Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - November 2014 - 06:11

Page 1



DEPARTMENTS 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 08 GREAT GAMES 18 WINNING WAYS 21 CASINO DINING 24 FEATURE STORY 26 TRIBAL NEWS 30 GAMING NEWS 32 ARIZONA LOTTERY 34 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 35 TRAVEL 36 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 38 CASINO NIGHTLIFE 40 CASINO BINGO 42 FUN & GAMES 44 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 46 CASINO DIRECTORY

GET A SNEAK PEEK AT 2015’S HOTTEST NEW SLOTS FROM THE G2E SHOW IN LAS VEGAS

NEW SLOTS AT DESERT DIAMOND & SOL CASINOS

MULTIMEDIA’S NATIONAL TOURNEVENT RECAP

PASCUA YAQUI CELEBRATE RECOGNITION DAY

Plus, read all about the other new slots from Bally, WMS, IGT, and Aruze on pages 10 through 16!

Why players should participate in the country’s only national slot tournament during 2015!

Celebrating its 36th year of recognition with ceremony, sacred ritual, song and dance!

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

03


EDITOR’S NOTE

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 06 • ISSUE 11 PUBLISHER Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com

Reviewing G2E For 2015’s Best New Slots! Needless to say we had a lot of fun at G2E in Las Vegas, NV at the end of September and early October! Check out the feature story for an overview of several of the games and manufacturers that really got us excited. As always, there is so much to talk about when it comes to G2E’s new slots and so little room! This issue has a sneak peek on exciting new slots by WMS, Bally, and a review of Multimedia’s extremely successful and popular TournEvent of Champions slot tournament. Plus, gaming industry veteran Al Moe gives us the inside scoop on why it’s OK to “color up” and cash out. Staff writer Lee Allen provides us with an in-depth look at the recent Pascua Yaqui celebration. Writer Rodric Hurdle Bradford delivers on drink specials. And, entertainment writer Ramses Ja talks about his new hot spot at Wild Horse Pass. 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 this 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 Lee Allen Ramses Ja Kelly Potts Cindy Esquer Amanda Riddle Samantha Becker Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford 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 | November 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: In this past months magazine as in past magazines you have a Laughlin Gaming Statistics chart [listing the type of slot by denomination or table game and the hold percentage]. What does all [this] mean? Being that the title says “Laughlin Gaming Statistics,” is there also an individual one for the Aquarius Casino? Donna Lynn—Prescott, AZ Donna, we compile a Laughlin Gaming Statistics chart every month for our readers based on publications made available to the public by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. These publications include a lot of different information. To us and our readers, the most interesting information relates to how “hot” or “cold” the machines in Laughlin, NV are. Unfortunately, there are limitations to the data presented by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The data is three months old and does not include a breakdown by casino or by slot machine. Based on Nevada state law pertaining to casino gambling, some information is to be released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to the public as the casino gaming regulatory agency in the state. In Arizona, we have a similar organization (the Arizona Department of Gaming) that regulates casino gaming within the state. Nevada is primarily a commercial gaming state and Arizona is entirely tribal gaming. As such each tribe within Arizona has an individual compact with the State regulating gaming (they are all very similar in nature) because each tribe is a sovereign nation.

mation on Laughlin, NV, we choose to publish it every month as our readers are interested in the information. By the way, you are not alone in asking about the numbers! Now, on to the chart (see page 34 in this issue for reference)! Let’s pretend you enjoy playing penny slots, exclusively, and would like to know how “loose” they are in Laughlin, NV. Find the 1 cent denomination on the chart and look at the number in the hold percentage column. Let’s say it happens to be 11.82. This means that for the given month (always three months ago), all the penny machines in all of Laughlin, NV had a hold of 11.82% for the month. That means their payback percentage was 88.18% (Payback percentage is always calculated by subtracting the hold percentage from 100%, in this case 100% 11.82% = 88.18%). If all the penny machines in Laughlin, NV continued to behave this way for all time, they would pay back around 88.18% of all money wagered on those slots. Of course, looking at the next month’s set of data, the penny slots will most likely have a new hold percentage next to them. Let’s say it happens to change to 10.51%. This means the hold percentage decreased and the payback percentage increased (100% - 10.51 = 89.49%, higher than the 88.18% from before). Another way of stating this would be to say the penny games were “looser” in the new month than the month before. Generally the higher the denomination (penny, nickel, quarter, multidenomination, dollar, five dollar, etc.) the lower the hold, or the higher the payback percentage. Since this is based on actual data from all the slots across all of Laughlin, the percentages change from month to month and the order of “loosest” to “tightest” slot changes.

Unfortunately, Arizona state law does not require the release of detailed gaming data as Nevada does. As a result, we will not find out any information about the Aquarius Casino in Laughlin, nor any other individual casino in Nevada as they are grouped together either by county, city, other geography, or even type. We also won’t find out any similar detailed information about an Arizona casino, or even as a group, based on state law and the individual sovereign tribe’s rules on gaming data.

For clarity and informative purposes, we choose to order the slot denominations in order from the lowest hold percentages (a “loose” slot) to the highest hold percentage (a “tight” slot). During most months the “tight” slots are generally the pennies and IGT’s Megabucks and the “loose” slots are the highest denomination slots like the five dollar or twenty-five dollar slots. There have been some instances of a hold percentage being negative for certain denominations!

So, we do the best with what we have. Such is life. Play the cards we are dealt, right? Since we are able to find some infor-

What does this mean? Well, let’s do the math, because that’s were the answers always are in casino games, especially the

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 | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com


PLAYERS TALK slots. Take 100% and subtract the hold percentage to figure out the payback percentage. Let’s say the hold percentage for a twenty-five dollar slot was –5.67% several months ago. The payback percentage is now 105.67% (100% - -5.67% = 105.67%, remember from grade school that subtracting a negative is the same as addition)! This group of slots is overpaying for the month and the casinos, collectively, are losing money on these slots. If this were to continue in the long run the casinos either go broke or remove the machines! Of course, such instances are rare as we all know the hold percentages are designed to be positive, guaranteeing the payback percentages to be less than 100%. Perhaps we should also clarify payback percentage a little bit more. Casino patrons understand that the payback percentage on virtually any game on casino floors is less than 100%. Why? The house always makes money on the hold percentage, no matter how small in the long run. Remember that this is all about the long run. Casinos don’t really get concerned if their hold percentage is close to zero or even negative for up to a month. Why? They are confident in the mathematics behind every casino game. Over time every casino game tends to hone in on the calculated hold percentage. There may be minor variations from month to month, but overall the casinos are in the business of making money and they do through the hold percentages of the games. Most penny slots are set by any given casino to run at a hold percentage of up to 14% (in most gaming jurisdictions) to as low as 6% (based on our professional experience over the decades). In most cases the hold percentages are right around 10 to 12%. This means the payback percentage of the average penny slots is around 88 to 90%. The Laughlin gaming statistics back this up month after month after month. In the long run, on average, for every dollar wagered on the slot, the casino keeps 10 to 12 cents. The more and more money wagered on the slot, the more the casino gets to keep. Say a particular penny slot has players wagering around one million dollars across six months, the casino will benefit from the hold percentage to the tune of roughly one hundred thousand dollars (10% of 1 million is 100,000). The exact same explanation is true of the table games and the other games categories. Notice how much lower the hold percentages are for the slots than the table games. Some table games have a hold percentage of over 30%! Ouch! Talk about getting your bankroll slaughtered over time! Hopefully this gives you a better idea of the information presented in the Laughlin Gaming Statistics chart, why our readers demand we publish it and what it all means. Stay away from the tables and stick to the high denomination slots! $ azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

07


GREAT GAMES

Table Games—Strategy

By Al Moe

D

o you know where the cashier’s cage is located at your favorite casino? Sure you do, but the truth is that while some gamblers do a great job of managing their money so they can take a trip to the casino, they aren’t so good about managing it after they arrive. They refuse to treat their chips like they treat their money, and that, of course, is a mistake.

Now that you know where the cage is, set a new goal for a second exercise: lift some of those heavy chips, put a few in each hand (you can even do this while winning at a table), and walk straight to the cage and cash in a few of those suckers for some folding cash. Sure, your heart will be pounding and you’ll probably be sweating, but later you’ll feel better, I promise.

Credits on a slot machine can be deceptive too, because you aren’t actually holding the cash in your hot little hands, but slot players are used to taking their tickets to a redemption machine to get cash back. Table game players aren’t so lucky. Blackjack players have to walk way, way, way over there to the cashier’s cage to get money, and they have to pass other cool tables on the way!

You might even remember later that you’ve already cashed some chips out and you won’t be as tempted to just bet your last stack of chips on a final wager. Why? Because the chips have value. The more you exercise, the better your chance of heading home pumped up, instead of busted.

A blackjack table with friendly players, talkative dealers, and the occasional libation from the cocktail server can be the best place in town. A place where it’s easy to buy a stack of chips, or two, or three. What’s hard is getting out of your seat with those same chips, especially if you are losing, or you’re winning, or it is Tuesday. Gambling Exercises So, to combat the chips-equal-cash problem, try to adopt a few exercises. Don’t worry; you can skip the workout clothes. Just force yourself to take an occasional break from the Pai Gow table or that great Three-Card-Poker game, and walk around the casino. That alone will clear your mind, keep the blood pumping, and prove you have the strength to walk all the way to the cashier. Remember, that is the place with the cash and it’s your goal to get there, at least once a night.

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

The best way to do that is give yourself a set amount of money to play with, and don’t change your mind later. Then, take that cash and put it in your pocket or a specific location in your purse. When you make that daunting first trip to the cage, put the cash you get into your wallet, and keep that location off limits. The cash goes in, but doesn’t come back out this trip. While these ideas may seem silly, the psychological good that comes from exercising your right to cash out while at the casino has merit, and obvious benefits. Exercise that right and you can keep your bankroll fit! $

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 Games

Shoot To Win Craps First In Arizona At Casino Del Sol

T

his player-initiated craps game recreates all the betting zones of the traditional table game. With easily understood help menu and bet screens, all players ranging from beginner to expert can enjoy this popular game. “Shoot to Win Craps brings new excitement to the floor and enhances the player experience with an electronic version of a game that’s not available as a standard table game in Arizona Casinos. It’s a social game that creates energy and brings people together” said Brian Hoeffner, Vice President of Gaming at Casino Del Sol Resort. As you already know from past issues, Aruze Gaming keeps installing more and more slots on casino floors across Arizona. Now, for the first time in the state, Aruze has their fully electronic craps table available for play at Casino del Sol!

Rapid Shot Coming Soon From Aruze Gaming

A

ruze introduces its first ever Innovator linked 5-level progressive jackpot series, Rapid Shot. This link features three titles, Rapid Shot Diamond, Rapid Shot Ruby and Rapid Shot Sapphire, all of which are played at five reels, thirty lines, and in a penny denomination. This progressive series features a 60” LCD monitor displaying the five levels of jackpots available and overhead signage to give great product visibility from any location on casino floors. The most player appealing feature this series has to offer is no matter how small or how large the bet, a jackpot can be won on any bet level! The Rapid Shot feature is triggered when the Rapid Shot symbol appears on reel 3. It consists of 1 Free Game and can be retriggered if the Rapid Shot symbol appears on reel 3 again. During the base game or Rapid Shot free game, if 6 or more (Diamond, Ruby, or Sapphire) symbols appear the corresponding Progressive is won. The Mystery Rapid Shot may be randomly triggered at the end of the Rapid Shot free game. No credit award is won with any symbol combination except the Progressive symbols. Mystery Rapid Shot ends when the Progressive is won. Make your best shot at winning the jackpot a “Rapid Shot!” Players can expect to see this game on casino floors around the Southwest in the near future. $

10 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com


New Slots Coming Soon From Bally Technologies

GREAT GAMES

Devilicious A Game So Good, It’s Bad! By Amanda Riddle

D

on’t let her luscious looks and sweet smile fool you, Devilicio us is no angel as she takes you on a wickedly entertaining journey jampacked with flirty fun and interactive bonuses! This new game from Bally Technologies features the crowd-pleasing U-Spin Wheel and Free Games, plus two popular play mechanics. With all this sinful gameplay and the lovely Devilicious dancing along to your wins, this game will remind you why it’s more fun to be naughty than nice! This five-reel, 30-line game is featured on Bally’s towering Pro Series V22/42 cabinet with a ceiling-grazing 42-inch high-definition display. When you land full stacks of Wheel Bonus or Wheel Bonus Wild symbols on reels two, three, and four, you are awarded a dual wheel that you can touch and spin. The outer wheel awards credits as the inner wheel continues to spin, leaving you on the edge of your seat as you wait for your multiplier value. The game features two play mechanics – Mystery Stacks and Hot Zones – in both the base game AND the free games. With Mystery Stacks, mystery symbols are randomly replaced by one or two symbols to create a chance for big five-of-a-kind wins. During Hot Zones, blocks of hearts randomly land on the reels and turn the corresponding symbols wild. A full stack of Free Game or Free Game Wild symbols on reels two, three, and four trigger the Free Games Bonus. The bonus starts with a pick’em feature that gives you the chance to choose from 30 tiles. When you match three, you win five, seven, 10, or even 20 free games. Adding to the insane thrills, five Devilicious symbols on an active pay line in the base game or free games award a huge jackpot. This towering temptress is coming to casino floors soon and she’s ready to have some fun. Take a closer look for some Devilicious wins! $

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

11


GREAT GAMES

New Slots From IGT

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Progressive Video Slots

M

ust-see TV becomes must-play video slots with IGT’s delightful duo of slot machines inspired by the number one talk show on daytime television: The Ellen DeGeneres Show Featuring Ellen’s Dance Party Video Slots and The Ellen DeGeneres Show Featuring 12 Days of Giveaways Video Slots. Both games are housed on IGT’s CrystalCore cabinet, boasting exceptional sound and visuals on a pristine 42” vertical touchscreen display. The Ellen DeGeneres Show Featuring Ellen’s Dance Party Video Slots features Ellen’s Dance Party Free Spin Bonus, which when triggered, transforms the game’s reels into a boogie-down bonus round where music motivates fun and big wins are just a spin away. When the Free Spin Bonus is triggered on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Featuring 12 Days of Giveaways Video Slots, players spin reels full of holiday-themed symbols and multipliers that increase with each spin, from 1x to 12x. Also available on both games, is the Know or Go Bonus, where trusting contestants stand upon a platform and are eliminated, one-by-one, based on player selections as well as Ellen’s Wheel of Riches Bonus, offering lucky players the chance at a windfall of wins – including one of two of the game’s progressive jackpot awards. For more information, visit igt.com. $

12 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com


New Slots Coming Soon From WMS

GREAT GAMES

Heat Wave Win Up To 7 Guaranteed Winning Spins

I

ntroducing a new high-denomination theme that is sure to light a fire in your heart! Specifically designed with the mechanical player in mind, the Heat Wave game features a unique, randomly awarded bonus that awards up to seven free spins that are guaranteed to win! But that’s not all: if any Double or Triple Heat Wave Wild symbols appear on the reels during the feature, they will remain on the triggering reels for the remainder of the feature! Featuring a round top with glass over an incandescent LED monitor, and a clear transmissive LED panel that allows full visibility of the reels, all high-denomination Blade stepper cabinet themes are sure to bring a modernized look and feel to the classic mechanical game. Visit wms.com/now or youtube.com/wmsslots today for more information on this and other unique gaming experiences!

BATTLESHIP Colossal Reels & Pin-Up Girls—Pegs Away!

T

he Battleship brand is back, this time with a beautiful new twist — pin-up girls! Combining the board game that you know and love with the provenperforming Colossal Reels play mechanic, this game is sure to have you on board! Any random winning spin may award the Battle Board Feature , where you pick spots on the WMS version of the classic board game for Wild reels, multipliers, or more. Pick a pin-up girl as an opponent in the Battleship Spins Bonus awarding the Subm arine Spins, Battleship Spins, or a combination of the two. Collect symbols to fire missiles at the top screen, potentially sinking a ship for a progressive in the Battleship Spins, or watch as pegs fly onto the reels, potentially hitting their target and leaving a Wild symbol behind in the Submarine Spins. But that’s not all—watch as stacks of Wilds appear fully on the main array and transfer over to the Colossal Reels array, in the transferring Wilds feature! So come aboard and ride along to now.wms.com to learn more about the latest Battleship slot from WMS! $

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

13




GREAT GAMES

New Slots At Desert Diamond Casinos

AVATAR Treasures Of Pandora

D

esert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment celebrated the arrival of the new James Cameron’s Avatar: Treasures of Pand ora Video Slots from IGT at their Tucson location with some special guests on September 13, 2014. Costumed characters from Avatar visited the casino floor to pose for photos with guests. A limited number of complimentary Avatar t-shirts were also given away. Turnout for the event was huge, with many excited guests snapping photos with the costumed Na’vi warriors and trying out the fantastic new video slots. Avatar: Treasures of Pandora lets players relive the most thrilling moments from the Academy Award-winning film with immersive technology. Housed in IGT’s all new CrystalCore gaming cabinet, this 2-up MultiPLAY game features two 5-reel base games that play simultaneously with independent reels, each offering 243 Ways-to-Win. There are three bonus features—Pandoran Night Free Games, Banshee Match, and Willow Glade—and players who are playing both base games can trigger two features on a single spin. You can take your own trip to Pandora by at Desert Diamond Casinos’ Tucson location on Nogales Highway, where Avatar: Treasures of Pand ora is just one of the many fantastic new games arriving each week.

Jenga: Tower Of Money Now At Desert Diamond Casinos In Tucson

D

esert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment is bringing IGT’s new Jenga: Tow er of Money Video Slots to Tucson for the first time! Offering a super-sized interface, the engaging base game features wild reels, which turns an entire reel into a Jenga tower that acts as a wild for all symbols. Players spell out J-E-N-G-A in the base game to enter one of three interactive bonuses: Jenga Free Games Bonus: Players choose Jenga blocks before entering the free games bonus with the opportunity to win additional multipliers, wild symbols, or wild reels. Play Jenga Pick Bonus: An industry first choose-your-volatility pick bonus allows the player to choose from one of two Jenga towers, either “Play it safe” or “Play it risky”. Once a tower has been selected, a game of Jenga ensues where players get to select Jenga blocks and try to not topple the tower. Stack n’ Win Bonus: Players can win up to three jackpots at a time in this exciting interactive bonus where the player races to build up red, blue, and yellow Jenga towers. Jenga: Tower of Money offers players an exciting new way to experience this iconic game. To try building your own tower of money, visit Desert Diamond Casinos’ Tucson location on Nogales Highway. $

16 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com



WINNING WAYS

2014 National TournEvent Of Champions Winner Kathryn McDonald (Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, WA), The TournEvent Team, Her $200,000 Check And Ring.

Multimedia’s TournEvent Why Participating In The Only National Slot Tournament Is So Important For Players

A

n eventful evening at the XS Nightclub inside Wynn Las Vegas on October 1st saw Multimedia Games crowning the new National TournEve nt of Cham pions victor, the announcement of a $1 million grand prize for the 2015 TournEvent of Champions Championship, and $30,000 awarded to various charities. In the marquee event, McDonald, representing the Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, Washington prevailed over 122 other top tournament slots players in a loud and intense competition to become the 2014 National Champion in the National TournEvent of Cham pions. McDonald walked away with an exquisite champion’s ring and a $200,000 winner’s check. On a day that kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, McDonald, a two-time breast cancer survivor was all smiles as

18 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

she celebrated her victory with a crowd of well-wishers. “My husband keeps trying to give me strategy,” she said, “but I told him I would win by having fun, and I did. I’m just so happy.” The National TournEvent of Cham pions finals pitted 123 finalists representing 103 casinos from around the country in a highenergy battle for tournament slots supremacy that started with qualifying TournEvents as early as April of this year. “Our casino partners all across the country did a great job at hosting the qualifier events throughout the summer,” said Patrick Ramsey, Multimedia Games CEO. “And all the competitors here tonight for the finals represented their casinos with fierce competitiveness, showcasing the intensity of TournEvent. Our congratulations go out to Kathryn for her exciting victory.”


WINNING WAYS Although just in its third year, the National TournEvent TournEvent of Champions has exploded in popularity and virtually doubled in size each year. And 2015 promises to do the same with an announced $1 million dollar grand prize for a total purse of $1.3 million. “The success of TournEvent of Cham pions really belongs to the casinos running events throughout the year,” said Ramsey. “The format of the event adds undeniable electricity to the casino floor, and the casinos along with our promotions team, do a great job of drawing in big crowds to compete, many of them competing for the very first time.” The 2015 TournEvent of Cham pions will boast a $1 million top prize, $1.3 million in total prizes, more than 250 casinos in over 27 states have the opportunity to host casino finals to qualify players for the national final on September 30, 2015. During the 2014 TournEvent of Champions qualifying rounds at Harrah’s Ak Chin (Maricopa, AZ) and Desert Diamond Casinos (Tucson, AZ) had Betty Marshburn (Phoenix, AZ) and Dolores Garcia (Tucson, Z) representing Arizona at the finals on October 1 of this year. Betty finished sixth at the finals, netting her $9,000 in winnings! How can you participate in the 2015 TournEvent of Champions? Walk up to your favorite casino’s player’s club and tell them to inform the casino’s Slot Director and Player’s Club Director you and your friends want to participate in a casino qualifier at the casino during the 2015 TournEvent. Otherwise, watch for details on the 2015 TournEvent of Cham pions in upcoming issues! $

Harrah’s Ak-Chin 2014 TournEvent Winner Betty Marshburn (Phoenix, AZ) With The TournEvent Team Holding Her Ticket To The National Finals In Las Vegas, NV

Arizona Winner Betty Marshburn (center) At The National Finals In Las Vegas, NV

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

19



CASINO DINING

I’ll Drink to That… A look at bar specials in Arizona casinos By Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford

C

asinos have become more than just gambling destinations, they are truly all-encompassing venues for gaming, entertainment, food and socializing. A large part of the socializing are the adult beverages offered, whether it be happy hour specials, signature cocktails or cold beer during the football game. Because of that, Arizona Gaming Guid e takes you on a tour of some of the best drink specials at casinos across the state. Here’s to Happy Hour If you are fortunate enough to live or work near one of the many casinos in Arizona, then knowing the happy hour specials at your local casino bar is a must.

For those who enjoy a stronger drink, Casino Del Sol’s Tequila Factory offers half off selected tequila and half off all Mexican beer from 4pm to 6pm on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They offer the same special during a late night happy hour from 10pm to close on Fridays and Saturdays. Also at the casino is the happy hour special at the elegant PY Steakhouse. Tuesday through Saturday between 4pm and 6pm, and from 10pm to midnight, PY steakhouse guest can receive half off selected whiskey drinks, and half off all specialty cocktails and wines by the glass.

“At Talking Stick Resort our Blue Coyote Café offers an exceptional happy hour menu Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 7pm,” says Ramon Martinez, spokesman for Talking Stick Resort. “The happy hour features two dollar domestic draft beers and a three dollar discount price on sushi, including California rolls, shrimp nigiri and spicy crab rolls.”

In Yuma, Quechan Casino Resort offers a double happy hour special that runs Monday through Friday, from 9am to noon and from 4pm to 7pm. They offer affordable prices of $2.75 for Bud Light or Coors light drafts, house wine or well drinks.

On the other side of town in Phoenix, at the Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino, their main happy hour occurs at Ditka’s restaurant, owned by the legendary Chicago Bears football player and coach Mike Ditka.

Drink making, or mixology, as it is known within the food and beverage industry has become just as competitive between bartenders as menu items are between chefs in a restaurant.

“It is the first and only Ditka’s in Arizona, and the only one on the entire West Coast,” says Melody Hudson, director public relations for Vee Quiva. “We know there is a large base of Chicago natives here in the Valley, and also some huge Bear fans. We wanted to offer an experience that would make them feel at home will also treating guests to a taste of the Windy City.” The Ditka’s happy hour is available from Wednesday to Friday, from 5pm to 7pm. The happy hour consists of three dollar draft beers, four dollar wines and five dollar martinis. Vee Quiva casinos other happy hours are available Monday to Friday, beginning at 4pm to 7pm at the Square Bar, VQ Live and Corner Bar featuring half off domestic drafts, house wines and well drinks. In Tucson, Casino del Sol boasts several happy hour specials that satisfy all types of tastes. The Prema bar has happy hour every weekday from 4pm to 6pm, with four dollar well drinks and draught beer, five dollar call drinks and six dollar premium and specialty cocktails.

Signature Drinks and Other Drink Specials

“Talking Stick Resort’s signature drink is Tito’s Moscow Mule, made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Gosling’s ginger beer and served over ice in a traditional copper mug,” says Martinez. “It is available at our fine dining restaurant Orange Sky starting at 5pm every day.” Talking Stick is also known for its Talking Stick Cooler drink, popular amongst its pool guests and made with Grey Goose citron vodka, cranberry juice and a lemon twist. “It is busting with citrus flavor and it is the ultimate refreshment on a hot Arizona day,” says Martinez. Vee Quiva has a weekly ladies night drink special from 4pm to 10pm with domestic drafts, house wines and well drinks at half off for female patrons. “Our casinos offer guests a high-energy entertainment experience that includes cocktail selections,” says Hudson. (Continued on page 23)

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

21



CASINO DINING (Continued from page 21)

At Talking Stick Resort guests can also enjoy well cocktails for four dollars and Montpellier Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon for five dollars. Additionally, Ocean Trail celebrates “Fat Tuesday,” every Tuesday, offering guests Bacardi hurricanes all day long for four dollars. Don’t Forget About Football With the onset of the football season, Arizona casinos are very excited for the additional patrons to come in and watch the games. To give them a warm welcome many casinos offer football-related drink specials available only during the season’s football games. At Vee Queva they offer two dollar Bud Light drafts to all table game players during Monday Night Football broadcasts. At Talking Stick Resort, football-related drink specials are available throughout the casino floor. During game time a 16-ounce domestic draft beer is only $3.50. So whether you are imbibing in beverages at the casino for football, fun with family and friends or just finishing a tough week at work, know what casino bar makes your dollars stretch the furthest to quench your thirst! $ Editor’s Note: AZ Gaming Guide acknowledges that alcohol consumption should only be done responsibly by adults age 21 and older. Also, any time you consume alcohol at a casino or elsewhere, you should come with a designated driver or use a taxicab service.

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

23


DUCK DYNASTY Bally Technologies The beards are big and the bonuses are even bigger in the A&E Duck Dynasty branded video slot game by Bally in conjunction with G2 Game Design. The Duck Dynasty slot, also presented on the Pro Theatre, will have players hunting for more with a wheel feature jam-packed with six different bonuses inspired by A&E’s no. 1 original series and the most-watched reality cable TV show in history. While at the show we spent some time in the Duck Dynasty hunting blind Bally set up in their booth near these slots and we saw slot directors express interest in bringing this game to their casinos!

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

ELVIS

SONS OF ANARCHY Aristocrat Technologies The action-packed slot game Sons of Anarchy comes to life in all of its gritty glory with Jax, Gemma, Clay and all of viewers’ favorite characters. Sons of Anarchy is a multi-site progressive game with a chance to win a $500,000+ jackpot and is packed with features that are engaging to dedicated fans as well as to players who are about to become big fans. “Our designers have been working closely with the FX team at Sons of Anarchy, and the creative result is a game that perfectly captures the essence of the show and combines that with Aristocrat’s proven math” said Aristocrat VP of Gaming Operations Dallas Orchard.

WMS Gaming This brand new slot was on display at G2E complete with Elvis impersonators belting out all the glorious hits “The King” recorded. Once a flagship brand for rival slot machine manufacturer IGT, WMS has taken Elvis to new starstruck heights on a 21st century slot machine. The three reels may still be there but the entertainment factor is amped up with the massive wheel in the top box and the large video screen over the reels reinforcing the three level progressive system built into the game. Once this game hits casino floors you’ll be singing along with Elvis tunes while you score some great wins!

24 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

IGT Celebrating IGT’s commitment to ten more years of legendary Wheel of Fortune games: the world’s most popular slot theme sets sail for the tropics with Wheel of Fortune Jack po t Paradise. This slot features a touchscreen interface and interactive bonus rounds. The five-reel game introduces a playful symbol set including kiwis, coconuts, beaches, bananas and more. Players connect with increased player communications and enjoy scale-withplay progressives, in addition to the Wide Area Progressive top award, aptly titled Jackpot Pick Bonus. We can’t wait until the wheel rolls our way for a lucky jackpot!


COOL JEWELS WMS Gaming The first ever game using the Exploding Pays game engine, provides players a new experience in 6x6 cascading reels. Shattering, Unstable, Shocking and Persisting Wild symbols give players multiple ways to win! This game uses no pay lines. Instead, the same symbol appearing in groups of 4 or more wins! When two of the same Wild symbols appear next to each other horizontally, a Locked Wild is activated. Locked Wilds remain in play until they cascade off. Two separate Wild symbols appearing next to each other horizontally combine for increased effects. This unique game play is poised to take off!

DRAGON SPIN Bally Technologies The Pro Wave 360° redefines community-style gaming with its circular display featuring five Pro Wave cabinets, a striking 50-inch curved 360-degree video topper, and 360-degree surround sound. This headturning configuration features a new game, Dragon Spin, in which players share the joys of winning and bonuses. When the dragon stops at a player’s game mystery prizes or free games are awarded including a chance at up to five different progressives. This slot gives community gaming a new boost as every player wins in a non-competitive game play environment. You won’t miss this game when it arrives!

BUCKAROO Multimedia Games We really hope a lot of slot directors paid attention to this game in Multimedia’s booth. Sure, we want to see banks of the popular TournEvent machines in all of Arizona’s casinos, but a few of these Buck aroo slots with the Windfall Reel math mechanic wouldn’t hurt either! The hook is simple. When you are awarded a line win, the game evaluates the pay and then clicks all five reels three positions down giving players a shot at more wins on the new reel screen. Get another line win and the process repeats. We played this game for a while and managed to hit several bonuses via the Windfall Reels!

NINJA WARRIOR Aruze Gaming The Japanese master in stealth and martial arts displays his combative abilities in this 5 reel 30 line stepper Ninja Warrior. This Innovator slot offers 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. The Ninja Bonus is comprised of the Ninja Star Selection and 10 Free Games. 3, 4, and 5 Bonus symbols give 1, 2, and 3 Ninja Star Selections respectively. Multipliers awarded in the random roulette during the Ninja Star Selection will be multiplied together! $

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

25


TRIBAL NEWS Hand-carved Pascola masks used in Pascua Yaqui ceremonial dances.

Images And Words By Lee Allen

W

e celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special events of significance, so why not an annual Recognition Day to commemorate federal recognition as an official Indian tribe? The Pascua Yaqui tribe is one of the latecomers to the list of 22 federally-recognized tribes in Arizona, this year celebrating its 36th year of recognition with ceremony and sacred ritual, but mostly with song and dance of their culture. In late September, the tribe opened its doors for this year’s Recognition Day event that offered a timeline of the Yaqui/ Yoeme tribal progression and accomplishments. The event was both cultural and commercial as it coincided with Casino del Sol’s 20th “Solebration” of 20 years as Tucson’s premier entertainment destination, the only casino resort in the state with a Forbes 4-Star and an AAA 4-Diamond rating.

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

“Close to a thousand people, tribal members, visiting tribes from Arizona, California, and Mexico, members of the general public --- they all gathered in an upbeat, happy atmosphere with lots of smiles and laughter,” said Daniel Vega, Director of the Pascua Yaqui Department of Language and Culture. “It was a day of fun as well as a day of pride. We have a rich history and Recognition Day allows us to come together as a large reunited community with a collective Yaqui identity.” Attendees joined prayer leaders, kantoras (female singers), and oficios from the Pahko’ola and Deer Dance societies as part of the colorful cultural day-long event. The ever-popular deer dancers represent a blend of ancient Yaqui beliefs and religion brought to them by Jesuit priests in the 1500s and displayed by dancers wearing deer’s head headdress with steps imitating the movements of the graceful forest crea-


TRIBAL NEWS ture. Deer dancers, a central feature of the spiritual lives of today’s Pascua Yaqui tribal members, are believed to come from a flower-filled spiritual world of natural beauty, according to tribal historian Ernesto Quiroga Sandoval. “Creator allowed some ocean animals to emerge onto land in the short human form of the Surem, early ancestors of the Yaquis who lived in a time of peace-loving, gentle people with no need for government. Life in the Sonoran desert was harmonious perfection until God prophesied about invaders and disunity. The Surem became frightened and transformed into taller, defensive people called Hiakim (Yaquis) or Yo’emen (The People).” In a lengthy dissertation on the subject, Wikipedia reported: “The Yaqui concept of the world (ania in their language) is composed of five separate worlds --- the desert wilderness world, a mystical world, a flower world, a dream world, and a night world. Much Yaqui ritual is centered on perfecting these worlds and eliminating the harm that has been done to them… especially by people.” Called by numerous names, the Yaqui peoples have been around since 500 AD, living along rivers in Mexico where they gathered wild desert foods, hunted game, cultivated corns/ beans/squash and traded native goods with other indigenous groups. The start of contemporary life occurred in mid-1500 when Yaquis saw the first white men, Spanish military expeditions in search of slaves, and 400 years of struggle, frequently armed, began. Estimations are that by the early 1900s, at least 5,000 Yaqui had been sold into forced slavery. Louis David Valenzuela is a nationally-known Yaqui woodcarver who makes many of the pascola masks used in tribal ceremonies: “Like all indigenous tribes throughout the New World, ours is a long and bloody history. Our fertile river valley in Mexico was sought after by Mexican and white setters alike. Yoemes were repeatedly selected for slavery, deportation and death, so we trained ourselves to fight and die if necessary to protect our lands. We are the only Indian tribe that has never officially surrendered to either the government of Mexico or the United States.” While the resistance to subjugation continued along the Rio Yaqui, many of the peace-loving peoples fled Sonora to the U.S. to relocate in communities in Arizona along the Gila and Santa Cruz River valleys. Guadalupe in the Phoenix area took its early form in 1880 and Barrio Libre and Tucson’s Old Pascua Village was established in 1903. Other settlements popped up in Tubac and Marana while Indian and cavalry conflicts continued until a final battle at Arivaca in 1918. The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 played a major role in the development of the concept of federal recognition and historians noted that by the 1950s and early 1960s, “the federal government saw that certain tribes were sufficiently capable of selfgovernment and thus no longer in need of federal supervision.” In the early 1960s, the Pascua Yaqui Association with the aid of

Pascua Yaqui tribal woodcutter Louis David Valenzuela takes machete and knife in hand to begin carving a new mask for deer dancers.

Congressman Morris K. Udall lobbied for a land base and in 1964 the Pascua Yaquis became recipients of 202 acres of desert land southwest of Tucson where homes and infrastructure could be developed and where Indian identity and sovereignty could be asserted and maintained. According to the tribe’s historical chronologue: “On September 18, 1978, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona became federally recognized and the Pascua Pueblo of the reservation came into being.” The Pascua Yaqui tribe was the last tribe recognized prior to the formal Bureau of Indian Affairs Federal Acknowledgement Process initiated in late 1978. Today, governed by a council of eleven elected officials dedicated to the well-being and advancement of their tribe as a whole, the tribe operates Casino of the Sun gaming and a second property, Casino del Sol, that opened in the fall of 2011. “In the short time since the federal recognition doors opened for us, our growth has been rapid and our accomplishments many,” said Vega. “We’ve been able to grow and sustain ourselves as a community, much of it based on the sacrifices of our elders who’ve paved the pathway for the current generation.” $ azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

27



TRIBAL NEWS

Arizona Indian Festival Coming To Scottsdale During The Big Game

Apache Dancers From The Centennial Event

T

he Arizona American Indian Tourism Association (AAITA) and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts are partnering to bring the Arizona Indian Festival to the Scottsdale Civic Center Park, January 29th through 31st, 2015, located at 3939 North Drinkwater Boulevard. Be near the action and excitement of the Waste Management Open, ESPN Fanfest and all the activities surrounding the big game, while experiencing the culture of Arizona's 22 tribes first-hand, through traditional music, social dances, artist demonstrations, village replicas and authentic Native American jewelry, paintings, pottery and more.

Guests Taking Part In An O’odham (Pima) And Piipaash (Maricopa) Dance Circle

look forward to having guests from all over the city, state, and country enjoy outdoor entertainment at its finest. It will be a wonderful experience." The event is free, family-friendly and open to the public Thursday, January 29 through Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 10am to 7pm daily. For more info, visit ArizonalndianTourism.org or point your browser to their Facebook page at Facebook.com/AmericanlndianFestival. $

"It's truly a wonderful opportunity for the AAITA to welcome visitors/guests from across this nation to 'Native Arizona'. Through cultural sharing and demonstrations, we have opened a dialogue for networking and entertainment. Our 7 villages onsite, representing the Tribal Nations of Arizona, will give visitors the chance to travel and experience the rich cultural heritage that is Native Arizona without leaving the city. There will be something for everyone; from the serious art collector to the casual souvenir hunter. Families are encouraged to come engage in one on one conversations with Native people from all over Arizona. The Arizona Indian Festival hopes to strength the bond of community and education," said President of AAITA, Donovan Hanley. Guests will be able to meander through traditional villages, exploring traditional dwellings, tools and way of life, while Native American artists of all genres will provide demonstrations, tell stories, play music and share traditional dances. The Arizona Indian Festival would not be complete without the sweet and savory aromas that will fill the air as authentic Native American foods will be prepared onsite. "We are very happy to host this event in the Scottsdale Civic Center Park, said Events Services Coordinator Sai Powers. "We azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

29


GAMING NEWS Aristocrat’s The Walking Dead Slot Product Of Year

A

ristocrat won top honors at the Global Gaming Awards recently in Las Vegas, with its runaway smash hit The Walk ing Dead Slot Game named Casino Product of the Year. “The Walking Dead Slot Game has been an instant, incredible success, with operators and players everywhere responding very positively to the game,” said Aristocrat Vice President of Gaming Operations Dallas Orchard. “We licensed this product as part of our commitment to operators to bring industryleading content to the casino floor, and we are thrilled to be honored in such a way for our efforts.” One of Aristocrat’s most successful products in 61 years, The Walk ing Dead Slot Game is field-proven to appeal to a wide cross-section of players. After six months in the field, the game continues to be a topseller and top performer. With more than 250 units already in casinos from coast to coast, players can easily find the game at their favorite nearby casino. Players can discover where to play and more information about the slot at AristocratPlayingDead.com. Aristocrat’s The Walk ing Dead Slot Game grabs players and puts them right in the middle of the record-breaking show’s gritty post-apocalyptic world with a chance to win a grand jackpot that starts at $500,000.00!

Shula’s Steak House At Wild Horse Pass Wins Award

F

or the third consecutive year, Shula’s Steak House located inside Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino has been honored by Wine Spectator Magazine with their Award of Excellence. The 2014 Restaurant Wine List Award winners span all 51 states in addition to international restaurants. This year, 2,791 restaurants earned the Award of Excellence. These winners offer an interesting and diverse selection of 90 or more wines that are well-presented and thematically match the restaurant cuisine. Shula’s Steak House at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino offers an extensive wine collection of 3,750 wines with 315 labels.

Shula's Steak House is located in the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 15 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. One of the Top Five Steak Houses in America, Shula’s Steak House serves The Best Beef Money Can Buy, also known as The Shula Cut. Shula’s provides fine dining with an award-winning menu and exceptional team service. The restaurant themed after the 1972 Miami Dolphins' “Perfect Season”—the only team in NFL history to finish a season undefeated. Shula's can also accommodate private group functions and dinners. For more information on Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino and Shula’s Steak House, visit their website at WinGilaRiver.com. $

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com


GAMING NEWS Talking Stick Cultural and Entertainment Destination Launches Trolley Service

T

he Talking Stick Cultural and Entertainment Destination and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community proudly announce extended season trolley service that will be offered to visitors in the city of Scottsdale and patrons of the Talking Stick Destination beginning October 11, 2014. Complimentary Talking Stick trolley service will run 12pm to 10pm. Thursday to Saturday and 12pm to 6pm on Sundays, with extended daily service being offered during Spring Training season. The trolley will connect seamlessly with Scottsdale’s existing routes, stopping at several Scottsdale hotspots like the W Scottsdale Hotel, Scottsdale Fashion Square and Chaparral Suites Resort, and will ultimately connect patrons to amenities located in the Talking Stick Destination Area, including Talking Stick Golf Club, Talking Stick Resort, Octane Raceway, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and the Talking Stick Visitor Center. “The Talking Stick Trolley is an extension of the service we offer each Spring Training season,” said Marketing Project Manager Blessing McAnlis-Vasquez. “Fans of sports, culture and entertainment will find many amenities to cheer about at Talking Stick and this complimentary service will allow them to enjoy them year round. We invite friends and visitors to let us take the wheel and bring you to the ultimate cultural and entertainment destination area that is Talking Stick.”

Service will run October thru May annually and is being sponsored by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and several Talking Stick area properties. For additional information on route locations and times, please make sure to visit their website TalkingStickArizona.com. $

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

31


ARIZONA LOTTERY

New Game

Monopoly Millionaires’ Club Lottery Game To Make More And More Millionaires

T

he Arizona Lottery will join lotteries across the country in offering a new draw game, Mono p oly Millionaires’ Club that will spread the wealth among players by offering multiple million dollar prizes in conjunction with a Top Prize that is capped at $25 million. With three different ways to win, the Monopoly Millionaires’ Club game is already on sale in Arizona as of October 19, and is the first game to combine the high-stakes and rich rewards of multi-state lottery gaming with the fun and entertainment of a national television game show featuring players selected from among the lottery’s ticket holders who have registered their tickets online or via a smartphone app. Players can win the Top Prize (up to $25 million); become one of the many, randomly-selected $1 million winners when another player wins the Top Prize; or register a ticket online where they will build Monopoly brand themed property sets to earn entries in a drawing for a chance to appear on the nationally televised game show, which will have more than $2.5 million in available prize money on each episode. Monopoly Millionaires’ Club is a $5 draw game and will be the first multi-state draw game at this price level in the United States, though $5 is the most popular price point for instant scratch ticket games. This $5 price point strengthens the game’s play value while differentiating it within lottery draw game portfolios. The unique design of the Monop oly Millionaires’ Club lottery game is expected to generate more millionaires than any other game in lottery history. With the draw taking place on Friday evenings at 11:15pm Eastern, players across the country will have the opportunity to wake up a millionaire. In early 2015, the Monopoly Millionaires’ Club television series will welcome players from participating states to its studio audience in Las Vegas where they will compete before a live audience to win $1 million. Comedian and actor Billy Gardell (Mik e & Molly, You, Me and Dupree) has been tapped to host the show. The Monop oly Millionaires’ Club lottery game represents a response to the wishes of lottery players who said that they would like a game with more substantial winners than just one or two enormous jackpot winners. “We are thrilled to launch Monop oly Millionaires’ Club, which is in response to lottery players wanting to spread the wealth. This lottery game was designed to mint

more simultaneous millionaires than any other game in lottery history,” said Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery. This new approach to a national jackpot game was created by Scientific Games and branded with Hasbro’s iconic Mono poly game, which is one of the most well-known brands in the world. “The Monop oly brand is one of the most successful brands in gaming with players winning with Monopoly-branded lottery, slots and sweepstakes. With our Mono poly Millionaires’ Club lottery game, the Top Prize will break the bank and make more millionaires than ever before,” said Steve Saferin, president of properties group and chief creative officer for Scientific Games. “Our player research consistently indicates that participants would prefer to see the millions of dollars in lottery prizing distributed to multiple winners, rather than one or two players winning hundreds of millions of dollars each.” On each ticket in the Monop oly Millionaires’ Club lottery game, there will be a unique code that players can use to register their tickets online for a chance to appear on the television show. Thousands of players will win a five-day, four-night trip for two to Las Vegas to join the show’s studio audience of other players. Some studio audience members will be selected at random to compete on the television show. Contestants on the show will play a series of games with a Monop oly theme, each of which will offer cash and other prizes valued up to $100,000. A final round will offer one player on each episode a shot at $1 million. For more information visit Lottery.AZ.Gov. $

Drawings every Friday evening & 3 ways to win!

Players can win the Top Prize (up to $25 million) Players can become one of the many, randomly-selected $1 million winners when another player wins the Top Prize

Players

register a ticket online where they will build Monopoly brand themed property sets to earn entries in a drawing for a chance to appear on the nationally televised game show, which will have more than $2.5 million in available prize money on each episode.

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com



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 August 2014 Slots

Laughlin River Lodge 800.835.7904 laughlinriverlodge.com 1,000+ guest rooms and suites, over 30,000 square feet of the hottest Vegas-style gaming, four restaurants, fast food options, & more!

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 $5

3.75

Craps

14.44

$1

4.74

Blackjack / 21

16.79

Multi-Denom 5.33

Roulette

20.06

25¢

5.44

Other Table Games 21.47

7.08

Pai Gow Poker

22.91

$25

8.93

Let It Ride

23.64

9.91

Three Card Poker

31.87

Tight Megabucks

10.32

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 | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

Loose Sports Pools Race Books

Tight Live Keno

Hold % Win Amount

Dollars

17.03

Slots

28.8 mil.

17.08

Tables

3.6 mil.

23.45

Other

0.5 mil.


Laughlin, Nevada

TRAVEL

Tropicana Laughlin To Host AVTT Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall

V

eterans and active members of America’s armed services travel great distances and make great sacrifices to preserve and protect freedom and liberty. The Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, NV believes that these sacrifices should be honored and remembered, which is why the Tropicana is pleased to announce that the American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall will be exhibited at the Tropicana Laughlin, November 8—11, 2014, during this year’s Veterans Weekend. The Traveling Wall is a 370 feet long replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. The 80% scale reproduction, which stands eight feet tall at its apex, contains all 53,253 names as inscribed on the original wall. The public is invited to view the wall free of charge and make rubbings of the names of their fallen loved ones. The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall will be available for viewing 24 hours a day in the North Parking Lot of the hotel. For those wishing to remember their visit, memorabilia will be available for purchase. The Tropicana Laughlin’s weekend of recognition also features outdoor food fests and a blood drive. The outdoor Victory Plaza

food fests take place on Sunday and Tuesday, November 9 and 11 from 3pm—7pm. The Sunday and Tuesday food fests offer the resort’s popular pig roast served with flame broiled corn on the cob, coleslaw, a corn muffin and strawberry shortcake for $10.99 per person. Guests may also earn 500 base points on their Trop Advantage Card each food fest day to receive a complimentary dinner. Free live entertainment and a cash bar will be featured Friday through Tuesday at Victory Plaza. On Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2015, American Veterans and a guest will receive complimentary food fest dinners. Veterans must have a Trop Advantage Veterans Players Card. Veterans signing up for a new membership must do so by Thursday, November 6, 2015 to be eligible for complimentary dinner. Proof of military service is required at sign-up to qualify for a Trop Advantage Veterans Players Card. $

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

35


CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Listings

Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Events: Dwight Yoakam—Nov. 8 BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm Events: Comedy Festival—Nov. 15 Jersey Boys Celebration—Dec. 20 Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin Tribute)—Nov. 7-9 Red Not Chili Peppers (Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute)—Nov. 21-22 Showstoppers Live Holiday Spectacular—Nov. 26-Dec. 20 Pyromania (Def Leppard Tribute)—Dec. 26-27 Monday Night Showroom Football—Mondays at 5:30pm The Arizona Room: Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to dance)—Tuesdays 6pm The AZTEX Band (Latin, R&B, Old School, Funk)—Tuesdays 8pm Country Dance Nights (Learn to dance)—Wed. & Thu. at 6pm The Tommy Ash Band (Country)—Wednesdays & Thursdays 8pm Pacquiao vs. Algieri (World Welterweight Championship)—Nov. 22 Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 AVA Amphitheater: Conjunto Fest—Nov. 8 Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Stargazer Pavillion: Taste of Verde Valley—Nov. 1 Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Karaoke with Bling Bling/DJ Sosa—Fr at 8pm Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: The Lettermen—Nov. 11 Thunder From Down Under—Dec. 13 Dance Fusion with DJ Blade—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: Polo Polo—Nov. 7 Christmas With The Celts—Nov. 29 Gary Allan—Dec. 6 Willie Nelson—Jan. 3 Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live music every weekend

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

For the first time in three years, Gary Allan is returning to Tucson on Saturday, December 6, 2014, sponsored by KIIM FM. Tickets start at $37.50 and are on sale now. Born in Southern California, Gary Allan began his musical life playing clubs during his high school years. After graduation, he developed a following in the area, regularly attracting an audience that featured a rare mix of rednecks in western boots and neoGoths with piercings and spiked hair. Allan was particularly inspired in a concert by the Highwaymen – Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson – to pursue music that mined the dangerous side of life. His most recent album, Set Yo u Free , was Allan’s inaugural No 1. album on the Billboard 200 chart, debuting at the top spot. Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said “We’re so excited to bring Gary Allan back to Tucson! Rolling Stone has listed him in their Top 20 must-see Country tours this fall, so get your tickets early. It's sure to be a packed house!” Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 The Lounge: Cha d Freema n & redline—1st, the Ohio Players—7th, Smooth Groove—8th, Reckless In Vegas—11th, True To Life Band— 14th, N-Focus—15th, Quantum—21st, Young Country—22nd, Song Remains The Same—26th, The Petty Breakers—28th, The Highwaymen Live—29th Wild Wednesdays Jukebox 6—5th, Yesterday Once More—12th, Linda Chorney—19th, Silhouette—26th The Lounge Happy Hour Sta rting No vember 8th Mo nda ys through Thursdays from 5-8pm. The Sahnas Brothers—Wednesdays 5-8pm. Amazing Dueling Pianos—Tuesdays starting Nov. 4th. 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 Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Phoenix area bands & DJs offer free live entertainment throughout the week featuring the Valley's best local bands & DJs


Editor’s Pick 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.

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Talking Stick Resort Presents

KC And The Sunshine Band November 16, 2014

Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Sidewinders Bar & Grill: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Pipa Event Center: Walk Like A Man (Tribute to The Jersey Boys)—Nov. 21 The O’Jays—Dec. 12 Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom & Grand Ballroom: Psychedelic Furs & The Lemonheads—Nov. 8 Nick Swardson—Nov. 15 KC and The Sunshine Band—Nov. 16 Adrian Belew Power Trio—Nov. 18 Tracy Lawrence—Nov. 21 An Unpredictable Evening With Todd Rundgren—Nov. 22 Jay Leno—Nov. 29 Blue October—Dec. 5 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: VQ Comedy Series (Manny Hernandez feat. Greg Freiler)—Nov. 8 The Rising (Bruce Springsteen Tribute)—Nov. 21 OneGunn One Love (Bob Marley Tribute)—Nov. 28 Ruben Ramon & The Mexican Revolution—Nov. 29 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: The Nirvana Experience—Nov. 1 Time In a Bottle (70s Rock & Pop Tribute)—Nov. 2 Merle Haggard—Nov. 7 Vietnamese Concert—Nov. 8 Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals—Nov. 14 KMLE Country Thunder Launchfest—Nov. 15 Don Rickles—Nov. 21 World Fighting Federation—Nov. 22 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy—Nov. 29 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

Talking Stick Resort invites guests to don their dancing shoes and Get Down Tonight when it hosts KC and the Sunshine Band on November 16. Known for their funk and R&B sound, the multi-platinum selling group shaped the sound of the 70s and 80s with their disco tracks and festive lyrics. Fans will groove and sway in the Salt River Grand Ballroom as the band plays their repertoire of feel-good music including That’s the Way (I Like It), (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty, and Give it Up. The band formed in 1973 but it wasn’t until 1975 that they reached mainstream success with the release of their second self-titled album. In addition to receiving triple platinum status, the album featured numberone Billboard Hot 100 singles Get Down Tonight and That’s the Way (I Like It). KC and the Sunshine Band would go on to release 11 additional studio albums, two of which were certified platinum and one that reached the triple platinum mark. In 2013, insiders recognized the band members for their contributions to the music industry, honoring them with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk Of Stars. For a full listing of entertainment this month and for more information, call 480.850.7777 or visit Talking Stick Resort’s 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 | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

37


CASINO NIGHTLIFE

By Ramses Ja

T

he last time I wrote about the nightlife offerings of Wild Horse Pass Casino, they had a club called Airia which was the talk of the town. The club boasted one of the best sound and lighting systems in the city, perhaps the coolest layout of any night club of its size, and last but not least, some of the biggest DJs on the west coast. I must admit that my heart broke a bit when Airia ceased operations because I never had a shot at spinning there. But, having lived vicariously through thenresident and dear friend, DJ Decipha, I knew it must have been something special! It seems as though the powers that be felt the same way! The club is back in full swing…rebranded as Chrome Nightclub! Now, you can come experience the valley’s hottest all-new night spot for an unmatched nightlife experience! Chrome Nightclub is loud, live and wild—like a party should be! After looking into what’s going on there, I definitely recommend stopping by and partaking! You can join DJ Alfredito every Friday night for Latin Ladies Night—where ladies are always free until 11pm! Alfredito spins the hottest and best in Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Reggaeton and more! On top of that, you can bypass the $10 cover charge and gain free admission with a ticket stub after select shows! This means that once you have enjoyed an awesome concert in the Ovations Live Showroom, you can keep the party going upstairs at Chrome Nightclub until the early morning! If you happen to be out on a Saturday night, make sure to join DJ Medik (aka, Mark Nielsen). Medik is a DJ and Video Producer based here in Phoenix, Arizona. He is known for creating and

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

performing video remixes of all styles of music, including Top 40, Hip Hop, and EDM. His smooth mixing style and his unique taste for dynamic music help him to transform Chrome Nightclub from an all-night club into an all-night party! With new life breathed back into the second floor of Wild Horse Pass Casino, I am legitimately excited to see what will come! If what is going on now is any indication, it looks like I may have my chance to spin there after all! Stay tuned! Chrome Nightclub is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm to 2am. They have an upscale dress code and there is a $10 cover charge. For information, VIP Reservations, and bottle service call 480.599.6878. For more information on Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, or the events scheduled at Chrome Nightclub, visit their website at WinGilaRiver.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

Tropicana Laughlin Opens Brand New Bingo Hall!

T

he Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino officially unveiled its new bingo room with a red ribbon cutting led by the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. The Trop Bingo room is a key feature in the resort’s recent casino renovations.

with a 9am & 9pm $1,000 No Split Coverall session (10 games), an 11am, 3pm, and 7pm Power Pay session (11 games), a 1pm Double Action Matinee session (10 games), and a 5pm Odd/ Even Coverall session (10 games). Cosmic Bingo is a 10 game session starting at 11pm every Saturday.

The tropical-themed bingo parlor features comfortable seating for 214 players, eighty Planet Bingo portable electronic handheld units, bingo monitors and beverage station within the enclosed 4,950 square feet of area on the casino floor.

For more information regarding Tropicana Laughlin and the new Trop Bingo room, and more, visit TropLaughlin.com. $

Bingo players may enjoy participating in a variety of promotions such as fun themed monthly bingo bashes, power pays, power ball progressives, double action sessions, odd/ even coveralls, beachcomber bonuses and hard luck insurance. The space transforms for Cosmic Bingo as black lights, laser lights and upbeat music align at 11pm every Saturday night. Sessions run daily starting bright and early

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

We-Mo 1:30, 2, 6, 6:30 & 7pm

300

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 10/01/14 & 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 | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com



FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH In honor of America Recycles Day on November 15th, find: ALUMINUM, BOOKS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARDBOARD, CARS, CLOTHING, GLASS, GRASS, MAGAZINES, OIL, PAPER, PLASTIC, RECYCLE, SACKS, SHOES, TIRES, TOYS. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)

U

C

Z

X

L

J

T

I

Q

S

X

B

S

Q

E

C

A

R

D

B

O

A

R

D

E

A

V

H

N

F

R

E

C

Y

C

L

E

E

X

X

S

S

O

O

P

I

J

T

G

L

A

S

S

P

O

N

V

E

V

A

I

R

J

H

O

X

G

G

H

B

A

N

S

H N

L

E

E

S

E

L

T

T

O

B

C

F

H

V

G

P

K

Q

D

P

A

L

U M

I

N

U M R

X

A

X

K

B

U M

Z

A

R

E

B

O

C

A

A

P

I

O

J

Y

Z

I

Z

J

C

F

A

I

S

Y

K

O

G

L

N N

X

U

T

I

R

E

S

S

V

K

N

F

S

E

N

I

Z

A

G

A M

K

O

S

Z

J

C

L

O

T

H

I

N

G

R

L

B

X

K

B

J

O

U

H

C

N

R

K

O

F

B

I

K

F

P

L

A

S

T

I

C

I

S

Y

O

T

Q O

S

K

C

A

S

B

M

C

A

R

S

A

E

U Q

G

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)

9

4

3

1

8

8 2

2

3

3

6 5

7

9

4 5

1

9

8

6

3 2

42 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

1

7 6



SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

Guess What? People Lie! That’s What They Tell Me By Sami Becker

D

uring one of my last casino trips I had what seems to be a rather typical encounter with another casino patron while seated at my favorite machine. A random stranger walked over to me and decided it was their time to share with me that the machine I was on had paid out big (to the tune of over $8,000.00) last night and it wasn't worth playing on now. In addition they politely informed me where I could find the exact same machine elsewhere on the floor and if I didn’t like that location perhaps I should try the same game at a nearby casino.

play that exact game and want you off it as fast as possible. They lie about when it last hit a jackpot, how much the win was for, and so on. Then she proceeded to remind me most slot attendants are aware of what machines hit when and for how much. First of all, they are there to clear the jackpot and pay out players! Second, even if the particular slot attendant is off duty a the time of the jackpot they all talk and will certainly find out about big wins from colleagues when their next shift starts.

What? Umm...did I just hear that? What a way to try and ruin a person’s day! Keep your stupid stories to yourself thank you very much! As you all know, I don’t believe much of what I hear coming out of people’s mouths (far to much b***s*** if you ask me), especially at the casino, but this story took the cake, all the icing, the flowers on top, and the sprinkles too! Fortunately, I suppose, a favorite slot attendant of mine happened to be within earshot of the one-sided conversation and came over to talk to me. She told me based on her experience in most cases these friendly folks who are so willing to share all this information about your favorite game are generally eager to

44 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

Finally, she confided, she can check in the system for the list of jackpots across the whole floor for the past several days. On that particular day she had recently accessed the system for another reason and noticed there was no “big” jackpot on my machine. As a matter of fact there hadn’t been a jackpot on my slot for two days and there hadn’t been a “big” jackpot for $8,000 or more in the casino for several days. The last large jackpot was on a video keno game for $7,000. Having just done that check she knew that fellow gambler was lying and told me not to listen to them. I guess I have to sympathize just a little bit with the people who feel the need to lie to such an extent at the casino. Perhaps they


SAMI’S SMACKDOWN are on a losing streak and are hoping to hit something with just a few dollars on the game I am occupying. Since I am sitting there and show no signs of moving, better they try to move me off the machine so they can try $5 and hope to win $10,000 (how or why I have no idea). Maybe they just came from the other game on the floor or the game at the other casino and their “stroke of luck” $5 investment didn’t work there and they have an itch to play my slot. I know I can become perturbed when my game is being played by someone. If I had a strong feeling to play a particular game and I can’t, that can irk me a little. But, I just revert to the thought that if the machine was taken, my luck wasn't meant to be on that game and I have to locate another game to find my luck! Stay positive people! Right? After all, I believe Lady Luck follows positive people around by the truckload and runs for the hills as far and as fast as possible with negative people! From now on I’m going to remember this latest incident and make sure to get it to stick in my head that all these stories people come up with while at the casino are probably not true and can just be designed to get me off my favorite machine just so they can try the game for a little while. Liars, the bunch of ’em! Now, if I could only figure out what to say back to these kinds of people! Or should I just ignore and not engage? What do my adoring fans think I should do? Write me! $

Do YOU have something to rant or rave about? Write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | November 2014 | Arizona Gaming Guide

45


Y

Y

Y

Y Y

11300 Resort Drive

Parker

888-243-3360 520

03. Bucky’s Casino

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 314

04. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 904

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 514

Y

Y

Y

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,089

Y

Y

Y

I-19, Exit 80

Tucson

866-332-9467 673

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

866-332-9467

Maricopa

480-802-5000 1,088

Pinetop

800-929-8744 831

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 418

Y

Y

Y

Y

888-777-4946 486

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 758

I-40, Exit 219

Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,082

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 241

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 906

777 Hwy. 260

20. Talking Stick Resort

Y

Y

58

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

17. Paradise Casino

Y

Y

855-765-7829 291

15. Lone Butte Casino

23. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

Y

855-765-7829 1,053

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 10/01/14 & 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 C A R D B R E C Y C G L R E S E P A B P O O K S S C L

O L A L

S A R D E E X S S O B T T O B A L U M

T E N I Z A O T H I N

P L A S T I C S S K C A S C A R

S H O E S

S N A C G I N U M R A S I R E S S G A M G L I Y O T O S

Sudoku Solution 9

6

1

7

5

4

8

2

3

3

7

2

1

6

8

4

5

9

4

5

8

9

2

3

7

1

6

2

3

9

4

8

5

6

7

1

7

8

5

6

9

1

2

3

4

1

4

6

2

3

7

5

9

8

5

1

3

8

7

6

9

4

2

6

9

4

5

1

2

3

8

7

8

2

7

3

4

9

1

6

5

46 Arizona Gaming Guide | November 2014 | azgamingguide.com

Smoke-Free Area

02. BlueWater Resort & Casino

Y

Arcade

800-272-2438 594

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




Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.