Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - August 2016 - 08:08

AUGUST

Contents

IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 10 TABLE GAMES 15 NEW SLOTS 18 WINNING WAYS 20 DINING 22 FEATURE STORY 26 TRIBAL NEWS 28 GAMING NEWS 34 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 38 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 40 CASINO BINGO 42 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 43 FUN FACTS

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44 FUN & GAMES 46 CASINO DIRECTORY

CASINO DEL SOL BEGINS THEIR REBRANDING WITH A NEW SLOGAN “THE SOL OF TUCSON.”

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This new game is housed in the award-winning Arc Double cabinet and has some exciting new features.

Restaurant Chef Nicole Morrison shares the recipe for this all-new fresh, seasonal salad with our fans.

The Ak-Chin Indian Community breaks ground on the first phase of the multi-million dollar expansion.

PLAY WALKING DEAD II AT MAZATZAL NOW

NEW SUMMER CHOPPED SALAD AT CASINO AZ

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN BREAKS GROUND

azgamingguide.com | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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EDITOR’S NOTE

“THE SOL OF TUCSON”

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

Casino Del Sol Begins Their Rebranding

VOLUME 08 • ISSUE 08 PUBLISHER Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com

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heir old slogan used to be “More Fun Under The Sun” and this month Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona will begin their rebranding efforts with a new theme: “The Sol Of Tucson.” According to Steve Neely, Chief Marketing Officer, this marketing strategy is not about reinventing but refreshing and evolving. While the evolution has less to do with facility and more to do with service delivery, physical facilities will also be modified. One example is their newlyremodeled Zeboz Bar. Located in the middle of the Piazza gaming area under an artificial perpetual daytime sky dome (one of the many exquisite indoor features of this gaming facility), Zeboz Bar has been rebuilt with a beautiful Mediterranean theme with over 2,700 square feet! This $1.2 million renovation is absolutely breathtaking and must be seen in person to be fully appreciated! Read more about all the excitement that’s happening now at Casino Del Sol Resort and make sure you plan your visit to this great property soon!

Also in this issue, you’ll find plenty of reasons to make your next trip to any casino a success. We’ve got the lowdown 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: facebo ok .com /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 the Arizona Gam ing Guide on our website at AZGam ingGuid e.com . Let me know what you think of this issue and have fun!

Alexandra Alexandra Lang Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com

“Like” us on Facebook because

we “Like” you too!

MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Lee Allen Matt Probst Mark Novak Lana Hartmann Rachel Brockway Samantha Becker 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 Copyright © 2016 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

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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: On most of the slot machines that I play, I can pick if I want to play 20 or 30 lines. I usually play all 30, but I got to thinking, what if I just played 20 lines to save money? Can you explain what the difference would be? Maybe I would lose less but also win less? Thank you for a great magazine. I read it every month and look forward to every issue.

Mary Schumacher – Tucson, AZ A: Mary, thank you for being a fan of the Arizo na G am ing Guide! We truly appreciate your support of our publication! You ask an excellent question! Many people have written in to us over the years who also believe that since 20 lines requires less of a bet than 30 lines it must be the correct way to play in order to save money, however it is not!

What many players fail to recognize is that the 30 line game uses the exact same mathematical structure as the 20 line game.

The advantage you gain playing the maximum number of lines is the greater hit frequency. In some cases, playing 30 lines can give you up to 50% higher hit frequency over playing just 20 lines on the same slot, and who doesn’t want to win more often?

You will definitely feel a difference playing just 10 less lines on any slot! I challenge you to do a comparison for yourself. Take a

$10 bankroll and play 20 lines and then another $10 bankroll and play 30 lines on the same slot. You will feel the increased wins! And, the extra 10 lines will really pay off during a free games bonus with much larger bonus wins (on average). Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Q: When I talk to our customers, all I feel like they discuss with me is how the casino is “cheating” them in one way or another. One person says the slots are rigged, another says she never wins when playing with her free play because it’s set up that way, another one says the cards are set up, and on and on.

All they do is complain about why they’re losing and how the casino must be doing something dishonest in one way or another! I’m sick of hearing these remarks. Please tell your readers it’s called HOUSE ADVANTAGE, not cheating! Period.

Casino Employee – Phoenix, AZ A: You’re absolutely right! Thank you for taking the time to write us. Whether you play slots, cards, bingo, keno, or any other game in a casino, you have to understand that they are all designed to make the “house” money. The “house,” meaning the casino, will always have the advantage over you regardless of the game you choose to play, because these games of chance Continued on page 8

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PLAYERS TALK

Continued from page 6

are based on random outcomes that favor the casino. They are, in a nutshell, mathematically calculated to work against you!

That is fact! Therefore, if you are one of those people that always complains about the casinos cheating players, setting up the cards or rigging the slot machines, then you’re just being foolish!

There are, however, ways everyone can increase their odds, and therefore decrease the house edge, while at the casino. Our main goal with this magazine is to provide all of you with information that will help you maximize your chances of coming out ahead so that in the long run you have more winning sessions than you do losing ones. That’s about all you or I can hope for!

An informed gambler is a smart gambler. So, if you enjoy casino gaming then you have to make the commitment to educate yourself about the games you’re playing. That’s the only way you will have a fighting chance against the casinos.

Make sure you read the help screens, use optimal playing strategy when playing skill games such as blackjack and video poker, increase your return by using a player’s card, and seek out the casinos that offer the best promotions and games with the highest payback percentages. That’s where we’ll be your “eyes and ears.” Listen to our advice, so you can maximize your chances of winning and be entertained every time you visit a casino!

Q: There is a woman who goes to the same casino as I do. We seem to like playing the same slot. When I arrive at the casino the slot has a players card in it and the chair has an ash tray on it. To me, this means that someone went to get change or use the facilities. However, this woman saves it while she plays another machine. When questioned, she says it is her husband or son who is playing. She sits about two slots away. After she plays her machine, she saves it and moves over to the one that she is saving. She does this for about two hours! Back and forth. She has no husband or son that is in the casino with her. I questioned her about her selfishness and she blasted me for ruining her day at the casino and actually told me to go away! There is no sign on the slot that says play just one slot.

It is not fair to other players but she has been doing this for many months. This really gets me in a bad mood! Is there anything that can be done?

S.S. – Phoenix, AZ

A: During slow times, casinos will allow patrons to play more than one machine at a time. However, the key word is play.

Since you mention that this person is sitting several machines away and is merely “holding” the machine for herself so that she can alternate play on both machines, this is not the same!

Most casinos abide by the “10 minute rule.” If an ashtray is left on a chair, a chair is tilted against a slot machine (which is a frowned upon method of holding a slot due to safety reasons), or any other practice is used to reserve a slot, most floor attendants will keep an eye on the game and relinquish it to players.

In fact, my team members and I have witnessed slot attendants go into the audit screens and check time stamps and verify when the machine was last played.

Next time you find yourself in this situation, don’t approach the casino patron because, as you witnessed for yourself, gamblers can be very cantankerous. Instead, go directly to a slot attendant and explain the circumstances. At first, keep an eye out on the machine yourself and make sure that at least 10 or 15 minutes have passed by and then inform the attendant how long the machine has been idle.

Q: Please answer this for me: what does “Bonus Reels In Play” mean? … I see this during bonus rounds on many of my favorite games?

Cathy Goodman – Yuma, AZ A: This disclaimer from the slot manufacturer means the reel strips that are used in the base game are not the same reel strips that are used during the free games, most of the time. Yes, that’s right! So, if you’ve ever felt as though it was easier (or harder) to get certain winning combinations during a free games bonus round, now you know why! Regulations in several major gaming jurisdictions, including Arizona, require a visible difference in the symbols or a disclaimer statement displayed on screen during a bonus if an alternate set of reels is used.

Changing the reel strips during the bonus can allow the mathematician to control the volatility of the game. In other words, they can increase or decrease the hit frequencies of the individual wins, change your chances of retriggering the bonus, affect (on average) how much each free game will pay, and so on. $

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.

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

SO YOU WANT TO BE A DEALER? Most AZ Casinos Offer Insurance, 401K, Paid Vacations, And More!

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orking as a casino dealer can be quite rewarding from an enrichment-entertainment standpoint.

That might sound way too sappy, but working in the blackjack department is a kick most of the time. Dealers share common goals, like getting toked, following roughly 10 zillion rules, trying not to take their own issues out on their players, and making it through an hour-down without killing the guy who keeps saying, “How come I never get a blackjack,” which he started saying after the second hand he played. Of course, players can be engaging, generous, and unintentionally funny; which is always best, like when a newbie gets a blackjack and tries to add money to their wager saying, “I think I can win.” Yup, that’s something you share with your fellow dealers in the break room.

According to the dealers I’ve talked with, dealing looked like a great opportunity because it paid well and took little education.

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to deal; you just need some dexterity and the math skills to add to 21. Beyond that, your ability to mix-it-up with your players and withstand some daily abuse is a must. Sure, the job’s fun, but cranky players, especially those who think the dealer has control over whether they win or lose, can be a pain. Fortunately, Floor Supervisors can help ease the pain like walking bottles of aspirin. They wander the pit, keep track of the players’ buy-ins, watch the dealers, watch ESPN, and tell jokes when time permits. Dealers and supervisors have plenty of material for jokes because players are funny.

On the other hand, cranky supervisors can also lead to headaches and their managers, the Pit Bosses, can be good or bad depending on their view of life and their importance in it. An old joke about a fellow who goes to heaven might explain it best. Everyone is dressed casually and walks around happy and content except a few grumpy people in suits standing by themselves. When he asks about them he’s told, “Those are the Pit Bosses.” “I see,” the fellow says. “How about that guy over there in the all-white suit?” “Oh no,” he is told. “That’s God; he just thinks he’s a Pit Boss.” And so it goes.

Most casinos in Arizona offer good benefits to their employees: insurance, 401K, paid vacations and more – if you are able to make full-time. Dealing pays much better than other entry-level jobs and can easily be a permanent, full-time job you can raise a family on. That is good, and while some casinos run their own

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dealer schools for current employees, most require previous dealing experience or graduation from a dealer school. A dealing course for blackjack and carnival games (like Let-it-Ride and Three-Card-Poker) can run $500 to $1,200 which is a pretty small investment for a really good job. You won’t make a million dollars right off, but you will get to deal a million hands of blackjack. That’s a good thing, right?

If you have an questions about becoming a dealer, or would like more info, send us an e-mail to editor@azgamingguide.com with “Dealer” in the subject line. $

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

Wheel Of Fortune 3D Now Available At Desert Diamond Casino

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uests at Desert Diamond Casinos’ Tucson location on the Nogales Highway can now take their slot game to the next dimension with Wheel of Fortune Do uble Diam ond True 3D! Available in Arizona for the first time and only at Desert Diamond in Tucson, this latest 3D version of IGT’s popular Wheel of Fortune slots is sure to delight both new and longtime fans of the brand!

At a three coin bet level, players are eligible for the Coin Bonus, Free Games Bonus and 2X base game Multiplier. And at a five coin level, players are eligible for all Bonuses and Multipliers plus the Wheel Spin Bonus. Reels are 3D, so you will see the full depth and rotation of the reels as if they were actual mechanical reels; some symbols will appear slightly raised and textured and are presented in 3D space. All bonus features are awarded from the fourth Bonus Reel. Multi-Level Progressive values may also be awarded on the Wheel Spin Bonus. For more information on Desert Diamond Casino, visit ddcaz.com or call 1.866.332.9461. $

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NEW SLOTS

Sky High Stacks Now Available At BlueWater Casino

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he Colossal Cash and Diam ond Avalanche slot games from Ainsworth’s popular Sk y High Stack s series have arrived at BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, AZ! In the base games, any 3 or more scatters trigger a free games feature where all symbols are stacked in the towering 9x5 game array. During the free games, each title contains a unique and thrilling feature when 3 or more scatters trigger 5 additional games. During the additional games, Colossal Cash features large stacks of wilds on reels 1, 2, 4 and 5; and Diam ond Avalanche has large stacks of wilds on reel 3 and the chance at multipliers up to x15! Each title also contains 4 levels of standalone progressives that are awarded at max bet with 5-of-a-kind wins with no substitutions. For greater excitement, 4 levels of explosive bonus prizes are awarded with 5-of-a-kind wins with substitutions.

This game will truly keep all players sitting on the edge of their seats! For more information about these and other exciting new Ainsworth slots, visit their website at agtslots.com. For information about BlueWater, visit bluewaterfun.com. $

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NEW SLOTS

The Walking Dead II Now Available At Mazatzal Casino

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he new The Walk ing Dead II slot game is now live and ready for play at Mazatzal Hotel & Casino in Payson, AZ! This great new slot by Aristocrat builds on the momentum of the TV series and the original game and ups the ante with all-new content that is even more exciting than ever!

The Walk ing Dead II is housed in the award-winning Arc Double cabinet and truly provides a fully engrossing player experience.

Heavily themed to the action in the show’s season three, this all-new game includes thrilling new features like a random Michonne Attack bonus, Reel Growth for up to 300 lines, and Wild Horde multipliers.

Additional bonus features include the Governor Jackpot Bonus and Governor Free Games. This high volatility game has a frequent feature range with a 75 credit minimum bet and 375 credit maximum bet which include a four-level progressive! For more information on The Walking Dead II slot machine, visit aristocratgaming.com. For more information about Mazatzal, visit mazatzal-casino.com. $

azgamingguide.com | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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WINNING WAYS

By Mark Novak

LOYALTY CARDS Understanding Daily Theoretical

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ime and time again, our PO Box and e-mail inboxes here at the Arizona Gam ing Guid e are crammed with questions from you, our loyal readers. As you know, we whittle down the questions and present some of them in this very magazine. We love the dialogue and we also know you do too! So, I’d like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to our readers and also say thanks by answering a common reader question which we have encountered since our inception almost a decade ago.

When you play, using your loyalty card of course, at your favorite casino, you generate a certain amount of points by the end of the day. Always keep track of this daily point total along with the date, use a notebook or a computer spreadsheet if you have to.

At the end of the month, you can add up all of your points and divide that total by the number of trips you took. This will provide you with an average daily amount.

The next challenge is to convert the average daily amount of points you earn into dollars. Cold hard cash is what’s at stake here so let’s get straight to the point! If you are not sure how much each point is worth in terms of dollars at your favorite casino, go to the player’s club and ask. They will tell you when asked. Or, if you prefer a more low key approach, look for the player’s club brochure. The conversion from dollars to points should be listed there.

Let’s pretend you earned 345 points on July 5th, 729 points on July 13th, 143 points on July 20th and 452 points on July 27th.

Add up the points (345 + 729 + 143 + 452 = 1,669) and divide by the number of visits (1,669 / 4 = 417.25) to get your average daily point total of around 417 points. Let’s assume, after speaking with a representative at the player’s club, your favorite casino allows you to earn 1 point for every $2 you spend. This means, on average, across your handful of casino visits, you generated around $800 dollars of wagers at your favorite casino (417 X $2 = $834 to be precise).

Assuming you play the penny slots and your favorite casino runs those slots at around a 10% hold (a very common hold percentage), you are worth about 10% of your play to the casino or around $80 (10% of $800 is $80). That number, the $80, is the average daily theoretical amount of money your favorite casino can expect to earn from you during a visit. Interesting right? $

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CASINO DINING Words By Lana Hartmann Photo Courtesy Of Casino Arizona

CHOLLA’S SUMMER CHOPPED SALAD A Light And Delicious Summer Meal At Casino Arizona

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he Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge is the ideal finedining destination for every occasion. Featuring the very best regional cuisine, Cholla’s top chefs are known for preparing classic favorites and exciting new dishes for your absolute enjoyment. This hidden gem for Phoenix Steakhouses includes menu favorites such as Crab Stuffed Prawns, New York Steak and Elk Tenderloin. Located just off the gaming floor in Casino Arizona, the upscale setting offers guests an intimate retreat to savor the experience. And, remarkably, it’s always affordable!

Cholla just introduced a light and delicious salad as part of its summer special (paired with a delectable blue cheese-crusted New York strip steak). And, restaurant Chef Nicole Morrison is sharing the recipe so we can all enjoy this fresh, seasonal salad anytime, anywhere!

Cholla’s Summer Chopped Salad Special Ingredients: 8 oz. sliced romaine 2 oz. sliced purple kale ¼ cup red and yellow bell pepper, sliced ¼ cup seeded, diced cucumber 3 cherry tomatoes (cut in half) 2 oz. mustard lemon vinaigrette Salt and pepper to taste Method: Mix romaine, kale, bell peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes with the mustard lemon vinaigrette and salt and pepper.

Some of Cholla’s other delicious salads include the Cholla Steakhouse Salad which contains grilled marinated beef tenderloin, romaine hearts with organic greens, roasted red peppers, roma tomatoes, red onion, roasted sweet corn with toasted Arizona pistachios and a sesame balsamic vinaigrette—absolutely delectable! Another favorite salad of mine at Cholla’s is the Cranberry Spinach Salad with baby spinach, feta cheese, candied cashews and a cranberry champagne vinaigrette.

There’s never a shortage of healthy selections to choose from at Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge. I have several personal

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favorites during the summer that are light but hearty. The CharGrilled Chicken Breast is scrumptious and consists of boneless, skinless, marinated chicken breast with shiitake and Portobello mushroom glace and pearl onion. The Atlantic Salmon is mouthwatering and it’s served with herb brown butter, lemon, and capers. And, I guarantee you’ve never had lamb chops like those at Cholla—citrus, sun-dried tomato and rosemary encrusted lamb chops served with spicy mint yogurt! The sides are all yummy as well and if you haven’t tried the Lobster Mashed Potatoes, order them during your next visit and you may be going back just for that side dish!

If you’re feeling like splurging, you’ll love the Trio Nachos! It is served with beef tenderloin, slipper lobster, tequila shrimp, tuna ceviche, monterey jack, cheddar, and pepper jack cheese, avocado salsa, mild picante salsa, and pico de gallo over fresh tricolored chips. Yes, it is as delicious as it sounds!

And, speaking of splurging, don’t get me started on their dessert menu! From their Apple Galette (golden delicious apples covered with cinnamon, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce), to their scrumptious Chocolate Cake (blackout cake generously covered with chocolate frosting and a sea salt caramel sauce), you’ll have a difficult time making a decision!

For Scottsdale’s finest steakhouse, you should experience Cholla for yourself. Reservations are recommended and you can call 480.850.7736 to reserve your table. They are open Sunday through Thursday 5pm to 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm, and the Lounge is open daily at 4:30pm. $

Cover Story: Casino Del Sol Rebrands Words & Steve Neely Photo By Lee Allen Photos & Images Courtesy Of Casino Del Sol

Discover:

While Olympic banners fly high in Rio de Janeiro in August, Southern Arizona’s Pascua Yaqui Tribe is quietly hoisting some new banners of their own in a rebranding of Casino Del Sol Resort.

In the gaming business since 1994 with the introduction of the tribe’s first foray into the casino world (Casino of the Sun), the initial 40,000-square-foot gaming experience spawned its big brother two miles down the road, Casino Del Sol Resort, that opened its doors on 11-11-11. The festive opening weekend offered something for everyone with entertainers like Tim McGraw, Cheap Trick, and Pepe Aguilar.

Very quickly, the Casino/Resort/Spa/Conference Center nestled in the secluded mesquites of the high desert grabbed its market share and then some. Casino Del Sol took little in becoming the 22 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

“When we did our research, I asked people to explain what they felt the soul of Tucson meant, the concept it espoused, and I got a different answer from every single person.

But the one common thread I kept hearing was ‘comfortable’, and that’s what I’m hoping people will take away from our efforts.”

Steve Neely—Chief Marketing Officer—Casino Del Sol

Sewailo Golf Course

only casino resort in Arizona honored with a Forbes Four Star distinction in addition to its AAA Four Diamond Award.

The 160,000-square-feet of casino space rapidly filled with 1,300 gaming machines as well as poker and table games along with bars, an assortment of dining options, an entertainment venue and the Sewailo Golf Club, which was added in 2012.

Hotel Suite Living Room

Under the slogan “More Fun Under The Sun” life was good.

However, change can sometimes be even better and decisionmakers decided it was time for a new look and feel.

By definition, the goal of rebranding is “to influence a customer’s perception about a product or service by revitalizing the brand and making it seem more modern and relevant to customer needs.”

“We’re doing that,” says Steve Neely, Chief Marketing Officer.

“We’re not reinventing, we’re refreshing and evolving. There’s nothing wrong with the “More Fun Under The Sun” theme. It’s catchy and memorable, but in my opinion, it didn’t get us all the way to where we needed to be. The word ‘fun’ is hard to define

and not completely fulfilling and this property represents more than just the concept of ‘fun’. It’s a reflection of the entire geographic area and the tribal owners and the struggles they’ve endured throughout their long history here. I felt we could do a better job of representing what we’re all about.”

In the marketing man’s mind, Casino Del Sol’s amenities, employees, and customers represent a cross-section of Southern Arizona, indeed, the soul of Tucson. “Our facility and our offerings are what you’d expect to find in Tucson itself. When I think of what the soul of Tucson represents in its neighborhoods –-the grocery store, the favorite restaurant, a preferred entertainment venue --- you’ll find all that right here in the casino.”

So the rebranding is, first, a change in mind-set. It’s a warm, azgamingguide.com | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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Discover: The Sol Of Tucson welcoming “Howdy” to both regular patrons and first timers whether they arrive to challenge Lady Luck at tables or machines, to discover new places for fine dining, or to enjoy topgrade entertainment.

While the evolution has less to do with facility and more to do with service delivery, physical facilities will also be modified and the newly-renovated Zeboz Bar is a perfect example. “We had outgrown our center bar and acknowledged a need to evolve. One of our best amenities of this place is its openness Newly Remodeled Zeboz

and we felt the existing area didn’t allow enough room for people to enjoy the spot to its fullest,” Neely says. “Tribal Council agreed and approved a $1.2 million rebuild.”

Located in the middle of the Piazza gaming area under an artificial perpetual daytime sky dome, it has already been demolished and rebuilt and, at 2,700 square feet with a Mediterranean theme, it has a much more open feeling. The bar now holds five times its previous capacity and boasts four intimate booths, one in each corner of the raised platform as well as bar-top gaming machines like keno and video poker. “The addition of 500 more square feet on the elevated platform enhances the ambiance of the property,” adds CEO Kimberly Van Amburg.

More changes are in the offing. “Now that we’re done with Zeboz, we’re looking at 4,000-square-feet of storage space near the Bingo Hall that we’d like to relocate our Paradiso Lounge in.

The current location has a really small stage for entertainers.

Patrons can’t dance because the floor is too small. And if you’re a slot player, sometimes the music is too loud. We’d like to change that dynamic and remake the space into more of a casino lounge, a whole room for Paradiso.” That part of the project has an estimated completion date by year-end.

The rebranding is trying to take into account the needs, wants, and desires of a diverse clientele. “I basically have three differ-

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ent casinos,” admits Neely. “One attracts a very loyal, highfrequency customer who seldom leaves that side of the building. They want to get to their machines and start playing and that’s it. Another group is the opposite of that. They play highlimit slots, enjoy fine dining, and never cross over to the other side where the game mix, the experience, is different. Then I have a third group, the roamers, that bounce all over the place and love to play. We need to meet the expectations of all three of these groups of players. It’s an extremely diverse population.”

The High Limit Lounge

The new marketing mantra --- The Sol of Tucson --- should do that. “The slogan will mean something different to everyone,” Neely admits. “When we did our research, I asked people to explain what they felt the soul of Tucson meant, the concept it espoused, and I got a different answer from every single person.

But the one common thread I kept hearing was ‘comfortable’, and that’s what I’m hoping people will take away from our efforts.”

“If you want to sit at a bar with your favorite drink, I’ve got some of the best bars in the city on our property. If you want fine dining with the best chefs and the finest wine, you’ll find that here. If you want a good value on a hotel room, ditto. And if you’re a duffer looking for a quality golfing experience, without question we have the best value in Arizona or throughout the Southwest. You’re not going to find a better round of golf anywhere for the price and I’ll go head-to-head with any course in the state on that one,” states Neely.

Acknowledging that Casino Del Sol does a great job attracting the local market, Neely says, “in order to grow the pie, we have to bring in new visitors from outside. Our partnership with VisitTucson helps bring people to town and once they arrive, if they truly want to see what it’s all about, they should be coming here to discover The Sol of Tucson.” For more information on Casino Del Sol, visit casinodelsol.com or call 1.855.SOL.STAY. $

TRIBAL NEWS Story By Lee Allen Photos Courtesy Of The Heard Museum

PERSONAL JOURNEYS An Art Exhibit Of American Indian Landscapes, Now Through Sept. 28

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ne way to escape the summer heat is to flee to the mountains to enjoy higher elevation cooler temperatures and in the process regenerate one’s spirit by listening to the winds whisper through the pine trees and the brooks’ flowing waters as they gurgle by.

For those who are not able to make such an actual trip, Heard Museum in Phoenix is offering a well-received and very greatly appreciated art exhibit called Personal Journeys --- American Indian Landscapes showing the unique relationship Native Americans have with the land and how that is expressed in art.

Believing in a concept where the earth is a living and breathing spiritual entity to whom reverence is due, indigenous peoples refer to Mother Earth as the source of all life who teaches us to listen, observe, and respect her and live in harmony with her (and Father Sky). “The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth,” is a commonly used expression.

In an introduction to the Perso nal Journeys exhibit, curator Janet Cantley writes: “Land, as a subject matter for many Native artists, is a personal journey into history, culture, and identity expressed in a variety of media showing the relationship the artists have with the land. Their stories are individual expressions built upon layers of cultural teachings, historical events, spiritual insights, and personal experiences. Land has been the cause of conflict with outsiders and loss of land is a universal experience for indigenous peoples. Native landscapes shown via visual arts are a convergence of physical place, process, and cultural meeting.”

Viewing the visual art on display at the Heard (until September 28) is the next best thing to actually communing with Mother Earth. Among the artists on display is Emmi Whitehorse (Navajo) who says, “My work is and always has been about land, about being aware of our surroundings and appreciating the beauty of nature. I am concerned we are no longer aware of those things. I hope the calm and beauty I try to express in my work through light, space, and color will serve as a reminder of what is underfoot, of the exchange we make with nature.”

Kay WalkingStick (Cherokee, Winnebago) says her landscape paintings pictorially convey her feelings about the earth being sacred. In her gifted acrylic-oil-beeswax-on-canvas exhibit dis-

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Emmi Whithorse (Navajo), b. 1956, “#513 Untitled, 1985, acrylic and mixed media on canvas.

Heard Museum Purchase.

James Lavadour (Walla Walla/Umatilla), b. 1951, “New Blood,” 1990, oil on linen. Purchased with funds provided by the Goldsmith Foundation.

play titled Uncontrolled Destiny, she takes a memory from her past in Ithaca, New York, where she spent many days listening to nearby waterfalls and trying to give meaning to the natural process. “Their sound came to represent, for me, the on-rush of our lives, an unstoppableness of our time here. The powerful rushing waters represented the beautiful and bittersweet times of our lives that pass so quickly.” In another work, an oil stick on paper (The Vortex), she comments, “It is important to me that my work is not seen as a ‘landscape painting,’ I want my paintings to be seen as ideas about landscape.”

Hiking experiences in northeastern Oregon formed the basis for self-taught artist James Lavadour (Walla Walla, Umatilla) who

TRIBAL NEWS

draws from personal observations and each individual painting references an event of nature. His separately-painted canvases, when combined as a unit, present multiple views of a changing panorama. “The images I see in paint are the memories of my living life. A painting (like his displayed New Blood ) is a footprint of an informative event, concrete evidence of unseen processes that exist beyond our perceptions of time and space.”

For Joan Hill (Muscogee Creek, Cherokee), her oil and sand on canvas titled Legend of the Holly and the Pheasant Dance makes a connection to land settled by her great-grandfather.

“There is, in the Indian psyche, a deep spiritual feeling for nature, an inborn love and respect for the land, the elements and powers of creation, a sense of the eternal and the monumental.

Order and harmony are important to the Indian and this relationship of humankind and nature pervades the work of Indian artists, often making their creation into a form of visual prayer where the world is recreated, not as ‘seen’ but as ‘felt’. In Indian art, the unknown is as real as the known --- there is a feeling that the artist ‘sees’ with the heart as well as the eyes.”

Darren Vigil-Gray (Kiowa/Jicarilla), b. 1959, Motherland of Basketmakers #16, 2002, acrylic on canvas. Gift of Maxine and Stuart Applebaum

Another perspective of how intertwined art and nature are comes from Nora Naranjo-Morse (Santa Clara Pueblo, Tewa) in an untitled ceramic piece. “New Mexico landscape has views that stretch beyond imagination with air, earth, and rocks creating crystal-clear mountaintops miles away as iridescent sunsets wash over the sky and create shadows against unearthly rock formations --- an ecosystem so visually perfect it’s hard not to think of the Devine,” she says. “This larger-than-life landscape can’t be recreated in mere human artistry, so I made my work a humble offering, approaching the land as if it were a precious and simple jewel and using the earth itself to mold a snapshot of the views I’m lucky enough to see every day.”

Exhibit coordinator Cantley says it was difficult to go through several hundred potential works and cull the selection to 60 some-odd objects. “In making selections of Native works about land, we really discovered that they were all about land and personal statements about its significance. That made my narrowing of selections a bit more of a challenge, but we ended up with selections that focused on the topic in many forms (pottery, baskets, bowls, watercolors, acrylics, oils, pastels, inkjet art, tapestries, textiles, weavings, beadwork, ceramics, jewelry, bronze, and other metalwork). Because there are so many iterations to

Pablita Velarde (Santa Clara Pueblo), 1918-2006, untitled, 1966, watercolor on poster board.

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Harvey III.

choose from, it would be interesting to consider the possibility of another such show with completely different works of art.”

For now, the current show runs through September 28. Heard Museum is located at 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix. For more information about this exhibit or the Heard Museum, call 602.252.8840. $

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27

GAMING NEWS

Everi’s TournEvent Of Champions Visits Desert Diamond Casino’s Sahuarita, West Valley And Tucson Properties The 2016 TournEvent of Cham pions (TOC) campaign is in full swing and hundreds of slot players have participated in qualifying TOC tournaments held at Desert Diamond Casino and Entertainment’s Sahuarita, West Valley, and Tucson properties over the past few months. The slot tournament action is culminating in grand fashion this month as all three properties are set to host their “Viva Slots Vegas” finale tournaments where the top finisher at each casino will win a trip to Las Vegas to compete at The Million Dollar Event!

“We’ve had a very positive response from our guests, who are always thrilled to be a part of our slot tournaments,” said Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise. “From the dedicated weekly players to the newcomers, the excitement level runs especially high during TournEvent of Cham pions.”

Now in its fifth year, TournEvent of Cham pions is a unique collaboration between Everi – the casino industry’s single source provider of payments and gaming solutions – and top casinos across the U.S. and beyond to bring unprecedented competition and intensity to the casino floor through a patented slot tournament campaign. Last year, the TournEvent of Champions grand finale was rebranded as The Million Dollar Event, where slot players competed for a chance at the $1 million* grand prize. Held over the course of two days at Wynn/ Encore’s XS Nightclub, slot players took part in multiple rounds of tournament play to determine the 12 players who would compete in the intense TOC final round.

“Desert Diamond has participated in TournEvent of Cham pions since 2014 and it just gets bigger and better every year,” said Parvello. “And with our new Desert Diamond Casino - West

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2015 Desert Diamond TOC Winner

The excitement kicks off at 5:30pm on August 19 at the Desert Diamond Casino - Sahuarita location where qualifying slot players will compete in several rounds of slot tournament play to determine who will face off in the final round. On August 20, Desert Diamond Casino - West Valley will host its TOC finale with several rounds of tournament play scheduled to begin at 2pm. Finally, the TOC party heads to Desert Diamond Casino - Tucson on August 21 where the hot multi-round slot tournament action starts at 2pm. Each finale tournament will include a visit from the TOC tour bus, the MGirls, and The Money Man, which will add even more fun to these events.

Valley property, we now have three locations participating this year. We're longtime partners with TOC and with the help of Everi, our great staff, and our guests, the 2016 Desert Diamond TournEvent of Champions will be the best one yet!”

Be sure to keep up with all the exciting TournEvent of Champions action by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visiting tournevent.com. And remember, The Million Do llar Event will take place September 28 in Las Vegas where the top finisher will walk away $1 million dollars richer! $ *The One Million Dollar Grand Prize will be awarded using periodic payments over 20 years.

GAMING NEWS

By Rachel Brockway

The Ak-Chin Indian Community Breaks Ground On First Phase Of Multi-Million Dollar Expansion At Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

With shovels in hand, Chairman Robert Miguel, along with members of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council and executive leadership from Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, turned the dirt to commemorate the groundbreaking of the multi-million dollar expansion at the hotel and casino. The expansion will include a spa, a conference center with multiuse ballroom space, a parking garage, additional restaurants and more than 200 additional rooms.

“The Ak-Chin Indian Community is very excited about this expansion that will provide our guests and visitors with the high-quality hospitality and entertainment that they have come to expect here at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino,” said Chairman Miguel.

According to Robert Livingston, General Manager of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, this expansion will not only increase room availability and accommodate additional hotel guests, but will also afford the property the opportunity to host large-scale entertainment, conventions, and other meetings.

“As one of a few full-service hotels and casinos in the area, this expansion will offer more options to visitors and guests throughout Pinal and Maricopa counties,” said Livingston.

The general contractor for the project is Sundt|Yates; Thalden Boyd Emery (TBE) is the architect. Chandra Reilly, Sundt Project Director commenting on behalf of the Sundt|Yates Joint Venture, said, "It is an honor to be part of the Ak-Chin Indian Community's economic evolution and continued partnership with Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino. This project has demanded the best ideas out of everyone involved, and we look forward to bringing those ideas to life over the next two years."

About Ak-Chin Indian Community: The Ak-Chin Indian Community is nestled into the Santa Cruz Valley of Southern Arizona. The community lies 35 miles south of Phoenix in the northwestern part of Pinal County. Ak-Chin is an O'odham word translated to mean "mouth of the wash" or "place where the wash loses itself in the sand or ground.” AkChin has an enrollment of more than 1,022 tribal members and a land base of just over 22,000 acres. The Ak-Chin Indian Community has a variety of business enterprises including Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle and Santa Cruz Com-

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Pictured Left to Right: Beth Amoroso, Harrah’s director of human resources, Angie Groeneveld, Harrah’s director of hospitality operations, Gabriel Lopez, Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council, Ann Antone, Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council, Chairman Robert Miguel, Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council, Vice-Chairman Delia Carlyle, Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council, Robert Livingston, Harrah’s general manager, Bambi Johnson, Harrah’s director of finance and administration, Michael Kintner, Harrah’s director of marketing and operations and April Stovall, Harrah’s surveillance and facilities manager

merce Center. For more information regarding the Ak-Chin Indian Community, visit ak-chin.nsn.us.

About Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino: Celebrating more than 20 years in Maricopa, Arizona, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is Arizona’s first and only tribal casino to have an international management partner, Caesars Entertainment.

Offering the largest selection of the latest reel and video slots in a range of denominations, Harrah’s Ak-Chin features slot machines, video poker, video keno as well as popular statewide progressives and live-action poker and blackjack.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin is the only casino in Arizona that allows guests, through its Total Rewards program, to unlock benefits and other prizes that can be used worldwide at the entire Caesars’ family of casinos. Harrah’s Ak-Chin also boasts the only Bingo hall in the Caesars organization. Casino guests can also enjoy live entertainment in The Lounge and a variety of dining options including the Copper Cactus Grill, Agave’s Restaurant, The Range Steakhouse, The Buffet and Dunkin Donuts. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino features 300 luxurious resort and tower guestrooms and an outdoor swimming pool with swim-up bar.

For more information regarding Harrah’s Ak-Chin, please visit their website at harrahsakchin.com. $

GAMING NEWS

By Theresa Welsh

All New Slot Tournaments Happening Now At BlueWater Resort & Casino The BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, AZ is hosting their all-new Senior Slot and Lucky Local Slot Tournaments now through September.

Those who wish to enter can win up to $500 for 1st place and each participant automatically qualifies for $10 in Free Slot Play!

The Lucky Locals Slot Tournaments will take place every Friday from now until September 30, 2016 from 5pm-9pm. The Senior Slot Tournaments will take place every Tuesday from now until September 27, 2016 from 1pm-4pm. Senior Slot Tournament participants must be 55 years and older. For more information about either one of these tournaments, please visit the Club (BlueWater’s Player’s Club).

About BlueWater The BlueWater Resort & Casino is located on the shores of the Colorado River in Parker, AZ and is an enterprise of the Colorado River Indian Tribe. BlueWater Resort & Casino features 200 river view rooms and suites, nearly 500 slot machines, table games, poker room, a bingo parlor and a large amphitheater. The resort also has a 100-slip marina and several restaurants including River Willow, the parker area’s most outstanding steakhouse. For reservations or information about the Resort & Casino or their all new slot tournaments call 1.888.243.3360 or visit their website at bluewaterfun.com. $

azgamingguide.com | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

33

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

Directory & Gaming Statistics

Aquarius Casino Resort 800.662.LUCK aquariuscasinoresort.com.

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

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

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

Colorado Belle Hotel Casino 877.460.0777 coloradobelle.com.

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

Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino 800.227.3849 riversideresort.com.

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

Edgewater Hotel Casino 800.677.4837 edgewater-casino.com.

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

Golden Nugget Laughlin 800.237.1739 goldennugget.com/laughlin 850+ slots, blackjack, table games, craps, roulette, race/sports book, live keno. Sign up for the player’s club and spin for guaranteed 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 May 2016 Slots

Hold % Tables

Hold %

-1.21*

Blackjack / 21

18.02

$5

3.78

Craps

18.38

$1

4.75

Roulette

22.76

Multi-Denom 5.62

Let It Ride

26.47

25¢

6.22

Pai Gow Poker

27.59

5¢

7.35

Other Table Games 28.21

1¢

11.31

Three Card Poker

32.46

Tight Megabucks

16.05

4.77

Win Amount

Dollars

Bingo

11.49

Slots

35.1 mil.

Race Books

15.39

Tables

3.8 mil.

31.49

Other

0.5 mil.

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 | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Other Loose Sports Pools

Tight Live Keno

Hold %

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Mark Novak

THE GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN The Perfect Balance Between Excitement And Relaxation This Summer

T

he Golden Nugget Laughlin is a unique resort on the banks of the Colorado River and a gaming destination that strikes the perfect balance between excitement and relaxation! You’ll find plenty of offers and all of your favorite casino games from slots, to video poker, to a long list of table games, to choose from. The Golden Nugget has a wide assortment of specials and gaming promotions going on now through the end of summer, so there’s no better time than the present to plan your trip to Laughlin!

For starters, guests can take advantage of a Stay and Play Getaway with rates as low as $34.99 per night. Call 1.800.950.7700 and tell them you’re a fan of the Arizona Gam ing Guide or just visit goldennugget.com/Laughlin to reserve your room.

The Golden Nugget Laughlin is also offering Room and Concert packages for September’s hottest tickets! Hank Williams Jr. is performing at the Laughlin Event Center on September 24.

Then, Dolly Parton performs on September 30.

There are quite a few promotions happening in August. The $30,000 Tipsy Turvy Slot Tournament is being held from August 18-20 where all participants will win prize money! The $20,000 Flashback Blackjack Tournament is going on August 26-28 with a $50 entry fee and $50 re-buy. The top 20 players will all be winners! And, the $65,000 Sizzlin’ Summer Cash Giveaway is in full swing now all the way through August 27! Just play your favorite slot, video or table game to earn tickets for your chance at their weekly $5,000 drawings held every Saturday during the month of August (August 6, 13, 20 and 27). In addition, the table games department is hosting a Moonlight Madness Blackjack Tournament every Friday with a guaranteed first place prize of $500. A $15 buy-in gets you $2,000 in tournament chips. Plus, the top 6 players will all be winners! So, sharpen your card playing skills and get ready to win!

New patrons to the Golden Nugget’s 24 Karat Club (their player’s club card valid at the Laughlin property as well as at the Golden Nugget properties in Las Vegas, Nevada, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Biloxi, Mississippi, and Lake Charles, Louisiana) are invited to spin a traditional three reel slot machine for a chance to win up to $1,000 in free play on the spot!

Also, don’t forget about the 24 Karat Select Club’s Tier Upgrade

Bonus! Bring in a valid competitor’s tiered card in your name and not only will that tier level be matched, but also upgraded an additional tier! The 24 Karat Select Club has four available tiers including: 24 Karat (0-3,999 credits), Premier (4,000-23,999 credits), Chairman (24,000-99,999 credits), and Elite (100,000 credits and above).

So what are you waiting for? Plan your Laughlin getaway to the Golden Nugget right now! For information on the Golden Nugget Casino in Laughlin, visit goldennugget.com/Laughlin or call 1.800.950.7700 for rooms, or call direct at 1.702.298.7111. $

azgamingguide.com | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

35

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Mark Novak

GREAT AUGUST DEALS AT TROPICANA Regatta, Blackjack Tournament, Free Pizza, And Movies!

N

ow that summer is in full swing, the Tropicana Laughlin is serving up hot slots, great table games, and a lot more fun for vacationers looking to enjoy themselves on the river.

The Tropicana Laughlin is the official registration site for the 2016 Bullhead City River Regatta which is on August 13th. This event is your chance to float down the cool Colorado River in style with plenty of other thrill seekers on a wide variety of inner tubes, floats, and rafts.

Plus, from the comfort of the Tropicana Laughlin’s pool, guests can enjoy the Trop “Dive-In” Poolside Cinema! The Trop has a jumbo screen pool TV ready for family friendly movies. Previous showings have included Star Wars: The Force Aw ak ens and Jurassic World.

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

For guests who are trying their luck at video poker on the casino floor, look for a Four-of-A-Kind in eights on non-multi-hand games! Four eights get you a free pizza!

And, the Tropicana Laughlin is hosting a $15,000 Blazing Bucks Blackjack Tournament August 19-21. The $50 buy-in gets you a mulligan and a wild card drawing ticket as well! Good luck! $

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Listings 7pm, Country Dance Instruction (Learn to Dance)—Wed. 6pm, Daisy Train (Country)—Wed. 8pm, Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to Dance)—Thu. 6pm, Superhero Band—Fri. 8:30pm

Hotel California Desert Diamond Casino—September 2 Hotel California - A Salute to the Eagles returns to the Diamond Center on Friday, September 2, 2016. For more than two decades, Hotel California has touched the hearts of fans all over the world by faithfully and accurately reproducing the Grammy Award-winning sounds of the Eagles. A spirited blend of originality and the pursuit of excellence have taken Hotel California to a level of international recognition normally reserved only for gold and platinum recording artists. The dynamic and highly acclaimed Hotel California incorporates their very own world renowned vocal harmony and authentic instrumentation, including all specialty instruments, in a stage spectacle that is both modern and exciting. Hotel California presents an exciting showcase of The Eagles megahits such as Take it Easy, Heartache Tonight and of course Hotel California, as well as selected titles from the solo works of Don Henley, Glen Frey and Joe Walsh. The magic and mystique of this truly timeless music is as powerful as it is captivating.

Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “We are excited to bring Hotel California back to the Diamond Center for another amazing show! Be sure to get tickets early for this stellar tribute to The Eagles. You won’t want to miss out!”

Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Events: Mexica n Na tio na l Ro deo Fina ls—Sep. 2-4, Jordan World Circus—Sep. 8, World Series Roping—Sep. 26-28 BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Fea turing a va riety o f live music. Events: 4th Annual Southwest Nautique Regatta—Sep. 16 & 17 Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom: Chica go Experience (Chica go Tribute)—Aug. 56, Rock And Roll Over (KISS Tribute)—Aug. 19-20, Mirage (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)—Aug. 26-27, Pyromania (Def Leppard Tribute)—Sep. 2-3 The Arizona Room: Arizona Room Trivia—Tue.

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 Paradiso Bar & Lounge: Thursday Tributes: Bea tles Tribute— Aug. 4, Those British Girls (Bassey & Adele Tribute)—Aug. 11, AZ/ DZ (AC/DC Tribute)—Aug. 18, One Of These Nights (Eagles Tribute)—Aug. 25, Foo Fighters Tribute—Sep. 1, Led Zeppelin Tribute— Sep. 8 Friday Nights: The Angel Perez Band—Aug. 5, Southern Reins (Top 40, Classic Country)—Aug. 12, Jacque Taylor & The Real Deal Band—Aug. 19, Tn’s 80s Band—Aug. 26, LIVE MUSIC—Sep. 2, Latin Rebel Band—Sep. 9 Saturday Nights: LIVE MUSIC—Aug. 6, Ritmo de Sanchez (Latin, Variety)—Aug. 13, Mzyterio (\Tejano, Conjunto)—Aug. 20, Conjunto Elegantes—Aug. 27, Reality Band— Sep. 3, Festival Band—Sep. 10 AVA Amphitheater: Brandi Carlile & Old Crow Medicine—Aug. 17, Alice Cooper—Aug. 26, Hank Williams Jr.—Sep. 25 Event Center: Solo Boxeo Unimas—Aug. 6, Frank Caliendo—Sep. 2 Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Dragonfly Lounge: Uptown—Aug. 5-6, Pima Express—Aug. 12-13, Alta Brava—Aug. 19-20, Buckit—Aug. 26-27 Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Ka ra o k e w ith Bling Bling—Fr & Sa Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: Fla shba ck Frida ys—Classic Hip-Hop and Old School fun with primetime DJs, Noches Caliente—Saturdays with the hottest live Latin music!

Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar: Dub So unds DJs—Fr & Sa Diamond Center: Three Dog Night—Aug. 5, Hotel California (Eagles Tribute)—Sep. 2, Gloria Trevi—Sep. 24, Brian Regan—Sep. 30 Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live entertainment. Events: Summerland (Sugar Ray, Everclear, Lit, Sponge)—Aug. 13 Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 Featured Entertainment: The Weight Ba nd (The Ba nd Tribute)— Aug. 19, One Of These Nights (Eagles Tribute)—Aug. 26 Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays In The Lounge: Enjo y live music in the evenings. Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns—Aug. 5, Basketball Jones—Aug. 6, Gemini Band—Aug. 7, Smooth Groove—Aug. 12, Walkens—Aug. 13, Soundwave—Aug. 20, Sun City Groove Band— Aug. 21, Thaddeus Rose—Aug. 27, Joe Costello Syndicate—Aug. 28, Live DJ—Aug. 19 & 26 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays In The Lounge: Enjo y live music in the a fterno o n. Jo hn Eric Duo – Aug. 1, Mancini the Band –Aug. 3, Walkens Trio–Aug. 3, Shades of Blue–Aug. 4, John Eric Duo–Aug. 8, Thaddeus Rose–Aug. 10, Walkens Trio –Aug. 10, 2 Shades of Blue–Aug. 11, John Eric Duo– Aug. 15, Bandstand Shows–Aug. 17, Chad Freeman Trio–Aug. 17, Chuck E Duo–Aug. 18, Karen & Marcus–Aug. 22, Silhouette–Aug.

Editor’s Pick 24, Stanley Serrano Trio–Aug. 24, Mike & Ted–Aug. 25, Karen & Marcus–Aug. 29, Jukebox 6–Aug. 31, Stanley Serrano Trio–Aug. 31 Sunday Poolside Entertainment: Enjo y live music fro m 2—6pm.

Volcano—Aug. 7, Walkens—Aug. 14, Quantum—Aug. 21, Poolside Cheeseburgers In Paradise (Jimmy Buffet Tribute)—Aug. 28

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT LOS LOBOS Talking Stick Resort October 14

Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Munda y Funda y—Comedy Show 7pm, Affinity (Variety)—Aug. 2-6, Barrio Latino (Variety)— Aug. 9-13, Greywolf (Country, Classic Rock)—Aug. 16-20, Vol. 1 (Latin Variety)—Aug. 23-27, Marble Heart (Country)—Aug. 30-Sep. 4 Events: Ho t August Nights (Neil Dia mo nd Tribute)—Aug. 26, Desperado (Eagles Tribute)—Sep. 2 Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Pho enix a rea ba nds & DJs o ffer free live entertainment throughout the week.

Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Apache Spirits Lounge: Fea turing a va riety o f live music.

Events: The Tro uba do ur Experience (Geo rge Stra ight Tribute)— Aug. 13, Desperado (Eagles Tribute)—Sep. 3, Southbound (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute)—Oct. 8 Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Check er’d Past (80s)—Aug. 5-6 Event Center: Ziggy Ma rley—Aug. 20 Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Sidewinders: Fea turing a va riety o f live enterta inment.

Pipa Event Center: Lo s Lo bo s—Sep. 16 Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom, Grand Ballroom & Pool: Ja y Leno—Aug. 5, The Four Phantoms—Aug. 12 & 13, Tedeschi Trucks Band—Sep. 2 Gregg Allman—Sep. 17, Alice In Chains—Sep. 30, Cyndi Lauper—Oct. 7, ZZ Top—Oct. 9, Los Lobos—Oct. 14, Foreigner—Oct. 16 Twin Arrows Navajo Casino—Flagstaff, AZ—855.946.8946 Featuring a variety of live entertainment.

Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452 Events: Ernesto So sa Na ranjo Y Su Grupo Vennus—Aug. 13, Los Muecas—Sep. 10 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: Ka nsa s—Aug. 5, Latin Comedy Jam—Aug. 11, Jay Mohr—Aug. 13, Those British Girls (The Best Of British Women Tribute)—Aug. 21, WFF Wild Horse Pass Fights—Aug. 27, Boyz II Men—Sep. 2, Sara Evans—Sep. 24

Talking Stick Resort is bringing an authentic Latin sound to the Showroom stage with a performance by Mexican American band Los Lobos on October 14.

The group has remained a force in the industry for 40+ years, proving their musical catalog is a timeless creative body of work. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Talking Stick Resort Box Office at 480. 850.7734.

In addition to the their collection of greatest hits, the group will play tracks from their latest album, Gates of Gold. Los Lobos songwriter and guitarist Louie Perez describes the band’s most recent album, Gates of Gold, as one that chronicles the group’s life experiences. He stated, “…there are more intrinsic things that happen, and our songs are part of the way we react to them. We sit down and basically tell people what has happened.” Since their formation, Los Lobos has intertwined poetic lyrics, spiritual themes and romantic subjects into their records. Their 1987 cover of Ritchie Valens’s La Bamba was an international success, earning the number one spots on U.S. and UK singles charts and catapulting the group to international fame. Their sound pays homage to Tex-Mex, R&B, rock and roll, folk and blues and fans can hear the melodious sound when they perform live in Scottsdale this October!

To learn more information about the Los Lobos show, call the Talking Stick Resort Box Office at 480. 850.7734 or visit talkingstickresort.com. Must be 21 or older to attend. $

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 | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

39

CASINO BINGO

PLAY BINGO AT CASINO ARIZONA One Of The Hottest Places To Play Bingo In The Valley!

G

rab a bingo dauber and your lucky troll and head on over to Casino Arizona’s bingo hall! Their 1,000 seat bingo hall is one of the hottest places to yell out Bingo!

You can enjoy great food and drinks and even catch the latest action on one of their many flat screen TVs throughout the hall.

Check out some of their hot promotions going on right now: Bingo Hot Potato Player Rewards Club members will have a chance to hit it big at L8 Nite Bingo during Hot Potato at Casino Arizona in Scottsdale now through December 30, 2016. Players who present their card during signup will have an extra opportunity to win the game.

After registration, all eligible players will be included in a drawing that takes place at the beginning of each session. Fifteen

winners will be drawn, one name for each game every Friday and Saturday during the L8 Nite sessions.

Bingo Hot Seats You could take home an extra $100 just for playing Bingo at Casino Arizona! On the final Sunday of each month, use your Player Rewards Club card when signing up for any matinee or evening bingo session. On drawing days, each guest that buys a bingo pack will be automatically entered to win $100 during the Bingo Hot Seat drawings. Five winners will be randomly selected to claim their cash during these sessions.

Visit casinoarizona.com for a complete list of all the exciting bingo promotions and current jackpot values! $

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

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

No

Yes

No

Desert Diamond I

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

300

Yes

Yes

No

Fort McDowell

We-Mo at 9am.

Daily at 12:30 & 6:30pm.

1200

(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.

40 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

41

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

LOST VOUCHERS—FINDERS KEEPERS? If A Player Finds A Casino Ticket On The Floor, Whose Property Is It?

T

ickets, or cashout vouchers, are technically “bearer instruments.” Officially, this means no records are intentionally kept as to who owns the cash represented by the voucher. Therefore, by definition, the individual (casino patron) possessing the ticket is the owner. However, once a lost cashout voucher is left in a ticket tray or dropped on the floor it legally becomes the property of the casino.

If you find a cashout voucher, call the nearest casino employee, identify that you found the ticket and state your intent to return it to its rightful owner. Head over to the main cashier cage at the casino with the employee and begin the paperwork necessary for the casino’s “lost and found” policy. Many casinos will even return the funds to you if their investigation into who the rightful owner is doesn’t provide any leads. Absolutely do not take a found ticket and cash it in or leave the casino with it, or worse

42 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

yet don’t begin playing with one that has been left in a machine!

If you do, you are technically stealing either from the casino or the original patron. As we all know, in a casino, there are a lot of cameras, employees and patrons who are all potential witnesses. Furthermore, a patron’s player’s card can be used to determine who was playing at what slot machine at any particular time. The casino will always make every attempt to return the money to its rightful owner or ultimately just give it to the person who found the voucher. $

Do YOU have a RANT OR RAVE? If so, write me at: sami@azgamingguide.com or by mail at: “Sami” Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277. If I pick your topic for publication in a future issue, you’ll get a $25 gift card!

FUN FACTS

By Lana Hartmann

FUN FACTS ABOUT CRAPS Do You Know About The Army Blanket Roll?

C

raps developed from a simplification of the early English game of "hazard.� Its origins are complex and may date to the Crusades, later being influenced by French gamblers. What was to become of the modern American version of the game was brought to New Orleans by Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny de Mandeville, a gambler and politician descended from wealthy colonial Louisiana landowners.

There was a flaw in Bernard's version of the game in which players could exploit the casino using fixed dice by taking advantage of the way players could bet with or against the dice thrower. A man named John H. Winn introduced the "don't pass" betting option in order to fix this problem and it is this version of craps that still exists today.

The game, first known as crapaud (a French word meaning

"toad" in reference to the original style of play by people crouched over a floor or sidewalk), reportedly owes its modern popularity to street craps. Street craps may be played by rolling the dice against a backstop, such as a curb or stair-stoop, or without a backstop, at the choice of the players.

During World War II, street-style craps became popular among soldiers who often played it using an Army blanket as a shooting surface. With no backboard or sidewalk curb to hit against, this gave rise to presumed methods of dice control, of which the best was known as the "army blanket roll.�

The tables have the shape of a bathtub, about 14 feet long, 5 feet wide, about 28 inches above the floor at the bottom, where the layout is, and about 24 inches from the layout up to the rim of the tub. $

azgamingguide.com | August 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

43

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH To Celebrate Women’s Equality Day On August 26th, Find: WOMEN, RIGHT, VOTE, EQUALITY, SUFFRAGE, NINETEENTH, AMENDMENT, ELECTORAL, OFFICE, VOTING, CIVIL, RIGHTS, SUSAN B ANTHONY. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)

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A

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. Level: Medium.

(Solution on page 46)

8

1

9 1

6

3 8

7

4 6

7 2

4

7

2

2

3

6

3

8

5

7

8

4 3

9

6 2

5

4

44 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 898

Y

Y

05. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1,073

Y

Y

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 279

07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 652

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 512

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,008

I-19, Exit 80

Tucson

866-332-9467 563

101 & Northern Ave.

Glendale

866-332-9467 1,089

08. Cocopah Resort Casino 09. Desert Diamond Casino I 10. Desert Diamond Casino II 11. Desert Diamond Casino-W.V. 12. Desert Diamond Casino-Why 13. Fort McDowell Casino

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.

14. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

17. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

Maricopa

480-802-5000 1,089

777 Hwy. 260

Pinetop

800-929-8744 824

Chandler

800-946-4452 828

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

Payson

800-777-7529 412

Yuma

888-777-4946 482

18. Paradise Casino

450 Quechan Dr.

19. Quechan Casino

I-8, Exit 166

Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+

8555 Hwy. 95

Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 245

20. Spirit Mountain Casino 21. Talking Stick Resort 22. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino 23. Vee Quiva Casino 24. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

T L A R O T C E L E

Y

C N I E W V S G M O O I U N D M F L N F I N E F I F R T E N I N R I O M C E A G V A E E T G H T E E T O R I G H T S E V N Y T I L A U Q E T N O H T N A B N A S U S H

800-946-4452 908

Y

800-946-4452 950

Y

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 236

6

7

9

1

5

9

1

4

8

3

6

9

1

6

3

8

5

4

7

2

5

4

7

8

9

6

1

2

3

1

8

3

7

4

2

6

5

9

6

2

9

5

3

1

7

4

8

7

5

8

4

2

9

3

6

1

4

9

1

6

5

3

2

8

7

3

6

2

1

7

8

5

9

4

46 Arizona Gaming Guide | August 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Laveen Chandler

2

Y

Y

Y

Y

5

Y

Y

Y

4

Y

Y

Y

7

Y

Y Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

855-946-8946 1,089

3

Y

Y

480-850-7777 765

2

Y

Y

Flagstaff

8

Y

Y

Scottsdale

Sudoku Solution

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

6443 Komatke Ln.

Word Search Solution

Y

Y

I-40, Exit 219

facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Y

Y

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 07/01/16 & direct inquiries by press time.

We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates.

azgamingguide.com

Y

Y

Y

Y

101 & Indian Bend

For information on the casinos & much more, scan our QR codes with your smartphone!

Y

Y

Y

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

25. Yavapai Casino

Y

Y

58

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

16. Lone Butte Casino

Y

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 905

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

15. Hon-Dah Casino

866-332-9467

Y

Y

Spa

04. Casino Arizona

Golf

800-756-8744 330

RV Park

888-243-3360 526

Prescott

Hotel

Parker

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Y

Smoke-Free Area

Y

11300 Resort Drive

Y

Arcade

Y

02. BlueWater Resort & Casino

Poker Room

Y

800-272-2438 564

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

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y Y