun. 13 Sinbad—Jun. 14 Air Supply—Jun. 20 Scotty McCreery—Jun. 22 Yavapai Casino—Prescott, AZ—800.756.8744 Yavapai Cantina: Karaoke—Fr at 8pm-12am Featuring a variety of live bands on Saturdays from 7 to 10pm

Multi-platinum selling band Collective Soul is celebrating their 20-year journey in music with a concert at The Pool at Talking Stick Resort on June 27. Since the 1993 release of their single, Shine, the post-grunge group has remained in high demand touring the country and selling out shows.

After 20 years making music, Collective Soul are officially rock & roll giants. Dubbed a “thinking person’s rock band,” Collective Soul knows how to hit hard with hooks and lyrics. So get ready for a show that’ll rock you from head to toe—with hits like Shine, Counting the Days, Where the River Flows and Gel. In addition to hearing fan favorites such as December, The World I Know and Precious Declaration, audiences will be introduced to new songs from the band’s ninth studio album, See What You Started By Continuing.

Collective Soul has released more than 20 music videos and produced seven singles that landed on the Billboard charts. Their debut album, Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, was a massive hit catching the attention of rock fans and Atlantic Records executives alike. After signing with the prominent entertainment company, the Georgia natives would go on to release four platinum albums, record the theme song for American Idol’s seventh season and be inducted into Georgia’s Hall of Fame.

For a full listing of entertainment this month and for more information, call 480.850.7777 or visit their website at TalkingStickResort.com. $ 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 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

37

CASINO NIGHTLIFE

Keep the energy high during Fort McDowell’s Lunar Bingo

Manic Hispanic

Todd Himaka

Todd Himaka & Manic Hispanic

By Ramses Ja

I

t’s been some years since I spun for Fort McDowell’s Lunar Bingo…the originator of the late night bingo sessions in the valley! Since then, some of the faces have changed and the fun has reached new heights! I made my way out to visit with some of my old friends for their May session to find out what was new and improved…and of course to listen to some great music!

I spoke with Mega 104.3’s night time host Todd Himaka who DJs the event. He seemed very enthusiastic about the unique nature of the experience (I know him to be a very seasoned club DJ) and I really enjoyed his post.

“I try to play people’s favorite music…keep them entertained.

We strive at keeping a party vibe and make sure that everybody has a good time. We play the hits from both Mega and The Beat as well as party jams…everything from hip hop to rock…even country, old school, cumbias…really anything to get people on the dance floor,” said Himaka.

Pregame started at 10:30pm. Hospe from 101.1 FM The Beat was on the mic going over the rules and how everything works and hyping people up for the session. The rest of the radio station crew was throwing out t-shirts and glow sticks. There was also an open dance floor for people to groove on while everyone else was registering for the bingo sessions.

Manic Hispanic is a name you might be familiar with as he’s been doing radio for about 27 years now! Not only is he the host of the main event, he can be heard weekdays on Mega 104.3 from 2-7pm. He showed up around 11:30pm and I got a chance to ask him what makes Lunar Bingo at Fort McDowell so special…

“There’s a lot of different music and a lot of lights and lasers and such. It’s very high energy bingo playing. There are a number of birthday parties, bachelorette parties and even people

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

who come in after the clubs let out,” said Manic Hispanic.

His job is to walk the floor and keep the crowd engaged by dancing with them and helping them celebrate. “I love the liveliness of it. Lunar Bingo has a really great energy to it. Giving away money doesn’t hurt either,” added Manic Hispanic.

During each Lunar Bingo session, the first round starts at Midnight and when the clock strikes Todd cranks up the volume because it’s time to win! During my visit, one of the highlights of the night was the last person standing game! There was a lot of crowd participation and people dancing along. It was really great to see…not to mention people taking advantage of the drink specials, using the dance floor, winning extra cash playing the giant inflatable bowling game, and winning raffles.

Lunar Bingo usually lasts until about 2:30am and the main casino is open for those who want to keep the party going. There is also the Radisson next door for people who want to stay the night which might not be such a bad idea after having that much fun!

For more information about Lunar Bingo at Fort McDowell, visit their website at fortmcdowellcasino.com or mega1043.com or azthebeat.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: ramsesja.com.

CASINO BINGO DIRECTORY

Bingo Strategy If you’re going to play bingo, here are a few hints you can employ to increase your chances of winning! Good Luck!

Reduce The Competition Many casino bingo payouts are fixed and don’t increase the more players there are. Therefore, players have an advantage when participating in games with as few opponents as possible.

One way to do this is to play during weekday sessions and at odd hours.

Play Multiple Cards The simple truth of the matter is the more cards you play, the more you can win! Take advantage of quantity discounts. Buy-

ing multiple cards is usually less expensive than buying packs of cards individually.

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’s a numeral in the N column that ends in 7, quickly verify whether it’s 37 or not and move on.

Visualize The Patterns 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, helping your brain focus on the important spaces. $

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

200

No

No

No

BlueWater

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

400

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

600

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, 5:30pm. 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 & 1:30pm Mo-Sa at 6pm.

300

Yes

Yes

Call for Kozmic Bingo & Other Special Dates

Vee Quiva

Daily at Noon & 6:30pm.

366

Yes

Yes

Bingo Eclipse Sa at 11pm.

Yes

Late Night

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 05/01/14 & 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 2014 | azgamingguide.com

News

CASINO BINGO

South Point Hotel Celebrates the Art of Big-Game Bingo with $500,000 Super Gala on Monday, July 7 and Tuesday, July 8

T

he two-day bingo spectacular will offer a $250,000 daily prize pool both days. Each day will start with 10 warmup games with a total purse of $10,000, followed by 19 Super Gala games for $10,000 each, and concluding with one $50,000 coverall game and one $10,000 “2nd Chance� game.

Bingo participants may purchase Super Gala entries for $350 which includes two-day gala access, one 9-ON pack of bingo cards, one food voucher per day and dauber. Throughout the Super Gala, guests may purchase additional 6-ON packs of bingo cards for $25 per pack. Participants are allowed to purchase up to 15 additional packs of bingo cards per day in electronic units.

During the warm-up games, participants may purchase their first 6-ON pack for $10 and each additional electronic or paper pack for $5. Super Gala participants that are playing electronically must purchase two additional 6-ON bingo packs for a total of $50 per day. In addition, extra 3-ON coverall strips are available for purchase for $5 with a daily maximum of 20 coveralls per player.

Doors will open each day at 8am with warm-up games beginning at 11:30am. Enhancing the Super Gala experience, South Point offers gala players a special $50 room rate for Sunday, July 6, which includes a complimentary two-night hotel accommodation Monday, July 7 and Tuesday, July 8. Entry to the Super Gala is subject to availability. For more information or to make room reservations call 702.796.7111 or visit their website at southpointcasino.com. $ azgamingguide.com | June 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

41

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH In honor of International Panic Day on June 18th, find:

PANIC, FRIGHT, ALARM, CONFUSION, CONSTERNATION, DISMAY, DREAD, FEAR, FRENZY, HORROR, HYSTERIA, SCARE, TERROR, TREPIDATION, AGITATION, ANXIETY .

Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)

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SUDOKU 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)

3

8

2

4

7 5

1

5

5

6

1

7 8 6

42 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

9

9 7

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2

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

I’ve Struck A Nerve

Readers weigh in on germs...

By Sami Becker

L

ast month’s article “Bring Back Sani Wipes” generated quite a number of e-mails in my in-box. It appears that I’m not the only one who cleans the button panel before playing a slot machine. Besides bringing sani wipes back, here are some other suggestions our readers had to keep those germs at bay while at the casino…

game rather than at the first one I saw.

Casinos should be more careful at the buffets. They should do what cruise ships do to prevent the spread of illnesses like change their serving utensils frequently and make it mandatory for people to use wipes or hand sanitizer before they enter the buffet.

—Margaret Kirkon, Phoenix, Arizona

You guys are right about wipes. I gave up on how dirty the casinos can get so I now wear gloves and a surgical mask.

—Felicia James, San Diego, California

I don’t see housekeeping cleaning the slots anymore at [the casinos].

Why can’t they bring that back? I used to love to find a clean machine and play. Sometimes I’d find the cleaning person and just wait for them to finish a machine and then sit down and start playing at that

44 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | azgamingguide.com

—Mike P., Flagstaff, Arizona Make sure there are plenty of working, and I stress working, hand sanitizer stations by the slots, near the restaurants and the bathrooms!

—Eleanor Hernandez, Laughlin, Nevada

Just constantly wash your hands! It’s not hard. I wash my hands about once every 30 minutes when I’m at the casino.

—Jimmy Franklin, Arizona

Do YOU have something to rant or rave about?

Write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

11300 Resort Drive

Parker

888-243-3360 529

03. Bucky’s Casino

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 309

04. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 911

Y

Y

Y

Y

05. Casino Del Sol 06. Casino of the Sun

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 656

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 512

Y

Y

Y

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,089

Y

Y

Y

I-19, Exit 80

Tucson

866-332-9467 688

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

866-332-9467

Maricopa

480-802-5000 1,089

Pinetop

800-929-8744 836

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 786

Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson

Payson

450 Quechan Dr.

Yuma

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

800-777-7529 425

Y

Y

Y

Y

888-777-4946 506

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

I-8, Exit 166

Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+ Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 247

101 & Indian Bend

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 752

I-40, Exit 219

Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,089

6443 Komatke Ln.

Laveen

800-946-4452 950

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 950

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 244

24. Yavapai Casino

Y

Y

8555 Hwy. 95

22. Vee Quiva Casino

Y

Y

19. Spirit Mountain Casino

Y

Y

Y

18. Quechan Casino

21. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino

Y

Y Y

Y Y* Y

Y

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 901

777 Hwy. 260

20. Talking Stick Resort

Y

Y

56

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

17. Paradise Casino

Y

Y

855-765-7829 294

15. Lone Butte Casino

23. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

Y

855-765-7829 1,085

14. Hon-Dah Casino 16. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

Y

Y

Tucson

Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.

13. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

Y

Tucson

10. Desert Diamond Casino II 12. Fort McDowell Casino

Y

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

08. Cocopah Resort Casino

11. Desert Diamond Casino-Why

Y

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel 09. Desert Diamond Casino I

Y

Y

Y Y Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 05/01/14 & 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 N N R O R Y A

F E

Y

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M R Y F R A T E L E A I R I G H T X I T A T I O N N F A U

Sudoku Solution

46 Arizona Gaming Guide | June 2014 | 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