Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - April 2018 - 10:04

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Contents IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 08 NEW SLOTS

14 TABLE GAMES 17 WINNING WAYS 18 FEATURE STORY 24 GAMING NEWS 26 ARIZONA LOTTERY 28 TRAVEL 30 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 33 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

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36 FUN & GAMES 38 CASINO DIRECTORY

IGT: COMPELLING CONTENT, INNOVATIVE HARDWARE, & INDUSTRY-FIRST TECHNOLOGY

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Showcasing new slots like Singin’ In The Rain, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Brady Bunch and Willie Nelson!

Gaming Arts is transforming the world of bingo and keno and now reinventing the slot floor too!

Players can win up to $50,000 instantly or enter non-winning tickets for a chance to win up to $1 million!

SLOT MANUFACTURER EVERI AT NIGA

SLOT MANUFACTURER GAMING ARTS AT NIGA

NEW “THE VOICE” AZ LOTTERY SCRATCHER

azgamingguide.com | April 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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EDITOR’S NOTE

NIGA 2018 In Las Vegas Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention

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or the very first time, the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, produced by the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 17 through 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Traditionally held in San Diego and Phoenix, NIGA 2018 is the large tradeshow and convention for Tribal Gaming. The Arizona Gaming Guide will have a booth at the show this year and we are very excited to see all of the brand new slots and other casino products on display. For your inside scoop to the show, check out our feature story on IGT, EVERI, and Gaming Arts. Each article highlights an amazing assortment of new games!

Our regular table game columnists have some very interesting insights for you this month. Also, we report on new slots ready for play at Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson and Sahuarita, at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, and at BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker. Plus, The Voice Scratchers is debuting this month from the Arizona Lottery where you can win up to $50,000 or a VIP experience.

Please visit our Facebook at: Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide, 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 Gaming Guide on our website at AZGamingGuide.com. Let me know what you think of this issue and have fun!

Thank You! Alexandra Lang Alexandra Editor-in-Chief editor@azgamingguide.com Correction: The March 2018 Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos ad should have read “Drawing bins will close promptly at 8:30pm” for their Cash Bash drawing.

CELEBRATING

10 YEARS! A big “THANK YOU!” to our fans, advertisers, and business partners!

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 04 MANAGING DIRECTOR & VIDEO POKER GURU Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com PUBLISHER & SLOT GURU 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 TJ Jorgensen Megan Conner Lana Hartmann Samantha Becker ADVERTISING SALES Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com Nina Consiglio nina@azgamingguide.com MAILING INFORMATION Arizona Gaming Guide P.O. Box 20636 Mesa, Arizona 85277 INTERNET INFORMATION AZGamingGuide.com Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide Copyright © 2018 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. AGG is not liable for claims made in advertisements. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners. Intended for single use only. Reproduction in part or in whole in any form without consent is not permitted. Sale and/or distribution in any form without consent is not permitted. For more information, visit our website at AZGamingGuide.com/index_files/legal_disclaimer.html.

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 Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource: Division 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

04 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

PLAYERS TALK

Q: I am a YouTube slot machine video junkie. More and more casinos are prohibiting the filming of slot machine play. Why do you think this is? Are they afraid that filming will reveal a way to beat the slots?

Theresa Slenko – Phoenix, AZ A: The staff at the Arizona Gaming Guide magazine believes some casinos in Arizona and beyond prohibit the use of video cameras/smartphones because they are concerned about several issues. First, the privacy of their patrons, which is a very valid concern. Second, the location of security cameras and possibly the locations or behaviors of security personnel as well as the layout of the casino floor as it applies to the concerns a casino security department would naturally have. Finally, filming slot machines spin after spin allows for certain aspects of a game’s mathematics to be revealed. How do we know? Some members of our staff, as part of their duties in the past as slot machine game designers, filmed slot machines for hours on end. That data was then used to reconstruct most of the mathematics of the game being filmed. Tedious work? Yes! But it can be done!

Q: I wanted to write about a topic lately in casinos. (please note, I am going to mention some specific Arizona casinos here. I can understand that if you decide to publish this, you may not want to call out any specific casinos for various reasons. Feel free to edit those out or anything else as you see fit).

I want to bring up a discussion of taking photos and videos of your slot wins in casinos. These days almost everyone has a smartphone, which is a great camera. It’s easy to take a quick photo or video of anything you see out there. While in a casino, I have gotten used to if I get a really big win I take a photo of it. It’s fun then to send those to friends and family that go to casinos or just to remember it. It also helps at tax time when I have to go through the W-2Gs to have another record of these wins. I see people taking photos of their wins every time I’m at a casino, it’s part of the fun of going to the casino.

I’ve never had an issue taking a photo of a win at the casinos in the Phoenix area or in Nevada, etc. I have even had slot attendants ask me if I want to take a photo before they clear the win. I did, however, have a few issues at other casinos in Arizona. I won a $1,300+ jackpot at [a casino in Arizona] a few months ago which was extremely exciting and wanted to share it. As soon as I pulled my phone out a security guard came running up to me to stop me. What a way to kill the moment!

Then, more recently, I won a $1,250 jackpot at [a casino in Arizona]. Same thing happened, a security guard stopped me. I can understand them stopping you from taking photos of other patrons in the casino, or the location of security cameras.

All I was doing was taking a photo of my screen showing the win so I could share it, and tell everyone what I won at THAT casino. These casinos even publish photos of wins on their Facebook pages but I can’t even take a photo of a win? I have reached out to management at both of these casinos more than once to see if it’s even a policy or just an overzealous security person and neither will respond to me. If I was really trying to do something wrong I would be discreet and use a hidden camera anyway. I would still like to know if management cares about me taking a photo of the screen of the game I’m playing too.

Videos are another issue. I have a small YouTube channel that I upload my wins and bonuses on now. Some casinos allow and some have even embraced this as a way to market their casinos to the public. It shows others you can win there and I always put the name of where I’m at in my videos. There are plenty of other channels with hundreds of thousands of views who make more videos than myself.

However, a lot of casinos still do not allow this. I can understand the fear of an unknowing patron’s face being filmed into a video, but as long as you are careful that doesn’t happen. All we do is film the screen and the wins/bonuses. But security will treat you like a criminal if they see you doing this, sometimes even if a casino does allow it.

The casinos that have embraced allowing videos attract big YouTube channel players in; some even with their own special events. It’s worked very well for them. I’ve never heard of one of the ones that allow it having issues where they have to change it back. I just wish the rest would realize that this is the way going forward; they aren’t going to be able to stop it. I hear all the time of how casinos need to attract the younger generation to play slots. Well if a Millennial can’t take a picture of their big win and share it on social media, then they are never going to attract them and may as well give up now.

It’s the way of the times and it’s not going to change! Casinos have to decide if they want to embrace us. Thank you!

Kurt Kalocin – Phoenix, AZ A: Thank you very much for your comments and good luck! $

and get a $25 gift or gas card if we decide to print your question!

Do you have a question for our staff of casino gaming industry professionals and slot experts? Write us with your questions and comments in any area of gaming and we will make every attempt to publish a response in upcoming issues. Space is limited so we are unable to print every letter or e-mail we receive. Please include your name and mailing address with all correspondence.

Mail to: Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277 or E-mail to: editor@azgamingguide.com.

06 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

Ocean Magic Grand Now At Talking Stick Resort

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cean Magic Grand video slots by slot manufacturer IGT features all of the classic play mechanics of the original (Ocean Magic) with some exciting new updates! This slot now has a larger 6x5 game interface which creates more win opportunities and increased chances for surrounding wilds. And, the larger 2x2 big bubble can lead to even larger wild expansion within the reels! Plus, Wild symbols stay active longer as they make their way through the larger vertical reels for even more win opportunities! Ocean Magic Grand also retains all of the classic features from the original version which include: Exploding Wild Bubbles and stacked symbols, The bubble symbol is wild and substitutes for all symbols except for the treasure chest symbol, The Wild Bubble Feature, The Bubble Boost, and The Ocean Magic free games bonus.

Talking Stick Resort also installed plenty of other new penny slots for guests to enjoy including: Fate of The 8 Power Wheel & Heat ‘Em Up Power Wheel by Incredible Technologies, Extreme Thunderstorm Diamond Noir & Tower Stack Slide Wolf By Aruze, Octo-Blast, Bullion Factory, Divine Eagles & Den Of Gold by Konami. Don’t miss these hot new games! For more info about IGT’s great new slots, visit their website at IGT.com. For more info about Talking Stick Resort, visit their website at TalkingStickResort.com or call 1.480.850.7777. $

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

Fort Knox Now At BlueWater Resort & Casino

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GT revamps one of its most internationally acclaimed themes, Fort Knox video slots, with the introduction of Fort Knox Diamond Vault video slots, and Fort Knox Cleopatra video slots. Set on IGT’s CrystalCurve cabinet which features a 43-inch curved display and ultra-HD 4K graphics, both themes retain many of the same game features, such as bank-wide celebrations, that propelled the success of the original game.

Developed for low-denominational gameplay, Fort Knox Cleopatra includes a 5 reel, 30 payline configuration while Fort Knox Diamond Vault features a 5 reel, 50 payline configuration. Both themes offer engaging mystery and symbol-driven bonus events such as ‘The Pick a Safe Bonus’ that can trigger the game’s 5 multilevel progressive jackpots.

Discover more exciting progressive video slot themes on IGT.com. For more information on BlueWater Resort & Casino, visit BlueWaterFun.com. $

10 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

Casablanca Now At Desert Diamond Casinos

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elebrate the classic film Casablanca with the new video slot machine from Everi, now available at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson and Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita. This 5 reel, 30 line video slot incorporates the iconic scenes and music from the movie that has wooed film fans for decades.

Casablanca features unique thematic bonuses that bring the iconic Rick’s CafÊ to life. Players can hunt for an exit visa in the Mystery Pick Bonus and spin a prize wheel to the tune of the Knock on Wood Bonus. Getting a full screen of one of the classic characters awards the associated progressive. Even better yet, progressives are available at all bet levels.

For more information on the latest slots, visit DDCAZ.com, or call 866-DDC-WINS (866-332-9461), or follow on Facebook (/ddcaz), Twitter (@DiamondCasinos), and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos). $

azgamingguide.com | April 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

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TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

DETOXIFYING YOUR GAMBLING Why We Gamble

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ife is at best a gamble, but sometimes too much of a good thing is toxic. It doesn’t matter if that good thing is exercising, eating, drinking, or gambling, it just matters where you rank it. If gambling is number one, well, we need to talk. And believe me, I’m the one to talk with.

I once spent half an hour turning my apartment in Reno upside down to squeeze out a lousy $7. I was stone broke, but seven dollars was a lifeline. Did I head to McDonald's? No, I drove across town to play nickel video poker at the Gold Dust West casino. They gave you cans of Pepsi for full-houses and four-ofa-kinds. Case closed.

I’ve been gambling since I risked my milk money in first grade pitching pennies; the same year I glued a shooter marble together to play keepsies, and my grandmother taught me blackjack. If you’re wondering, she kicked my butt and took my allowance.

Grandma was tough, so is gambling.

Why We Gamble I know why I gamble, and it’s not just to kill time. When I played basketball, I knew every shot I fired up was going in the hoop. If I had a foot in the gym, I shot. Did every shot go in?

Am I playing in the NBA? Again, case closed.

So, I gamble for the same reasons other people do: For social interaction, entertainment, for the breath caught in my throat as I wait to see if the next card busts the dealer’s hand or busts my bankroll. And, because I hold an innate belief that I’m going to win. That’s a good thing.

I’m confident about my gambling most of the time. When things aren’t going well, and I think maybe I won’t split my eights against a ten, that’s a problem. Yes, I’m risking more money, but I’m improving my odds. If I don’t double down or split my pairs at the correct time, it’s a mistake. Don’t make the mistakes I’ve made.

People compare prices to save a few cents at the grocery store but think nothing of betting on games they don’t understand, and that’s a problem. If you don’t know basic strategy for blackjack, learn it. You can find it all over the internet, in books, and even on cheat sheets that casinos offer.

14 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

Another toxic gaming problem is playing over your head or your bankroll. Poker-pro David Sklansky postulated that there is a dollar amount every losing player reaches where they become numb to more loss. In other words, after losing x-amount, risking, and even losing more, doesn’t hurt. That’s dangerous.

Set a bankroll and stick to it!

Nick “The Greek” Dandolos won and lost vast fortunes over his lifetime, donated millions to charities, and played fast and loose with the rules of the games he gambled on. He also beat millionaires at poker for decades. One person he couldn’t seem to beat was poker-pro Johnny Moss.

After playing at a table in Benny Binion’s casino in Las Vegas for months (losing an estimated 4 million dollars), The Greek stood up one day and said, “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go.”

There’s great wisdom in knowing when to quit. Exercise your right to do so when you must. $ 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. His book, “Vegas and the Mob," is available online at Amazon.com. He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.

TABLE GAMES

By TJ Jorgensen

SKILL OR LUCK? Why Skill Is The Ability To Take Advantage Of Luck When It Happens

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he question I get asked most often by many people is whether blackjack is a game of skill or luck? Most players’ understanding of the relationship between skill and luck is generally extremely shaky and a massive simplification from the truth at best.

Two Dimensions, Not One Most players think luck and skill are the same thing. If we take the game of craps as an extreme example of a game of luck, and compare it to chess as a game of pure skill, you will see how the comparison between the two is measured. There are two independent factors which contribute to our understanding of whether a given game is a game of skill or luck. What we have is not a linear scale between craps and chess, but a twodimensional field. Game design is something that people have only started thinking about formally very recently, so there is no fixed terminology, but I’m going to use the terms “luck factor” and “strategic skill.”

Luck Factor Of the two, luck factor is easier to understand and easier to measure. Simply put, luck factor describes the likelihood that a clearly inferior opponent can defeat a superior one. If we take the game of chess and add dice to the game it becomes "Dice Chess." Dice Chess is simple: It’s just like regular chess, except that once one player has called checkmate, they must roll a die.

If they manage to roll a certain result – say 3 or higher – they win, but if they miss, they lose and the checkmated player is considered to have won instead.

Dice Chess is clearly a bad game which few people would enjoy more than regular chess. As a thought experiment, though, it demonstrates what we mean by “luck factor.” In a game of regular chess, a grand master can be expected to defeat a beginner 100% of the time, or so close to 100% that it doesn’t matter. With Dice Chess, though, we can set the probability however we like.

If the grand master needs to roll 3 or higher on a six-sided die to win following checkmate, then his overall odds are 66.7%, but by adjusting the rules and the dice used, we could make it anything we like, between 50% and 100%. This is the game’s luck factor.

Strategic Skill Strategic skill is much trickier, but has to do with a game’s learning curve and the extent to which a person can master it.

Here, the go-to example of an easy-to-master skill game is tic-

16 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

tac-toe while, again, chess is typically used as a difficult to master counter example. Tic-tac-toe does not involve any luck at all, except in determining the start player and, in any case, results in a tie under perfect play. It is, however, possible to be better or worse at it. Two perfect players will tie every game, but an imperfect player will sometimes lose to a perfect one, unlike in craps where any two players will perform equally in the long term. What’s important in looking at tic-tac-toe as an example is that perfect play is within human reach – you can memorize the correct response to every move in an afternoon – and so the skill ceiling is strictly capped. Games like chess still have no practical ceiling for the time being.

Quantifying the strategic skill of a game essentially involves looking for the longest hypothetical chain of players you can construct such that each is measurably better than the last. You have a complete beginner at one end and someone with full knowledge of the optimal strategy for blackjack at the other: How many people can you insert between them, each of whom is clearly better than the last? In the case of tic-tac-toe, there’s only so much to be learned; it’s easy to come up with a few general rules which lead to a win more often than random play, but it’s only another short jump from there to a completely perfect strategy. On the other hand, if you walk into any chess club, you’ll find that all the players have a ranking and know where they stand, with the only disputes in standing existing between players who are extremely close in skill.

The Sum Of The Parts It may not be immediately obvious why strategic skill relates to luck factor, but the reality is that the former determines the extent to which the latter matters. Dice Chess is still essentially chess; if the checkmating player wins two-thirds of the time, then a grandmaster will beat a novice two-thirds of the time.

There may be short-term variance, but the long term winner will depend purely on skill.

No Easy Answers The conclusion I have arrived at is this: Skill is the ability to take advantage of luck when it happens. $ Writer TJ Jorgensen has been a professional Blackjack player for over 20 years. He is well known for his tournament play and has beaten some of the top tournament players in the world. He has also won the World Series Of Blackjack. His book, “Beating The Casino At Their Own Game” is available by email at: tj21pro@gmail.com.

Compelling Content, Innovative Hardware & Industry-First Technology!

A vast portfolio of compelling content, innovative hardware and industry-first technology will be demonstrated in IGT’s booth 647 at the 2018 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (NIGA). At the two-day event, tribal casino operators can experience the latest and greatest gaming entertainment to bring to their casino floors.

Players at tribal casinos will soon be able to experience favorite titles on IGT’s stunning CrystalDual 27 cabinet. The cabinet delivers an unrivaled gaming experience with its gorgeous, highdefinition, dual 27-inch displays, a mobile device charging port, and more. At NIGA, IGT will highlight the cabinet’s diverse game library with exciting titles such as It’s Magic Lilly, Scarab, and Mistress of Egypt.

Players also have new and exciting video core titles to look forward to such as Pyramid Progressives, Ascent of the Queen, and Solar Disc featured on the stunning CrystalCurve and CrystalSlant cabinets. Must-see multi-level progressive titles such as Fortune Gong and Fort Knox Video Slots will be showcased on the CrystalCurve and its ultra-HD, 4K, 43-inch curved display.

Fans of IGT’s mind-blowing TRUE 4D technology can look forward to a new title hitting casino floors: Ghostbusters 4D Video Slots. At NIGA, the Company will also feature its awardwinning SPHINX 4D game. The revolutionary games combine TRUE 3D, gesture recognition and mid-air haptic technologies to create an immersive multi-sensory gaming experience. Also from the IGT premium portfolio, the Company will present hot Hollywood titles such as The Goonies, The Voice and Alfred Hitchcock Presents Video Slots on the CrystalCurve ULTRA cabinet.

IGT will also highlight its compelling Class II content with video reel games such as Dancing Reels Salsa, King of Macedonia and Elephant King. Exciting Class II mechanical reel titles such as Jackpot Polly and Class III titles such as Triple Lucky Four Leaf Clover will be featured on the S3000 that combines the classic, player-favorite game play mechanics with modern technology.

IGT will also showcase technology that puts a range of casino experiences in the palm of the player’s hands. One such product is IGT’s PlaySpot mobile wagering solution. With PlaySpot, visitors to land-based casinos can use their mobile devices to play slots, enjoy table games and place sports bets in a single, very easy-to-use mobile app. IGT will also highlight Cardless Connect, a mobile technology that enables players to simply tap their mobile devices on any gaming machine to card in and out. This exciting technology can be experienced right now at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, California.

For more information on IGT and their games, visit IGT.com. At NIGA 2018 in Las Vegas, please visit IGT at Booth 647. $

18 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

New Licensed Titles—Singin’ In The Rain, Buffy The Vampire Slayer & More At NIGA! Everi continues to provide casino operators with a diverse portfolio of products including innovative gaming machines that power the casino floor, and casino operational and management systems that include comprehensive, end-to-end payments solutions, critical intelligence offerings, and gaming operations efficiency technology.

At NIGA, Everi Payments will focus on bringing innovation to floor-wide cash access, improving cash handling on the casino floor and providing data driven solutions. The CXC 5.0 and 5.0L, Everi’s newest full service kiosks, offer enhanced security features including self-frosting glass and a real-time rear view camera to give casino patrons a more private and secure cash access experience. The Everi Cares Giving Module, the socially conscious ticket redemption product, provides players with the opportunity to donate the change (or more) from their gaming ticket to select charities. AML Intelligence for Everi Compliance combines the Company’s deep experience in gaming AML with VizExplorer’s industry-proven analytics platform to help operators quickly identify potentially suspicious activity.

Everi Games continues to debut an exciting lineup of powerful new hardware options and leverage their new licensed and

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original content game themes to create unique gaming experiences. The Empire MPX (E43) is for sale and currently available with twelve themes giving casinos the variety they need to entice their patrons to always come back wanting more. With much anticipation, Everi will debut at NIGA Singin’ in the Rain and Buffy the Vampire Slayer also on the E43 cabinet for leaseonly placements. The all-new Empire 5527 launched in March featuring two exciting licensed themes, The Brady Bunch and Fruit Ninja. The legendary country music of Willie Nelson will debut on slot floors with two new games for Everi’s Player Classic mechanical reel cabinet – Willie Nelson’s Shotgun Willie and Willie Nelson’s Whiskey River.

For the second year running, Everi is bringing a charity slot tournament to NIGA. Leveraging the Company’s TournEvent slot tournament solution and hosted in partnership with NIGA Chairman Ernest Stevens, Jr., the 2nd Annual Charity Slot Tournament benefiting Spirit of Sovereignty will be held at Everi’s booth (#1146) at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Friday, April 20 at 10:30am PT. For more info on Everi and their new games, visit Everi.com. At NIGA 2018 in Las Vegas, please visit Everi at Booth 1146. $

Transforming The World Of Bingo And Keno And Now Reinventing The Slot Floor!

It’s a very exciting time at Gaming Arts. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Gaming Arts is the world leader in bingo and keno games and technology and is now entering the slot sector in a big way. This is a distinction that they take very seriously, knowing that it comes with the challenge of leading the way through innovation for all players on the gaming floor throughout the world of tribal gaming.

At NIGA 2018 in Las Vegas, Gaming Arts will premier its longanticipated SuperBingo and Ultimate Bingo slot game suites.

These groundbreaking games are offered in Gaming Arts’ exclusive eye-catching Phocus slot cabinets. For added appeal and excitement, they come with their new Top Phocus slot toppers, a one-of-a-kind distinctive spherical design that will draw players into the action like never before. In addition, the slant and upright Phocus cabinets feature a sleek design with advanced ultrabright dual 1080p monitors powered by a top of the line CPU for maximum capability and flexibility. Importantly, the games, cabinets and slot toppers are all offered with significant intellectual property protection, which means they are truly innovative products that provide an unforgettable gaming experience for slot players that only Gaming Arts can offer.

While Gaming Arts is excited about presenting the games, they understand the importance of creating fun and entertaining game play for casino patrons. Every game that they offer is highly differentiated in terms of content and game mechanics.

They are not re-skins or clones of one another. When a casino offers their games, they can be assured the player experience will be unlike any other for each and every game.

Their SuperBingo and Ultimate Bingo slot game suites also have incredible flexibility in configurability options, such as denomination, card choice, winning patterns, and even the use of a multilevel progressive to make these games second to none in terms of a customized and enjoyable experience for the player.

For casinos looking to offer their players something new and different, these games represent the creation of an entirely new electronic gaming machine sector on the casino floor. SuperBingo and Ultimate Bingo are true game-changers, the likes of which have not been seen since the creation of the video poker slot sector many decades ago.

On the progressive side, most games within the SuperBingo and Ultimate Bingo game suites are also available in a progressive format with both individual and fully synchronized progressives. With these exciting and unique products, they are sure you can see why it’s a very exciting time for their Company.

Finally, Gaming Arts is a proud partner of NIGA 2018. They look forward to strengthening their partnerships with tribal gaming enterprises throughout the United States at the show.

The Company believes in this mission and will do all that they can to assist tribal gaming to continue to grow and thrive in 2018 and beyond.

For more info on Gaming Arts’ games, visit GamingArts.com.

At NIGA 2018 in Las Vegas, please visit Gaming Arts at Booth 511. $

As of press time, players are able to enjoy games by Gaming Arts around Arizona at: Lone Butte Casino in Chandler Bingo Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino in Laveen Bingo Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson Bingo & Keno Desert Diamond Casino in Sahuarita Keno Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa Keno Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino Keno As of press time, the jackpots won to date in Arizona on games by Gaming Arts: Lone Butte Casino in Chandler $1,000,000 Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino in Laveen $ 10,000 Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino in Laveen $ 10,000

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GAMING NEWS

Bucky’s Casino In Prescott Reopens Poker Room & Hosts Two Tournaments

The Bucky’s Casino Poker Room In Prescott, Arizona reopened on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17, 2018) to a large crowd of eager patrons, where the first 100 players received a promotional gift, enjoyed a buffet, and played $100 high hand every hour during live Texas Hold ‘Em games from 4pm to midnight!

Every year, the Bucky’s Casino Poker Room hosts the Northern Arizona Texas Hold ‘Em Championships. This year’s tournament has preliminary qualifiers at 2pm every Sunday in April including April 1, 8, 15, and 22. The final round will be held on Sunday, April 29. The total buy-in is $125 with $100 purchasing $10,000 in tournament chips. The optional Add On/Dealer Gratuity of $20 buys an extra $2,000 in bonus tournament chips. Players who participate in 2 hours of live play prior to any preliminary round will earn an additional $3,000 in bonus tournament chips. The top 10 players, with their final chip count from each preliminary round, will advance to the finals on April 29 at 2pm.

In addition, The Bucky’s Casino Poker Room is hosting a $10,000 Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament from April 15 through July 27. The first 80 players to reach 100 hours of live play will qualify for an entry into the tournament. The qualification period begins April 15 and ends July 27. Registration begins July 29 and ends August 11. The tournament will be held August 12 with elimination rounds beginning at 11am.

While visiting either property in Prescott, make sure to join the Gold Rush Club. It’s free, and with five levels of membership based on play, there is a variety of rewards to honor the loyalty of their guests! Plus, Yavapai Casino has a large non-smoking slot section with all your favorite games! For more information on Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos in Prescott or about the Poker Room and the tournaments, visit BuckysCasino.com or call 1.800.756.8744. $

24 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

ARIZONA LOTTERY

By Megan Conner

AZ LOTTERY LAUNCHES “THE VOICE” New The Voice Scratchers Ticket Debuts This Month!

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his April, the Arizona Lottery is bringing players an exciting new Scratchers ticket based on the hit television show The Voice. Players can win up to $50,000 instantly or enter non-winning tickets for a chance to win The Voice Experience trip and a chance to win up to $1 million!

With more than $8.5 million in prizes and odds of winning any cash prize at approximately 1 in 3.76, The Voice ticket is a perfect game for dedicated players and music enthusiasts alike.

“We wanted to introduce a ticket that brings our players the excitement of a brand as strong as The Voice,” Gregg Edgar, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery said. “By launching The Voice ticket, our players have a chance to win a variety of cash prizes and an unforgettable VIP experience.”

Even if players don’t win a cash prize, they can enter their nonwinning tickets for an incredible second-chance prize. Five lucky Arizona Lottery players will win an exclusive VIP trip which includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations for 5 nights, $1,000 in spending money, a bus tour of Hollywood, and two tickets to The Voice: Neon Dreams concert.

Additionally, players will have the opportunity to attend The Voice Viewing Party and participate in the Millionaire Maker Event for a chance to win up to $1 million and tickets to attend The Voice live finale in Los Angeles in 2019.

The Voice Scratchers ticket will launch on April 3, 2018. Players can win cash prizes and a chance at a VIP trip and $1 million by purchasing a ticket at all Arizona Lottery retailers for $5.

For more information on The Voice Scratchers or other exciting games, visit their website at ArizonaLottery.com. $

Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery. ©[2018] Talpa Content B.V. The Voice is a registered trademark, licensed by Talpa Global B.V.

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

TRAVEL

Route 66 Casino Hotel & RV Resort

By Janis DeLaney

ROUTE 66 CASINO HOTEL & RV RESORT Experience RV Luxury On Route 66

D

iscover the Southwest’s newest vacation destination, the Route 66 RV Resort. Located 15 minutes west of Albuquerque, on Historic Route 66, this multi-million dollar RV vacation spot embodies the American tradition and spirit of the Mother Road with its unique architectural design and deluxe resort and casino amenities.

Once you exit Interstate 40 and turn into the Route 66 Casino and RV Resort complex, RV travelers will take comfort in the gated security offered by the RV Resort. The convenience continues with large, pull-through sites on easy-to-navigate paved roads. You’ll savor the stunning views and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surrounding Southwest landscape at any one of their 100 full-service RV sites. Travelers have a choice of 100/50/30/20 AMP connections, and all site locations include the comforts of a picnic table and fire ring.

The Route 66 RV Resort was awarded the coveted 10/10*/10 rating from the industry’s leading publication, Good Sam. There’s no doubt that you will agree as you delight in their many state-of-the-art resort amenities. Their deluxe RV Clubhouse features a fireplace, large-screen television, billiards table and games, full kitchen, a high-end workout facility, spa-like bathroom and laundry facilities. Peer out the back windows of the RV Clubhouse and be greeted with a glimpse of their stunning resort-style pool, which features a beach entry, hot tub and 60-foot water slide. Relaxation is sure to be top-of-mind as you try their brand new putting green. They’ve even thought of fun for the furry family members and have taken “pet friendly” to a whole new level at the Route 66 RV Resort. Pets are welcome at any of the RV Resort facilities, plus there are two fenced-in, grassy dog parks with plenty of room for exercise and play.

Debuting in spring of 2018, guests will be able to enjoy the complimentary use of a new dog washing station.

New Mexico provides the perfect backdrop for groups seeking an exciting new rally location. With space to accommodate groups from ten to 500, your family or friends can enjoy Albuquerque’s most popular vacation destinations within a few minutes’ drive. Spend the evening recapping the day’s adventure over a campfire meal at the RV Resort’s outdoor rally barn.

Equipped with multiple gas grills, sinks, counters, and picnic tables, the rally barn is sure to be the gathering point for your group for the duration of your trip.

Plan your stay today! RV reservations can be made by visiting

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

Route 66 RV Resort Fitness Room

Route 66 RV Resort Full Kitchen For Resort Guests

Route 66 RV Resort Pickle Ball Courts

Route 66 RV Resort Putting Green

RT66RVResort.com or by calling 1.505.352.8000. The best gaming, dining, and entertainment is just a hop, skip and short 15 minute drive west of Albuquerque on I-40, exit 140. Visit their website at RT66Casino.com for the latest Route 66 Casino Hotel news or call 1.866.352.RT66 (7866). $

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Elizabeth Schueren

WIN BIG AT GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN Golden Nugget Offers Their 24K Select Club Members Unique Rewards

I

t’s raining cash at Golden Nugget Laughlin! This April Golden Nugget Laughlin is giving away over $55,000 in cash.

A share of $30,000 is up for grabs in Golden Nugget Laughlin’s Showers of Cash Slot Tournament, April 12-14. First place wins $10,000 cash. Plus, the top three scores from each day of the tournament will win up to $100 in Free Slot Play. The entry fee for Golden Nugget Laughlin’s $30,000 Showers of Cash Slot Tournament is $50, and all players in the tournament win cash.

Win a share of $45,000 in Golden Nugget Laughlin’s Weekends of Wealth Cash Giveaway. Every Saturday in April, Golden Nugget Laughlin will have three drawings at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm, where 15 lucky winners will win cash. One lucky player will win $2,000 cold hard cash.

All you have to do for the chance to win up to $2,000 cash is earn drawing tickets by playing your favorite slots or table games. 24K Select Club Card members can earn drawing tickets every Thursday through Saturday. The winner must be present at the time of each drawing time to claim their cash, or another

winner will be selected.

For more information on Golden Nugget Laughlin’s upcoming promotions or to book a stay at Golden Nugget Laughlin, visit GoldenNuggetLaughlin.com or call 1.800.237.1739. $

$8,000 Golden Nugget Laughlin—Change For Change!

In 2017, Golden Nugget's Change for Change program raised over $8,000 in donations for charities in the community!

The way it works is guests donate their spare slot tickets into the Change for Change collection boxes located throughout the casino floor. Each quarter, a new charity is chosen to receive the money collected from the Change for Change boxes.

The Change for Change program was able to collect $1,973.92 for the Colorado Food Bank, $2,781.92 for the American Cancer Society-Relay for Life, $1,628.14 for the River Fund, and $1,696.45 for the Boys & Girls Club of Colorado River.

This quarter's Change for Change charity is Meals on Wheels.

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Mark Novak

2018 LAUGHLIN RIVER RUN Win A Kawasaki Motorcycle & American Heroes Veterans Poker Run

A

lready miss the excitement? The engines rumbling down Casino Drive? Friendly faces all around? Rev your engines and get to Tropicana Laughlin for the Laughlin River Run April 26-28, 2018!

Starting on April 1, Trop Advantage Members can earn entries to win a Kawasaki Ninja, Vulcan Classic, or Vulcan Custom by playing their favorite slots and table games. The drawing for the motorcycles will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11pm.

The bikes will be on display on the casino floor in early April.

On Friday, April 27, join Tropicana Laughlin, Mother Road Harley-Davidson, and Dal-Con Promotions for the Annual American Heroes Poker Run! Participants receive a chance to win a 2019 Laughlin River Run Room Package at the After Party held at Mother Road Harley-Davidson. Registration is from 8 to

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

10am in the valet area at the Tropicana Laughlin. Donations are $15 per rider and $10 per passenger. The ride leaves at 10am.

Everyone receives a free breakfast sandwich compliments of the Tropicana Laughlin.

And, enjoy live entertainment in Tango’s Lounge and outdoors on Victory Plaza during River Run at the Tropicana Laughlin!

Dr. Rock, Playdeep, Hunter & The Dirty Jacks, and Dollface are all on the lineup! $

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

ENOUGH WITH THE COUNTRY MUSIC! Why Many Country Music Songs Are A Bad Idea In The Casino

D

on’t misunderstand my message with this article. I like country music, big fan, that’s me. However, there are plenty of songs by country music artists that I do not want to listen to while I am playing in the casino.

So, this is an open letter to the employees who are in charge of selecting the piped in music on the casino floor. Stay away from country music. The chances are high (pun intended as we are gamblers after all!) any random (yet another intended pun!) country song will be about losing something (love, life, dog, truck, money, etc.). This is not a message I want to hear while I am having fun.

If I’m winning, a sad song playing over the loudspeakers is the last thing I want to hear! Talk about killing the mood! If I’m losing, a depressing song is also the last thing I want to hear.

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

Look, you know me. I’m all about getting up, leaving the casino and not coming back (for a long time, like years!) if something isn’t right about the general atmosphere at the property.

Perhaps the employees are interested in listening to depressing music, but as a patron I certainly am not! The possibility exists that many of my fellow casino patrons aren't paying attention to the music, but when I hear “...and as I wonder where you are, I’m so lonesome I could cry, (and repeat twice more)…” by Hank Williams over the casino sound system, I’m gone! $

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 & GAMES

CHINESE HOROSCOPE—Year Of The Dog Pray for good luck on these dates in April 2018: 3, 7, 10, 11, 14, 17, 22, 23, and 29 . People born in the Year Of The Dog are said to

be honest, friendly, faithful, loyal, smart, straightforward, venerable, and responsible. Dates for Year Of The Dog: 02/14/34-02/03/35, 02/02/46-01/21/47, 02/18/58-02/07/59, 02/06/70-01/26/71, 01/25/82-02/12/83, 02/10/94-01/30/95.

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

To Celebrate Earth Day On April 22, Find: AIR, ANIMALS, CLEAN, EARTH, ECOSYSTEM, ENDANGERED, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, EXTINCT, HABITAT, OCEANS, PEOPLE, PLANTS, RAINFOREST, RECYCLE, REUSE, SOIL, WATER, WORLD. Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 38)

Each of the columns, rows, and 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 38)

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36 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

2

1

5

3

5 4

6 7

9 8

1 4

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9

1

3

8

5

5 2

4

6

5 2

3 4

888-243-3360 534

Y

Y

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 321

05. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 920

Y

Y

06. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1,013

Y

Y

08. Casino Of The Sun

5405 W Valencia Rd

Tucson

855-765-7829

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 276

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 650

09. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel 10. Cocopah Resort Casino

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 502

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,015

12. Desert Diamond Casino-Sah.

I-19, Exit 80

Sahuarita

866-332-9467 563

13. Desert Diamond Casino-W.V.

101 & Northern Ave.

Glendale

866-332-9467 1,089

14. Desert Diamond Casino-Why

Hwy. 86, Milepost 55

Why

15. Fort McDowell Casino

Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd.

16. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

480-802-5000 1,097

777 Hwy. 260

Pinetop

800-929-8744 829

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 863

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

Payson

800-777-7529 358

Yuma

888-777-4946 482

20. Paradise Casino

450 Quechan Dr.

21. Quechan Casino

I-8, Exit 166

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

22. Spirit Mountain Casino

8555 Hwy. 95

Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 250

23. Talking Stick Resort

Y

Y

Y

Y

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Y

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Scottsdale

480-850-7777 812

Y

Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,097

Y

Y

Y

6443 Komatke Ln.

Laveen

800-946-4452 972

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 991

Y

Y

Y

Y

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 245

27. Yavapai Casino

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

Sources: AZ Dept. of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 03/01/18 & direct inquiries at press time. Not responsible for incorrect information. Contact editor@azgamingguide.com to make updates.

Use the QR codes for our website & Facebook Page!

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Word Search Solution R A E I C R Y C L T E A S T O I I B L A H

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

E S S E T

Sudoku Solution

D O C E T AW I N C T

N A I A R E A L E R T H

W O R L D

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5

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2

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1

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N

38 Arizona Gaming Guide | April 2018 | azgamingguide.com

Y

Y Y

I-40, Exit 219

25. Vee Quiva Casino

Y

Y

101 & Indian Bend

24. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino 26. Wild Horse Pass Casino

Y

Y

Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 884 Maricopa

18. Lone Butte Casino

Y

58

15406 N. Maricopa Rd.

17. Hon-Dah Casino 19. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

866-332-9467

Y

8

7350 S. Nogales Hwy.

11. Desert Diamond Casino-Tuc.

Y

Y

04. Bucky’s Casino

07. Casino Del Sol Marketplace

Y

Smoke-Free Area

800-272-2438 303

Parker

Y

Spa

Dudleyville

11300 Resort Drive

Y

Arcade

Slots

Golf

Milepost 127 on Arizona 77

03. BlueWater Resort & Casino

Phone

Poker Room

800-272-2438 482

Table Games

Globe

Live Keno

City

RV Park

02. Apache Sky Casino

Location Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe

Hotel

01. Apache Gold Casino Resort

Bingo

Casino

High Limit Area

CASINO DIRECTORY

Y Y Y