SEPTEMBER
Contents
IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 10 TABLE GAMES 14 NEW SLOTS 18 ARIZONA LOTTERY 20 DINING 22 WINNING WAYS 24 FEATURE STORY 26 TRIBAL NEWS 30 GAMING NEWS 34 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 38 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 40 CASINO BINGO 42 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 43 FUN FACTS 44 FUN & GAMES
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46 CASINO DIRECTORY
THERE’S MORE TO LOVE AT LONE BUTTE: EVENT CENTER, HIGH-LIMIT SLOTS & MORE!
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This magical pixie takes you on an adventure with enchanted reels and mythical artwork.
Four industry giants preview the casino slot floor of 2015, 2016, and beyond.
Here’s a good reason to head to Prescott, home of the largest stand of ponderosa pine forests in the U.S.
PEEK-A-BOO PIXIE SLOT BY BALLY
G2E 2015 TRADE SHOW NEW SLOT PREVIEW
PRESCOTT POW WOW SEPT. 25-27
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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EDITOR’S NOTE
G2E IS UPON US
Your Authority On Everything Gaming
Looking Forward To New Slots
VOLUME 07 • ISSUE 09 MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com
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ith September upon us, the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), held every year in Las Vegas, is right around the corner. I always look forward to seeing all the latest and greatest games the slot manufacturers have on display. The trade show gives the staff and I a chance to see what direction slot machine game design is going while also providing an amusing opportunity to predict which games will become hits and which will be busts with our fans and readers here in Arizona. Fortunately, our staff writer Rodric was given a bit of a sneak peek at some of the games to be showcased by a few of the major slot machine manufacturers at this year’s G2E. Take a look at the new slot preview in this month’s issue. We’ll also keep you updated with what we see at the show in the October and November issues! In this issue, you’ll find plenty of reasons to make your next trip to any casino a success. We’ve got the low down on a ton of new slots and those coming soon, plenty of tips for you to incorporate into casino visits, and much more! Please visit our Facebook at: faceboo k .com /Arizo naGam 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 AZGamingGuid e.com . Let me know what you think of this issue and have fun!
Alexandra Alexandra Lang Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com
PUBLISHER Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Lee Allen Mark Novak Cindy Esquer Amanda Riddle Lana Hartmann Samantha Becker Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford ADVERTISING SALES Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION www.azgamingguide.com www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
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Copyright © 2015 The Arizona Gaming Guide. All rights reserved. The Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG) presents casino industry and gaming related facts and editorial opinions. AGG accepts no responsibility and no liability for any actions of readers based on articles and/or advertisements presented within. Information contained within is not guaranteed to be correct. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners. Intended for single use. Sale and/or distribution without written consent is not permitted. 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 | September 2015 | 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
Continued from August, 2015
Each month we print responses to a select few of the many, many questions we receive via email and in our mailbox. However, there are always recurring questions we receive on a daily basis from readers and fans which tend to overlap in their topic. In order to best serve these questions, last month we thought we’d put together a list of common casino myths and explain why they are false in order to respond to as many readers as we possibly can. We have continued with this format in this issue. For last month’s questions and answers, please visit our website at azgamingguide.com and click on “Back Issues.” Thank you so much for your support, kind words and, of course, your questions! Please keep them coming as we love hearing from and interacting with all of you! Alexandra Lang—Editor Myth: The casinos “tighten” and “loosen” their slots whenever they want to. Reality: Many players believe that casinos just “tighten” or “loosen” their slots whenever they feel like it. Although this would be quite advantageous for the casino to be able to do this, it’s a very time consuming process that needs to involve a lot of people. When a new slot machine arrives at a casino it is initialized and the payback percentage is selected for the game. This is all done with a member of the overseeing agency recording all the settings of the game. It’s not in the best interest of any casino to change a game’s percentage to make it “tighter” or “looser” after the initial set-up because it requires down time, permission and oversight by a gaming agency, and additional administrative hassle. No slot director is ever going to want his or her slots off for more than a few minutes, let alone the days it would require to go through the rigorous routine of initializing a slot game, because this would mean lost revenue! Myth: You can’t win with casino free play. It’s just a joke to get you to come to the casino and spend your own money. Reality: Your chances of winning or losing using free play money for credits are no different than when you use real currency or tickets for credits. The slot machine does not change its behavior because of the type of credits that have been registered in the machine. These are the facts. Since the casino gaming industry is so heavily regulated here in the U.S., and in most other
countries around the world, there are many rules in place which ensure free play is fair for all players. Here’s a hint: keep track of how much you are winning with your free play money. Assume you have $10 in free play and you place 50¢ wagers. This means the free play money will allow you to have 20 free spins. Count the 20 spins, stop playing, look at your credit meter and see how much you’ve won using your free play! Chances are that there is money on the credit meter as it would be extremely unusual to go 20 spins and not hit anything at all even if you’re playing a highly volatile slot. Therefore, that money is yours and can be cashed out. Whether you choose to continue playing or cash out at that point is your decision!
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.
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
PLAYERS TALK
Continued from page 6
Myth: When playing the slots, your bonus picks don’t matter. The game already determines the outcome which is why you always get the lowest amounts. Reality: This is not entirely true! During bonuses that involve picking one or more objects for credits, in some cases the game’s outcome is predetermined and in other cases it’s not. Once you make your selection, the key is to observe what happens afterwards. If the game reveals what is behind all the objects (including the one you picked), your pick does determine the outcome of the bonus. Sorry to say, but if you picked a treasure chest with 200 credits and the treasure chest immediately to the right contained 1,000 credits it was a bad pick on your part. However, if the other prizes behind the objects are not revealed at the conclusion of the bonus, then the outcome is predetermined and your bonus picks do not matter. In this situation you don’t have to spend five minutes trying to figure out which treasure chest to choose! As soon as the bonus is triggered, the random number generator selects a value from the available options and then waits for you to touch the screen so that it can display your bonus win animation. Personally, my team and I prefer bonuses which are randomly predetermined. Then we don’t blame ourselves for not picking correctly!
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Myth: When playing Blackjack, always assume the dealer’s hole card is 10. Reality: Wrong! There are 52 cards in a standard deck and 16 of those cards have a value of 10. This means that the picture cards (and tens) make up 31% of the deck. Mathematically speaking, the odds are 3 to 7 that the dealer actually has a 10 in the hole. So, there is basically a 70% chance the dealer’s hold card is not a 10! Myth: Slot machines are the worst games to play and this is where casinos make their most money. Reality: Once again, this statement is not entirely true. Video poker is, hands down, one of the best games to play on any casino floor. This is why players earn points much slower on video poker slots than they do other slots. In general slots do, however, make the most money for a casino. In fact, upwards of 90% of a casino’s revenue comes from the slots. There are even some casinos that make so much money from the slots they don’t have any table games! Smart casino visitors who are slot enthusiasts stick to video poker and higher denomination slots where the payback percentages are always set higher! $
TABLE GAMES By Al Moe
BLACKJACK TOURNAMENTS Here’s Why They Are So Much Fun!
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lackjack is easily the favorite table game at each of Arizona’s casinos. Several clubs also have electronic video blackjack for players who want low-cost gaming or are just in the mood to play videos. That’s great, but what some players may be missing, especially those into video games, is the excitement of blackjack tournaments. Tournament blackjack combines great social interaction with the same group effort to beat the dealer. And, the fun is heightened by each player’s true desire to beat the sox off the other players and get to the next round. Yeah, it’s cutthroat. What’s the Attraction? Blackjack tournaments are great entertainment and they can be both a bargain and a good chance to wind-up your session with some take-home cash! Tournaments are usually set up with 20 hand rounds divided into three rounds of play. You’ll want to read all the tournament rules first, but during the first round, only the two top chip leaders, after 20 hands, advance to the next round. There are no additional costs, so you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck if you play well. The second, or semi-final round, will start with a new stack of chips (perhaps $500 or $1000) for each player, but this time only the chip leader will move on to the final table. You’ve got to play your best, manage your money well, and make it to the final hand with enough chips to outsmart your opponents. Remember, you’ve got to beat everyone but not necessarily the dealer. This is because sometimes you’ll be rooting for the dealer to beat everyone if your reserve of chips is higher than everyone elses at the table. That’s some of the strange strategy of tournaments. You’ll also find that blackjacks pay 2-1 at most games, to make things easier. The final table is usually six players with prize money for each place. A typical payoff is 50% for First place, 25% for 2nd, 15% for third and the rest split between 4th through 6th. Where are the Tournaments? Fortunately, a number of casinos offer blackjack tournaments on a regular basis. In Parker, Blue Water Resort & Casino has a $10,000 tournament coming up for regular players who qualify for entries to the October 4 event. Across the state, Twin Arrows
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Casino Resort near Flagstaff just finished a weekly $25 buy-in tournament. It will likely be run again. In Payson, Mazatzal Hotel & Casino hosts a tournament every Monday night at 6pm. Signups are one hour before the tournament with a $40 buy-in and two $20 re-buys. Closer to the Valley, Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino has Friday Afternoon Tournaments at 4pm with registration beginning at 2pm. There is a $45 buy-in and the top four win a share of $3,500 (based on participation). Plus, there are drawings for VQ Swag for all participants. Casino Arizona (101 & McKellips in Scottsdale) offers weekly and monthly tournaments. The monthly tournament is the first Wednesday of each month with a $100 buy-in. The weekly Great Late Late Tournament is actually held every Friday morning (Argh!) at 2:30am, so you better get up early or come by after work and drink lots of coffee. It’s just $25 and comes with a free breakfast! If that’s snooze-time for you, Casino Arizona also has a weekly lunchtime tournament each Tuesday at noon with a $50 buy-in. You can definitely find a game to play in the Valley! Oh, and Good Luck! $
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.
NEW SLOTS By Lana Hartmann
Spielo’s 3D Games Ready For Play At Twin Arrows
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ou may have wondered what all of the fuss is about when we’ve mentioned Spielo’s True-3D slots, and you may have refrained from trying them at all. However, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino near Flagstaff has all of the titles including Sphinx, Bejeweled, and Dragon’s Temple! We’ve highlighted Sphinx in the past, so we thought we’d refresh your memory on Bejew eled , the slot based on the popular internet game. This game has some awesome wins in it and a great progressive system built into the free games! Bejeweled 3D features: Cascading 4x5 board with all horizontal and vertical win combinations; Quick-hitting base game feature for wide ranging wins; Three completely new bonuses (The Castle Bonus: In this Pick-A-Prize Bonus, the doors to the Bejeweled floating castle swing open to reveal its riches! The Ice Wheel Bonus: A spin and collect bonus that features player selectable wheels with various credit prizes and collectible items. The Free Games Bonus: Mystery Treasure Chest symbols reveal credit prizes, more Free Games, bonus retriggers and collectible symbols that help win any of the four progressive jackpots.); Plus, a 4-level progressive; and a Base Game—Key Collect Feature where players choose one of three keys collected during regular play in the base game to reveal a credit prize! Check out Twin Arrows Navajo Casino online at TwinArrows.com. $
Family Feud By AGS At Twin Arrows
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urvey says – this game is a winner! Housed in the largerthan-life and visually arresting Skytower cabinet, Fam ily Feud is a game that players will not want to miss. The latest addition to the popular It Pays to Kno w series, the game is based on one of the most popular game shows of all time and features survey questions and answers directly from the show. By choosing the most popular answers, players can actually affect the outcome of their bonus round and win more credits. Some of the game features include: 5-reels, 1,024 ways to win, a max bet of 250 or 400 credits, a min bet of 50 credits, X-Feature, Instant Prize/Instant Jackpots and the Fam ily Feud bonus. The Fam ily Feud bonus includes: Fast Money bonus, Survey Says bonus and For the Win Free Spins bonus. Available denominations include: 1¢, 2¢, 5¢. Check out this exciting game at Twin Arrows right now! $
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
NEW SLOTS
Wonder Woman Gold & Wild Now At Desert Diamond Casinos
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re you ready for the magic that Wo nder Woman can do? Then head on down to Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment Tucson on Nogales Highway to try out the new Wo nd er Wo m an Gold video slots from Bally Technologies.
free games and offers its progressive jackpots at any bet level.
Showcasing features, which radiate the nostalgia of the classic 1970's show, include 8, 16, or 25 Free Games with extra Wilds, three fantastic Progressive levels, Expanding Wilds, and Mystery Stacks. Wo nd er Wo m an Gold is here to make her mark loud and true!
If that wasn’t enough, both Desert Diamond’s Tucson and Sahuarita locations are also offering Bally’s Wond er Wo m an Wild video slots, which offer similar features to Wond er Woman Gold, swapping out the Expanding Wilds for more wilds on the reels.
Featuring iconic clips, music and art from the original TV series starring Lynda Carter, Wo nder Woman Gold lets players choose their number of
Visit Desert Diamond’s Tucson or Sahuarita locations to experience the super-powered excitement of these games! $
Wonder Woman Gold is also available at Desert Diamond Casinos’ Sahuarita location on Pima Mine Road.
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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NEW SLOTS
Coming Soon
Zillion Gators By IGT
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ink your teeth into IGT’s Zillio n Gato rs video slots. Based on the proven math of IGT’s Cash Co aster video slots, Zillio n Gato rs’ 5-reel, 30-payline game attracts players seeking entertainment and low-volatility.
Jumping out from the stunning Multi-Layer Display (MLD) screens of IGT’s new CrystalDual cabinet, the Gators Gone Wild free games bonus emerges when three free game symbols are triggered. This feature invites players to select a crawfish trap to reveal how many initial free games will be awarded. The adventure continues when animated gators jump into action and unlock the wild reels feature, turning the first and last reels wild on every spin during each of the bonus rounds. To further the fun, the Reel Fun feature activates at any time, or players can initiate the Possum and Raccoon progressives in the base game and during the free games bonus. Zillion Gators video slots feature popular 70’s rock music from Credence Clearwater Revival, enhancing the player experience and elevating excitement on the casino floor. Watch as this exciting new slot game hits casino floors all across Arizona soon! For more information on this slot and other IGT video slots, visit IGT.com. $
Buffalo Grand By Aristocrat
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he number one game in the U.S., Buff alo , is back and is going bigger than ever in the all-new Buff alo Grand , the newest game by Aristocrat in this incredibly successful franchise. Buff alo Grand is larger than life in the Arc Do uble cabinet, named in Casino Journal’s Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technology Products list and to CEM’s 2015 Top 10 Slot Floor Technology Awards. Buff alo Grand takes full advantage of Arc Do uble ’s dual 42” curved high-def LCD touch screens, upgraded graphic capabilities and iChair, for an engrossing, fully submersing gaming experience unlike any other. All of the fun of the original Buff alo is here, plus incredible new features players will love. The game stays true to the core base game elements, while adding a 4x5x5x5x4 reel set, the opportunity to win jackpots, jackpot multipliers and up to 50 free games, continuing the evolution for this top player favorite. Buff alo Grand is an Xtra Reel Po w er game with a chance to win a $500,000+ MSP progressive jackpot, as well as four other linked progressive jackpot levels. Minimum bet is 75 credits and the maximum bet is 375 credits. For more information about Buff alo Grand , visit Aristocrat.com.au. $
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Coming Soon
NEW SLOTS
Peek-A-Boo Pixie By Bally Technologies
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lay peek-a-boo with this magical pixie as she takes you on an adventure with enchanted reels and mythical artwork! Peek -a-Boo Pixie by Bally Technologies is a 5-reel, 40-line game that features an exciting U-Spin Wheel Bonus. You can win up to three spins of the giant wooden wheel, which awards credits and a multiplier for some amazing pays! Mysteries abound with Mystery Stacked Reels, which can happen during any base game and free game spin to keep players full of anticipation. Mystery symbols on each reel are randomly replaced at the start of each spin by other symbols, creating chances for big five-of-a-kind wins! Peek-a-Boo Pixie’s charming nature continues with a Free Games bonus that triples all pays. Players select from among four windows to reveal an initial award of 7 to 15 Free Games that can be re-triggered over and over again. This captivating pixie is plumb full of supernatural surprises, with eye-catching 3D art and math with a volatile edge that will enchant players with hours of spellbinding fun! Look for this captivating pixie at a casino near you soon! For more information on this exciting new game and other Bally products, visit BallyTech.com. $
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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ARIZONA LOTTERY
BRAND NEW SCRATCHERS The Arizona Lottery Satisfies Slot Players With Casino Themed Games
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laying the Arizona Lottery’s Scratcher games has always been a fun way to place a wager, play a game, and see if you win or lose. Plus, the Arizona Lottery funds a wide variety of Arizona’s state programs including Education, Health & Human Services, the Environment, and more. And, as the Arizona Lottery is always introducing new games to their Scratchers collection every month, there are plenty of games to pick from. While the vast array of choices may make picking a Scratcher game a little bewildering, we’ve come across a few of the Arizona Lottery’s latest games that every casino enthusiast has to play the next time they want to try a Scratcher. So whether you are a veteran, occasional, or brand new Scratcher player, here are a few you can try at a variety of bet levels for everyone’s bankroll!
Golden 7s Cost: $1 Game Play: Match any of your numbers to either winning number and win the prize for that number. Reveal a “7” symbol to win that prize automatically! Prizes: $1,700, $100, $50, $20, $10, $5, $2, $1 Overall Odds Of Winning: 1 in 4.38
For more information on the Arizona Lottery, visit their website at ArizonaLottery.com. For the winning numbers, call 480.829.7425 in Phoenix or 520.325.9141 in Tucson. Please call 1.800.499.3798 for all other areas in Arizona. Retailers pay prizes up to $100 and may pay prizes up to $599. The Arizona Lottery pays all prizes including prizes $600 and over. Any prize may be claimed by mail. Prizes subject to prior sales. Tampering with a Lottery ticket is a Class 3 felony punishable by law. All tickets, transactions and winners are subject to Lottery Rules and State Law. You must be 21 years or older to purchase tickets. Not responsible for incorrect or outdated info.
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Blackjack Tripler Cost: $2 Game Play: If the total of the two cards in any of your hands beats the dealer’s total, win the prize for that hand. If any of your hands equals 21, win triple the prize shown for that hand! (J,Q,K = 10, A = 11) Prizes: $12,000, $1,500, $500, $150, $100, $50, $30, $15, $10, $5, $3, $2 Overall Odds Of Winning: 1 in 4.33
Golden Casino Cost: $10 Game Play: Each game played separately. GAME 1: Reveal 3 identical amounts, win that amount. Reveal 2 identical amounts and a “Diamond” symbol to win double that amount! GAME 2: Match any of your numbers to the winning number, win prize for that number. GAME 3: Uncover a prize amount to win that amount. GAME 4: If your dice add up to 7 or 11 in a single roll, win prize for that roll. If your dice add up to 21 in a single roll, win double the prize for that roll! GAME 5: Reveal 3 identical amounts, win that amount. Prizes: $50,000, $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50, $25, $20, $10, $5 Overall Odds Of Winning: 1 in 3.68 Most gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores are Arizona Lottery retailers and many will carry these games. $
CASINO DINING
CLIFF CASTLE’S Mountain Springs Buffet
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liff Castle Casino Hotel has always offered a reasonably priced buffet stocked with plenty of high-quality dishes to appease any appetite and palate. Their scrumptious Mountain Springs Buffet offers an excellent variety of delicious food for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Dinner in a beautiful setting. Enjoy T-Bone Tuesdays featuring a $14 T-Bone steak, Saturday Prime Rib nights for just $15.95 and a sumptuous Sunday Brunch. Buffet prices start at just $7; drinks (non-alcoholic) are included. Any player using a Castle Club card with “200 Slot Points Earned” or with 1 hour of logged live play at Blackjack or 2 hours of logged live play at Poker between the hours of 12am and 9pm can receive a special price of $14.99 for the Tuesday All You Can Eat Crab Legs Dinner Buffet. This is a great deal if you are planning on visiting the property on a Tuesday. Play a while and then get your crab legs dinner cost cut in half! Once you’ve earned the minimum point qualifier on that day, swipe your Castle Club card at any Players Promotion Kiosk to receive a printed voucher for the meal special and discount. Present the voucher at the restaurant to receive the discount. The qualifying points earned will not be deducted from the guests’ players club account. Hours: Breakfast—$7—7 to 11am, Lunch—$12—11am to 4pm, Dinner—$14—4pm to Close. Weekly Specials: Sunday Brunch—$12—11am to 4pm, Tuesday All You Can Eat Crab Legs—$14.99 with point qualifier— $28 regular price—4 to 9pm, Friday Fish Fry—$14—4 to 11pm, Saturday Prime Rib Night—$15.99—4 to 11pm. Children: 3 to 10 years get 50% off the regular buffet price, 2 years and under eat free! $
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
WINNING WAYS By Rodric J. Hurdle-Bradford
G2E 2015 SLOTS PREVIEW 4 Industry Giants Preview The Casino Floor Of 2015, 2016 & Beyond
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n the past decade, the casino gaming industry has transformed itself from static slot machines into a full-fledged interactive entertainment experience, powered by the biggest brands in music, video games, television and movies from the last 50 years. "The next generation of our industry is all about providing content and a variety of game styles," says Phil Gelber, senior vice president of game development for Scientific Games, operator of major gaming brands including Bally and WMS. "Innovation is the key and that is what keeps our customers and players excited and wanting more." There will definitely be more to see at this year's Global Gaming Expo, which will be held September 29 through October 1 at Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Global Gaming Expo, or G2E as it is known to casino industry insiders, is a larger-than-life trade show lit up with lights, sounds, bells and whistles of the new slot machines for both domestic and international markets. Recently, four of the major casino game suppliers in the U.S. and across the world sat down with the Arizona Gaming Guid e to give readers a sneak preview of what will be at this month's G2E and the entertaining games that will be hitting casino floors across Arizona in 2015, 2016 and beyond! Aristocrat’s Position on the Throne The lead product for Aristocrat at G2E will be the slot game for HBO's legendary epic television program Game of Thrones. The game features all of the drama, pageantry and details of the hit show. To maximize the player experience, Aristocrat has implemented its award-winning arc double cabinet, with dual curved 42-inch high definition LCD screens that sweep over the player, along with advanced graphics and surround sound with high chair to complete the immersive environment. "Players are going to have a thrilling game-playing experience with dragons, battles, epic music and characters both revered and reviled," says Paul Speirs, spokesperson for Aristocrat. "Game of Thrones has three base games, each representing a main house – Stark, Lannister and Targaryen."
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
The game has four entertaining bonus features: The Wall where reel sets can increase to 16 symbols; The Battle of Blackwater Bay where up to six free games can be awarded; the Mother of Dragons with a pick ‘em feature and a chance at a 50 times multiplier and a Progressive with the ability to win one of four jackpots, including a $500,000 jackpot! The denominations for the Gam e o f Thro nes will be between one cent and $20, with a 50 credit minimum bet and a 500 credit maximum bet. IGT + TMZ = FUN IGT is continuing the company's tradition of bringing pop culture’s most touted licensed brands to the G2E trade show floor. "This year IGT partnered with the number one brand in entertainment news to create TMZ video slots," says Michelle Schenk, public relations manager for IGT. "This interactive theme will introduce never-before-seen gaming technology, putting players in the middle of one of television's most famous newsrooms and on tour to several hot Hollywood celebrity hangouts." Continuing with the entertainment trend at G2E, IGT will also introduce a new spin to one of Netflix’s most watched series, with the Ho use o f Card s Po w er and Mo ney video slot and the House of Cards Welcome to Washington video slot. Another popular series, Orange is the New Black , will debut two different video slot themes, while the “Have a Little Fun Today” Ellen DeGeneres show video slot game will showcase new updates along with Jurassic Park and James Cameron' s Avatar video slot series. "Our emphasis on meaningful innovation shines through in our video slot portfolio," says Schenk. "Never-before-seen play mechanics, unique reel configurations, new math and compelling themes are just a few characteristics that make our new video slot games stand apart." Konami goes the Retro Videogame Route Konami is banking on the nostalgia of a generation of current slot machine players that grew up playing video games in the 1980s to make a big splash at G2E. Leading the retro releases is the legendary game Fro gger, a video game that was memorial-
ized in the 1980s on the Atari 2600 system. "The launch of Fro gger signifies a landmark intellectual property release from our arcade legacy into our casino gaming sector," says Tashina Wortham, spokesperson for Konami Gaming, Inc. Two Fro gger game themes will debut at G2E, both with a four-level standalone progressive jackpot. For the 1980s video game players who might have missed the Frogger craze, they surely did not miss the popular Nintendo action game Co ntra, which is now in its second year as a video slot game under the Neo Co ntra brand. Neo Co ntra is filled with several bonus game features which create an immersive experience with exciting top box graphics and an all new 3-D sound which harnesses all the power and all of the 3-D audio technology while eliminating the need for separate in-chair or rear satellite surround sound speakers. Both the Sam urai Strik e and the Warrior Reloaded game themes will be on display this year on the show floor at G2E. Scientific Games brings back Barcrest For Scientific Games, it did not have to look far to create demand at G2E, as they revised and updated the popular Barcrest series of games that were on top of the industry just a decade ago. Barcrest slot games are known for its colorful play areas, intriguing and innovative bonuses and free spins. The popular Easy Money game will be returning, along with the legendary Triple Cherries game, with a new bonus feature to complete the new game’s name, Triple Cherries w ith Sprink les o n To p . To ride the momentum of combining legendary entertainment brands and casino gaming, Scientific Games will introduce updated versions of The Flintsto nes and The Wizard o f Oz video slot games. For the ultimate entertainer and brand, the Michael Jackson video slot game, a new bonus wheel has been placed on top ready to be showcased at G2E. "The brands continue to skew to a younger age and we are at the forefront of that trend," says Gelber. "We want to give these players a complete 360-degree experience, and that will be on full display at G2E." $
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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By Melody Hudson
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rom the place that has brought the valley more winning moments, Lone Butte Casino in Chandler has recently completed a renovation that enhances a player’s experience at every touch point including gaming, dining, and entertainment.
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Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
“As exciting as this is for our guests, it’s just as exciting for us,” said Carolyn Thompson, General Manager of Lone Butte Casino. “It is always our goal to deliver the very best experience. All these renovations simply make that goal a reality.”
Gaming The casino floor itself was expanded by 10,000 square feet to provide a roomier feel that’s easier to navigate. The highlight? An all-new High-Limit Slots Room, where players will find bigger action and bigger payouts. The renovations also include enhancements to the Bingo Hall. Dining The all-new Cities Bar & Grille has become an overnight favorite, especially among the many transplants and snowbirds who love to play at Lone Butte. Cities is a true all-American restaurant, featuring signature dishes from across the country, like New Orleans Jambalaya, St. Louis Ribs, Baltimore Crab Cakes, and New York Strip. Right next door to Cities Bar & Grille is the new MVP Lounge where guests can hang out with friends before a show at the new Lucky’s Bar. Entertainment Rock, country and comedy headliners are taking the stage at the all-new Event Center, an 8,000-square-foot venue that offers guests the chance to see their favorite performers in an intimate setting. “This is a significant step for us,” Thompson said. “The Event Center gives us the opportunity to attract top-name artists and create a complete entertainment destination for our guests.” Headlining the opening show on Saturday, September 19 will be R&B kings Kool & The Gang. A complete show schedule is now available at WinGilaRiver.com. $
LONE BUTTE IS READY TO ROCK! SEE WHAT’S NEW & COMING SOON LUCKY’S | NOW OPEN Discover Lone Butte Casino’s new bar where you can unwind after work, catch a game or grab a drink before a show at the Event Center. Traditional and Irish-themed cocktails, a great beer selection, daily drink specials and more! Open Daily: 10am–2am CITIES BAR & GRILLE | NOW OPEN Coast-to-coast flavors have arrived at our newest restaurant! Our Chefs have created entrees representative of various American regions—New Orleans Jambalaya, St. Louis Ribs, Baltimore Crab Cakes and more! Perfect for lunch, brunch or dinner! Open Daily: Mo–Th: 11am–10pm, Fr–Sa: 11am– Midnight, Sunday Brunch: 10am–4pm PLATINUM LOUNGE | NOW OPEN The new room is dedicated to provide Platinum members with the best experience. Open Daily: Su–Th: 2–4pm & 8– 10pm, Fr & Sa: 2–4pm & 8pm–Midnight CASINO FLOOR EXPANSION | NOW OPEN Now with 10,000 square feet of extra room and new games including 6 table games. Plus, a renovated Bingo Hall & new High-Limit Slots Room. EVENT CENTER | GRAND OPENING SEPTEMBER 19 8,000-square-foot venue featuring concerts, comedy shows, sports-viewing parties & more! The first act to grace the Event Center stage is Kool & The Gang on Saturday, September 19 at 8pm.
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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TRIBAL NEWS Words By Lee Allen Images By WolvesEye Photography
PRESCOTT POW WOW Watson Lake Park, September 25-27, 2015
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f a summer of sweat has you down in the dumps and you’d like to lift your spirits, here’s a good reason to head to Prescott, home of the largest stand of ponderosa pine forests in the U.S. Not only are the temperatures cooler and the landscapes breathtaking, Prescott is home to the 9th annual social pow wow and native art show, September 25-27, at Watson Lake Park. “Today many pow wows have become competitive events where winning a cash prize is the incentive and that takes away from the spiritual realm of the gathering,” says Manuel Lucero IV (Cherokee Nation), committee chairman. “Prescott Pow Wow’s mission is to offer an event that focuses on the social aspect of pow wow. It’s more about folks coming together and having a good time --- the way pow wows used to be before all the commercialization. I’ve got nothing against bigger contests because I’ve danced in some of them, but ours is a way to slow things down and get them back to the way they once were and the way they should be.” The theme of ELDERS EMBRACING THE YOUTH supports that feeling. “There’s more to life than watching TV and staring down at your smart phone. Each generation is responsible for strengthening the bonds of tradition and we want our kids to carry on the pow wow tradition where native peoples come together and share their Indianness,” adds Lucero. “Since the start, we’ve tried to get more youth involved,” says Sheba Rabago-Vervoorn (Chiricahua Apache / Yaqui / Commanche), who has been involved since the beginning, working with founder Robert Rice to bring traditional dancing and music back to the community. “And not just for Yavapai children, but youth of all nations to learn who they are and where they came from.” The Prescott Pow Wow web page explains that pow wows are a time for Native American families to share laughter, tears, learning, and caring --- a time to honor the past and celebrate the future. Originally, Grass Dances were performed by members of elite warrior societies for the benefit of tribal members. The Grass Dance evolved into the pow wow as natives living on reservations had more time to devote to non-survival activities like dancing. The dance arena, called an Arbor, is blessed before
26 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
the event begins and is considered to be sacred ground for the duration of the celebration. As in the case of Prescott, pow wows typically start on Friday evening with a single Grand Entry, intertribal and preliminary contest dancing. Saturday has two Grand Entries, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Sunday traditionally has a single Grand Entry in the afternoon before final contest competition gets underway. As the organizers approach their first decade milestone, they remember their first event. “It was held on a dirt parking area at Prescott Rodeo Grounds,” Rabago-Vervoorn says. “We had one food booth, four arts and crafts vendors, and maybe 20 dancers.” The venue was quickly moved to a more comfortable location at Watson Lake Park. And therein lies another story: “We were meeting with the Parks and Recreation Department at a grassy field where we were going to build a Yavapai-Apache village and set up the pow wow circle when a large bird, a bald eagle, landed in that exact spot…sort of a confirmation that we had chosen the right location. Every year since during our three days of pow wow, we are visited by bald eagles every day. It’s an awesome sight and powerful medicine to be blessed by their appearance.” Turnout and participation continues to increase each year. From the early days of a hundred or so spectators, crowd estimates are now in the 3,000-4,000 person range with half a dozen food vendors, approximately 50 arts and crafts vendors, and over 100 dancers. “We expect a lot more dancers this year because of the traditional social dance nature of our pow wow. This is a friendly atmosphere. They come to dance with their heart, not with their wallet in mind.” Chairman Lucero adds, “When 3,000 or more turn out for a small pow wow, that isn't bad. We all have a really good time and that’s what it’s all about.” Non-natives are cordially welcomed to watch and participate. “During social dances, visitors shouldn’t be surprised if they are lead into the circle to dance with tribal members.”
TRIBAL NEWS
Alan King (Dine/Zuni) will be head dancer for this year’s intertribal extravaganza. Two of his grandfathers were Code Talkers and his connections along pow wow road have helped attract more dancers. Sue Sixkiller (Cherokee) is head woman dancer with a specialty of Women’s All-around. Head Southern Drum is Comanche Red of Phoenix. Head Northern Drum is Young Eagle Creek from Lukachukai. Phoenician Eldred Matt will function as Arena Director and Ryan Rumley of Phoenix will act as Master of Ceremonies. The MCs job is to ensure the pow wow runs smoothly and on schedule, informing attendees which drums are to sing and explaining ceremonies as they take place. His job also offers an opportunity to weave in humorous anecdotes and jokes and to remind observers when cameras and other recording devices are not appropriate. In addition to organizing the Grand Entry processions, another
responsibility of the Arena Director is to protect regalia feathers if they drop off, assuring the proper pick-up ceremony. All attendees are encouraged to be a part of the Blanket Dance done for the specific purpose of defraying travel expenses for performance groups. A blanket is placed in the middle of the arbor and visitors are asked to place money on the blanket. Quoting the organizers: “Consider the privacy of individual dancers and singers and ask permission before photographing or recording them. Most native people at pow wows are not there to perform or entertain, but to dance, sing, pray, visit family and friends, and celebrate their culture. And, they invite visitors to join in that celebration.” For further information on this year’s Pow Wow, point your browser to PrescottPowWow.org, to their Facebook fan page at Facebook.com/PrescottPowWow1, or call 928.499.5907. $
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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TRIBAL NEWS By Rachel Brockway
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION Ak-Chin Indian Community & Harrah’s Ak-Chin Announce Project
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hairman Louis J. Manuel, Jr., members of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council as well as representatives from the Community recently announced plans for a multi-million dollar expansion at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. With initial work to begin in spring 2016, the expansion is expected to include a spa, a conference center with multi-use ballroom space, a parking garage, additional restaurants and more than 200 additional rooms. “The Ak-Chin Indian Community has a long-standing and successful relationship with Caesars Entertainment and the management at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. The expansion will allow the hotel and casino to continue to bring quality hospitality and entertainment to Pinal County and the State of Arizona,” said Chairman Manuel. “We have long known the importance of providing opportunities like this to our Community and the surrounding areas.” According to Robert Livingston, general manager of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, this expansion will increase room availability, accommodate additional visitors and will also provide an opportunity to host large-scale entertainment, conventions and other meetings. According to the 2011 Ak-Chin/Harrah’s feasibility study, the Ak-Chin Indian Community generates an estimated impact of more than $500 million in direct or indirect monies each year from its various business enterprises. In addition to the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, the Ak-Chin Indian Community also owns Ak-Chin Farms, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, the Santa Cruz Commerce Center and UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle. “The economic impact created during the expansion and the prospect for additional jobs once the project is complete will only further benefit the City of Maricopa and Pinal County as well as the Community,” said Chairman Manuel. For more information regarding the Ak-Chin Indian Community and future updates regarding the expansion, please visit their website at Ak-Chin.nsn.us. For more on Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino visit Harrahsakchin.com or call 480.802.5000. $
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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GAMING NEWS
ADG Closes Illegal Gambling Again
On the afternoon of August 12, 2015, investigators from the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and members of the Phoenix Police Department served two search warrants at businesses for illegal gambling. Both businesses named “International Calling Cards” are believed to be owned by the same person and are located at 2305 E. Bell Road and 10413 N. 35th Avenue. During the joint operation, three people were arrested in connection to the business and will be facing multiple charges including operating an illegal gaming facility, promotion of illegal gambling, and fraud. For several months, investigators have been looking into the businesses and found they were committing fraud by selling fake calling cards as a front for an illegal gambling sweepstakes café. The businesses sold the non-working prepaid local and international calling cards which then allowed paying customers to play casino style games on computers inside the business. The games, while played on desktop computers, simulate what is often seen on the screens of electronic slot machines inside regulated casinos. During the past month, ADG has partnered with Phoenix and Peoria Police Departments to serve warrants at an additional two illegal gambling locations. Those operations led to the arrests of about a dozen people, both employees and customers, and multiple felony charges. In one case, a customer who had a violent history was found inside the business with a hidden loaded rifle. These unregulated cash businesses can often attract violent crimes to area neighborhoods, which is why ADG takes complaints about illegal gambling businesses very seriously. The recent partnership between ADG and Phoenix Police alone has lead to five different search warrants since July. Those joint operations have also lead to the voluntary closure of at least five other known illegal gambling locations across the Valley. $
30 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
DoubleDown Raises The Stakes
International Game Technology PLC’s (“IGT”) DoubleDown Casino social gaming website raised the stakes today by introducing its new jackpot feature that gives players the chance to win more than two billion chips. Initially available on the classic Wolf Run slot game, a pair of jackpots is launching on the DoubleDown Casino website: the Super Jackpot, which grows quickly and hits more frequently; and the Mega Jackpot feature, where a player can win more than two billion chips. When a jackpot is due to hit soon, it will ‘go hot’ and the graphics will catch on fire, letting players know that they should spin to win before someone else does. “Many players love slot machines because they offer the chance to win jackpots, so it’s a natural extension of DoubleDown Casino that we introduce jackpots,” said Joe Sigrist, IGT senior vice president and general manager of DoubleDown Casino. “Providing the chance for any player to win more than two billion chips from a DoubleDown Casino Mega Jackpot makes our best-in-class game portfolio even more fun and exciting.” Play DoubleDown Casino games online at apps.facebook.com/ doubledowncasino or on any mobile device via the free iOS and Android app. For more information, visit IGT.com, go to Facebook at facebook.com/IGT, follow them on Twitter, twitter.com/IGTnews or watch IGT videos on YouTube, youtube.com/user/igt. $
Money Raised For Problem Gambling
The gaming industry went to new heights and raised $140,000 to support responsible gaming at the 17th annual AGEM/AGA Golf Classic presented by JCM Global. More than 144 players from across the gaming industry spectrum participated in the tournament on the perfect and legendary greens of Cascata in Boulder City, Nevada. Money raised supports research conducted by the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG). Over its history, the event has raised more than $1.45 million for the NCRG. “The NCRG is immensely grateful to AGEM, AGA and JCM Global for their continuing support of research that will lead to effective prevention and treatment of gambling disorder,” said Christine Reilly, NCRG senior research director. “We salute all of the companies and individuals that sponsored the 2015 golf classic.” Returning as title sponsors were the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and the American Gaming Association (AGA). Other Sponsors included Ainsworth, Aristocrat, Caesars Entertainment, Casino Enterprise Management Magazine, CPI, GLI, Global Gaming Expo, Hikam America, Konami, JCM Global, the National Indian Gaming Association, Patriot Gaming, Scientific Games, VSR Industries and WaffleTechnology. Next year’s tournament will be held April 26, 2016 at Cascata. You can tee-up to fight problem gambling anytime by visiting NCRG.org or by visiting Golf.jcmglobal.com for tournament information. The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) is the only national organization that is exclusively devoted to funding scientific research on gambling disorders. Founded in 1996 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the NCRG is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) affiliated charity. For more information, visit NCRG.org. AGEM is a non-profit international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, systems, table games, online technology, key components and support products and services for the gaming industry. AGEM works to further the interests of gaming equipment suppliers throughout the world. Through political action, regulatory influence, trade show partnerships, educational alliances, information dissemination and good corporate citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create benefits for every company within the organization. Together, AGEM has assisted regulatory agencies and participated in the legislative process to solve problems and create a business environment where AGEM members can prosper while providing a strong level of support to education and responsible gaming initiatives. For more information, please visit AGEM.org. $
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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GAMING NEWS
Casino Arizona Hosts Trivia Tuesdays With $1,000 Up For Grabs!
Casino Arizona is the newest spot where people can put their knowledge to the test in a game of team trivia! The high-energy weekly competition will take place in the Arizona Room Patio Grill on Tuesday nights, starting on August 4. Trivia Tuesdays will run for 12 weeks, and each weekly firstplace winner will be able to participate in the Casino Arizona Tournament of Champions. The weekly winners will receive the following cash prizes: $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place. In the event of a tie, prize money will be added together and divided equally. The games kick off Tuesday nights at 7pm. Registration runs from 5:30 to 6:30pm, and there is a maximum of six players per team. Every player must be age 21 or older and must have a Casino Arizona Player Rewards Club card (card registration is
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free and can be completed online or at the Player Rewards Club desk at the casino). The games will be hosted by Front Row Trivia Live. Teams are only eligible to win first place one time during the 12-week season. If a team competes and wins a first-place prize twice, they will be awarded second place. This is to ensure that there is a minimum of 12 teams in the Tournament of Championships. For a full list of rules, visit CasinoArizona.com. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Loop 101 Freeway and McKellips Rd., Casino Arizona is independently owned and operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Spanning more than 100,000 square feet, the property features an exciting gaming floor, entertainment venues and an assortment of dining options. $
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 June 2015 Slots
Hold % Tables
Hold %
2.97
Blackjack / 21
16.89
$5
4.39
Roulette
20.80
$1
5.02
Craps
21.79
Multi-Denom 5.74
Pai Gow Poker
24.45
25¢
6.14
Let It Ride
28.27
5¢
8.70
Three Card Poker
32.33
1¢
11.92
Other Table Games 32.44
Tight Megabucks
16.48
Loose $25
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 troplaughlin.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!
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 | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Other Loose Bingo
Hold % 10.23
Win Amount
Dollars
Sports Pools
11.53
Slots
31.4 mil.
Race Books
15.74
Tables
3.2 mil.
23.87
Other
0.5 mil.
Tight Live Keno
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
TROPWORLD CASINO LAUNCHES Tropicana Entertainment Launches Free-To-Play Social Casino App
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gaming industry leader, Tropicana Entertainment Inc. recently announced the worldwide launch of “TropWorld Casino,” a free-to-play social casino app for mobile phones and tablets featuring slots, video poker, and bingo games. The launch was completed in partnership with social casino app developer and publisher Ruby Seven Studios. The TropWorld Casino app offers only free games, and players can log in daily to collect coins to play with. Players can also make in-app purchases for more coins and bingo power-ups to
further their progress in the games. However, there is no wagering or winning of money or prizes. The app is available on Google Play, Apple iTunes and Amazon Kindle. “We wanted to offer free, non-gambling games that a wide audience can enjoy,” says Tony Rodio, president and chief executive officer of Tropicana Entertainment Inc. “Players around the world will have fun with our TropWorld Casino app.” The free app features real casino favorites such as Multi-Strike Poker and Gems Wild Tiles along with other slot, bingo and video poker games, with even more titles coming soon. All games are free-to-play and include features like progressive tournaments,
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social chat, and leader boards. Friends can compete, compare scores and progress and help each other in reaching goals. Michael Carpenter, chief executive officer and founder of Ruby Seven Studios said, “We’re really excited to bring these new games to the Tropicana audience. It’s an incredible opportunity for players to engage with Tropicana Entertainment and enjoy completely free entertainment that really has new and unique qualities. These are outstanding games and we’re proud to share them.” To download the TropWorld Casino app, simply visit iTunes, Google Play or Amazon on their websites online for free!
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
For information about the Tropicana Laughlin, their specials, and a lot more, visit their website at TropLaughlin.com. $
Do you have a question for a Marketing Director? Have you ever wondered about the people working behind the scenes? Do you want to find out how it really works? We know you do and here is your chance to find out! Send your question in an email with “Ask Joe” in the subject to our address at editor@azgamingguide.com and if Joe selects your question to be answered in an upcoming issue, you’ll get a $25 gift card! (If you prefer to send a letter, you may mail it to the following address: “Ask Joe” Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277)
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
Listings the Sun—Tue. at 8pm, Country Dance Nights (Learn to dance)— Wed. & Thu. at 6pm, Redneck Rockstars (Country)— Mon. 8pm, Daisy Train (Country)—Wed. 8pm, Rhythm Of The Sun—Thu. 8pm, Superhero Band—Fri. 8pm, Arizona Room Trivia—Tue. 7pm. Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 Paradiso Bar & Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands & DJs on weekends Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Dragonfly Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands & DJs on weekends Events: Taste Of The Verde Valley—Oct. 17
Brett Eldredge Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita October 3, 2015 Up-and-coming country star Brett Eldredge is bringing his award-winning sound to the Diamond Center for a concert on Saturday, October 3. Tickets start at $15 and are on sale now. With three consecutive #1 hits (all of which he co-wrote) and the CMA New Artist of the Year trophy, Brett Eldredge has gained a lot of attention going into his sophomore album. And with the release of Lose My Mind , the first single from his new album Illinois due out September 11, Eldredge is set to garner even more. Eldredge established himself as an artist with a unique vision on his run of No. 1 hits Don’t Ya, Beat of the Music and Mean to Me from his 2013 debut album Bring You Back. Those songs were the culmination of a different kind of journey to Music Row, by way of small-town Illinois and a love for big voices like Ronnie Dunn and Frank Sinatra, that shaped his unique sound. Treena Parvello, director of public relations and communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Brett Eldredge to the Diamond Center! Country fans, get your tickets early—this is one show you don’t want miss!” Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Events: Ramon Ayala—Sep. 19 BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Featuring a variety of live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm Events: Cage Rage 10—Oct. 17 Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Queen Nation (Queen Tribute)—Sep. 4-5, Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles—Sep. 16, Rio (Duran Duran Tribute)—Sep. 18-19, Matchbox Twenty Too (Matchbox Twenty Tribute)—Sep. 25-26 The Arizona Room: Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to Dance)—Tue. at 6pm, Rhythm of
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Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Karaoke with Bling Bling/DJ Sosa—Th & Fr at 8pm Joe Nichols & Special Guest Josh Thompson—Oct. 10 Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: 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: Frank Caliendo—Sep. 5, Rock Of The 80s—Sep. 11, Smokey Robinson—Sep. 18, Brett Eldredge—Oct. 3 Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live music every weekend Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 The Lounge: Furio us Geo rge—4th, The Stilettos—5th, December ‘63—7th, Str8up—7th, Los Chicos del 512 (Selena Tribute)—11th, The Drifters—12th, Doo Wah Riders—18th, Dina Preston—19th, Quantum—25th, Neon Circus—26th Wednesdays In The Lounge: Enjoy live music from Noon—4pm. Guy Pennachio—2nd, Thaddeus Rose—9th, Swingtips—16th, Silhouette—23rd, Yesterday Once More—30th The Lounge Happy Hour: Enjoy Happy hour and live music Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 5 – 8pm. Van & Melanie—1st, Flavour—3rd, John Eric Duo—8th, Karen & Pat—9th, John Eric Duo—15th, The Walkens Duo—16th, Flavour—22nd, Paul Wells— 23rd, Notes from Neptune—29th, John Eric Duo—30th Sundays in The Lounge: Enjo y live music fro m 4 – 8pm. The Walkens—6th Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munday Funday—Comedy Show 7pm, Marble Heart (Country)— Sep. 1-6, Marshall Star Band (Variety)—Sep. 8-12, Creagles (CCR & Eagles Tribute)—Sep. 15-19, Groove City Band (R&B)—Sep. 22-26,
Editor’s Pick Tyler Stephens (Country)—Sep. 29-Oct. 3 Events: Run To The Pines Car Pre-Show—Sep. 25, Haunted Halloween Party—Oct. 31, Listen to the Music (Doobie Brothers Tribute)—Nov. 20 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 Events: Kool & The Gang—Sep. 19
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
Talking Stick Resort Presents:
Lynyrd Skynyrd September 20
Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Apache Spirits Lounge: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends. 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 Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Pool: Zeds Dead—Sep. 5, Laidback Luke—Sep. 6, TonyG—Sep. 7, DJ Scene—Sep. 12, DJ Solarz—Sep. 19, Lynyrd Skynyrd—Sep. 20, Mighty Mi—Sep. 26, Phoenix Fashion Week—Oct. 1-3 The Showroom & Grand Ballroom: Yes with TOTO—Sep. 4, Nils Lofgren—Sep. 12, Thunder From Down Under—Sep. 24-26, Zappa Plays Zappa—Oct. 4 Twin Arrows Navajo Casino—Flagstaff, AZ—855.946.8946 Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452 VQ Live: Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Chrome Nightclub—Fri & Sat 9pm-2am, The Lounge—Featuring a variety of live music nightly, Festival Park—Live music outdoors Showroom: Vietnamese Concert: TIENG CUOI AM NHAC/Dance—Sep. 4, Heartbeat City (Cars Tribute)—Sep. 5, Latin Comedy Jam—Sep. 11, Siggno—Sep. 8, Dana Carvey—Sep. 19, The Broadway Concerts— Sep. 20.
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.
The Pool at Talking Stick Resort will boom with a Southern Rock sound on September 20 when the property brings Lynyrd Skynyrd to the outdoor stage. More than 50 years since their formation, the band is still captivating crowds and selling out shows. Tickets are still available so don’t let this opportunity pass you by! The pool party will be one for the books as the band performs power anthems like Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. Timeless artists in a league of their own, the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd have sold more than 30 million albums and popularized the Southern Rock genre. The band has received various top honors over the span of their career including grabbing the number 95 spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and the number 77 position on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2010. Today, the band continues to tour the country and create music that appeals to all generations. This past July, they released One More For the Fans—a CD/DVD featuring the band as well as music greats like Gregg Allman, Cheap Trick, Aaron Lewis and Peter Frampton performing Lynyrd Skynyrd’s collection of hits. To purchase tickets for Lynyrd Skynyrd, call the Talking Stick Resort Box Office at 480.850.7734 or visit TalkingStickResort.com. There will be a limited number of chairs for this general admission show that will be available on a first come, first served basis. Cabanas will also be available for rent. For cabana reservations, pricing, and details, please call Reservations at 866.877.9897. $ azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
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CASINO BINGO By Satara Williams
CASINO ARIZONA’S COMIC BINGO September 12, 2015 Marks Inaugural Event With A Big Prize!
I
t’s time for bingo players and comic book fans to summon their superpowers and embark on a journey to Casino Arizona! September 12 marks the casino’s inaugural Comic Bingo event, which will take place from 9:30pm to 2am. This special night will be full of fun, games and prizes – including a free trip to New York City that includes two four-day passes to New York Comic Con! Casino guests can present their Player Rewards Club cards when signing up to play and they’ll be entered into the drawing to win the New York Comic Con trip and other prizes, like comic store gift cards and signed memorabilia. Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters and also sign up for a costume contest where they can win cash prizes. “Our Late Night Bingo always offers guests a fun, high-energy environment. But, adding the comic book
theme gives it an exciting twist,” said Ramon Martinez, public relations director for Casino Arizona. “We’re looking forward to seeing some creative costumes and making this a memorable event.” For more about Comic Bingo, the prize drawing and the costume contest, visit CasinoArizona.com/Comic-Bingo.aspx, or call 480.850.7777. $ Paradise Casino (Yuma, AZ) Recent Bingo Winners: Joann Dees—$1,865.30 & Alejandrina Castillo—$5,543.35
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
100
No
Yes
No
BlueWater
Mo-We 6:30pm. Su at 1:30pm.
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
Th-Su at 6:30pm
350
Yes*
Yes
No
Desert Diamond I
We-Mo 1:30, 2, 6, 6:30 & 7pm
300
Yes
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 11:30pm. 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: 10, Noon, 3:45, 5:30pm. Daily: Noon & 6:30pm.
750
Yes
Yes
B.A.D. Bingo Fr & Sa at 11:30pm.
Mazatzal
Mo-Th at Noon. Tu & Th at 6:30pm.
280
Yes
Yes
No
Paradise
Daily at 1:30pm. Mo-Fr at 6pm.
300
Yes
Yes
Call for Kozmic Bingo & Other Special Dates
Twin Arrows
Th-Su at 7pm & Su at 3pm.
100
No
Yes
No
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 07/01/15 & 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 | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN By Sami Becker
MOBY DICK BY MULTIMEDIA GAMES A Reader Raves About A Great Game I Seek Out As Well
M
y email inbox is frequently overloaded with rants from our fans. Perhaps that’s why I am more inclined to write about the rants than I am the raves. However, I recently came across a message (yes, it is a rave) I thought should go into this month’s column because I strongly agree with what this reader said (as I always do)! Dear Sami, Every month without fail, I always read your column first, then the new games, and then the Q&A [Player’s Talk] section. I wanted to write to you what tremendous fun and luck I have been having on Moby Dick. I did not like the book in school, but I am sure enjoying the game now. Have you played it yet? I think you should and you should let everyone know to go and play it as soon as they can. I play it at [my favorite casino] whenever I can and am disappointed when I can’t. Keep up the great writing. I love your magazine. Marge Hawthorne—Phoenix, AZ Marge, thank you very much for your kind words about my column and our magazine. As you can see, I am spreading the word about Moby Dick by Multimedia Games because I also continue to seek out the game in every casino I visit in Arizona and across the country. My play sessions are never very long on the game, yet I always manage to hit several progressives and have hit all five progressive levels in one session! I really love the fact that Multimedia Games inserted Bally’s Quick Hit progressive system into the game. But, that’s not all! I think the base game is really strong with the mystery wilds and the stacked symbols. That lets me play for a while as I wait for one of the two bonuses (one pick ‘em and the other free games). Three bonus symbols on reels 3, 4, and 5 let you pick to match 4 of a kind for a possible prize of up to 160x total bet where you can collect more than one prize, or even all of them! When 3 Free Spin symbols land on reels 1, 3, and 5, you get 10 free spins and the White Whale symbol is Wild. The free spins can retrigger for up to 110 free spins. Don’t forget to win any of the progressives, you have to play max bet. So, be prepared to play responsibly and with an appropriate bankroll. Ask for Moby Dick by Multimedia Games at your favorite casino the next time you visit, and good luck! $
Do YOU have something to rant or rave about? Write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com
42 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
FUN FACTS By Mark Novak
THE ORIGIN OF DICE Archaeologists Date Dice Back to 24th Century BCE
D
id you know the earliest forms of dice originated in the Near East well over 4,000 years ago?
In a Mesopotamian tomb, British archaeologist Leonard Woolley discovered the dice in the Royal Cemetery at Ur with a board game known as the Royal Game of Ur. Two types of dice, stick dice and tetrahedral dice (dice with four triangular surfaces), were found with the board game. Unlike modern dice, the numbers on the opposite sides of Mesopotamian dice were consecutive numbers rather than numbers that add up to seven. In Egypt, as early as 3,000 BC, a racing game involving a version of dice existed and was played well until the second century AD. And of course, Native Americans, Romans, Indians, and Christians, along with many other cultures, all have traditions of games involving dice throughout history. $
azgamingguide.com | September 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide
43
FUN & GAMES
WORD SEARCH To celebrate casino gaming, find: CASINO, GAMBLING, GAMES, CHANCE, RANDOM, MONEY, LUCK, SUCCESS, FORTUNE, CARDS, BLACKJACK, DICE, CRAPS, ROULETTE, POKER, VIDEO POKER, KENO, SLOT MACHINE, CHIPS, TICKETS, COMPS, FREE PLAY, FUN, RESPONSIBLE. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)
S
S
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N O
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F
A
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Q
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G
K
M K
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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)
1
2 5
7
2
9 3
9
8 4
1
2 3
4
7
5 9
8
2 6
2
5
1
4
9
8
3
3
44 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
101 & McKellips
Scottsdale
480-850-7777 904
Y
Y
05. Casino Del Sol
5655 W. Valencia Rd.
Tucson
855-765-7829 1,069
Y
Y
7406 S. Camino De Oeste
Tucson
855-765-7829 292
07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel
I-17, Exit 289
Camp Verde
800-381-7568 655
15318 S. Ave. B
Somerton
800-237-5687 509
7350 S. Nogales Hwy.
Tucson
866-332-9467 1,067
I-19, Exit 80
Tucson
866-332-9467 688
Hwy. 86, Milepost 55
Why
08. Cocopah Resort Casino 09. Desert Diamond Casino I 10. Desert Diamond Casino II 11. Desert Diamond Casino-Why 12. Fort McDowell Casino
Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.
13. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
480-802-5000 1,089
777 Hwy. 260
Pinetop
800-929-8744 825
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
800-946-4452 786
Y
Y
Payson
800-777-7529 420
Y
Y
Y
Y
450 Quechan Dr.
Yuma
888-777-4946 486
Y Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
18. Quechan Casino
I-8, Exit 166
Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+
19. Spirit Mountain Casino
8555 Hwy. 95
Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 N/A
Y
Y
Chandler
Y
101 & Indian Bend
Scottsdale
480-850-7777 759
Y
I-40, Exit 219
Flagstaff
855-946-8946 1,084
Y
Y
6443 Komatke Ln.
Laveen
800-946-4452 950
Y
Y
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.
Chandler
800-946-4452 950
Y
1505 E. Hwy. 69
Prescott
800-756-8744 243
21. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino 22. Vee Quiva Casino 24. Yavapai Casino
Y Y
Y Y* Y
Y
1077 S. Kyrene Rd.
20. Talking Stick Resort
Y
Y
Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson
17. Paradise Casino
23. Wild Horse Pass Casino
Y
Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 898 Maricopa
15. Lone Butte Casino
Y
Y
58
15406 N. Maricopa Rd.
14. Hon-Dah Casino 16. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino
866-332-9467
Y
Y
Spa
04. Casino Arizona
Golf
800-756-8744 319
RV Park
888-243-3360 525
Prescott
Hotel
Parker
1500 E. Hwy. 69
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 08/01/15 & 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!
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Word Search Solution S L O T M A C H I N E
S P
S U C C E S S
R A N D O M
E D A S P I H C
C
K E K C A L U C
L B I I C E N R G C A M E I S S I A V G S D R N O J K C K
S N O P S E R M O N E Y E K U O G F P N Y O O I S A N E L T L D B C C E P M H O K E A A M C E N P I R A C C S T F E A L B F O R T U N E
Sudoku Solution R R E K O P R O U L E T T E
1
3
8
7
5
2
6
9
4
6
5
2
8
4
9
3
7
1
7
9
4
1
6
3
2
5
8
9
7
3
4
8
6
1
2
5
2
8
6
5
9
1
7
4
3
4
1
5
2
3
7
9
8
6
3
4
1
9
2
5
8
6
7
8
2
7
6
1
4
5
3
9
5
6
9
3
7
8
4
1
2
46 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Smoke-Free Area
Y
11300 Resort Drive
Y
Arcade
Y
02. BlueWater Resort & Casino
Poker Room
Y
800-272-2438 595
Table Games Y
Globe
Live Keno
Y
City
Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe
06. Casino of the Sun
Slots
Y
Location
01. Apache Gold Casino Resort 03. Bucky’s Casino
Phone
Bingo
Casino
High Limit Area
CASINO DIRECTORY
Y Y Y