Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - March 2017 - 09:03 by Arizona Gaming Guide

MARCH

Contents

IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 10 TABLE GAMES 14 NEW SLOTS 19 WINNING WAYS 20 ARIZONA LOTTERY 24 FEATURE STORY 26 TRIBAL NEWS 28 GAMING NEWS 31 DINING 32 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 38 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 40 BINGO 42 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 43 FUN FACTS

44 FUN & GAMES 46 CASINO DIRECTORY

OUR STAFF SHARES HINTS, TIPS, AND ADVICE ON HOW TO BE A HAPPY GAMBLER IN 2017!

Join the cross-country adventures of two good-hearted but really dumb friends in this new slot!

The Arizona Lottery introduces a brand new Scratchers game and transfers $206 million to the state!

Become instantly eligible for free rooms, free food, and free slot play at the Aquarius Casino Resort!

DUMB AND DUMBER SLOTS AT CASINO DEL SOL

HISPANIC HERITAGE AND A BIG $206 MIL. PAYOUT

THE ACE|PLAY LOYALTY PROGRAM IN LAUGHLIN

azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

EDITOR’S NOTE

CHANGE IS GOOD

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

Capitalize On Every Opportunity

VOLUME 09 • ISSUE 03 MANAGING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com

here is a proverb attributed to the Chinese culture which says: “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” The winds of change are always blowing all around us and it is up to us to capitalize on every opportunity presented to us. Having undergone some administrative changes (which include a beautiful new office) during January and February, all of us at the Arizona Gam ing Guid e are feeling the positive effects! I’d like to personally encourage each one of our readers to seek out and embrace a change in their life. Any change, no matter how small and insignificant it may appear to be, will be a stimulus to a better and brighter future. I am convinced each one of us is capable of implementing change. If you are unsure of where to begin, ask a spouse, a relative, or a friend. They’ll be more than happy to impart suggestions on what to change. If that’s not quite what you had in mind, walk into your favorite casino through a different entrance, you’ll be amazed by the new perspective! 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! Thank You!

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 © 2017 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

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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: We often get free slot play at many different casinos. Why don't casinos allow you to use your free play on any machine? It seems that you can't use the free play on the newer machines. Thanks! Joe Prah – Mifflinburg, PA (In AZ ‘til the snow melts in PA!) A: Many casinos do not have the capability to use free play on all machines. The most likely explanation is you are catching the Crazy Cash Casino (just to make up a name) in the middle of a technology upgrade. Either a new free play system was brought online which only interfaces with newer slots and not older slots or even slots by certain manufacturers, or an older free play system does not work with newer machines on the slot floor. Demand a change at Crazy Cash Casino, or at least politely ask at the player’s club when all machines will have the free play available to them. If you don’t get a satisfactory answer, shop around at other casinos. Perhaps you can return to Crazy Cash Casino and ask the player’s club why a competitor, or even multiple competitors, offer free play on all of their games and Crazy Cash Casino doesn’t! Blunt, perhaps, but results-oriented and potentially effective. At least it should be effective and, if it is not, you’ll need to decide if Crazy Cash Casino’s policy is acceptable or not and also if you’ll take your entertainment dollars somewhere else, right? Q: I was wondering, [do] casinos give out free play or have some other promotions for birthdays? Janay Adamson –Phoenix, AZ A: This is a great question we haven’t come across yet! Everyone loves to be appreciated on their birthday and many casinos capitalize on that with free play or a similar “gift.” Some casinos are not so strict and honor your birthday all month long with a special offer. Birthday “presents” from casinos may include free hotel stays, free food, or material objects. In most cases, you’ll have to be signed up for the casino’s player’s club in order to receive a birthday “present” from them. The easiest way to find out is to ask at the player’s club! Q: My question to The Experts is why I, as a Canadian Gambler, have to pay a 30% [tax] at the casino on a win. When an American gambles in Canada [they pay] nothing on [their] casino or any type of gambling winnings, no matter how big. At what level does the [tax] start? Give us a rundown in the Arizona Gambling Guide on how this tax is applied and handled for the [Canadian] Snowbirds. Thanks! Dennis—Sun City, AZ & Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada A: Yours is a great question Dennis! We always advise our readers to consult the advice of a tax professional regarding questions surrounding taxation of gambling winnings and how

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gambling winnings are reported. However, with that statement out of the way, we’ll tell you what we know. Many casino visitors who are fortunate enough to win a large amount of money are frequently surprised when a casino employee asks for a Social Security number for tax purposes. The reason why is the United States Tax Code. U.S. Citizens must report gambling winnings on form W-2G (supplied by the casino) if “1. The winnings (not reduced by the wager) are $1,200 or more from a bingo game or slot machine, 2. The winnings (reduced by the wager) are $1,500 or more from a keno game, 3. The winnings (reduced by the wager or buy-in) are more than $5,000 from a poker tournament, 4. The winnings (except winnings from bingo, slot machines, keno, and poker tournaments) reduced, at the option of the payer, by the wager are: a. $600 or more, and b. At least 300 times the amount of the wager, or 5. The winnings are subject to federal income tax withholding (either regular gambling withholding or backup withholding).” Withholding means the following: “There are two types of withholding on gambling winnings: (a) the regular gambling withholding at 25% (33.33% for certain noncash payments) and (b) backup withholding at 28%. If a payment is already subject to regular gambling withholding, it isn't subject to backup withholding.” For foreigners, the law is slightly different as “Payments of gambling winnings to a nonresident alien individual or a foreign entity aren't subject to reporting or withholding on Form W-2G. Generally, gambling winnings paid to a foreign person are subject to 30% withholding under sections 1441(a) and 1442 (a) and are reportable on Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons, and Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding. Winnings of a nonresident alien from blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, big-6 wheel, or a live dog or horse race in the United States from legal wagers initiated outside the United States in a pari-mutuel pool aren't subject to withholding or reporting. See Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities.” So, by law, Canadians, or other foreigners, receive a Form 1042 with 30% withholding once a large jackpot is paid. Fortunately, you won’t receive a 1042 on all wins at the casinos here in the U.S., you’ll only receive it if it comes to the attention of a slot attendant when a slot locks up for a jackpot hand pay over the U.S. taxable threshold of $1,200. In the not so distant past, three reel, one pay line slot machines had pay tables where the top prize was set at $1,199 on purpose by the game designers! This intentional act conveniently circumvents the $1,200 taxable threshold. Taking a cue from this design, if you’d prefer to intentionally avoid this tax on gam-

PLAYERS TALK

Reader Letters

Continued from page 6

bling winnings by foreigners in the U.S., play games which do not have pays over $1,200. If you like penny slots, avoid those with large jackpots, or focus on playing at a low bet. At a bet of 25 to 50 credits on a penny slot, winning more than $1,200 requires quite an extreme stroke of luck. You are correct, Canadian income tax law is different. And, by law, foreign persons in Canada are generally not subject to taxation on their gambling winnings according to documents we reviewed on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website. We wish you much luck and a lot of fun while visiting Arizona! Q: I love to play Video Poker and I always play max bet! My question is, should I hit the bet button five times or just press

the max bet button? Does playing one way or another change the outcome of the game? Thanks for a great magazine! Gertrude Florence—Tucson, AZ A: Great question Gertrude! A video poker machine cannot distinguish how you initiated a bet. Once you press either the bet one, the max bet, or the repeat bet (sometimes labeled deal/ draw) button, the random number generator begins the card selection process. This is a requirement based on the casino gaming regulations established for electronic games which replicate a card game. Personally, pressing the bet one button multiple times is annoying because of the accompanying sound, the same is true of the max bet button. Perform your initial wager and then just use the repeat bet button. It’s all the same! $

and get a $25 gift or gas card if we decide to print your question! Do you have a question for our staff of casino gaming industry professionals and slot experts? Write us with your questions and comments in any area of gaming and we will make every attempt to publish a response in upcoming issues. Space is limited so we are unable to print every letter or e-mail we receive. Please include your name and mailing address with all correspondence. Mail to: Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277 or E-mail to: editor@azgamingguide.com.

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TABLE GAMES By Al Moe

TOP 10 MISTAKES IN TABLE GAMES Avoid These Plays In Blackjack, Let It Ride, And Three Card Poker!

veryone gambles for different reasons, but everyone can benefit by avoiding some common mistakes. Here are the top ten mistakes gamblers make at the tables:

One - Not Learning Basic Strategy It takes a little time to learn basic strategy, but most Arizona casinos will let you use a little cheat sheet, so study and learn the basics, and you’ll do much better, especially on splits and double down hands. Two – Not Splitting 8s Every Time Getting a pair of 8s gives you the worst hand in blackjack, a 16. You’ll only win 43% of the time if you stand with those 8s. If you split, you’ll improve your odds of winning to 52%. Three – Taking Insurance Unless you are counting cards, or you’ve seen a disproportionate number of small cards in the first few cards of a new shoe, insurance is a bad wager with a house edge of 7.7%. Four – Not Hitting 16s A hard 16 is bad, don’t make it worse by standing. You should always hit against dealer up cards of 7 through Ace. Not hitting against an Ace costs a player an extra 15%. Five – Not Hitting A Soft 18 Sure, an 18 is a good hand, but it’s not much against a 9, 10 or Ace. You need to hit! Standing on a soft 18 verses, a 9 costs a player an extra 8%. Six – Not Doubling Down On 18s Again, 18 looks good when you are facing a dealer’s up card of 3, 4, 5 or 6, and it is good. In fact, it’s so good you should always double down. Your edge over a dealer 6 is so high, that not doubling down costs a player an extra 10%. Seven – Side Bets It’s fun to play side bets on table games, but it’s also very expensive. Lucky Ladies has a house edge of about 25%. That means it costs a player 25 cents for every dollar wagered. Play sixty hands an hour and make the side bet every few hands (20 times per hour) and you’ll lose $5. That’s more than your standard blackjack loss if you play basic strategy with a $10 bet (about $4.50).

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Eight – Playing Blind Players seem to love playing an extra hand at Let it Rid e and Three Card Poker. Unfortunately, you have to play the hand blind. That’s a big no-no if you want to hold onto your money. Even if you just play the 3-card or Pair Plus bonus, you’ll be giving the house an edge of 7.27%, and that’s not good. Nine – Always Betting The Play Spot Three Card Poker is an easy game, and most players bet the Pair Plus and the Ante wager each hand. Wagering on the Play spot is optional, which is good for the player since the dealer will qualify 69% of the time. If you play blind or bet Play every time, you’re risking your money on marginal hands. You should only bet the Play wager when you hold a hand of at least Queen-6-4 or higher! Ten – Doubling Down On Hard 12 Some players just love to double down on hard 12. Why bet more money on a hand you may lose before the dealer even has a chance to hit? Instead, hit and then hit again if you need to. That will save your sanity and money. $ 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

Dumb And Dumber Now At Casino Del Sol In Tucson

layers across North America are invited to buckle up in the Shaggin’ Wagon and join the cross-country adventures of two good-hearted but incredibly dumb friends in the new slot game from Aristocrat, Dumb and Dumber—now available for play at Casino Del Sol in Tucson! Players join the adventure as Lloyd and Harry travel from Providence to Aspen except this time it’s the players who could be walking away with a briefcase full of cash! Dum b and Dum ber is loaded with themed features, such as Ketchup and Mustard Wilds, Kung Fu Multiplier, Shaggin’ Wagon Bonus Credits, Most Annoying Sound Credits, Mockingbird Credits and the Laxative Respin. Wonder Wheels Bonuses include the Road Trip Wheel, Aspen Free Spins, Dante’s Inferno, and the Chance at Love. Dumb and Dumber is a medium volatility progressive game with a frequent feature frequency. For more information about this game and other exciting Aristocrat products, visit their website at aristocrat-us.com. For more information about Casino Del Sol, visit their website at casinodelsol.com. $

Rumpelstiltskin Now At Desert Diamond Casino In Tucson

ow much gold can you spin at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson? For the first time in Arizona, Everi’s Rum pelstiltsk in is making an appearance, complete with gold, a pesky imp, and the promise of a happily ever after ending! Players have to spin straw into gold while maneuvering Rum pelstiltsk in who is off to the side changing low values to the Gold symbol and reevaluating the pay lines. The Free Bonus Spin allows players to spin a wheel to determine the number of additional free spins. If three Bonus symbols land scattered on reels 1, 3, and 5, players enter the Guess My Name Bonus round where they have three chances to correctly name Rum pelstiltsk in and win big! For more information about Rum pelstiltsk in and other great new products from Everi, visit their website at everi.com. For more information on these games and all the other latest slot machine installs at Desert Diamond Casinos, visit their website at ddcaz.com, call 1.866.DDC.WINS (1.866.332.9461), or follow them on Facebook (/ddcaz), Twitter (@DiamondCasinos), and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos). $

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NEW SLOTS

Coming Soon

High Voltage Blackout By Everi

owerful winnings will light up players’ faces on High Voltage Black out, the new 5 reel, 40 line video game from Everi. Players will be electrified during the Respin Bonus, when winning combinations trigger the reels to respin, with each one guaranteeing a winning spin! The winnings heat up even more with Lightning Multipliers, triggered when a Lightning Multiplier symbol is part of a winning combination and multiplies it up to 50X. During the Blackout Bonus, the game’s top screen displays a silhouetted skyline with 24 buildings, while the bottom screen contains a field of 28 pick buttons players can choose from. Each pick powers up 2-6 buildings, awarding supercharged credits to lucky winners. Players also receive credit awards for powering up all like-colored buildings — pink awards 15X total bet, blue awards 25X total bet, and green awards 50X total bet. If the full skyline is powered up, players receive an additional 100X total bet award! A shocking amount of huge winnings is in store for players who take charge in High Voltage Blackout! Look for this great new slot at your favorite casino. For more information about High Voltage Black out and other great products by Everi, visit their website at everi.com.

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NEW SLOTS

Coming Soon

Valley Of Gold Egyptian By IGT

he slot manufacturer IGT is expanding their rich progressive Core portfolio with Valley of Gold Egyptian video slots. The engaging new title captures players’ interest with its vibrant game symbols displayed on a five reel, 30 pay line configuration which is set on IGT’s CrystalSlant and CrystalDual slot machine cabinets. Developed for low denomination (meaning pennies and two cents) gameplay, Valley of Gold Egyptian can propel player excitement when three or more King Tut game symbols placed in any position trigger the Valley of Gold Egyptian free games bonus. Awarding up to nine free games, the free games bonus also features wild symbols which lock in place for the remainder of the free games. Additionally, slot enthusiasts can experience the new random progressive reset feature. Once the progressive hits, the progressive meter will roll back up to a random higher value which gives players the chance of hitting the progressive again. Plus, fans of IGT’s classic three reel slots, Top Dollar and Pinball, will be excited to know modernized versions are making their way onto casino floors! To learn more about IGT’s slot machines, visit igt.com. $

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WINNING WAYS By Mark Novak

THE SCIENCE OF PLAYING SLOTS—II Expert Slot Machine Game Designers Reveal Secrets And Strategies

ince the February issue of the Arizona Gam ing Guid e introduced a series of articles in our Winning Ways section, we know our readers are ready for the next installment of “The Science of Playing Slots” in which we’ll discuss Player’s Club Cards. So, “Do I play with my Player’s Club Card?” Without question the answer is “Yes!” The doubts in a casino visitor’s mind once they learn they should play with a loyalty card are natural. The most popular concerns players have identified to us are: What information does the casino collect on me? When I use a loyalty card, does it affect my play? While both answers are straightforward, the casino environment of wagering money against “the house” on games governed by randomness, either inherent or computer generated, does not make them palatable to all! As fellow casino visitors, we understand the effects wagering on random behavior has on an individual’s perception. While we can readily identify with the feelings experienced while playing at a casino, our mission with this publication is to disseminate the truth and present facts. So, what information does the casino collect on an individual while using a Player’s Club Card? Everything you are willing to share with the casino! When a Player’s Club Card account is first created, casino visitors are asked for their driver’s license, potentially a phone number, and probably an email. At a minimum, in order to join, a name and an address should suffice along with showing the casino representative a valid photo ID. Just because a visitor is asked for a driver’s license does not mean it must be handed over to be scanned by the casino. However, just presenting a photo ID to be scanned when asked is perhaps easier in order to avert any data entry issues. If a patron is fortunate enough to win a taxable jackpot, the casino will require a valid tax ID along with a valid photo ID in order to claim the win. This information will most likely also be linked to the Player’s Club Card on file. Finally, all wagers will be tracked through a properly inserted Player’s Club Card. Or, if the patron prefers table games, present the Card to the appropriate individuals running the table game and play will be tracked as well, but most likely not as diligently as a slot machine will. Many casinos still rely on estimating player wagers at table games and do not have the technology in place to accurately monitor every wager in the back-

ground. A properly inserted Player’s Club Card in a slot machine (slot, video poker, video keno, video roulette, etc.) will accurately monitor every single wager. The casino will use this information to generate a number to indicate how much money has been spent. Balancing the amount spent based on the wagering data against any jackpots allows the casino to know how much money is being earned, over time, by a particular Player’s Club account. This is important to the casino because they are interested in knowing how much they can “reinvest” (yes reinvest is the actual industry term!) in that Player’s Club account in order to maintain the loyalty of the patron. Each casino “reinvests” in each type of player differently. Players who spend small amounts of money per visit (say $20) won’t receive much in the way of offers, comps, free play in the long run. Players who spend more (say $300) will obviously have seemingly larger benefits from the casino. However, it is prudent to understand the “reinvestment” is calculated using a percentage of the total money spent at a casino, even as a percentage of the average money spent per trip to the casino, how far away (literally the total distance!) the address on file is from the casino, how often the patron visits, other undisclosed factors, or a mixture of some or all of them! Examining a simple case, let’s assume a “small” player spends $20 per trip and a “medium” player spends $300 per trip. The casino is willing to “reinvest” 10% in food comps to each player. That’s $2 in food comps for the “small” player and $30 in food comps for the “medium” player. While the “medium” player is making out like a bandit compared to the “small” player ($2 doesn’t go far, even at a casino deli), the amounts are proportional to their bankroll, which is fair. Casino visitors have to understand the only way to receive the “reinvestment” a casino is willing to bestow on their patrons is to join the Player’s Club! So, the Player’s Club Card will track a patron’s play and store their name and address (at the very least), in exchange for which the patron receives comps, free play, gifts, and much more. Not a bad deal in our opinion. Put a different way, if presented a choice between buy five coffees and get the sixth one free or buy five coffees and get nothing free, where the only “catch” is signing up for a loyalty program (the requirements being the same as at a casino: valid photo ID, phone number, email), what would you do? $ azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

ARIZONA LOTTERY By Megan Conner

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE Arizona Lottery Presents Dia De Los Muertos Scratchers Ticket

he Arizona Lottery is dedicated to supporting the local Hispanic community while providing exciting games for its players. In anticipation of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, the Arizona Lottery held an open artwork submission contest where Arizona residents submitted original artwork for a Día de los Muertos Scratchers ticket. The ticket will launch in August to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15. The Lottery will highlight a talented, local Arizona artist while commemorating the traditions and festivities of Arizona’s Hispanic community. “We are excited to showcase the incredible artistic talent that we have in Arizona and to celebrate the impact of the Hispanic community on our state,” said Gregg Edgar, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “At the Arizona Lottery we are always looking for new ways to engage with our community.” Artists of all levels and backgrounds were asked to submit between two and four designs that followed five main criteria, 1) originality, 2) interpretation and execution of theme, 3) overall design and appeal, 4) marketability and 5) application completion. Each submission was reviewed and judged by a diverse cross section of Arizona Lottery employees and employees from the Lottery’s advertising agency, OH Partners. The selected artist’s designs will be used on a $2 Scratchers ticket that will be sold in more than 2,900 retailers throughout the state of Arizona. The selected artist will be compensated $5,000 for their works and contracted by Arizona Lottery. The large distribution of the ticket provides the selected artist an avenue to showcase their artistic talents statewide and strengthen their presence in the Hispanic community. “Arizona has a robust and talented arts community so we were confident that we’d peak some interest in the contest,” said

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Gregg Edgar, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “We received great coverage from local media outlets and excellent feedback and engagement on social media. Leveraging these outlets, plus local arts organizations, helped spread awareness and in turn gave the review committee many beautiful entries to judge!” The New Mexico Lottery launched a very successful el Día d e los Muertos ticket with original artwork, and it sparked the idea that the Arizona Lottery could introduce a similar ticket celebrating one of Arizona’s talented artists. The Arizona Lottery plans to introduce the Hispanic Heritage Month ticket annually, selecting a different theme each year and soliciting submissions for the ticket artwork. For more information on the Dia d e los Muertos game, please visit their website at arizonalottery.com. $

ARIZONA LOTTERY By Megan Conner

ARIZONA LOTTERY CONTRIBUTES BIG! State Beneficiaries Receive $206 Mil. Record-Breaking Annual Transfer

rom a milestone anniversary and new airport location, to the first-ever Arizona Card inals Scratchers ticket and a billion dollar Pow erball, the Arizona Lottery had a lot to celebrate in 2016, making it one of their most successful yet. The biggest highlight of the year, however, is Arizona Lottery’s record-breaking annual transfer of over $206 million to the state of Arizona. Between July 2015 to June 2016, Arizona Lottery transferred more than $206 million to its beneficiaries, a 17 percent increase from 2015 totaling nearly $30 million. Thanks to this notable contribution, Governor Doug Ducey has recognized the Arizona Lottery for making a positive impact on a variety of significant organizations across the state. “Through this record-breaking transfer, the Lottery will continue to positively impact a variety of programs and organizations that serve diverse groups of Arizonans, such as foster children, the vulnerable, tribal students and more,” said Governor Ducey. The transfer increase is in part a result of the record-breaking sales driven by the largest Pow erball ever recorded, an incredible $1.586 billion jackpot. Consequently, sales skyrocketed to more than $85 million in Arizona over the course of just nine weeks. Proceeds from Arizona Lottery sales have a significant

economic impact as well. With three top 10 Pow erball jackpots in 2016 alone, lottery players and retailers got lucky. Highlights of the Arizona Lottery’s accomplishments include the fifth largest Pow erball jackpot reaching $487 million resulting in $25.9 million in sales over a course of 12 weeks; the seventh largest Powerball jackpot reaching $429.6 million resulting in $19.6 million in sales over a course of 8 weeks; nearly half a billion dollars paid in prizes to Arizona players; and, more than $59.1 million in commissions to retailers. “The growth we have seen in transfers to beneficiaries, commissions for retailers and prizes for players is an immense accomplishment for Arizona as a whole,” said Gregg Edgar, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “Looking forward, we are strategizing a variety of ways to maintain, and even surpass, these record numbers so the Arizona Lottery can continue to deliver a quality player experience and transfer more funding to our beneficiaries.” The Arizona Lottery transfers dollars to 13 legislatively mandated funds that serve 18 beneficiaries. Funding supports organizations throughout Arizona in the areas of Arts and Education, Community Enrichment, Economic Development, Environmental Conservation, Health and Human Services and Public Safety. For more about the Arizona Lottery and their games, please visit their website at arizonalottery.com. $

azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

10 Bankroll Strategies That Will Keep You From Feeling Blue

ne of the biggest misconceptions about gambling is that it will make you happy. Sorry, gambling doesn't make you happy, winning does.

Over and over again, I hear the lamentations of how little fun casino patrons are having. And, having studied behavior on the casino floor for two decades now, I have an expert observation as to why people are so unhappy. The unhappiness stems from control and expectation. More precisely, a lack of control coupled with unrealistic expectations. With that out of the way, let’s move on to control issues. I can’t much help with unrealistic expectations, but I do hold a PhD in control and bankroll management at a casino. Patrons have to realize what they can and cannot control at a casino. At a very basic level, every casino patron must accept control over their bankroll and a complete lack of control over the ultimate outcome while playing their favorite game. If a patron is unable to come to terms with this fact, they probably shouldn’t even go to the casino because they will just end up unhappy. Perhaps that sounds a little direct, and it is, but the casino is supposed to be a fun environment for patrons, not a source of repeated frustration and disappointment. So, allow me to share several of my tips on managing and maintaining an appropriate bankroll in order to maximize the chances at winning and attaining happiness while playing at a casino. 1. Actually Have A Bankroll And Stick To It, Always! This was mentioned last issue as one of the tips to being a smart gambler and it is absolutely critical! Casino visitors must decide upon a fixed amount of money which is set aside for the casino which will not change during a casino visit. This fixed amount of money should also be budgeted across a month (or a year) so a patron can continue to enjoy playing casino games without negatively impacting their finances.

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Let’s pretend a casino visitor is taking the first steps toward bankroll management and can accurately claim to spend around $100 per visit to their favorite casino. This is a great step! One casino visit equates to a bankroll of $100. The next step is for the casino patron to honestly ask themselves how often they expect to visit a casino during a week, or a month, or in a year. If the patron plans to visit a casino three times per week, that amounts to $300 per week or $15,600 across one year. On the other hand, if the patron plans on visiting six times per month, the $100 per trip visit adds up to $7,200 across the year. A gambler must ask themselves if either of those two figures are reasonable expenditures for their entertainment dollars given their financial situation. Determining the bankroll amount and then translating it into a monthly, or yearly, amount keeps your bankroll in perspective. Once defined, a gambler’s bankroll must be strictly adhered to. If the amount is allowed to vary from trip to trip, or if the number of visits increases beyond what was originally stated, unhappiness is certain to arrive. And yes, your bankroll for gambling is not the same as the budget for tips. Think about how much you’d tip at a restaurant for great service. Probably 15% or 20%, right? So, if you’ve ordered $40 worth of complimentary food and three rounds of drinks at $7.50 each, you’ve “spent” $62.50. The wait staff should be tipped in cash regardless if the food and drinks are complimentary or not. So, a 20% tip adds up to $12.50. If you don’t want that coming out of your $100 bankroll, you’ll have to bring some extra money, which should increase your overall bankroll to about $115 per trip. 2. Choose your game wisely! Know the odds for all the games you are interested in playing. Find the game with the lowest house edge and play it if you are expecting to make your bankroll last as long as possible. Just remember that any statement about that house edge always refers to the long run. That means, at a minimum, hundreds of

thousands of bets, spins, plays, etc. Better yet, consider a house edge number to account for results over millions of plays not just the few hundred you may make during a trip to the casino. If you are interested in seeing actual house edge results based on real data, look no further than the statistics we publish every month in the Laughlin, NV section of the magazine on page 32. Which game do you like to play? Notice the house edge? Are you willing to play another game to lower the house edge? 3. Be smart about your bets. If the bankroll you have decided upon is $100 per trip then the bankroll essentially excludes you from playing a dollar machine. Why? Well those $100 buys 100 credits on a dollar video poker slot machine. Since video poker requires a max bet (generally five credits) to lower the house edge, that guarantees 20 spins on the game. Unless you are mentally ready for a short entertainment experience, consider a lower denomination game with a bankroll of $100. Dropping the denomination to quarters, those $100 guarantees 400 credits and 80 hands on a video poker game. Dropping the denomination to nickels and $100 buys a whopping 2,000 credits and 400 hands of video poker. 4. Take your time. As with anything in life, live in the present moment. Don’t rush, play slowly and comfortably as opposed to frantically. Without a doubt, don’t play two machines at once. Playing two machines at the same time, or two positions at a blackjack table only ensures a bankroll is cut in half. You’re risking losing your money twice as fast.

a ticket, I have to shake my head at the withdrawal receipts most people leave strewn around the machine like confetti. I have seen ATM receipts for withdrawals in the amount of $20. Please be aware that not only does the bank charge a fee for using a non-network ATM (all casino ATMs are not associated with any bank), but the ATM machine also assesses a fee. Most banks charge $2 to $3 in fees and ATMs charge from $2 to $7. Just think about what that translates into! At a minimum the $20 withdrawal at the casino costs $4 in fees (that’s 20% of $20!) and at a maximum costs $10 in fees (that’s half of the $20). Why would anyone do this to themselves? 6. Set aside your winnings. Decide, in advance, what percentage of any winnings will be put aside. There is nothing worse than winning money and then giving it all back. 7. Don’t chase after losses. Don’t be tempted to increase wager amounts during a losing streak. This is the quickest way to deplete your bankroll and also a quick path to unhappiness! 9. Don’t forget your free play. Always play with a Player’s Club Card so you can earn free play money and other complimentary goodies. When the casino awards you free play, use it! 10. Above all, gamble responsibly. The catch phrase is “bet with your head, not over it” and everyone needs to heed that rule! If you think you have a problem, get help, it is free and confidential. Start by calling 1.800.NEXT.STEP.

5. Leave the plastic at home. Don’t bring ATM cards, Credit Cards with cash advances or any other form of debit instrument which allows access to additional funds. There was an agreement about a set bankroll per casino visit and it must be adhered to.

So let’s get real, these ten strategies are not easy to follow, I’ll admit that. I’m only attempting to inform our readers how to prevent feeling miserable at a casino by instituting control back into an environment where chance and lady luck rule the day. Frequently, we all allow chance and lady luck to take over our ability to make good decisions while we are at a casino and I’ve found that introducing these simple strategies make my casino visits more fun and, honestly, luckier.

Every time I go to the change machine to break a bill or change

I wish all of our readers the best of luck and a lot of fun! $ azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

TRIBAL NEWS

KENNETH MANUEL New Chief Executive Officer Of Gila River Gaming Enterprises

ila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc., operator of three leading casino properties in Arizona, recently announced that Kenneth Manuel has been selected as the Enterprises’ new Chief Executive Officer. Manuel is the first member of the Gila River Indian Community to hold this position permanently. The announcement comes after an intensive search and selection process by Gila River Gaming Enterprises’ Interim Oversight and Planning Committee, consisting of five Gila River Indian Community tribal council members. “The enterprise is honored to have Mr. Manuel as a leader, who many consider a mentor and highly recognized Gila River Indian Community member,” said Teaya Vicente, Public Relations Manager for Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. “We are confident in Mr. Manuel’s ability to propel our vision to be Arizona’s first choice in casino entertainment for both work and play.” Manuel’s path to the Chief Executive Officer role included serving in nearly every aspect of the business for the past 22 years. He began his career as a slot manager in 1994 and was immediately promoted to acting slot director. During Manuel’s career, he spent a year in a management position servicing the Sheraton Grand Resort and Spa at Wild Horse Pass, rejoining as a member of the Gila River Gaming Enterprises Inc. Board of Directors, fulfilling the role as Board President. He was a member of the Casino Expansion Owners Team from 2007 to 2013, Chairman of the Enterprise’s Expense Committee, and a member of the Mentorship Committee. Continuing his successful career, he joined the Enterprise’s Pathways Mentorship Program as Assistant Chief Executive Officer. During Manuel’s tenure, Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. has experienced unprecedented growth and development, which has contributed to the long-term sustainability and progress of the Gila River Indian Community. Throughout his career, he has been key in the creation and completion of all three gaming properties. He was instrumental in the completion of Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino, which opened in July of 2013, and the Lone Butte Casino renovation project in 2015. “It is an immense honor to have been chosen to serve in the role of Chief Executive Officer,” Manuel said. “The casinos are the primary source of support for the Gila River Indian Community. I see incredible growth potential as premier entertainment destinations and furthermore as great places for employees to

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

grow and develop their skills.” Manuel participated in the Executive Development Program at the University of Nevada at Reno. He continued his education, earning certification from Cornell University’s General Managers Program and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. About Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. operates three Arizona casinos owned by the Gila River Indian Community, including Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Lone Butte Casino, and Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino. All three casinos offer a combination of slots, table games, bingo, poker and hotels and are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, call 1.800.946.4452 or visit their website at wingilariver.com. $

GAMING NEWS

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Donates To The Area Agency For Aging’s Mosaic Center Elder Refugee Program

Tribal Gaming Contributions Down 4.3% When Compared To Same Quarter Last Fiscal Year The Arizona Department of Gaming recently announced that statewide tribal contributions, for the quarter that ended on December 31, 2016, totaled just over $14.5 million—a 4.3% decrease when compared to the same quarter last fiscal year.

Left to right: Jamie Craig Dove, Area Agency for Aging senior marketing director and fund development; Tammy Livingston; Robert Livingston, Harrah’s regional vice president and general manager; Gerry Kroloff, Area Agency for Aging vice president of community relations; Katie Stevens, Area Agency for Aging Native American Senior Center coordinator

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino recently donated $5,000 to the Area Agency for Aging for its Mosaic Center Elder Refugee Program. This donation is to help the program move to a larger center. “The Mosaic Center is an incredible program that gives back to the community in ways that are especially helpful to our area’s seniors. The Center provides them with the resources necessary to connect with others and help them make tangible progress within their own lives,” said Robert Livingston, regional vice president and general manager for Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. “Being able to donate to an organization such as the Area Agency for Aging is a tangible way for Harrah’s employees to show their appreciation and support.” The Refugee Program was developed to provide services and support to elderly refugees 60 years or older living in Maricopa County. These services include critical needs case management, housing and home management assistance, referrals for aging services, and interpretation and translation services, to name a few. The Center also provides various activities and meals in addition to transportation to those who need it. The Native American Seniors is also housed at The Mosaic Center, a program that enables Native Americans over 60 to connect with one another. Elders from 12 different tribes take part in this program. The Mosaic Center is open four days a week and is located at 1430 E. Indian School Rd., #110, Phoenix, AZ 85014. The Native American Seniors program meets Mondays and Tuesdays and the Refugee Program takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information, please visit their website at aaaphx.org/program-services/mosaic-center/. $

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

“Although this is a decrease from FY16’s numbers, these tribal contributions continue to provide an undeniable benefit to the state of Arizona,” said Daniel Bergin, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming. “$14-plus million is still a significant amount of money.” Tribal contributions provide supplemental funding for Arizona’s schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation efforts. The Department is unable to determine the extent of any impact the new West Valley casino has had on statewide gaming numbers, as it is not currently regulated by the Department. “Any revenue generated by that location is not shared with the State.” Since the Tribal-State Compacts went into effect in 2003, Arizona Tribes have contributed over $1.2 billion to the state of Arizona and its cities, towns, and counties. Bergin added, “We look forward to watching that number continue to grow for years to come.” The quarterly tribal contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund will be distributed as follows: Instructional Improvement Fund/Education: $7,170,169 Trauma and Emergency Services Fund: $3,585,085 Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs: $1,469,092 Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund: $1,024,310 State Tourism Fund: $1,024,310 Problem Gambling Ed, Treatment and Prevention: $291,285 TOTAL tribal contributions for the quarter ending December 31, 2016: $14,564,251 The Arizona Department of Gaming, in partnership with Arizona’s tribes, regulates Indian gaming. Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, tribes with casinos contribute one to eight percent of their Class III gross gaming revenue to the state, cities, towns, and counties. In Arizona, Class III gaming includes slot machines, jackpot poker, blackjack, keno and off-track pari-mutuel betting. There are currently 23 Class III casinos in the state. Tribes send contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund every three months. $

GAMING NEWS

Slot Enthusiasts Continue To Win Big Playing IGT’S Popular Wheel Of Fortune Slots

One Valley woman has had a great start to the new year; she won the largest jackpot so far in 2017 at Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino in Laveen, Arizona: $862,691! Esperanza (last name withheld) of Phoenix hit the jackpot on Sunday afternoon playing the Wheel of Fortune Double Diamond 3D slot machine, which had a $1 minimum bet. “What a great time!” the winner exclaimed, “Thanks VQ!” She is an emerald level player’s club member, which is the entrylevel player membership. The jackpot was what is known as a progressive jackpot, which means multiple machines are linked together to form one large progressive jackpot that grows more quickly because multiple players are contributing to the jackpot at the same time. A man from Pennsylvania visiting Las Vegas, Nevada for the Big Game turned his $2 bet into $1,085,391.67 playing the $1 Wheel of Fortune slot machine at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The guest had won $500 earlier in the day from the same machine and had been playing on it the past two days. The guest returned to the same machine after eating lunch at Holsteins on property and won the grand prize. He told the resort, “This has changed my life.” And, just recently, IGT Wheel of Fortune slots enriched its jackpot legacy and awarded two more lucky players with lifechanging jackpots that added up to $4.7 million in combined payouts. A casino patron won $2,135,713 while playing the Wheel of Fortune Ultra 5 Reels video slots at Harrah’s Reno in Reno, Nevada. Harrah’s Reno is a Caesars Entertainment resort. Caesars Entertainment enjoys an exceptional reputation for awarding jackpots through the Company’s Millionaire Maker powered by Total Rewards program. To date, Caesars Entertainment has created more than 774 millionaires. A few weeks later, a lucky player won a $2,620,550 jackpot playing Wheel of Fo rtune Double Times Pay 3x4x5 slots at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. No one pays jackpots like IGT. IGT launched Wheel of Fortune slots in 1996 and solidified the Company’s leadership in

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

Pictured is the lucky Wheel of Fortune slot machine at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. The machine is located on the casino floor across from CliQue Bar & Lounge which is on the first floor of the west end of the resort.

Wide Area Progressive technology. Known as the most successful slot title of all-time, the fan-favorite theme has minted more than 1,000 millionaires and delivered over $3 billion in jackpots throughout its illustrious history. IGT has created more than 200 variations of the game that can be found on casino floors in more than 20 countries worldwide. For more information, visit IGT.com or go to their Facebook at facebook.com/IGT, follow on Twitter, twitter.com/IGTnews or watch IGT videos on YouTube, youtube.com/igt. You can also play IGT’s DoubleDown Casino at doubledowncasino.com or on Facebook. $

CASINO DINING By Lana Hartmann

OCOTILLO CAFE At Quechan Casino Resort

very third month or so, I head south on a road trip. No, not for the border! I head out to San Diego to visit some friends.

And, as I am committed to keeping up with what’s hot and what’s not at the casinos here in Arizona and Southern California, I always pass through Yuma, Arizona on may way to San Diego and stop to get a bite to eat.

During my last trip, I stopped in for lunch at the Ocotillo Café inside Quechan Casino Resort just West of Yuma. I’ve always enjoyed Quechan and the Ocotillo Café. I’ve never had a bad experience playing the slots or eating the food. What I think our readers should know about are the four buffets including the $8.95 Breakfast Buffet, the $12.95 Brunch Buffet, the $18.95 Seafood Buffet on Friday nights from 4-10pm, and the $16.95 Prime Rib Buffet on Saturday nights from 4-10pm. If you are in any way budget conscious, keep them on your list! Furthermore, diners at the Ocotillo Café who are not interested in a buffet experience should focus on these items off the menu: First, try the Chile Rellenos with Jack cheese and Ranchero sauce. This dish is only $9.50 and will leave you wishing you had room for more! Second, try the Southwest Chicken which consists of a flame kissed breast of chicken (that description alone sounds great to me!) tossed with fettuccini (wait, there’s more!), caramelized onions (oh my gosh!), roasted peppers (are you trying to make me drool, seriously?), tomatoes, and mushrooms in a chipotle cilantro cream with garlic bread (I think I’m in heaven!). Obviously, you won’t be disappointed. Bon Appetit! $

azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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 December 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.

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

Slots

Hold %

Games & Tables Hold %

1¢

8.81

Blackjack / 21

16.09

5¢

8.49

Craps

14.26

25¢

4.43

Roulette

18.89

4.02

Three Card Poker

32.28

Megabucks

10.75

Live Keno

28.95

4.25

Bingo

16.46

$25

12.42

Let It Ride

26.75

Pai Gow Poker

27.71

Race Books

18.24

Sports Pools

4.84

Multi-Denomination 4.78

Win Amounts

Dollars

Games & Tables

$ 3,065,000 Other Table Games 28.74

Slot Machines

$25,138,000

Total Gaming Win

$28,203,000

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA By Lana Hartmann

GOLDEN NUGGET’S CLAIM JUMPER 200+ Food & Beverage Choices Made From The Freshest Ingredients

hen visiting the Golden Nugget Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, make sure to plan at least one meal at the Claim Jumper! You won’t be disappointed. The food is fresh and tasty, menu options are varied and unique and the portion sizes are more than satisfying! Known for their wide selection of fresh options, the American cuisine favorite offers guests mouth-watering selections including burgers, sandwiches, pizza, specialty salads, pasta, baby back pork ribs, fresh fish, Certified Angus Beef, USDA Choice steaks, pot pies, and more. The Chicken Pot Pie is absolutely delicious and one of our team’s favorites. It’s been a Claim Jumper classic since 1977 and is baked fresh throughout the day! The dish contains carrots, onions, mushrooms and peas simmered slowly in a savory herb cream sauce and baked in Claim Jumper’s flaky pie crust and served with a side of fruit. Just delectable! Creole, Asian and Hawaiian-inspired entrées are also available.

Make sure to save room for dessert because you won’t want to miss their famous Six-Layer Chocolate Motherlode Cake! It consists of six (yes six!) decadent layers of chocolate cake and rich chocolate fudge icing, topped with walnuts. This sensation was recently featured on the Food Network as one of America’s “Top 5 Most Decadent Desserts,” and after just one bite you’ll know why! Another dessert we can’t pass up, no matter how full we are, is the Italian Lemon Cake—five layers of rich cream cake, filled and topped with white chocolate lemon filling. Inspired by California’s Gold Rush history, Claim Jumper Restaurants opened its first location in Los Alamitos, California in 1977. Today, the casual dining concept is an established family favorite, operating 46 restaurants throughout the West Coast and parts of the Midwest. With a modern twist on traditional American cuisine and a full-service saloon, the chain’s extensive menu offers more than 200 food and beverage choices using only the finest, freshest ingredients available.

Don’t rush to order the main dish, because you’ll definitely want to indulge in an appetizer and treat yourself to a dessert! We’re told the guest favorite for the starter is the Calamari dish which is lightly breaded and fried and served with cocktail sauce and spicy peanut Thai slaw. Yes, it’s amazing but so are their Three Cheese Potato cakes—Cheddar, Jack and aged Parmesan cheese mixed with creamy mashed potatoes, onions, dill and cilantro and lightly breaded and fried to a crisp and served with salsa ranch!

Claim Jumper is a 100% trans-fat free restaurant offering vegetarian items and a gluten-free menu. This popular dining establishment has been repeatedly listed in Consumer Reports as the No. 1 restaurant in each of the markets it operates for food, service, guest satisfaction and value. The Claim Jumper restaurant at the Golden Nugget accepts reservations and is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information, call 702.298.7146 or visit their website at claimjumper.com. $ azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA By Lana Hartmann

ACE|PLAY AT THE AQUARIUS The Loyalty Program That Offers The Best Pay For Your Play

he next time you are in Laughlin, Nevada, make sure to stop in at the Player’s Club booth at the Aquarius Casino Resort and sign up for their ace|PLAY loyalty program to become instantly eligible for free rooms, free food, and free slot play! Considered Laughlin’s “Best Pay For Your Play” loyalty card, simply earn points and then you can decide how you’d like to redeem those points—for cash, slot play and/or comps! Plus, moving up the tier credits is fast and easy! In fact, most players move from ace|PLAY blue (lowest level) to ace|PLAY orange (second level) in their first visit. And, the higher the level, the higher the point multiplier! That’s right! Once at the second level orange, earn 2x points, 3x for ace|PLAY green (third level), and 4x for ace|PLAY red (fourth level). ace|PLAY red and green level members accumulate a dividend. This dividend is a

loyalty bonus for points that can also be used for cash, slot play and/or comps. Book one of their modern and luxurious Laughlin hotel rooms online today for exceptional rates. Call 1.800.662.5825 now and mention code SPR1QAG or visit aquariuscasinoresort.com. $

azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA By Mark Novak

NEW CLUB 50—MONDAYS AT THE TROP Special Promotions For All Those At Least Fifty Years Young!

alling all those at least fifty years young! You’ll definitely want to plan a trip to the Tropicana in Laughlin, Nevada to take advantage of some of the amazing deals they are offering their patrons this month! When you swipe your Trop Advantage Card, you can start your day with a FREE Coffee from the Poolside Cafe! Earn just 25 base points on your Trop Advantage Card and swipe for a very delicious and filling $0.99 bagel from the Poolside Café! After earning just 100 base points on your Trop Advantage Card, just swipe your card to enjoy their all-you-can-eat-buffet at the Roundhouse for only $2.99! (Breakfast or Dinner!!)

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

Earn 250 base points and swipe your Trop Advantage Card to win up to $250 in FREE slot play! So, there’s no better time than right now to plan your next trip to the Tropicana Laughlin on the Colorado River. Just call 1.800.343.4533 or visit troplaughlin.com and mention PROMO 6035. This will get you the low rate of $34.99/night Sunday through Thursday or $74.99/night Friday through Saturday. Mention that you’re an Arizona Gam ing Guid e fan and you’ll also receive 2 free buffets and an upgrade to a Resort Room! $

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Listings

Ambrosia & Firefall Desert Diamond Casino March 18

Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438 The Point: Featuring live entertainment. Events: UFC 209—Mar. 4, Intertribal Pow Wow—Mar. 4-5 BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360 Events: A Night Of Co untry (Tw a in, McGra w , a nd Broo k s & Dunn Tribute)—Mar. 4, NWSEA Parker Marathon Water Ski Event—Mar. 4-5, Colorado Blues Festival—Mar. 11, Live Music— Mar. 18, Southern California Speedboat Club Spring Classic (Boat Races)—Mar. 26-27, 17th Annual Indian Golf Tournament—Apr. 69, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series—Apr. 14-16 Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 The Arizona Room: The JJ’s Band—Mon. 8:30pm, Arizona Room Trivia—Tue. 7pm, Country Dance Instruction (Learn to Dance)— Wed. 6pm, Chad Freeman and Redline (Country)—Wed. 8pm, Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to Dance)—Thu. 6pm The Showroom: L.A.Vation (U2 Tribute)—Mar. 3-4, Cash, Killer & The King—Mar. 24-25, Wanted (Bon Jovi Tribute)—Mar. 31, Don’t Look Back (Boston Tribute)—Apr. 21-22, Aeromyth (Aerosmith Tribute)—Apr. 28-29

Desert Diamond Casino welcomes Ambrosia and Firefall to the Diamond Center on Saturday, March 18, 2017. This coheadlining event gets underway at 8pm and tickets start at only $10 through Star Tickets and the Rewards Center. Ambrosia came about in 1970 when four young musicians out of Los Angeles formed America’s answer to the English progressive invasion. Drawing from a variety of influences— classical, jazz, and R&B—Ambrosia has become one of America’s most memorable progressive rock acts. Despite a brief recording history, Ambrosia earned five Grammy nominations and the hit singles How Much I Feel and Biggest Part of Me each peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. American folk rock music group, Firefall, has been around for more than 40 years, amassing platinum and gold albums while selling millions of records worldwide. Sharing the stage with legends such as Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Firefall rose to the top of their genre, releasing hit singles You Are The Wom an, Just Remember I Love You, and Strange Way. Firefall is known for its dynamic live concert performances and extended improvisational jamming. Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “The ‘70s are returning to the Diamond Center on March 18! Tickets to see Ambrosia and Firefall at Desert Diamond Casino start at only $10!” Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, with three locations in Southern Arizona (Tucson, Sahuarita, and Why) and one in the West Valley, is owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, an enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Additional information can be found at www.ddcaz.com or by calling 866-DDC-WINS.

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506 Paradiso Bar & Lounge: Thursday Tributes: Fleetw o o d Ma c Tribute—Mar. 2, Tribute Band—Mar. 9, U2 Tribute—Mar. 16, Duran Duran Tribute—Mar. 23, Selena Tribute—Mar. 30 Friday Nights: Pride Thro ugh Strife—Mar. 3, Southern Reign—Mar. 10, Kung Fu Grip—Mar. 17, Jack Bishop Band—Mar. 24, Ritmo De Sanchez—Mar. 31 Saturday Nights: Myzterio—Mar. 4, Edna & Ely B-Cool—Mar. 11, Grupo Synphonia—Mar. 18, Grind Band—Mar. 25, Live Music—Apr. 1 Events: Beer Club For Men—Mar. 2 Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568 Dragonfly Nightclub: Buck it (Va riety)—Mar. 3, DJ Christiana— Mar. 4, Pima Express (Variety)—Mar. 10-11, Grupo Reflejo (Latin)— Mar. 17-18, Latino Rebel Band (Variety)—Mar. 24-25, Aravaipa (Variety)—Mar. 31-Apr.1 Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687 Events: Ka ra o k e w ith Bling Bling—Fr & Sa, Beatles vs. Stones (Tribute)—Mar. 10, Hot August Night (Neil Diamond Tribute)— Mar. 17, The Troubadour Experience Band (Tribute)—Apr. 15, Generation Idol Band (Billy Idol Tribute)—Apr. 22 Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467 Monsoon Nightclub: Featuring live entertainment. Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467 Sports Bar: Dub So unds DJs—Fr & Sa Diamond Center: Kathy Griffin—Mar. 4, Food Fest & Farmers Market—Apr. 29 Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678 Lucky 7 Saloon: Featuring live entertainment. Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000 Featured Entertainment: La rry Ga tlin—Mar. 3, St. Patrick’s Day—Mar. 17 Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays In The Lounge:

Editor’s Pick Furious George—Mar. 4, Motown Magic—Mar. 10, Western Fusion—Mar. 11, Young Country—Mar. 18, DSB—Mar. 24, Soundwave—Mar. 25, John Eric Band—Mar. 31 Live DJ In The Lounge: Mar. 3, 10 & 24 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays In The Lounge: Pia no Ma n—Mar. 1, Stanley Serano Trio—Mar. 1 & 8, Mike & Ted—Mar. 2, 9 & 16, John Eric Duo—Mar. 7, Bandstand Shows—Mar. 8, AZ Blacktop Duo—Mar. 14 & 21, Silhouette—Mar. 15 & 22, Walkens Trio—Mar. 15, 22 & 29, Chente Barrera—Mar. 23, Karen & Marcus—Mar. 28, Thaddeus Rose—Mar. 29, Chucky Duo—Mar. 30

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Air Supply Talking Stick Resort March 18

Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744 Timbers Lounge and Showroom: Ha rry Luge (Co untry)—NowMar. 4, Justin Wright & High Octane (Country)—Mar. 7-11, Groove City Band (R&B Variety)—Mar. 14-18, CHYNA (Variety)—Mar. 21 -25, James Presley Band (Country & Classic Rock)—Mar. 28-Apr. 1 Events: Dea d Or Alive (Bo n Jo vi Tribute)—Mar. 17, Fleetwood Nicks & Women Of Rock (Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks Tribute)— Apr. 21, Country Roads (John Denver Tribute)—May 19, 8th Annual White Mountain Bike Rally & Poker Run—Jun. 23-24 Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Cascades Lounge: Fea turing live enterta inment. Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529 Events: Ho t August Night (Neil Dia mo nd Tribute)—Mar. 18, Mirage (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)—Apr. 15, Evil Waze (Santana Tribute)—May 5, Bee Line Cruise-In Burger Burn & 50s Sock Hop—May 12 Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946 Events: Sha des Of Green Da y (Green Da y Tribute)—Mar. 25 Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426 Sidewinders: Fea turing live enterta inment. Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777 Events: Austra lia n Bee Gees—Mar. 3, George Thorogood & The Destroyers Rock Party—Mar. 4, Jerry Riopelle—Mar. 10, Elvis Lives—Mar. 11-12, Air Supply—Mar. 18, Jimmie Vaughan—Mar. 24, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers—Mar. 25, The Mavericks—Apr. 22-23, Travis Tritt—Apr. 29,Australia’s Thunder From Down Under—May 4-6, Robin Trower—May 12, Kathleen Madigan—May 13, The Australian Pink Floyd Show—Aug. 24 Twin Arrows Navajo Casino—Flagstaff, AZ—855.946.8946 Events: Jo hn Eric Ba nd—Mar. 3-4, Outside The Line—Mar. 10-11, Matt Farris Band—Mar. 17-18, Buckit—Mar. 24-25, The Working Mans Band—Mar. 31-Apr. 1 Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452 VQ Live: Fea turing live enterta inment. Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452 Showroom: Fo gha t—Mar. 11, ABBAFab (ABBA Tribute)—Mar. 19, Clint Black—Apr. 21, Sinbad—Apr. 28

Australian soft rock duo Air Supply will journey back to The Ballroom stage at Talking Stick Resort on March 18, 2017. Inductees into the Australian Recording Industry Association, Air Supply reeled off eight top-10 hits in the United States in the early 1980s, the most notable of which was All Out of Love, which peaked at No. 2. The band’s other top-10 singles from their breakout album Lost in Love include Every Wom an in the World and Lost in Love. In total, Air Supply produced 17 studio albums over the years as well as five live recordings. The band, composed of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, originally formed in 1975 and continues to play over 150 shows per year worldwide. The duo first met on their first day of rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar and forged an instant connection over their love of the Beatles and, of course, performing. Their legacy continues to live on today and will be on full display on The Ballroom stage in March. Tickets for Air Supply range from $30 to $100 and are on sale now. To learn about the show, call the Talking Stick Resort Box Office at 1.480.850.7734 or visit talkingstickresort.com. $

Verify all details & age restrictions (generally 21 & over) for each event. Venues, times, dates, & ticket information are subject to change. Photos/images copyright of the individual artist(s), photographer(s), or venue(s). All Rights Reserved. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.

azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

CASINO BINGO

BINGO AT PARADISE CASINO March’s Specials And Promotions

he bingo hall at Paradise Casino in Yuma has plenty to celebrate across the month of March, including St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17!

$1,177 for specials. Redeem your Pot of Gold Bucks during this session for a chance at $200-$500 in cash! Patrons also receive a free dauber (limited supply).

Tuesday—Sunday—11:30am Mini Session: $4 paper buy-in and $10 for an electronic buy-in. Payouts: $40, $75 for specials. Tuesday—Friday—Matinee Session: $10 paper buy-in, $17 for an electronic buy-in, and $22 for the Manager’s Special. Payouts: $75, $100 for specials.

Plus, guests can participate in the St. Patrick’s “Luck of the Irish” costume contest. Wear your best Leprechaun or your best Green costume for a chance at 1st Place ($100 In Bingo Free Play), 2nd Place ($75 In Bingo Free Play), 3rd Place ($50 In Bingo Free Play), green hair, beards, bell bottomed pants, buckled top hats, and much more.

Friday, March 17—St. Patrick’s Day Session: $27 paper buy-in and $47 or $77 for an electronic buy-in. Payouts: $377, $577 or

For more information about Paradise Casino’s Bingo Hall, visit paradise-casinos.com or call 1.888.777.4946. $

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

Yes

BlueWater

Mo-We 6:30pm. Su at 1:30pm.

400

Yes

Casino Arizona

Mo-Su at 6:30pm Daily Matinees at 12:30pm

1000

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

Cosmic Bingo Sa at 11pm.

Cocopah

Th-Su at 6:30pm

350

Yes

Desert Diamond I

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

300

Yes

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

Lone Butte

Sa & Su: 10, Noon, 3:45, 5:30pm. Daily: Noon & 6:30pm.

750

Yes

B.A.D. Bingo Fr & Sa at 11:30pm.

Mazatzal

Mo-Th at Noon. Tu & Th at 6:30pm.

280

Yes

Paradise

Daily at 1:30pm. Mo-Fr at 6pm.

300

Yes

Call for Kozmic Bingo & Other Special Dates

Twin Arrows

Th-Su at 7pm & Su at 3pm.

100

Yes

Vee Quiva

Daily at Noon & 6:30pm.

366

Yes

Bingo Eclipse Sa at 11pm.

Yes

Late Night

Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 02/01/17 & 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 | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | November 2016 | Arizona Gaming Guide

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN By Sami Becker

STOP SAVING MACHINES FOREVER! Read Sami’s Advice For This Rant In The Upcoming April Issue

ere is my rant! I frequent a lot of the local casinos. Like most casino players, I have my favorite games and machines that I like to play. What really annoys me the most is when I walk up to one of my favorite games and there is an ash tray, drink or other item on the chair of the game I want to play. I understand that sometimes you do have to go to the restroom but, more times than not, I will come back to that machine maybe five, ten, or even 15 minutes later, and that item is still on the chair, and nobody is playing that machine! The casino is losing money, because nobody can play that slot machine, and the customers that would like to play it are also now upset. I guess some of these people go to a restaurant to get something to eat, but they should not be allowed to "save" their machine for an hour or more. Once, I watched a machine for over 15 minutes and no one came back, I then removed the ash tray from the chair in order to play the game. As soon as I did, a

42 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

man came running up telling me that was "his machine" and he has it saved! I watched him as he went over to the next aisle to watch his significant other play. After about 10 minutes, he went up to another machine that had an ash tray on the seat and started playing that game! I still couldn't play the game I wanted. This man had more than one machine "saved" at the same time while denying me and other patrons of the opportunity to enjoy ourselves and play these games. Can't something be done about this practice of "saving" slot machines? $ Dennis Klayer—Mesa, AZ

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

THE “LUCK OF THE IRISH” Is It Good? Is It Bad? Is It Even Irish?

e all know the expression “The Luck of the Irish” but I believe most of us aren’t quite sure how to interpret the saying. Is it thought to mean people from Ireland have extremely good fortune or rather is it meant to sarcastically imply the Irish are ill-fated? Well, apparently neither translation is correct. According to Edward T. O’Donnell, an Associate Professor of History at Holy Cross College and author of 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History, the term doesn’t have an Irish origin but “a happier, if not altogether positive,” American one! “During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth … Over time, this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression ‘Luck of the Irish.’ Of course, it carried with it a certain tone

of derision, as if to say, only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains, could these fools succeed.” One could describe the Irish emigrants who found their ‘Pot of Gold’ in the gold and silver mines as good luck, but it wasn’t just about being at the right place at the right time! There was a lot of hard work and perseverance involved! Whatever the origins of the phrase “Luck of the Irish” and whether it was meant to imply good or bad luck, the fact is the Irish are indeed a very fortunate people! They are proud, funny, patriotic, and very hardworking people. $

azgamingguide.com | March 2017 | Arizona Gaming Guide

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH To Celebrate St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, Find: BLARNEY, CELEBRATE, CELTIC, CLOVER, COINS, DUBLIN, GOLD, GREEN, IRELAND, IRISH, SHAMROCK, LEGEND, LEPRECHAUN, LIMERICK, LUCK, MARCH, MISCHIEF, PATRICK, SAINT, RAINBOW, TRADITION. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)

A M

W G

N H

T W

W L

N A

H U

K M

T W O

N O

P M

A W U

G U

Y W

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: Easy. (Solution on page 46)

9 6

1 5 8

9 8

6 8

1 1

44 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

02. BlueWater Resort & Casino

11300 Resort Drive

Parker

888-243-3360 528

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 328

04. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 898

05. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1,030

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 275

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 653

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 511

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,016

I-19, Exit 80

Sahuarita

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 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

I R E L A N D W O B N I A R

L I R E L E G E N D

K C

I N H C S C H I I S A N B L E E T P A R R E L B C E H L A E U C N C I R E M

R A M E F G P I N T O A L T L D R A K I C R C U R N K E E V Y O L C I T L E C I L

800-946-4452 921

800-946-4452 937

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 238

46 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2017 | azgamingguide.com

Spa

Laveen Chandler

Y Y

855-946-8946 1,078

480-850-7777 765

Flagstaff

Scottsdale

Sudoku Solution

Y Y

6443 Komatke Ln.

Word Search Solution D U B M H S I G R E T K R C A C O D O R I I M T N A I S H O S N

I-40, Exit 219

facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

azgamingguide.com

101 & Indian Bend

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

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

25. Yavapai Casino

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

16. Lone Butte Casino

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 905

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

15. Hon-Dah Casino

866-332-9467

Golf

07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel

RV Park

06. Casino of the Sun

Slots

Hotel

03. Bucky’s Casino

Phone

Smoke-Free Area

800-272-2438 543

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