Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - December 2016 - 08:12

DECEMBER

Contents

IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 10 TABLE GAMES 14 NEW SLOTS 20 TRAVEL 22 DINING 24 FEATURE STORY 26 TRIBAL NEWS 28 GAMING NEWS 34 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 38 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 40 BINGO 42 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 43 FUN FACTS

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44 FUN & GAMES 46 CASINO DIRECTORY

COCOPAH CASINO RESORT IN YUMA, AZ UNVEILS BRAND NEW PLAYERS CLUB PROGRAM

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20

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President Frank Underwood from the hit Netflix show is making his first appearance in Tucson this fall!

Embracing its legacy by offering customers a living piece of authentic Las Vegas history!

ADG & Phoenix PD serve search warrants at multiple Phoenix Valley locations for illegal gambling!

IGT’S HOUSE OF CARDS AT DESERT DIAMOND CASINO

EL CORTEZ HOTEL AND CASINO TURNS 75

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF GAMING RAID

azgamingguide.com | December 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

03

EDITOR’S NOTE

HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

Recognize The Positives In Life

VOLUME 08 • ISSUE 12 MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com

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any of our readers probably recognize the trend of positivity we infuse into our publication every month because we strongly believe life is too short to be a grouch, or grumpy, or act like a Grinch (it is the Holidays!) all the time.

The period leading up to, during, and after Holidays can provide for an additional source of stress for many individuals so I’d like to remind you of the many, many, many positives you, our precious readers, have going for you.

 Every

day is a gift! You are alive and can experience this wonderful life this month in December of 2016 and every other month moving forward!

 The message of the Holidays reminds all of us to be thankful and grateful, not just now, but all year long. Being grateful improves your mood and the mood of those around you.

 You are fortunate to participate in casino gaming. Not everyone has the means or the time to participate in entertainment activities. Furthermore, you are fortunate in many areas of your life and bringing those to mind will bring positivity into your life every day.

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!

PUBLISHER Chris Höft chris@azgamingguide.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Lang editor@azgamingguide.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Mueller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Al Moe Matt Probst Mark Novak Lana Hartmann Samantha Becker Rachel Brockway Malory Knudson 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 in any form without 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 | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource: Office of Problem Gambling 1.800.NEXT.STEP or 1.800.639.8783 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007 1.602.542.8998 or problemgambling.az.gov

PLAYERS TALK

Q: I am loving the Arizona Gaming Guide. Since I started reading your magazine, I’ve tried to be a “smart gambler.”

Now, I read the help screens, I make sure to have a plan, I set a budget for myself, and I take advantage of all the extra offers the casinos give me. I never used to do any of these things.

Now, I feel like my casino experiences are much more positive than they were before. You’ve even convinced me to use a player’s card! This is something that I never, ever thought I would do! I had all the fears you described in your article.

Now, I’m just mad at myself for not having started using a card sooner.

I’m really enjoying the comps that I’ve earned with my points, but how come I feel like my comps are all over the place?

Even though I usually bring the same amount of money to the casino, some months I get more cash back and nicer offers than other months. I’m confused.

Viv—Casa Grande Viv, there are many factors involved that you have to consider.

Before I answer your question, let me explain one thing—your status (whether you are at the basic level, have the highest level, or are somewhere in between) is based on the total number of points accumulated. There is a timeframe (usually 6 months or 1 year) in which you need to earn these points to receive status recognition.

Once you obtain a status level, you need to maintain that level by making sure to accrue the required number of points in the designated amount of time. The reason I’m explaining this is because your status will automatically earn you certain privileges that will not be variable. In other words, a platinum level, for example, might guarantee you free room upgrades, exclusive invitations to concerts and parties, birthday offers, discounts, etc. Specifics will vary from casino to casino.

On the other hand, your monthly mailers with your cash back, free play offers, and additional comps are usually based on your most recent play. How many points you earned and how quickly you earned those points are factors that play a large role in your monthly casino offers. Therefore, it is not unusual for your casino offers to change from one month to the other.

First of all, the rate at which you earn points varies based on the casino game you are playing. For example, it may only take you $5 on a penny slot to earn 1 point but $10 to earn 1 point on a video poker slot.

The reason for the significant difference is simple: video poker machines have a much higher pay back percentage than penny video slots. If you were not consistently playing the same maContinued on page 8

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PLAYERS TALK

Continued from page 6

chines and the same denominations from one casino visit to the next, this could have affected your total points earned and, as a result, your offers.

Second of all, most casinos use a system to calculate a “daily average” for every player. Let’s assume that for Casino A, the day begins at 12 AM and ends at 11:59 PM. If you visit that casino one day with $100 and play with those $100 from 2 PM to 4 PM, your “daily average” spent will be the $100 plus all the money you played through. If you take another trip to the casino with $100, but this time play from 10 PM to 2 AM, your “daily average” is calculated across two days. So, if you spent $60 before midnight and $40 after midnight, you’ve spent an average of $50 per day.

Every casino has their own system in place and the best thing to do is ask for the specifics at the players club booth.

Q: What is the largest slot machine win?

Kim Ryan—Scottsdale The largest jackpot that has ever been paid out on a slot machine in Las Vegas, Nevada was on a Megabuck s game by IGT. On March 21, 2003 a 25-year old software engineer from Los Angeles, California won the world’s largest slot jackpot (as of press time) of $39,710,826.36 million at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas! The 20 year annuity would have paid him $1,985,541.32 every year before taxes. A lump sum payment at the time of the jackpot would probably have been around 50 to 60 percent of the jackpot value (before taxes). $

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 | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

ARIZONA BLACKJACK TOURNAMENTS A Look At What Some Of Arizona’s Finest Tables Have To Offer

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veryone has heard about poker tournaments, but there are also several casinos in Arizona that offer blackjack tournaments. On occasion, the tournaments are designed as a ‘thank you’ to VIP’s but may also be offered to the general public. Make sure you check with your favorite casino’s Player’s Club for details on all table game tournaments.

Right now two casinos offer weekly blackjack tournaments, Casino Arizona in Scottsdale and Mazatzal Hotel & Casino in Payson. Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino in Laveen sometimes offers tournaments on Fridays at 4pm, with an entry fee of $45. Sign ups start two hours before tournament time.

Bang for Your Buck Blackjack tournaments are even more social than regular casino blackjack tables. The dealers are relaxed, the players are there for fun, and the cost can be a bargain for several rounds of blackjack, provided you advance from one round to another. In most tournaments, only the chip leader at the end of 20 hands advances to the next round. Each player that advances starts the round with a new stack of chips.

Make sure you read the tournament rules carefully. Horror stories at some tournaments include players disqualified for discussing strategy with players or non-players, and players forced to make a minimum size wager on their last hand because they did not follow the rules regarding when and how to place chips in the wagering circle.

Casino Arizona Blackjack Tournaments You can enjoy a blackjack tournament on three different days at Casino Arizona (101 & McKellips). Each has a different buy-in, but all have three individual rounds, and you may re-buy if you are knocked out of the first round. Sign ups start at least one hour before the tournament begins.

The Great Late Late Tournament is actually early, starting at 1am Friday mornings. That’s right, a graveyard blackjack tournament with $25 buy-ins. First round re-buys are allowed. Payouts are based on the number of entries. A breakfast voucher is included with your entry.

The Blackjack Break Tournament is held on Tuesdays at noon with a $50 buy-in. Again, payouts are based on the number of entries. First round re-buys are allowed. You will get bonus

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chips if you have a current Keno ticket of $5 or more.

The Wild Wednesday Tournament is held on the first Wednesday of each month. The tournament starts at 7pm with a $100 buy-in. First round re-buys are allowed. You will get bonus chips with a current Keno ticket of $5 or more. Although the prize pool is based on the number of entries, most tournaments offer more than $5,000 to be split between the final table players.

Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Blackjack Tournament Mazatzal Hotel & Casino in Payson (Highway 87) has a weekly tournament on Mondays at 6pm (sign-ups start at 10am). The buy-in is $40 and two additional $25 re-buys are allowed. An initial buy-in to the third round for $80 is also allowed. Those who don’t make it to the final table receive a $10 food comp. $ 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

House Of Cards Now At Desert Diamond Casino In Tucson

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on’t let your House Of Card s fall at Desert Diamond Casino! Election season may be over, but President Frank Underwood is making his first appearance in Tucson this fall. One of IGT’s latest slot machines, House of Card s—based on the hit Netflix series—is now available at Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson. Delve into the inner-workings of Washington to see if you have what it takes to be president. With the help of Claire Underwood, Doug Stamper, and others, you’ll have to play the game of politics to make it through to the end. Fans of the show will recognize the memorabilia used in the symbol set of the 5 reel, multi-way game, including Frank’s class ring and money origami. Earn free games bonuses with wild symbols and you’ll cash in big. And in the famous words of President Underwood, “When the money’s coming your way, you don’t ask any questions.”

For more on the latest slots at Desert Diamond Casinos, visit ddcaz.com, call 1.866.DDC.WINS (1.866.332.9461), or follow on Facebook (/ddcaz), Twitter (@DiamondCasinos) and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos). $

The Dawn Of The Andes Now At BlueWater Resort & Casino

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he latest and greatest Konami slots are ready for play at BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker! The first game, called The Daw n Of The And es, is a brand new game featuring 15 independent reels. If a Wild symbol appears in any one of the middle three reel columns, the entire column becomes wild. Players can win up to 20 free games in the bonus where all Wild Symbols change to either a 2X or 3X Wild Symbol for the duration of the free games. The Daw n Of The And es slot at BlueWater Resort & Casino features Konami’s Action Stack ed Sym bols and Xtra Reward in pennies with a minimum bet of 60 cents all the way to a max bet of $3.

The second game, Volcanic Rock Fire is a medium-high volatility game (according to Konami’s website) with players winning up to 20 free games in the bonus. Also featuring Action Stack ed Sym bols on all reels and Xtra Rew ard , wagering the extra bet to unlock the Xtra Rew ard allows players access to the Volcanic Rock Fire Feature. This bonus has the volcano randomly erupting additional Wild Symbols across the reels.

Multipliers of 2X, 3X, 5X, or 10X can also be randomly awarded during the Volcanic Rock Fire Feature. Volcanic Rock Fire has similar game play to Konami’s Dragon’s Law Hot Boost slot.

For more information on BlueWater Resort & Casino, please call 1.888.243.3360 or visit bluewaterfun.com. $

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NEW SLOTS

Coming Soon

Elvis—Shake Rattling Reels

By Scientific Games

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ne Hawaii resident is surely dancing in some new blue suede shoes after landing a multi-million dollar payday courtesy of Scientific Games Corporation’s ELVIS Shak e Rattling Reels slot machine.

The lucky player, who wishes to remain anonymous, was playing the widearea progressive slot game at 6:15pm on October 16 at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada when their life took a dramatic turn for the fortunate to the tune of $2,536,453.56.

Vice President and General Manager of Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall John Sou said, “All of us at Boyd Gaming are excited to congratulate the winner on the life-changing win. We appreciate our patron’s loyalty to Sam’s Town and we can’t wait to see them back for their next trip.”

Scientific Games’ ELVIS Shake Rattling Reels game combines three visually unique player selected interfaces, each focused on the different eras of The King’s career, with the jackpots that mechanical players love. Three scattered Bonus symbols trigger the wheel bonus for a spin of the top wheel.

Players watch the glitz and glam spin around, as either a credit prize or one of three near-area progressives is awarded: Vegas ELVIS, Hollywood ELVIS, or Memphis ELVIS (Grand, Major, or Minor progressive, respectively).

But that’s not all: if the wheel lands on a wedge which matches the color of the player-selected ELVIS character, including a progressive slice, an additional spin is awarded! Featuring a clear LED panel that allows full visibility of the reels, a traditional slot pull-handle, and high definition artwork, ELVIS Shak e Rattling Reels slots are sure to have you dancing in your blue suede shoes.

Keep an eye out for this exciting new game at your favorite casino! For more info on this great new slot by Scientific Games, visit scientificgames.com.

Elvis Trivia Did you know that actor Kurt Russell was 10 when he kicked Elvis in the shin during It Happened at the World 's Fair?

Did you know the Elvis song Heartbreak Hotel was the first record to reach Number 1 on the Billboard Country and Western, Rhythm and Blues, and Pop charts all in one week?

Did you know that Elvis did not win many Grammys? You’d expect he would have won many and across multiple music categories. However, he won three awards in the Gospel category.

Did you know Elvis starred in 33 films? His favorite film he acted in was King Creole which he completed just prior to joining the Army in 1958. $

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NEW SLOTS

Coming Soon

Ocean Magic

By IGT

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he brand new Ocean Magic video slot by IGT offers players a sea of big win opportunities. Set on the CrystalDual cabinet, the engaging title features a five reel, 50 pay line configuration with colorful ocean-themed game symbols.

Players can dive into the Ocean Magic free games bonus when three or more treasure chest symbols randomly appear on the screen. Slot enthusiasts then select floating bubbles to reveal extra picks and free games. Driving player engagement, wild symbols can float up in between spins, and when players catch a wild symbol in the bottom row, the unique feature will move up to the next row on the following spin until the wild symbol exits the top of the reel set.

Bursting with more ways to win, the theme’s Wild Bubble Feature initiates when bubbles appear on any random symbol, triggering the selected symbol to become wild for that spin.

If the bubble lands on an Ocean Magic symbol, the bubble explodes and all surrounding symbols become wild for that game. Players can trigger the Bubble Boost Feature when they double their bet, which enables up to seven extra bubbles to appear on each spin.

For more information about this and IGT’s other games, visit igt.com. $

Toro Treasure

By Ainsworth

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igger, Brighter, Better! That is the message Ainsworth’s innovative A640 cabinet is sending as it arrives on casino floors. The sleek cabinet, which debuted at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in September, features optimal viewing on the 40” high-definition touchscreen game screen and an attractive design creating powerful game experiences with eye-catching game art. The cabinet comes with a touchscreen LCD button deck and a mechanical “bash button” to combine the ease of new technology with the excitement of traditional slot play. “The response from customers has been tremendous,” said Ainsworth President – North America Mike Dreitzer. “Several casino operators commented that they thought it was one of the best new cabinets shown at G2E.” The A640 will launch with a combination of licensed content and brand-new games with fresh math models and premium graphic content. Among the brands to appear on the A640 in the coming months are King Kong, The Magnificent Seven, and Three Amigos. Additionally, new games designed specifically for the A640 include the first titles produced by Ainsworth’s new Las Vegas-based studio: Rum ble Thund er and Toro Treasures, both part of the new Sw eet Zone Xtreme series. “The A640 launch follows on the early success we have seen with the launch of our A600 dual screen cabinet,” said Dreitzer. “Placing the A640 on casino floors across the country will continue our momentum as we head into 2017 poised for continued growth.”

For more on Ainsworth Game Technology's slots, point your browser to agtslots.com.au. $

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TRAVEL

Las Ve gas

EL CORTEZ HOTEL & CASINO Celebrates 75 Years Of Gaming, Family and Community

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n November 1941, the Spanish Colonial-themed El Cortez Hotel & Casino opened for business on the corner of 6th and Fremont Streets in Downtown Las Vegas. The hotel’s 75-year history includes iconic owners who have contributed much to the history of Las Vegas, including Bugsy Siegel and Jackie Gaughan. During a time when corporate giants molded their properties to appeal to the masses, El Cortez has decided to embrace its legacy by offering customers a living piece of authentic Las Vegas history. While many properties have come and gone in Las Vegas, El Cortez still stands, and stronger than ever.

Entering El Cortez is like stepping back in time as you’re greeted by the sound of coins hitting slot trays. The casino maintains over 200 classic coin slot machines and is one of the only places in town where guests can still play coin slots.

“We have a very close relationship with our customers,” said El Cortez Slot Director Rick Ronca. “They are loyal because we provide a gaming value and level of service they can’t find anywhere else in the city. We have all of the latest themes on the market and are constantly updating our slot floor, but coin slots have and will continue to be a big part of the El Cortez experience.”

Guests also love blackjack at El Cortez. You won’t find six deck shoes or continuous shufflers in their pit. El Cortez offers single El Cortez Hotel & Casino Interior July 11, 1966—Las Vegas News Bureau

El Cortez Hotel & Casino—Las Vegas, Nevada

deck, three to two full-pay blackjack with $5 minimums 24-7.

Several of the pit bosses have been working at the property for over 40 years. It’s not uncommon to see three generations of customers sharing a blackjack table, each with their own memories and experiences ranging over 75 years.

The family feel at the El Cortez starts from the top. As one of the only family-owned and operated casinos in Las Vegas, the attention to detail and hands-on management can be felt in all areas of the property. Current owner Kenny Epstein was a close friend and partner of the legendary casino owner Jackie Gaughan, and purchased the hotel from Gaughan in 2008. He and his daughters Katie and Alexandra are owners who lead by example. Department heads are more likely to be found on the

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Las Vegas

casino floor than locked in their offices.

TRAVEL

El Cortez Hotel & Casino—Las Vegas, Nevada In 2012

All of this old-school Las Vegas charm finds a unique contrast on the weekends as young club-goers flood into El Cortez from the hip Fremont East Entertainment District to try their luck at the tables. Weekend nights find baby boomers and millennials sitting side by side in the same pit Bugsy Siegel used to walk through when he owned the property with Meyer Lansky in the 1940's.

Today, El Cortez has almost 400 remodeled rooms and designer suites, a new restaurant called Siegel's 1941 and a casino floor that's been a favorite of true gamblers for three quarters of a century. At El Cortez, the good old days are alive and well. $

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CASINO DINING

CEDAR RIDGE RESTAURANT Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Offers Daily Buffets, Chef Specials & More!

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ecently I visited Mazatzal Hotel & Casino to take a look at their slot floor, play some loose slots, and enjoy a great meal at the Cedar Ridge Restaurant. As always, I was more than happy to have visited. For one, all of our favorite slots are ready for play at Mazatzal. Their slot floor has all the games available in the Phoenix Valley and Tucson casinos. Plus, I always find the slots a bit looser at Mazatzal so, as usual, I came home a winner. What really made me smile was the Cedar Ridge Restaurant.

On my short drive up from the Valley, the weather was threatening rain and by the time lunch came around there were a few sprinkles so I was more than ready for comfort food. The friend I was with recommended I try the open-faced sandwich and I was not disappointed. Three slices of bread, a huge serving of mashed potatoes, plenty of delicious gravy and more meat than

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Cedar Ridge Dining Room At Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

most people can consume for lunch. Needless to say, I was not disappointed, and the rest of the menu was just as enticing as the entrĂŠe I enjoyed!

CASINO DINING

Visitors should consider the $10 Daily Buffet (Monday through Thursday) which are updated weekly, All You Can Eat Crab Legs for Crabby Wednesdays, the Friday Fish Fry Buffet, The Saturday Buffet, and the Sunday Brunch Buffet. In addition, the chef prepares daily specials which are updated weekly.

Guests ordering off the menu should try the Pulled Pork, Cubano, and Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches. Off the breakfast menu, try the Southwest Burrito or Two Eggs with Pork Chops.

For dinner, order the house specialty, which is the Slow Roasted Prime Rib to which I always add sautĂŠed mushrooms and the 1/2 pound of King Crab. Play, eat and enjoy!

For more information about the Cedar Ridge Restaurant or Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, call 1.800.777.PLAY (1.800.777.7529) or visit their brand new website at mazatzalcasino.com. $

Open-Faced Roast Beef Sandwich At Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

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FUN IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER COCOPAH CASINO & RESORT

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s 2016 cools down, Cocopah Casino & Resort is turning up the heat. There are so many new and exciting changes coming to the best casino in Yuma, that we cannot wait to share them with you.

Beginning January 2017, the all-new Cocopah Rewards Club is revamping the way you think about your typical player incentive program. Cocopah will introduce four new card levels, each with unique rewards and incentives for guests to play with their card. The Classic Card is free to all guests who join the Cocopah Rewards Club. As you earn points, you work your way up to the Plus level, which includes great benefits including discounts on retail items and restaurants.

Cocopah Casino & Resort values, respects and salutes our veterans and active military, which is why we are proud to introduce the Patriot Card. The Patriot card will include all the benefits of the Plus level and will have a unique look to help us distinguish the men and women who have served our country. The Preferred Card will include all the benefits of the Plus Card and much more, including VIP lines at the Rewards Club, VIP parking, exclusive drawings and events.

We are also happy to offer more of the games you love, which is

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why Cocopah is now home to Planet Bingo, the future of bingo technology. Planet Bingo’s electronics have changed the way we play bingo and is exciting, fun, and most of all—easy! You can even play as many paper cards as you want as well while letting the electronics play for you. All you have to do is sit back, relax and yell BINGO! Skip the lines by putting credits on your account to purchase games through Buy-on-the-Fly right from your PHD unit and with Bonanza Trades, you can trade a card you don’t like for two new cards for just a dollar! Join the game at any time with Gem Hunt where you can play up to 36 cards a game and 20 games per hour with progressive bonus jackpots in all games. Other progressive jackpots are offered through Quick Play which has a variety of game themes packed with exciting bingo action and multiple ways with a chance to win up to $8,000 per game! Last but not least, is VIPick ’em, our favorite electronic pick game. Play with paper, electronics, or both! Save your favorite numbers to your account and save time! Voted the best place in Yuma to play Bingo for ten consecutive years, Bingo is called seven days a week with matinee sessions available on select days.

Cocopah features 500+ slots; including Crazy Money II, Money Roll, and Chilli Gold, just added to your favorite casino floor. They

also offer Three Deck Blackjack with limits up to $500 per wager.

Beginning in January, Cocopah is rolling out Prime Time Rewards every Thursday. Guests 55 years or better will be able to play for food credit and participate in drawings to win their share of $1,500. Look for details to come early January.

For the foodies out there, the Artisan Restaurant will have a new menu with classic dishes such as Chiles Rellenos. The Artisan Restaurant serves an a la carte menu daily. The breakfast buffet is served every morning for only $8.99 per person. And of course, we are not forgetting about your favorite Seafood & Prime Rib Friday Night Buffet for only $20.99 available from 5 to 9pm. Cocopah also has a late night option available; The Snack Bar is open Wed. through Sun. from 5pm to midnight.

Enjoy drinks and entertainment at The Sunset Lounge, Sports Bar or Rivers Edge Bar. The Sunset Lounge offers a comfortable retreat as you wind down from your hectic day. For a buzzing atmosphere, stop by the lively River’s Edge Bar. And, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, you won’t want to miss their bar specials! Cocopah Casino's Sports Bar is the perfect place to watch the top sporting events on a 100" projection screen TV.

Family Entertainment Center, the first of its kind in the Somerton and Yuma areas. This state-of-the-art facility features 24 lanes of bowling, laser tag, bar with fire pit and a large arcade room.

Grab your clubs and head to the golf course. Cocopah boasts 2 golf courses - the Cocopah Bend RV & Golf Resort and the 9hole “best kept secret” Rio Colorado Golf Course. RVers can enjoy dry camping adjacent to the casino with over 100 spaces in addition to the Cocopah RV Resort, which features over 800 spaces.

So how can you stay tuned to all these new changes? Why not use their newly designed, user-friendly website? Get all the information you need on all things Cocopah Casino. Good things are happening at Cocopah Casino & Resort! Cocopah is rewarding its Club members with exciting promotions and other offers.

Not only that, players can redeem their points for Rewards Play, gas, food, and much more. If you are not a member, visit the Club on your next visit to unlock all that Cocopah has to offer.

Plus, receive up to $100 in Rewards Play just for joining the club! With all these changes, the only thing you will recognize is the friendly staff, top-notch customer service and your favorite games.

The Cocopah Resort and Conference Center is the perfect place for conferences, events, parties, or a getaway for a few days of fun and relaxation. Accommodations are quiet and comfortable, with a modern Southwestern twist. Their resort features a heated pool and Jacuzzi with a comfortable deck for lounging.

If you are near Yuma, Cocop ah Is Just Around The Corner. Exit off I-8 at 16th Street, go west to Avenue B then south on Highway 95, or set your phone navigation on Cocopah Casino & Resort located at 15318 S. Avenue B in Somerton, AZ.

Within walking distance of Cocopah Casino is the Wild River

For more information, visit cocopahresort.com. $ azgamingguide.com | December 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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TRIBAL NEWS

CELEBRATING TRIBAL GAMING 2016 Arizona Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow & Expo A Success

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he Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) hosted the 2016 AIGA Expo at the Casino Del Sol Resort & Conference Center in Tucson, Arizona, October 23 – 25,

2016.

More than 250 Tribal gaming professionals and representatives joined the AIGA member tribes for the annual event with three days of conference activities, including the fifth annual Desert Classic golf tournament, conference workshops & sessions, discussions & forums, the tradeshow and expo and the Chef’s Challenge.

This year’s Expo theme “Celebrating Tribal Gaming and Beyond,” provided the conference foundation of discussion.

The Indian gaming leadership kicked off the expo & conference as part of the opening general session. Valerie Spicer, Executive Director of AIGA, welcomed the participants with additional remarks presented by Pascua Yaqui Tribal Chairman Robert Valencia, AIGA Chairman Louis J. Manuel, National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri and National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. The AIGA Expo was also honored to include the United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who spoke to the history of tribal gaming importance of economic development and issues central to Arizona tribes.

2016 AIGA Expo at Casino Del Sol Resort & Conference Center in Tucson, AZ

Valerie Spicer commented, “The Expo affords us a wonderful first-hand opportunity to speak to the advances in the industry and to the benefits that Tribal gaming brings to many.”

The Discussion Forum included a great gaming related track of discussion which included topics ranging from the 2016 Election, the Future Contenders in the Industry, Diplomats for Business Change, the Evolution of Regulatory, the Industry Perspective, and a general session Tribal Leaders Forum, looking at what is in store for Tribal Gaming and Beyond.

The AIGA Expo 2016 sponsors included the host sponsor, Casino Del Sol Resort & Conference Center, Presenting Conference sponsors Navajo Gaming and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Trade Show sponsor Ak-Chin Indian Community, Presenting Chefs Challenge sponsor, Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment and the presenting Golf sponsor, The Penta Building Group.

The AIGA represents 15 tribes of Indian people living on reservations in Arizona. The AIGA was established November 21, 1994 by Arizona tribal leaders. The Association is committed to advancing the lives of Indian people—economically, socially and politically—so Indian Tribes in Arizona can achieve their goal of self-reliance. For more information about the AIGA, please visit their website at azindiangaming.org. $

Business Panel With U.S. Senator John McCain at the 2016 AIGA Expo

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

GAMING NEWS

AZ Department Of Gaming Shuts Down Illicit Gambling Businesses With The Help Of Phoenix Police

IGT Signs Cross-Licensing Agreement With Everi Games Holding Inc. International Game Technology (IGT), holder of the largest slot game feature patent portfolio in North America, announced that it has reached a patent cross-licensing agreement with Everi Games Holding Inc. (Everi), a subsidiary of Everi Holdings Inc. and leading manufacturer of electronic gaming machines and gaming payment solutions. Under the agreement, Everi can offer games that include any of the patented game features from the IGT portfolio, and will pay licensing fees to IGT.

Raids carried out recently saw investigators from the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and members of the Phoenix Police Department serve search warrants at multiple Phoenix Valley locations. During the joint operation, two people directly connected to the operation of unregulated gambling businesses were arrested and now face a number of charges, ranging from conducting an illegal criminal enterprise, to money laundering, to promotion of and benefitting from gambling, ranging from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 3 felony.

Almost seventeen months of investigative work led ADG agents to two locations, 9402 N Central Avenue and 4833 N 15th Avenue, where investigators found evidence of illegal gambling operations fronting as legitimate electronics and second-hand stores. While taking in an estimated eight to ten thousand dollars per week, the businesses allowed paying customers to play casino-style games on backroom computers, which typically simulate what is often seen on the screens of electronic slot machines inside regulated casinos. The residence of the businesses’ owner was also searched.

Often found near residential neighborhoods, these illegal enterprises frequently attract other types of criminal activity if left unchecked. The ongoing partnership between ADG, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and local police departments—such as Phoenix PD—has helped to either directly or indirectly shutter nearly fifty illegal gambling sites in the past eighteen months alone.

ADG takes complaints about illegal gambling businesses very seriously. If you have a tip concerning a suspected illegal gambling operation in your area, please contact the ADG at 1.602.771.4263 or publicaffairs@azgaming.gov. $

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

“We are pleased to expand the positive impact of our patent portfolio by reaching this patent cross-licensing agreement with Everi,” said Victor Duarte, IGT Global Chief Product Officer, Gaming. “IGT’s leading R&D investment has created the largest portfolio of gaming intellectual property in the industry. This agreement represents a confirmation of the value derived from our ongoing commitment to developing and protecting intellectual property while supporting future innovation and growth.”

“As Everi continues to build on our extensive games library, it makes sense to form value-added partnerships within our industry that allow Everi to continue to create more engaging player experiences,” said David Lucchese, Everi Executive Vice President, Games. “Our agreement with IGT reflects a commitment by both parties to boost innovation across the gaming industry, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be working with them while we strive to provide the very best in gaming entertainment.”

About IGT IGT is a global leader in gaming. They enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. They have a well-established local and global presence in more than 100 countries around the world.

For more information, please visit their website at igt.com.

About Everi Everi is a company changing casino floor operations. Their patrons experience a number of benefits: next-level security during financial transactions, thrilling and captivating casino games, and TournEvent, their award-winning slot tournament system. For more information, please visit their website at everi.com. $

GAMING NEWS

The Arizona Department Of Gaming Announces That Statewide Tribal Contributions For The Last Quarter Are Down Compared To Same Quarter In 2015 The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) just announced that statewide tribal contributions for the quarter ending September 30, 2016, came in at a total of $25.1 million which represents slightly less than a two percent decrease compared to the same quarter in 2015.

“As we noted in our August release, 2016 saw the first instance of a casino operating in the Valley that does not share its revenue with the State. As the facility is not regulated by the Department, it makes it impossible to determine its true impact on statewide gaming numbers. Regardless of any such impact, regulated casinos will continue to provide millions in additional State funding each year,” said Daniel Bergin, the Director of the ADG. “Those disbursements help fund a variety of programs, from promoting State tourism, to education, to wildlife conservation efforts.

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

The quarterly tribal contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund will be distributed as follows: Instructional Improvement Fund/Education: $12,528,283 Trauma and Emergency Services Fund: $6,264,142 Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs: $2,262,330 Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund: $1,789,755 State Tourism Fund: $1,789,755 Problem Gambling Education and Treatment: $502,740 Total tribal contributions for the quarter ending September 30, 2016 were: $25,137,005 ADG, in partnership with the tribes, regulates Indian gaming.

Under the AZ Tribal-State Gaming Compact, tribes with casinos contribute one to eight percent of their Class III gross gaming revenue to the state, cities, towns, and counties. $

GAMING NEWS

IGT Launches The 282nd After School Advantage Lab

Slot Manufacturer AGS Prepared To Make A Big Splash In 2017

IGT just unveiled its newest After Scho ol Ad vantage computer lab at the Preston Taylor Boys & Girls Club in Nashville, Tennessee. The opening is part of a worldwide program IGT implemented in 1999 to serve at-risk youth in communities where the Company does business.

The After School Ad vantage Program allows IGT to apply its technological expertise, as a leading provider of technology and services to lotteries and gaming operators worldwide, to assist in the education of our youth. For each After Scho ol Advantage Program, IGT donates, on average, $15,000 in new computers, printers, software, furniture, and volunteer hours to qualifying public schools and non-profit agencies in jurisdictions where IGT conducts business worldwide.

Since the launch of the After Scho ol Ad vantage Program on April 14, 1999, IGT has installed 282 computer centers in the District of Columbia, Antigua, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Rhode Island, Texas, Oregon, Georgia, California, Kentucky, Ohio, Arizona, New Jersey, Michigan, Kansas, Wisconsin, New York, Colorado, Missouri, Louisiana, Illinois, New Mexico, Virginia, Idaho, Florida, Tennessee, Nevada, Washington, Indiana, North Carolina, and South Dakota.

“IGT is providing students with access to a powerful combination of educational resources and technology, opening doors to a vast range of opportunities and leading them toward an exciting future,” said Chris Shaban, Regional Vice President of IGT. For more information about IGT’s After School Advantage Program, please visit igt.com. $

It’s been just over a month since AGS showcased its major transformation and its striking new product offerings at the 2016 Global Gaming Expo (G2E), including its latest cabinet Orion, its new customizable, white-label Bonus Spin progressive table technology, and its highly-anticipated new single-deck card shuffler Dex S, all amid notable praise and feedback from the investment community.

“The amount of sales we’ve generated and the feedback we’ve received since G2E began in late September has completely exceeded our expectations,” said David Lopez, AGS’ President and CEO. “Our customers are enthusiastic about our new product offerings, we couldn’t have asked for a better response across the board. We’re focused on continuing this positive momentum and successfully launching Orion, Dex S, and Bonus Spin, among others, into the marketplace and ensuring their performance goes above and beyond for our customers.”

Look for AGS to make even bigger strides in 2017 as it continues to capitalize on its historic success in 2016 and keep an eye out for the games in your favorite casinos here in Arizona and all across the country!

About AGS AGS LLC, is a full-service designer and manufacturer of gaming products for the casino floor. The company’s roots are in the Class II, Native American market, and it has expanded its offerings to include top performing slot and table games and social casino products and games. For more information about AGS, visit playags.com. $

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

GAMING NEWS

Exciting Promotions All Month Long At Casino Del Sol In Tucson, Arizona 2nd Annual AZ Champion of Slots Casino Del Sol will crown a new champion on December 27, 2016 during their 2nd Annual AZ Champion of Slots Grand Finale with First Place winning $10,000 in cash! Join FREE every Tuesday at Casino of the Sun and Casino Del Sol for your chance at weekly prizes and a shot at the Championship and bragging rights as Arizona’s Champion of Slots!

KickOff Pickoff Swipe to enter your NFL picks every week. Pick the most winning teams throughout the season and win the grand prize of $2,500 cash!

New Year’s Eve Reward Patrol Club Sol Members who play on December 31st from 10pm to 1am January 1st will have a chance at winning up to $2017

cash from the New Year’s Reward Patrol, a Hot Seat promotion.

For every 1 slot/table point earned, players receive an additional ticket into the next drawing! On the first day of the New Year, they will give away 5 prizes of $2017 cash at noon. For every 1 slot/table point earned, players receive an additional ticket into the next drawing.

For more information about any of these promotions or Casino Del Sol, visit casinodelsol.com. $

azgamingguide.com | December 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 September 2016

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 | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Slots

Hold %

Games & Tables Hold %

1¢

10.24

Blackjack / 21

19.07

5¢

8.43

Craps

20.91

25¢

6.33

Roulette

19.21

$1

4.68

Three Card Poker

29.28

Megabucks

11.21

Live Keno

32.14

$5

3.22

Bingo

10.59

$25

5.48

Let It Ride

26.62

Multi-Denomination 5.43

Pai Gow Poker

22.67

Win Amounts

Dollars

Race Books

17.27

Games & Tables

$ 4,609,000 Sports Pools

Card Games

$

Slot Machines

$31,092,000

Other Slots

$

16.76

167,000 Other Table Games 26.32

28,000

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Lana Hartmann

BETTER BENEFITS, BETTER REWARDS Sign Up For The Golden Nugget 24K Select Club Card

T

he Golden Nugget Laughlin recently launched a new casino loyalty rewards program – Golden Nugget 24K Select. When you play slots and table games with your Golden Nugget 24K Select card, you will earn Tier Credits, Select Rewards (Comps) and Slot Points (on Slots and Video Poker only). Select Rewards are redeemable for food and retail purchases. Slot points are redeemable for free play. Tier Credits let you advance in their tiered program. As you earn more credits, you can move higher in the tiers and start earning cash and comps 1.5X, 2X, and even 2.5X faster!

Just by being a member of Golden Nugget 24K Select, you are eligible for immediate offers and exclusive benefits while visiting the casino. Plus, based on your play, you may receive special invitations and other great direct mail offers too!

Tier Credits Use your 24K Select Club card when you play slots or table games and your card gets even more valuable. You’ll earn Tier Credits and raise your Tier Level. The more credits you have, the higher you go and the more you can get. Each Tier Level brings added benefits and rewards.

Rewards As Good As Gold With Golden Nugget’s 24K Select Club card, you’ll enjoy bonus Free Play offers, VIP service, and access to members-only events. Plus, now the rewards you earn go even further. Use

your Select Rewards at any of the Golden Nugget Casinos or at Landry’s Inc. restaurants nationwide. That’s access to more than 500 locations coast-to-coast.

Tier Upgrade Bonus The Golden Nugget Laughlin is offering new patrons an incredible deal! Players who are new to the 24K Select Club are eligible for a Tier Upgrade Bonus! Here is how the Tier Upgrade Bonus works: 1. Bring in a competitor’s tiered card (must be current) 2. Golden Nugget Laughlin instantly matches the tier level 3. Plus, receive a one tier upgrade bonus The Golden Nugget Laughlin has four tiers in their 24K Select Club: 24 Karat, Premier, Chairman, and Elite. If, for example, you have a card from a competitor’s casino which is at the lowest level, when you bring that card in to the Golden Nugget Laughlin, you’ll be matched at their lowest level, 24 Karat, and then be upgraded one tier to Premier! Among many additional privileges, Premier tier 24 Karat Select Club members immediately begin earning tier credits at a rate of 1.5 times faster than members at the 24 Karat tier. New patrons wishing to participate in the Tier Upgrade Bonus should inquire at the Golden Nugget Laughlin 24K Select Club to receive all of the details.

For information on the Golden Nugget Casino in Laughlin, visit goldennugget.com/Laughlin or call 1.800.950.7700. $

azgamingguide.com | December 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

35

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Mark Novak

WIN A VACATION OF A LIFETIME Choose Your Adventure With Tropicana Laughlin’s New Promotion

C

hoose your adventure with Tropicana Laughlin’s “Win A Vacation Of A Lifetime” Promotion that is going on now through January 7, 2017. Each winner awarded a vacation trip will also receive $1,000 cash! This exciting new promotion provides players a chance to win a trip to Germany, Ireland, Costa Rica, Alaska, Maui, Bora Bora or another destination.* To enter the promotion, players can play slots between now and January 7, 2017. Each player will receive one electronic drawing ticket for every 50 base points earned on their Trop Advantage Card during the promotional period. On the drawing day, one winner will be drawn each hour at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. *Winners must be present to win. Rules are available at the Trop Advantage Club. $

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Germany

Costa Rica

Ireland

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Listings Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 Paradiso Bar & Lounge: Thursday Tributes: Ala ba ma Tribute— Dec. 1, ABBA Tribute—Dec. 8, Journey Tribute—Dec. 15, The Cars Tribute—Dec. 22, Latin Tribute—Dec. 29 Friday Nights: Thunder River Band—Dec. 2, Pride Through Strife—Dec. 9, Boomer—Dec. 16, Live Music—Dec. 23, Str8-Up—Dec. 30 Saturday Nights: Live Music—Dec. 3, Tribal Band—Dec. 10, Angel Norteno—Dec. 17, Lon Nawdy Dawgs—Dec. 24, Str8-Up—Dec. 31 AVA Amphitheater: 12th Annual Tamal Festival—Dec. 3

Who Loves You Desert Diamond Casino—January 17, 2017 Roll back time with a special performance of Who Loves You: A Tribute to Frankie Valli at Desert Diamond Casino’s Diamond Center on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. Tickets start at $10 and are on sale as of December 3rd through Star Tickets, Desert Diamond’s website, and the Rewards Center. Doors open at 2pm; show starts at 3pm.

The greatest songs of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s can still be experienced live. Who Loves You: A Tribute to Frankie Valli brings back the hits of not only Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, but other artists of the era, including Dion and the Belmonts, The Big Bopper, The Righteous Brothers, and more. This isn’t just a performance—it’s an experience. Four Broadway veterans recreate the music and the stories of this time with choreography, staging, and melodious harmonies. Audiences can sing along to favorites such as Sherry, Runaround Sue, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, Teenager in Love, and Who Loves You. Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “See your favorite hits come to life at Who Loves You: A Tribute to Frankie Valli on January 17! This is the perfect holiday gift for your family and friends, with tickets starting at only $10!”

Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 Featuring a variety of live entertainment.

BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Dig Lounge: Fea turing a va riety o f live music. Events: Austra lia’s Thunder From Down Under—Dec. 3, Dwight Yoakam—Dec. 10 Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Arizona Room: Arizo na Ro o m Trivia —Tue. 7pm, Country Dance Instruction (Learn to Dance)—Wed. 6pm, Daisy Train (Country)—Wed. 8pm, Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to Dance)— Thu. 6pm, Rock Lobster—New Year’s Eve The Showroom: Christmas, Motown And More—Dec. 9-23, Stone Soul—New Year’s Eve

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Dragonfly Nightclub: Upto w n (Va riety)—Dec. 2-3, Aravaipa (Variety)—Dec. 9-10, Joel Velasquez (Latin)—Dec. 16-17, Kill Babylon Coalition (Reggae)—Dec. 23-24, Sidewynder River Rattler Band (Country)—Dec. 30-31 Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Ka ra o k e w ith Bling Bling—Fr & Sa, Smooth Sounds Of Santana (Santana Tribute)—Dec. 2, 99 Years Band (Johnny Cash Tribute)—Jan. 6 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: Yuridia— Dec. 2, Gary Allan—Dec. 3, Goo Goo Dolls—Dec. 9, Who Loves You (Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons Tribute)—Jan. 17 Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring a variety of live entertainment. Events: Los Tucanes De Tijuana—Dec. 3 Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 Featured Entertainment: Lo s Ga rcia Bro thers—Dec. 1, Home Free—Dec. 2, Grupo Control with Conjunto Bravo—Dec. 8, Easton Corbin—Dec. 9, Grupo Massore—Dec. 15 Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays In The Lounge: Enjo y live music in the evenings. Live DJ—Dec. 2, Thaddeus Rose—Dec. 4, Vegas Country (Shania Twain & Rim McGraw Tribute)—Dec. 9, Live DJ—Dec. 9, Carvin Jones— Dec. 10, Live DJ—Dec. 15, John Eric Band—Dec. 16, Checker’d Past—Dec. 17, Young Country—Dec. 23, Soundwave—Dec. 24, Quantum—Dec. 30, Mother Mercy—New Year’s Eve Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays In The Lounge: Enjo y live music in the afternoon and evenings. Shades Of Blue—Dec. 6, Jukebox 6—Dec. 7, Stanley Serrano Trio—Dec. 7, Gemini—Dec. 8, Miguel Mendoza Trio—Dec. 13, Buddy Holly Tribute Band—Dec. 14, Stanley Serrano Trio—Dec. 14, John Eric Duo—Dec. 20, Silhouette—Dec. 21, Walkens Trio—Dec. 21, Arizona Blacktop—Dec. 27, Guy Pennachio—Dec. 28, Walkens Trio—Dec. 28 Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Ma rsha ll Sta r Ba nd (Co untry, Variety)—Now-Dec.3, Groove City Band (R&B Variety)—Dec. 6-10,

Editor’s Pick Justin Wright & High Octane (Country)—Dec. 13-17, Vol. 1 (Latin Variety)—Dec. 20-24, Firstborn (Variety)—Dec. 27-30 Events: Ba rrio Latino New Year’s Eve Celebration in the Timbers Lounge—Dec. 31, Journey Unlimited (Journey Tribute)—Jan. 13, Gregory Wolfe (Rod Stewart Tribute)—Feb. 14, TBD—Mar. 17, Fleetwood Nicks & Women Of Rock (Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks Tribute)—Apr. 21

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Easton Corbin Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino December 9

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. Events: Yolanda Del Rio—Dec. 16, Lawrence Zubia Trio—Dec. 31, DJ MV of 101.5FM—Dec. 31, EMCEE Natasha Castles of 101.5FM—Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve With Soundwave—Dec. 31 Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Apache Spirits Lounge: Fea turing a va riety o f live music.

Events: The Co mplete Bea tle’s Experience—Dec. 9, New Year’s Eve Celebration Featuring Spin Fusion—Dec. 31 Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Sharky’s Bar & Bites: Fea turing a va riety o f live enterta inment.

Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Sidewinders: Fea turing a va riety o f live enterta inment.

Pipa Event Center: To ny Orla ndo ’s Christmas Show—Dec. 15, GAP Experience—Dec. 31 Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Showroom, Grand Ballroom & Pool: Leo n Russell—Dec. 2, KMLE Not So Silent Night—Dec. 8, Johnny Lang—Dec. 9, Raven’s New Year’s Eve Gala—Dec. 31, Dave Mason—Jan. 7, Taylor Dane— Jan. 20, David Spade—Feb. 3, Kenny Wayne Shepherd—Feb. 4, Gino Vanelli—Feb. 10, Johnny Rivers—Feb. 11, Arsenio Hall—Feb. 17 Twin Arrows Navajo Casino—Flagstaff, AZ—855.946.8946 Aravaipa—Dec. 2-3, Severo Grupo Fuego—Dec. 9-10, Next To The Tracks—Dec. 16-17, Jamestown Band—Dec. 23-24, Levi Platero— Dec. 30-31 Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452 Events: Tribute to the Legends o f Regga e fea turing Uproo t— Dec. 12, Grupo Yndio—Dec. 18, Yolanda Del Rio—Dec. 17, Paperback Writer (Beatles Tribute)—Dec. 31, Los Chicos Del 512 (Selena Tribute)—Dec. 31, Little Joe Y La Familia—Feb. 10-11 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: Chuyen Tinh Mua Do ng Co ncert—Dec. 3, Charlie Daniels Band—Dec. 10, Tower Of Power—Dec. 15, Motown Magic Holiday Tribute—Dec. 18, Hollywood U2 (U2Tribute)—Dec. 23, New Year’s Eve Showcase—Dec. 31, December ‘63 (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Tribute)—Jan. 15, Chubby Checker—Feb. 3, The Piano Men: Generations (Billy Joel & Elton John Tribute)—Feb. 19, Marty Haggard (Merle Haggard Tribute)—Feb. 23, ABBAFab (ABBA Tribute)—Mar. 19, Sinbad—Apr. 28

With two Number 1 singles, multiple awards and nominations, plus performances on some of the biggest stages in the world, Mercury Nashville’s Easton Corbin has made a lasting impression on the country music landscape. He is lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics and mastery of understatement. American Songwriter says, "Easton Corbin has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made—just made—for singing country music.” His self titled debut album released in 2010 and spawned back-toback hits A Little More Country Than That and Roll With It; making him the first country male artist in 17 years to have his first two consecutive singles reach Number 1. In 2012 the Gilchrist County Florida native released his sophomore album, All Over The Road, which included the Top 5 hits Lovin’ You Is Fun and All Over The Road. Corbin set a career best debut on Country Airplay with his top 5 hit single, Baby Be My Love Song, from his Number 1 debuting album About To Get Real. His new single, Are You With Me, is already making an impact on the charts and was most added song at country radio the day it was released. Are You With Me first appeared on All Over The Road and was such a special song to Corbin he carried it over to About To Get Real in hopes it would be a radio single. Corbin is currently on tour through the Fall 2016 with Carrie Underwood’s The Storyteller Tour.

To learn about the show, call Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino at 1.480.802.5000 or visit harrahsakchin.com. $ Verify all details & age restrictions (generally 21 & over) for each event. Venues, times, dates, & ticket information are subject to change. Photos/images copyright of the individual artist(s), photographer(s), or venue(s). All Rights Reserved. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.

azgamingguide.com | December 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

39

CASINO BINGO

PLAYING BINGO IS HEALTHY Research Shows Bingo Can Support Good Physical Health

B

ased on a year long study conducted at the Southampton University in the UK and research at Chicago’s Rush University, playing Bingo can support brain health and a positive social environment. Both brain health and social interaction, along with good physical health, are keys to independence and longevity in older adults. Obviously, Bingo uses fast hand-to-eye coordination and also relies on fast reaction times in order to recognize and mark random numbers in order to win money.

Researchers followed two groups of individuals. One group consisted of both men and women ages 18 to 40 and the other also had both sexes with ages in the range of 60 to 82. Each

group was divided into Bingo and non-Bingo players. Based on tests conducted during the study, the Bingo players were faster and more alert than the non-Bingo players. In addition, the Bingo players frequently scored higher in cognitive and physical tasks over the non-Bingo players.

So, if you or someone you know could benefit from the social, physical, and mental aspects of playing Bingo, make sure to play in one of the many Bingo games at Arizona’s Casinos all over the state. Don’t forget to bring plenty of daubers, a winning attitude, and you'll be guaranteed to have a fantastic time with your friends and family alike. Plus, you’ll be participating in a healthy activity! $

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, 6:30 & 7pm

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 11/01/16 & 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 | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | November 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

41

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

GIFT GIVING SUPERSTITIONS Gifts That Bring Good Luck (And Bad Luck)

I

f you’re like me, then you’re probably scurrying around doing last minute gift shopping for the holidays. But beware! There are many superstitions and legends surrounding gift giving. Make sure that the gift you give your friend or loved one has good luck associated with it – especially gamblers (as they tend to be the most superstitious bunch).  A wallet or purse is an excellent present, but did you know that in most countries you must put some money in it (even if it’s just one penny) to bring luck to the recipient. This will ensure the wallet or purse will never be empty! Give cash in odd amounts such as $21, $51, $101, etc.  Gifts of food, such as fresh baked bread or cookies are great for new homeowners as these treats guarantee a full pantry and no one in the house will ever go hungry.  In many cultures, gifts such as clocks, watches, candles, and so on are bad luck as they represent time running out.

42 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

 Knives should not be given as presents amongst friends or loved ones because the superstition is that the bond will soon be cut or broken. Tape a penny to the present and have the recipient give it back to you so it’s being “bought.”  If a pregnant woman receives an emerald as a gift to wear during childbirth her labor pains will not be as difficult.  Gifts associated with negative events should be avoided. In other words, a handkerchief should never be given since it is used when crying or during sad moments. An umbrella makes a bad gift too since it is used during gloomy weather. $

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

GAMBLERS ARE BORN RISK-TAKERS Studies Show Risk-Takers Share Several Common Personality Traits

W

hether you’re the type of person who enjoys jumping out of an airplane at 14,000 feet, investing in stocks, standing up to your boss or playing the slots, you’re a risk-taker and it’s the adrenaline rush you love to feel when stakes are high. A person who loves jumping out of airplanes may be too timid to ask their boss for a raise or a poker player may think that bungee jumping is insane, but all risktakers inherently have several common personality traits. They are thrill seekers—always being involved in activities that provide extra sensory stimulation to the reinforcement centers in the brain. Risk-takers are fiercely competitive, if not with other people then with themselves. They challenge themselves, they’re more open to trying new things, they’re generally more optimistic, have higher self-esteem and are happier than people who play it safe. Risk-takers, like scientists, entrepreneurs, and law enforcement, to name a few, drive our civilization!

WHO TAKES RISKS? Gamblers are born risk-takers. Studies have shown the willingness to take risks is influenced by social, genetic, biological and developmental factors. Here is what researchers know about risk-taking:

 People who enjoy taking risks appear to be more content with their lives.

 Women take fewer risks than men.  Tall people are more willing to take risks than shorter people are.

 People who enjoy taking risks are seen as more sexually attractive.

 The willingness to take risks declines dramatically with age.  Children of educated parents are more likely to take risks. $

azgamingguide.com | December 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

43

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH To Celebrate Holiday Foods, Find: APPLE PIE, APPLESAUCE, BAKED HAM, CANDYCANES, CHEESECAKE, CHERRY PIE, CHESTNUTS, CINNAMON, CRANBERRIES, EGGNOG, GRAVY, KUGELS, LATKES, NUTMEG, POTATOES, PUDDING, PUMPKIN PIE, TURKEY, STUFFING, YAMS. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)

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SUDOKU Each of the columns, rows, and nine 3 x 3 grids must contain all of the digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear more than once in each column, row, and 3 x 3 grid. Level: Medium.

(Solution on page 46)

8

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5 44 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | December 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

45

Y

Y

Y

02. BlueWater Resort & Casino

11300 Resort Drive

Parker

888-243-3360 524

Y

Y

Y

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 330

Y

04. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 898

Y

Y

05. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1,058

Y

Y

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 263

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 624

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 512

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,016

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

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

13. Fort McDowell Casino

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 480

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 250

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

P O T A T O Y E V S A R G

C H E C H E C I A P S E N S E I A P P

R S N P A R L

R T N L C R E G

Y N A E Y E S Y

I D E G G D N U E I P P G

K N U N N

N

S P U M P D B A E S U O T I I

E I T O I N N U K M G G M K F

K E S N E A A C R A E

E K A C C R C E E S U T E Y E L S H C E G P M U P F U T S

B A K E D H A M

800-946-4452 908

Y

800-946-4452 950

Y

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 236

6

5

9

7

3

3

4

7

6

1

2

6

7

3

2

1

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4

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5

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7

4

5

1

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3

6

3

6

5

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7

4

1

8

1

4

7

3

6

2

5

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7

4

2

1

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3

5

6

8

1

5

8

6

7

2

3

9

4

9

3

6

5

8

4

1

2

7

46 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2016 | azgamingguide.com

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Spa

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Laveen Chandler

8

Y

Y

Y

9

Y

Y

Y

1

Y

Y

Y

8

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

855-946-8946 1,078

2

Y

Y

Y

Y

480-850-7777 765

5

Y

Y

Flagstaff

4

Y

Y

Scottsdale

Sudoku Solution

T A L

Y

Y

Y Y

6443 Komatke Ln.

Word Search Solution

Y

Y

Y

I-40, Exit 219

facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Y

Y

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 11/01/16 & 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

101 & Indian Bend

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

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

Golf

07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel

Y

RV Park

06. Casino of the Sun

Slots

Hotel

03. Bucky’s Casino

Phone

Smoke-Free Area

800-272-2438 563

Arcade

Globe

Poker Room

Bingo

Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe

Table Games

City

01. Apache Gold Casino Resort

Casino

Live Keno

Location

High Limit Area

CASINO DIRECTORY

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y Y