Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - September 2018 - 10:09

SEPTEMBER

Contents IN EVERY ISSUE 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 05 PLAYERS TALK 08 NEW SLOTS

14 TABLE GAMES 18 TOURNEVENT 20 FEATURE STORY 22 WINNING WAYS 24 GAMING NEWS 30 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA 32 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT 34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 35 SPORTS SURVEY

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36 FUN & GAMES 37 HOT SPOTS 38 CASINO DIRECTORY

MAZATZAL HOTEL & CASINO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC IN THE MOUNTAINS!

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This brand new slot brings all of the tradition of Asian beauty with the luck of the number 8 to BlueWater!

Writer Al Moe tells us how the two most popular casino games find common ground at the tables!

The Arizona Lottery teams up with rock legend Alice Cooper for an exclusively branded Scratchers ticket!

FATE OF THE 8 POWER WHEEL AT BLUEWATER

HOW TABLE GAMES AND SLOTS OVERLAP

AZ LOTTERY LAUNCHES ALICE COOPER GAME

azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

03

EDITOR’S NOTE

THERE’S SOOOO MUCH! This Issue Is Bursting At The Seams...

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hen I sat down to plan out this issue, I wasn’t quite sure what to keep and what to cut. The information we get from casinos around the state is just too interesting to leave on the production floor. We know our readers count on us for the very latest from slots, to table games, to gaming news, and beyond. And this issue certainly has it all, so please enjoy!

We invite you to visit Mazatzal Hotel & Casino in Payson. The feature story at the centerfold gives any casino enthusiast plenty of reasons to hop in the car (or just sit back and enjoy the ride and the beautiful scenery on Mazatzal’s complimentary bus with pickup locations throughout the Valley) and “Experience the magic in the mountains!”

Plus, our “Hot Spots” section is continuing to deliver timely information about great casino locations across the state with details on promotions, events, and more. We are getting great feedback, thank you! And, we introduce a new member to our writing team this month! Steve Bazzar discusses his Super Bowl picks for the upcoming NFL season. Don’t miss his article on page 35!

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

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

CELEBRATING

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

Your Authority On Everything Gaming VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 09 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 Steve Bazzar 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 | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

PLAYERS TALK

Q: I understand that “live” table games (Craps, Roulette and Baccarat) are illegal in Arizona, yet the electronic version of these games is not. Can you explain how the electronic table games are allowed and what is the current status of legalizing the live version of these games? By the way, I am a big fan of both. Thanks!

Dan Cruikshank– Sedona, Arizona A: Back in 2002, a ballot proposition, called the Indian Gaming Preservation and Self-Reliance Proposition 202, was narrowly passed by Arizona’s voters on November 5, 2002 with a 51% approval. In exchange for an increase in the number of slot machines and the ability to offer house-banked Blackjack, tribes would revenue-share with the state. Essentially, the tribes agreed to a form of taxation on tribal gaming within the state.

Federal law mandates tribes have a compact with a state to offer traditional slot machines and other forms of gambling. As the existing compacts were set to expire at the time, a push was made for a ballot initiative by the tribes.

There were two other gaming propositions on the ballot which did not pass. Both Proposition 200 and 201 would have allowed for broader expansions of gaming within the state. Under Proposition 200, many more slot machines and different types of casino games would have been allowed. Proposition 201 would have also allowed slot machines at racetracks.

The key word in all of this back story is “slot machine.” What we refer to as a “slot machine” is technically an Electronic Gaming Device (EGD) or Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM). When you see a Video Poker game at a casino, it is technically not a slot machine, it is an EGM. A Video Keno game is also an EGM. A Slot machine is an EGM. Video Checkers (yes, this was a casino game back in the mid 2000’s made by IGT and installed at Casino Arizona back in the day – we actually played it several times – not a well-designed game in our opinion) is an EGM. Do you see where we’re going with this?

Video Blackjack, Video Craps, Video Roulette, Video Sic-Bo, Video Baccarat, Video anything is an…EGM! So, now that every electronic device in a casino is an EGM, let’s look at what EGMs can be! Here is the definition for an EGM from the Arizona Department of Gaming’s “Technical Standards for Gaming Devices, Components, Software and Progressive Gaming Devices” (revised 2015): “Gaming device” means a contrivance that allows a person to play a game of chance, which may be affected by skill, and that is activated upon receipt of some form of consideration and which awards a jackpot or prize.

Yikes! That’s a mouthful and a brain full at the same time! Essentially, the definition above is legalese-engineering speak for

the following general idea: Slot Machine manufacturers can produce any electronic game of chance they see fit as long as it measures up to stated gaming regulations. This allows casinos to offer Electronic Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, Sic-Bo, etc. Yes, even Electronic Chess (all you’d have to do is assign a randomly generated coinflip to determine if a player starts as White or Black prior to the start of a game) could be offered to casino customers.

What is really interesting about Electronic Craps is that when a casino in Arizona installs an Electronic Craps game with say 16 player stations attached to it, those 16 player stations and the EGM controlling the Craps game are counted as one (1) EGM when tallying all the “slot machines” in the casino. Rightfully so! The one EGM can use one player station or one hundred.

But, the EGM is still one EGM, just like one slot machine is also just one EGM. Our team keeps hearing rumors that with the onset of expiring compacts in the near future, the new compacts may include live table games beyond Blackjack. We, for one, agree with live Craps, live Roulette, etc. Some critics of expanded gaming may not like to see an expansion of live table games, but one has to wonder just exactly how many Craps tables would spring up in Arizona’s casinos. Market forces will dictate the success and failure of live Craps. Ultimately, the demand for these live games in an actual casino will settle the debate about how many of these games actually survive on the casino floor.

To be clear, a larger variety of live Table games (Craps, Roulette, etc.) becoming available for play in Arizona’s casinos will most likely require a voter approved ballot proposal and a new compact between the tribes and the state. Clearly, this is not something which will happen overnight.

If we take Nevada as an example, we can actually look at gaming revenue statistics and begin to make some initial inferences about the popularity of one casino game over another. Examining the Nevada Gaming Control Boards’ Monthly Report dated May of 2018, we find the following facts regarding, let’s say Craps: For the entire state of Nevada, live Craps accounts for 3.33% of all gaming revenue during the time period of 5/1/17 to 5/31/2018. Live Craps accounts for 9.28% of Table Games revenue during the time period of 5/1/17 to 5/31/2018. Across the twelve-month period, there was an average of 368 live Craps tables in Nevada’s casinos compared to an average of 2,529 Blackjack tables (14.55%). The average of 368 live Craps tables is 6.38% of the average 5,764 table games across all of Nevada.

Comparing that back to the current status of the number of Blackjack tables in Arizona, the 256 Blackjack tables in Arizona (as of 7/1/2018) translates into 37.25 live Craps tables across Arizona’s casinos. Most of which would be found in Phoenix and azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

05

PLAYERS TALK

Tucson casinos. Arizona would likely not be overrun with live Craps tables, as some people might fear!

On the flip side, let’s look at what it takes to run a live Craps game. Thinking about the casino for a minute, one live Craps game requires four employees to actually run the game with a fifth employee on break. Generally, the employee on break rotates in to relieve someone every 20 minutes. Now as the casino, would you rather let an EGM with multiple player stations “work” with a salary of electricity and routine maintenance, or pay a minimum of five employees 24-7-365 money and benefits?

If anything changes with which games are, or aren’t, allowed in Arizona’s casino, we’ll be sure to let you know!

As many of our readers are newcomers to the state, and we have many snowbirds who read our digital version from their home states (and Canadian provinces!) we thought our readers might appreciate a synopsis of Proposition 202 from 2002: Authorizes agreements between Arizona tribes and the State to allow for the continuation of limited, regulated gaming on tribal lands.

Shares revenues from Indian gaming with tribes that don't have casinos.

Dedicates part of Indian gaming revenues to support local school districts statewide and other public services and programs, including trauma and emergency services, wildlife and habitat conservation, tourism promotion, prevention of problem gambling and local government services.

Sets specific limits on the number of gaming machines, types of games, gaming facilities and bets allowed at Indian gaming facilities.

Provides for additional regulatory oversight by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Proposition 202 directs the Governor to enter into tribal gaming compacts allowing Indian tribes to operate slot machines and card and table games on tribal land. Tribes would contribute 1% to 8% of "gross gaming revenue" (defined as the difference between gaming wins and losses, before deducting costs and expenses) to the state to fund programs for problem gambling,

classroom size reduction, teacher salary increases, dropout prevention, instructional improvement, trauma and emergency services, wildlife conservation, tourism and local government programs benefiting the general public. These distributions are outside the regular legislative process.

Arizona has entered into gaming compacts with 17 of the state's 21 Indian tribes. These compacts permit the tribes to operate specific gaming activities, including slot machines, that are, according to a federal court decision on appeal, illegal off of Indian reservations. These compacts begin to expire in the summer of 2003. [Remember, this is a synopsis from the year 2002!]

Proposition 202 directs the Governor to enter into a new gaming compact with each Indian tribe that requests it. All compacts must have the following provisions: Term - Remainder of the tribe's current compact plus 10 years.

Will be renewed for 10 years (unless the state or tribe notify the other of cancellation due to substantial noncompliance) plus an additional 3 years to provide an opportunity for negotiation of a new compact.

Facilities - Each tribe may operate 1 to 4 gaming facilities. The exact number that each tribe may operate is set forth in Proposition 202.

Games - Tribes may offer slot machines, blackjack, poker, wagering on horse and dog races, lottery games, bingo and keno.

Each tribe may operate 475 to 1400 slot machines. Each tribe's allotment of slot machines is set forth in Proposition 202. Each tribe may operate 75 to 100 gaming tables at each facility, depending on how close the facility is to a heavily populated city.

Tribes may offer no more than 2 keno games at each facility. The number of slot machines and gaming tables allowed increases every 5 years based on changes in the state's population.

If you have insomnia or are curious about additional details about Proposition 202 from the year 2002, please visit the following link for the full text: Apps.AZSOS.gov/election/2002/ Info/pubpamphlet/english/prop202.htm. For more about Arizona’s casino gaming regulations, visit the Arizona Department of Gaming’s website at Gaming.AZ.gov/law-compacts/tribal-statecompacts. Please note, Arizona’s casino gaming regulations are very similar to gaming regulations across the United States and across the globe. $

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 | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

Fate Of The 8 Power Wheel Now At BlueWater Resort & Casino In Parker

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he new game Fate of the 8 Power Wheel by Incredible Technologies (IT) brings all of the tradition of Asian beauty with the luck of the number 8 right to the slot floor in an exciting 30 pay line adventure. Fate of the 8 Power Wheel debuts as a launch title for IT’s latest core cabinet, Infinity V55, a stunning new form factor that features an ultrasleek 55” full touchscreen vertical monitor that is impossible to ignore with a seamless visual display from end to towering end! Fortunes await during base gameplay when an Instant Stack scatter lands on the reels as any vertical stack of 3 awards additional credit awards! Players will really be looking for three Power Wheel symbols to land on the reels, unlocking the huge wheel overhead which showcases credit awards, six progressive jackpots and entry into the Koi Catch Bonus Game. Players landing on credits wedges will have the chance to increase their winnings with a secondary wheel of multiplier wedges (up to 4X) and a re-spin wedge, giving players another chance at a jackpot or bonus feature. If the pointer lands on the ‘Bonus’ wedge on the Power Wheel, an inner wheel opens to spin and determine the number of picks awarded before beginning the Koi Catch event. Koi fish then swim up and down a crystal clear stream showcased on the whole screen as players must tap on the fish to reveal credit amounts and additional picks! For more information on IT’s games visit ITSGames.com. For more information on BlueWater Resort & Casino visit BlueWaterFun.com. $

08 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

Super Charged 7s Now At Desert Diamond Casino Tucson

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echarge with Super Charged 7s at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson. This exciting new wheel game from Ainsworth is part of the Quick Spin series, giving players the chance to win huge credit awards and progressive jackpots. Everybody loves a wheel and this supersized wheel pays off!

Super Charged 7s lives up to its name—more wheel spins means more multipliers which means bigger wins! With free games, Super Charged 7s is the preferred wheel game at Desert Diamond Casino Tucson.

For more on Ainsworth’s Slots, such as Rumble Rumble, PAC-MAN Wild Edition, and more, visit AGTSlots.com. For more information on the latest Slots at Desert Diamond Casino, visit DDCAZ.com, call 1.866.DDC.WINS (1.866.332.9461), or follow on Facebook (/ddcaz), Twitter (@DiamondCasinos), and Instagram (@DiamondCasinos). $

10 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

NEW SLOTS

Lock It Link Now At Bucky’s Casino In Prescott

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ook for Scientific Games’ wildly popular new slot Lock It Link at Bucky’s Casino in Prescott! You’ve seen this hot game across the state and now play it to your heart’s content in Prescott. Lock It Link is an engaging new series built around a thrilling game mechanic that has proven to be a huge hit with players everywhere! The Lock It Link feature is a free spins bonus where adjacent designated symbols on the reels will be linked together and locked in place. Throughout the free spins, each designated symbol landed will remain locked in position, display a credit or jackpot value, and additional spins will be awarded. The feature continues until all reel positions contain a locked symbol, or until no spins remain, at which time the total value of credits and jackpots displayed on the linked and locked symbols is awarded! Each Lock It Link game also includes a variety of other exciting bonus features, as well as a unique theme that make each game in the series a new adventure. Lock It Link game themes include: Diamonds, Night Life, El Diablito, La Sirena, Cats Hats & More Bats, Eureka Reel Blast!, and Piggy Bankin’.

For more information on games by Scientific Games, visit SGGaming.com. For more on Bucky’s Casino in Prescott, visit BuckysCasino.com $

azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

11

TABLE GAMES

By Al Moe

TABLE GAMES AND SLOTS How The Two Most Popular Casino Games Merge At The Tables

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able games and slot machines have always had a symbiotic relationship. Slots originally got their name because, on the earliest machines, players dropped a coin in a slot at the top of wooden boxes and watched the coins bounce down a field of nails towards a series of openings, one of which was a winner.

In 1891, the Sittman and Pitt company made a machine with playing cards and payoffs based on Poker hands. The barkeep made payouts in cigars or trade-checks. Collusion (ok, theft) between the barman and his customers became an issue. What to do?

Inventor Charles Fey solved the problem by creating a threereel machine he called the Liberty Bell that automatically made payoffs. Each reel had five symbols, and the largest payout (20 coins) came when three Liberty Bells lined up. Jackpots became popular a couple of decades later, on machines that had 28 symbols per reel.

Those 28 symbols made it tougher to hit the jackpot, but they also made a much larger payout possible. Slot machines thrived on jackpots and, today, the jackpot feature or progressive payout is also at the heart of nearly every table game, even Blackjack games that offer bonus or side bets.

When the dealer doesn’t have a Blackjack, you choose to stand, hit or split. I strongly suggest you don’t stand because a big payday could be just one card away. Then, whether you hit or split, the next card you get determines your fortune.

If you draw a non-seven, you get that 25 to 1 payoff I mentioned. If you manage to snag a third 7, well, happy days are here again, so celebrate!

Playing Blazing 7’s Back in 1987, Bally Manufacturing introduced a machine called Blazing 7’s, designed to pay a jackpot (on average) every 4,096 spins. The easier-to-hit jackpots became an immediate success and led to other Bally innovations that saved the company from a looming fiscal disaster. The games are still found in many casinos.

If you have three mixed suit and mixed color 7’s, you get paid 200 to 1 on your bonus wager.

You can also play a side-bet called Blazing 7’s. To do so, you make a standard Blackjack wager and then place a bet inside the Blazing 7’s circle. The side bet wins any time you get at least one 7 on your first two cards.

For math nerds, the house edge is about 25%. You’ll catch a payout 15 times in 100, and most of those will be for a single 7. Still, you might hit the jackpot, and that’s what we all play for, right?

According to the standard payout table, you are paid 2 to 1 for a single 7. If both your initial cards are 7’s, you are guaranteed a payout of 25 to 1. But first, you have to sweat a little while the dealer checks for Blackjack. If they have one, the hand is over.

You win the 25 to 1 payoff, but you can’t improve your hand.

14 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

If your 7’s are all the same color, a mixture of clubs and spades or a mixture of diamonds and hearts, you get 10% of the progressive meter. If they are all the same suit, you win 100% of the progressive meter.

Do you have a question or comment about Blackjack? Write us at editor@azgamingguide.com with the subject “Blackjack.” $ 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

THIRD BASE KNOWN AS “ANCHORMAN” Does This Player Really Control The Destiny Of The Whole Table?

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he seat to the immediate right of the dealer is known in Blackjack terminology as "Third Base." This spot is often referred to as the "Anchorman" and a lot of individuals believe that the player in this spot controls the destiny of all the others at the table. If he or she plays haphazardly, many believe it will ruin the game for all the other players at the table. This is why so many players are intimidated by this position at the table and refrain from taking this seat. Mathematically speaking, one player cannot control another player’s outcome in the long run. However, a player can make a bad play that will cause other players to lose a particular hand. On the other hand, their bad play will also help you as much as it will hurt you in some situations. It’s human nature that you just remember the ones that you lose.

Being afraid that the others at the table will think you messed up the cards will keep many of you from sitting at third base, or will cause you to deviate from basic strategy. If you don't play perfect basic strategy because you may take the "dealers bust card," you are letting others play your hand but, more importantly, you are giving away your money! How many of you would hit 12 vs. a dealer’s up card of a 2 if you were sitting at third base? The correct play is to hit and you can't let other players intimidate you! It's hard enough to make money playing Blackjack, so don't make it any harder by playing the hands wrong!

Have you ever run across the player that thinks they know everything, the one that usually tells you what you did wrong after the hand is over? Sometimes these players need to be put in their place and, by knowing and playing basic strategy perfectly, you can do that. So, when you have A-7 vs. a dealer up card of a 9, 10, or Ace, hit it! If you have 12 vs. a dealer up card of 2 or 3, hit it! Don't worry, for a second, about what other players think. Just tell the know-it-all player you charge extra if you have to play their hand too.

You may be wondering at this point if it is better to play at a crowded table or one with just a few players. As I stated earlier, other players’ actions do not cause you to win or lose at the game of Blackjack in the long run. Players that believe others can influence your wins and losses have, at best, a vague idea of how to play the hands correctly. One advantage of playing at a full table is the game is slower. If you are just learning basic

16 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

strategy it will give you time to look at your chart (yes, casinos will let you have a basic strategy chart at the table) so that you can be sure to play the hand correctly. Additionally, with a full table, you will only be playing about 50 hands per hour. And, since the casino has an edge over you on every hand of Blackjack that you play, you will lose less money per hour which will stretch your bankroll dollars.

If you are just learning to count cards, you probably will want to play at tables with 4 or 5 other players because you will have more time to convert your running count to the true count, play the hand correctly, and calculate the correct size bet for the upcoming hand.

Personally I like to play late at night when I can get one on one with the dealer. Typically, I can play 200 to 250 hands in an hour as opposed to 50 with a crowded table. It’s for you to decide what you are most comfortable doing. Good luck and have fun! $

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.

TOURNEVENT

By Lana Hartmann

TOURNEVENT OF CHAMPIONS Everi’s Finals In Las Vegas Are Set & They Release A New Slot!

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he qualifying rounds here in Arizona are over! Each casino participating in the TournEvent of Champions sent one winner to the finals in Las Vegas, Nevada which will take place on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at the Wynn/Encore Las Vegas XS Night Club. Each winning casino representative received $800 in airfare to Las Vegas for themselves and a guest, ground transfers in Las Vegas, three nights of luxury hotel accommodations at the Wynn/Encore Las Vegas, $500 for food and beverage purchases, individual casino medal, individual casino jersey and, of course most importantly, their seat at the championship event!

2018 Championship Payout (for top 5 places)* Place Prize 1 $1,000,000 2 $150,000 3 $50,000 4 $25,000 5 $10,000 * The final prize structure will be published by Everi no later than October 10, 2018. All participants in the Championship Finale are awarded a cash prize no less than $500.

New Slot: Sheng Shi Gui Fei! Sheng Shi Gui Fei brings luck and joy to all players with an incredible 243 Ways to win. This exciting game features a free games bonus with a nudging queen that awards extra bonus spins and a progressive pick bonus that grants one of four progressives. A lantern accumulator adds coins and builds lots of anticipation.

Sheng Shi Gui Fei is available on Everi’s Empire MPX, a spaceefficient premium cabinet with a crisp 43" 1080p HD portrait display, game-controlled lighting, and a convenient charging station for mobile devices. For more information about Sheng Shi Gui Fei and other exciting games, visit Everi.com. $

18 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

Sheng Shi Gui Fei Coming Soon

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he cool, crisp mountain air, friendly and knowledgeable staff, a great selection of casino games, excellent entertainment, quality food at reasonable prices, a variety of promotions, and so much more, is what makes Mazatzal Hotel & Casino in Payson, Arizona a fantastic gaming destination.

With nearly 400 slots, the floor has a great selection for every style of player. Mazatzal not only has games from all the popular manufacturers such as IGT, Everi, Scientific Games, Aristocrat, and Konami, but they even have exciting new slots from lesser-known companies that can’t be found at any other Arizona casinos. Several highlights of the gaming area, besides the unique assortment of slots, includes a prevalence of penny games, an abundant collection of video poker machines with excellent pay tables, a multitude of wide area progressive machines with jackpots which may be in excess of a million dollars at any one time, several multi-denomination and high-limit slots, steppers, and video keno games as well. In fact, fans of Caveman Keno should take note; Mazatzal is one of the last casinos in the state to still offer the original version which

awards the 10X multiplier when all three eggs are chosen during a game!

In addition to the slots, players can try their luck in their oversized Bingo room using both paper and electronic packages.

With regular matinee and evening sessions held throughout the week, Mazatzal’s Bingo is non-stop action with continual exciting promotions and even Bingo cards that cost as little as $1!

Their card room, which boasts the “Best Blackjack in Arizona,” breaks tradition by using four-deck shoes instead of the usual six decks. Plus, their dealers stand on soft 17. With weekly Blackjack tournaments, bonus pays, a variety of side bets and the friendliest dealers around, Blackjack is a great gaming option at Mazatzal. Prefer Poker instead? The tables in the pines are always bustling with activity, offering weekly tournaments and hot progressive payouts.

When you are ready to grab a bite to eat, there are no less than four different restaurants to satisfy all the cravings for any appetite. The Coffee Korner serves the finest homemade pastries and an assortment of delicious treats to accompany Starbucks freshly brewed coffee every hour on the hour. The pastries are the real deal and include muffins, pies, cinnamon rolls, and a whole lot more. Plus, you can’t beat this house special - refills on coffee are only 80 cents!

The Grille serves the most amazing selection of finger foods in addition to sandwiches, appetizers, salads, burgers, pizza, and desserts at extremely reasonable prices! Hot and cold sandwiches start at just $5! The $7 patty melt with waffle fries is one of our team’s favorite as is the $8 southwest crispy chicken salad.

The Apache Spirits Lounge also features great drink prices, a tasty food menu, and plenty of TVs to catch your favorite sporting event.

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Personally, the Cedar Ridge Restaurant is our preference for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Daily breakfast specials are only $2.99 and are served from 6am-11:30am. You read that right! For only $2.99 you will enjoy wonderful breakfast options such as a Denver Omelet served with seasoned potatoes and toast or two eggs scrambled with biscuits and gravy and a sausage patty.

The buffet has a great soup and salad bar and a solid selection of meat and vegetables to choose from any day of the week.

Prices range from $10 on weekdays to $18 for the Sunday Brunch. If you are less of a buffet person and more into ordering off a menu, try the Cubano sandwich or the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich for lunch – both delectable! For dinner, order the bacon wrapped filet mignon which comes with their soup and salad bar and a choice of sides. Plus, don’t forget about Crabby Wednesdays at Cedar Ridge, where you’ll eat all the crab legs you want for only $16! If you love fish as much as we do, you also won’t want to miss their All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry every Friday for just $10 from 11am-4pm and $12 from 4pm-10pm!

There are always exciting concerts, promotions and events at Mazatzal! Make sure to mark your calendars for Mazatzal’s Grill Masters BBQ Competition & Testicle Festival on September 29.

The Mazatzal Grill Masters is a nationally recognized KCBS Master Series BBQ competition held annually the last week of September. The competition is a limited field event, open to just 40 national competition BBQ teams. Over $17,000 in prize money is up for grabs along with the title of Mazatzal Grill Master Champion. Samples of the world famous “Rocky Mountain Oysters” will be on sale. And, if you can’t get enough, there will be Testicle Eating Contests as well! Admission is free to this family-friendly celebration and open to all ages however, some age restrictions apply to the eating contests.

North one hour from the Valley. However, if you’re interested in someone else doing the driving for you, just hop on their Fun Bus and enjoy the mountain views! You’ll even be treated to $10 in MazCash free play and a complimentary lunch buffet voucher after you’ve made 250 base points. Pick up locations are available in Sun City, Scottsdale, Mesa, Apache Junction and Fountain Hills. For reservations, pick up times and further details, please call 1.800.777.PLAY (7529).

From the food to the service to the slot floor and everywhere in between, Mazatzal has everything for the casino gaming enthusiast in a location that can’t be beat. Since the temperatures won’t be subsiding any time soon, why not choose Mazatzal as your next gaming destination? Enjoy 20 degree cooler weather among the beautiful tall pines and exciting casino action all day and night long. Then, when you’re ready to relax and take it easy, you can even do it in style and comfort in one of their fantastic rooms in their all-suite hotel. For more information on Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, visit MazatzalCasino.com or call 1.800.777.PLAY (7529). $

Mazatzal Hotel & Casino is just a short, beautiful scenic drive azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

21

WINNING WAYS

By Mark Novak

WHEN WILL THE BONUS HIT? PT. IV My Final Report On Gathering Data For Aristocrat’s Pompeii

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any readers (like my editor), may be bored to tears by my recent series on how to calculate the average spins it takes to get into a bonus on your favorite slot. For other readers, the topic and series has hopefully been a welcome guide to figuring out how your favorite slot works which is easily applied to any game, any where, any time! For the rest of you (like my colleagues at the Arizona Gaming Guide), you’re probably shaking your head saying, “How could he have picked Pompeii of all games!” In any event, all good things must come to an end.

My last play session was definitely strange. Not only did I get one bonus almost right away, I was also forced to interrupt the play session. So the question is, what do I do with this play session? Keep it or discard it?

My instincts are telling me to keep it as I was able to confirm the game’s behavior during the session. That is, you may have to wait for a bonus, and wait a while. Let me explain what happened. I hit the bonus after 36 spins, and then played another 158 spins with no bonus. At this point I had to walk away from the game for an hour before I was able to return.

When I did finally get back on the game, I played 163 more spins with no bonus. That’s when I had to leave the casino. To summarize, that’s one bonus, at spin 36, across 357 total spins. In my past sessions I had always stopped at the last bonus. I’m going to count this play session as having had a bonus at spin 357. Why? There was one bonus and 357 spins. And, obviously, this game provides other values well into the hundreds. However, one can argue to discard this play session due to the interruptions.

First Data Set: Second Data Set: Third Data Set: Fourth Data Set: Sum Of Values: Updated Average:

89, 87, 30, 26, 64, 117, 128 (7 values) 245, 311, 17, 124, 189, 45 (6 values) 10, 254, 173, 187, 39, 211 (6 values) 357 (1 value) 2,703 (20 values) 2,703 / 20 = 135.15 or 135 spins

Clearly, there is more work to be done here. More play sessions with more data need to be gathered. We can’t provide an accurate average after only 20 bonuses with spins between bonuses climbing well into the 300’s!

First, we need at least 100 bonuses (or data points) in order to achieve a minimum standard of statistical accuracy. Better yet would be 1,000 data points. In the meantime, knowing Aristocrat’s games over the years from having played them, having designed slot machine math models myself, seeing the first twenty data points, and based on my professional experience, I’d estimate the game’s bonus pulls to hit to be between 150 and 175.

Perhaps some of you will pick up where I left off! I encourage each of you to start counting spins, record data points when you hit a bonus, calculate an average, and keep updating those averages every chance you get! $

22 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

GAMING NEWS

Arizona Lottery & Legendary Rock Star Alice Cooper Team Up For An Exclusively Branded Lottery Ticket

Ironwood Steakhouse At Quechan Casino Resort Partners With Spirit Mountain Roasting Company Coffee

The Arizona Lottery and Alice Cooper are joining forces to create the first-ever, exclusive, Alice Cooper Scratchers ticket!

The Ironwood Steakhouse at Quechan Casino Resort in Winterhaven, CA just outside of Yuma, AZ is brewing something new! As of August 14th, 2018 the Ironwood Steakhouse has been offering fresh brewed Spirit Mountain Roasting Company coffee!

Alice Cooper is not only a rock icon, but an Arizona legend, and the Arizona Lottery knew this was an opportunity to highlight the rock star and the positive impact he has on the state.

“We are excited to join legendary musical artist Alice Cooper with this exclusive ticket,” Gregg Edgar, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery said.

“The Arizona Lottery is dedicated to supporting vital programs that serve people across the state and we are proud of the work Alice is doing with his organization, Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock, to provide incredible resources, positivity and excellence for Arizona youth.”

The rock n’ roll ticket includes six top prizes of $50,000 and top-of-the-line second chance prizes, such as VIP tickets and pre-show party access to Alice Cooper’s Annual Christmas Pudding Concert, Alice Cooper memorabilia and more.

“You know you've made it in this world when you're an answer on Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, a likeness of your head is on a PEZ dispenser, or if your face is plastered all over an Arizona Lottery ticket," said Alice Cooper.

There are three different tickets for players to play and Alice Cooper fans to collect. Players can purchase their tickets now for $5. The Alice Cooper Scratchers ticket is available at all 3,000+ Arizona Lottery retailers across the state. For more information please visit, ArizonaLottery.com. $

24 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

Quechan Casino Resort is committed to supporting and promoting local businesses with locally sourced products. So when Executive Food and Beverage Director, Dale Jager, heard there was a locally sourced coffee roasting company, the partnership ensued with Tudor Montague. Tudor Montague, the founder of Spirit Mountain Roasting Company, is a local tribal member who roasts the coffee on the Quechan Reservation. Mr. Montague earned his education in Environmental Science from Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas. As time passed, Mr. Montague developed an appreciation for fresh, locally sourced products and began to study coffee. Being drawn to the blend of art and science that goes into roasting coffee, his path was realized and the seed of Spirit Mountain Roasting Company was planted. Spirit Mountain Roasting Company prides itself on crafting high-quality coffees while being dedicated to minimizing their impact to the environment. As a result, the company makes purchasing choices based on ethical practices throughout the supply chain. “Quechan Casino Resort is excited to bring this coffee to the Ironwood Steakhouse,” says Dale Jager. “The flavor and aroma of this coffee is full bodied and nicely robust. It is a coffee lover’s coffee. A blend of coffee that we believe our guests will truly love!” The guests of the Ironwood Steakhouse will be able to enjoy both a regular and a decaffeinated blend; as well as purchase the coffee within the steakhouse to take home and enjoy. For more info, visit PlayQCR.com $

azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

25

GAMING NEWS

BlueWater Resort & Casino Welcomes New General Manager Robert Brooker

Gila River Hotels & Casinos Wins Prestigious Romero Awards

Left to right: Executive Casino Hosts Allyssa Calabaza and Kyle Behling; Player Services Manager, Barbara Stillerman; Directors of Casino Marketing Justin Sullivan and Blake Katsnelson; Public Relations Manager, Teaya Vicente; and Director of Player Development, David Baggerly.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) of Arizona and BlueWater Resort & Casino welcome Mr. Robert Brooker as the new BlueWater Resort & Casino General Manager. Mr. Brooker, who prefers to be addressed as “Bob”, brings to BlueWater Resort & Casino a record of exceptional leadership and strategic vision in the casino industry. Bob possess more than 7 years of experience in Tribal Gaming as General Manager and over 28 years of experience as an executive in Nevada Gaming. Before coming to BlueWater Resort & Casino, Bob’s prior positions included being General Manager at Ute Mountain Casino in Colorado and Taos Mountain Casino in New Mexico. Bob was also the President/General Manager of Imperial Gaming Corporation for over 12 years. In addition, Bob was General Manager/CFO at the Showboat Casino in Las Vegas. Bob graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 1971 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a BS in Business Administration.

Bob has hit the ground running holding 2 hour individual meetings with each department director of his new team all while running a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week operation. Bob said, “I am excited about this opportunity to work for the Arizona CRIT at their BlueWater Resort & Casino property! I look forward to moving into the Parker area and becoming a member of the local community. BlueWater Resort & Casino has immense potential with a bright future that will be filled with casino team member development and property expansion.”

For more information about BlueWater Resort & Casino, visit BlueWaterFun.com. $

26 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

The Romero Awards are the highest honor in casino marketing, and Gila River Hotels & Casinos was victorious at this year’s conference for its innovative marketing and promotions campaigns throughout 2018. Members of the Gila River Marketing Department, led by Corporate Vice President of Marketing Dominic Orozco, attended the awards ceremony in Las Vegas on July 19. “It was an honor and a true testament to the collaboration of our entire team,” Orozco said. “We are grateful that such an esteemed panel recognized our incredible work and results.”

Gila River Hotels & Casinos took home the following awards: Diamond Award – Community Relations, Unclaimed Jackpots Diamond Award – VIP Promotions, Glam of Pan Am Gold Award – Casino Floor Promotions, Launch of THE Card Gold Award – Community, Diamondbacks Partnership Silver Award – Online/Social Marketing, 12 Days of Gila Silver Award – VIP Promotions, Under the Sea Silver Award – Community Relations, Added Benefits Honorable Mention – Direct Mail Marketing, Gas Card Honorable Mention – Casino Floor Promotion, Club Classic Honorable Mention – Casino Floor Promotion, Progressive This year’s Romero Awards boasted 120 nominees representing companies from all over the world. The judging panel consisted of four experts led by casino marketing innovator John Romero, who together have more than 125 years of experience. For additional information about Gila River Hotels & Casinos, visit WinGilaRiver.com. $

GAMING NEWS

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Announces Grand Opening Of Chop, Block & Brew

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, part of Caesar’s Entertainment and the state’s only tribal casino to have an international management partner, just announced the grand opening of its newest restaurant concept Chop, Block & Brew!

Featuring gourmet burgers and a wood-burning mesquite grill, the rustic and relaxed environment serves as a perfect venue to enjoy pure-aged steaks, prime rib and seafood. In addition, the restaurant boasts a full bar including more than 30 draft and bottled craft beers, hand-crafted cocktails, and premium whiskey and scotch. “We take pride in offering our guests a comfortable and inviting entertainment experience,” said Robert Livingston, the General Manager and Regional President of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. “Chop, Block & Brew, our newest restaurant concept, offers the perfect blend of an upscale dining experience with the first-class customer service our valued guests have come to expect here at Harrah’s AkChin.”

The 3,454-square-foot restaurant has seating for 159 guests and features Native American-inspired artwork and design elements that highlight the culture and traditions of the Ak-

28 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

Chin Indian Community. “It was important to us, as we developed this new restaurant, that we incorporated the customs and traditions that are important to the Ak-Chin Indian Community,” said Livingston. “Working with the art and design committee that was appointed by Chairman Robert Miguel, the Community’s history and culture is depicted in the architecture, artwork and colors throughout the restaurant.”

Chop, Block & Brew is part of the Harrah’s multi-million dollar expansion that includes additional guest hotel rooms, a spa, a conference center with increased ballroom space, additional restaurants and a multi-level parking structure. Open seven days a week, Chop, Block & Brew has the following service schedule: Restaurant Hours: Lunch Thursday through Sunday: Noon-3pm Dinner Sunday through Thursday: 4-9pm Friday and Saturday: 4-10pm Lounge Hours: Sunday through Thursday: 11am-10pm Friday and Saturday: 11am-Midnight For more information, please visit HarrahsAkChin.com. $

LAUGHLIN, NEVADA

By Elizabeth Schueren

GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN Experience Award-Winning Excitement At Golden Nugget Laughlin

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in big at Golden Nugget Laughlin! This September Golden Nugget Laughlin is giving away over $70,000.

Win a share of $25,000 in the finale Blackjack Tournament of Golden Nugget Laughlin’s $55,000 Summer Blackjack Tournament Series, September 21-23. First place wins $12,500 cash and the top twenty places of the tournament take home a piece of the $25,000 prize pool. Entry in the tournament is $50.

Then, get your reels spinning for Golden Nugget Laughlin’s $30,000 Fall Fortune Slot Tournament, September 27-29 where you can win up to $10,000 but are guaranteed to win at least $25. The entry fee for the tournament is $50 and includes two rounds of tournament play.

Plus, every Saturday in September, Golden Nugget Laughlin is giving away a share of $5,000 cash in their $45,000 Cash Giveaway. In three drawings, five winners will receive a share of $1,000 cash every hour from 7-8pm, and 5 winners will receive a share of $3,000 cash at 9pm. Drawing tickets for Golden Nugget Laughlin’s $45,000 Cash Giveaway can be earned by playing

slots or table games Thursday through Saturday.

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

StarBar Now Available For Play At Golden Nugget Laughlin The StarBar is an impressive, new multi-game (up to 18 games) play station by Interblock. Players can enjoy more than one game at a time—up to four games in parallel—and switch between their favorite games with just one touch. Starbar optimizes fun and enjoyment and connects players to the whole range of Interblock games, plus six new player-favorite video poker games and slot games. StarBar also offers multi-denomination, autoplay and live or animated video results from the roulette, dice and card generators on the casino floor. For the video poker games, StarBar features auto-hold and double up. For more information about StarBar, the latest in Interblock’s array of luxury electronic gaming products, visit InterblockGaming.com.

30 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Editor’s Pick

Boy George & Culture Club Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita October 7

Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment welcomes Boy George and Culture Club to the Diamond Center on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Tickets start at $35 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased through Star Tickets and at Desert Diamond Casino’s Rewards Center. The doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Since its inception in 1981, Culture Club has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Best known for the classic hits Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Karma Chameleon, and I'll Tumble 4 Ya, Culture Club continues to entertain audiences of all ages.

The group is currently on The Life Tour, performing in over 40 cities around the country.

The group is fronted by British singer/songwriter Boy George, who is universally recognized as one of music's iconic artists.

In 2015, George was presented with the Ivor Novello lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the music industry.

Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss make up the remaining original line up on this tour.

Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “Desert Diamond Casino is excited to welcome Grammy Award winning legends Boy George and Culture Club on Oct. 7! For as little as $35, fans can see this music legend in person at the Diamond Center!” $ Upcoming Events At The Diamond Center: Estrellas De Mariachi—Saturday, September 1 Kool & The Gang—Friday, September 14 Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games—Saturday, October 27

32 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

33

SAMI’S SMACKDOWN

By Sami Becker

DID MY VISIT MEAN ANYTHING? On My Travels Around The State, I Learn A Lot About Each Casino

D

uring past columns, I’ve discussed hitting the road and playing at casinos outside of the Valley. In the past, I’ve done this during the Summer for a change of scenery, games, and (at times) luck. On my travels, I take advantage of promotions advertised in this magazine, I pay close attention to the customer service I receive across the casinos and the hotels, and I make it a point to monitor the resulting players club offers in the months after I return to my regular routine. I’ve learned a lot during my most recent trips applying all the tips and hints we’ve written about in the magazine over the years.

A lot of casinos I visit really provide a solid entertainment experience and their employees also offer excellent service. So, I thank them for that. When they don’t, you hear about it here!

What is difficult to comprehend is when I first sign up for a

34 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

players club card at a “new” casino (for me) and then am only sent one “offer” in the mail and never receive anything again. I question why I should ever return. I’m not being communicated with or reminded to return or even given an incentive to return.

On subsequent visits to that same casino, I also don’t receive any new communications or offers in the mail to come back. I guess my question to those casinos is whether my visit and the points I earned (generally thousands per day) really mean that little to you? Well, the result for me, and I’m sure for many of my readers as well, is that you don’t mean much to me either! $

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!

SPORTS SURVEY

By Steve Bazzar

LOOKING AHEAD My Take On The Super Bowl

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et’s take a look at who will be in the Super Bowl from a betting angle! In the AFC it appears New England (6-1) is still the one to beat. The Patriots have all they need in Coach Belichick and Tom Brady, they are just better at the game to game strategy. Pittsburgh (12-1) and Jacksonville (18-1) are the clear-cut next choices. The Steelers lost their defensive heart and soul in Ryan Shazier. Coach Tomlin cannot seem to hit the right buttons at crunch time. The Jaguars have an awesome defense. They have a bulldozer of an RB in Leonard Fourentte who can control the clock and make them a major player. A team getting a lot of love are the Los Angeles Chargers (15-1). Until they can win a close game I have no faith. Sleeper teams with an outside shot would be Denver (25-1) and Houston (30-1).

By default, I will take New England to represent the AFC. The NFC is loaded with top teams. Philadelphia’s odds aren't bad (8-1). I refuse to take a repeat winner, so they are out. The Los Angeles Rams’ odds are decent (7-1). This year’s chic pick, after seemingly signing every free agent, seems to be a little too hyped for my liking. Minnesota (7-1) looks to be a complete team. QB Cousins has enough weapons to put up points and their defense is at the top of the NFL. New Orleans is currently in the hunt (10-1). Last year’s draft class was one for the ages and it showed on the defensive side. They became a top-tier unit. Shooting star RB Alvin Kamara, they are set for a deep run. Atlanta’s odds are (15-1). Head coach Dan Quinn was the defensive coordinator for Seattle’s great defense. He has been building up the Falcon’s defense to an elite level. QB Ryan and the RB dual threat of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman and WR Julio Jones give Atlanta a powerful offense. Two sleeper teams would be Dallas (25-1) and New York Giants (15-1).

I love the way Atlanta is working their way to becoming a complete team. I will take them to win the NFC. As boring as a rematch from two years ago would be, I believe Atlanta will get revenge and beat New England in the Super Bowl.

Do you have a question about Sports Betting? Write us an email at editor@azgamingguide.com with the subject “Sports Betting.”

If you’d prefer, send us a letter! Have Fun and Good Luck! $

Writer Steve Bazzar has been an avid fan of sports betting in Laughlin and Las Vegas for many years. He lives and works in Mesa.

Odds are accurate as of press time and may have changed since then. azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

35

FUN & GAMES

CHINESE HOROSCOPE—Year Of The Dog Pray for good luck on these dates in September 2018: 2, 5, 9, 10, 15, 18, 21, and 26. The best days to travel in September 2018: 1, 3, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 25, 26, 27, and 30. The best days to meet a friend or relative in September 2018: 3, 12, 24, and 30.

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 Labor Day On Monday, September 3, Find: AMERICA, BARBECUE, CELEBRATE, DAY, HOLIDAY, LABOR, LABORERS, MONDAY, PARADE, PARTY, UNION, SEPTEMBER, RIGHTS, WORKERS. 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: Mild (Solution on page 38)

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You Know You Are In Arizona When...

You notice your car overheating before you drive it. You no longer associate bridges or rivers with water. You can be in the snow, then drive for an hour and it will be over 100 degrees. You discover in July it only takes two fingers to drive your car because your steering wheel is so hot. The best parking is determined by shade not distance. You realize that “Valley Fever” isn’t a disco dance. You can make sun tea instantly. Hotter water comes from the cold water tap than the hot one. It’s noon in July, kids are on summer vacation and yet all the streets are totally empty of both cars and people. You actually burn your hand opening the car door. Some fools will market mini-misters for joggers and some other fools will actually buy them.

Worse, some fools actually try to jog! You can correctly pronounce “Saguaro,” “Tempe,” “San Xavier,” “Canyon de Chelly,” “Mogollon Rim,” and “Cholla.” You can understand the reason for a town named “Why.” You can fry an egg on the hood of a car in the morning. No one would dream of putting vinyl inside a car. You see two trees fighting over a dog. You can say “Hohokam” and people don’t think you’re laughing funny. You see more irrigation water on the street than there is in the Salt River. You have to go to a fake beach for some fake waves. You hear people say “but it’s a dry heat!” You buy salsa by the gallon. Your Christmas decorations include sand and l00 paper bags. You think a red light is merely a suggestion. All of your out-of-state friends start to visit after October but clear out come the end of April. You think someone driving wearing oven mitts is clever.

You think 60 tons of crushed red rock makes a beautiful yard. People who have black cars or black upholstery in their car are automatically assumed to be from out of state or nuts. You know better than to get into a car with leather seats if you’re wearing shorts. You know a swamp cooler is not a happy hour drink. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Arizona. You take rain dances seriously. You’ve signed so many petitions to recall governors you can’t remember the name of the incumbent. A rainy day puts you in a good mood. You drive two miles around a parking lot looking for a shady place – even in the dead of winter. A haboob happens. Petrified doesn’t mean scared. The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a bit chilly. You can attend most functions wearing shorts and a tank top. You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

We Love Arizona!!!

36 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

HOT SPOTS

By Lana Hartmann

Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos In Prescott Featuring Mexican Mondays & $100,000 Zoom Ball!

Hit An End Of Summer Jackpot At Gila River Hotels & Casinos This September With Their New Promos!

This month, Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos in Prescott have a happy hour that just can’t be beat! All day, every day, domestic drafts are $2.25 and premium/import drafts are $3.25.

From 4 to 7pm daily, well drinks are $3 and appetizers are half off. Also, don’t miss “Mexican Mondays” where from 11am to close at Yavapai Cantina all the Mexican Favorite menu items are half off, plus they are serving $2.00 Mexican bottled beer and house margaritas.

Temperatures are showing no sign of cooling down and neither are the hot new gaming promotions at Gila River Hotels & Casinos! With a Labor Day Blackjack tournament and Bingo After Dark specials, guests and THE Card members can enjoy special events and promotions all month long. Their gaming promotions in September include: $360,000 The Card Slot Tournament Series—Any Players Club member who earns 500 points using THE Card can enter to play in the $360,000 THE Card—Earn Your Turn Slot Tournament after 4pm on the day of the tournament.

Super Bonus Splash Pots—Saturday, September 1 & Sunday, September 2, 1pm to 10pm. Poker lovers, take note! On Saturday, September 1 guests will receive a Splash Pots t-shirt with a $100 buy-in. Guests who come back on Sunday, September 2 with a $100 buy-in and wearing a Splash Pots t-shirt will receive $50 in promo chips. Guests can get additional info on this promotion in the Poker Room at Wild Horse Pass.

Bingo After Dark on Saturday, September 1. Lone Butte is giving guests even more reason to celebrate during Bingo After Dark. Kicking off the month on a high note on Saturday, September 1, all valid Bingo After Dark winners will have a chance to spin the virtual wheel for a prize posted on the WOW wall in the bingo hall.

Labor Day Blackjack Tournament—Monday, September 3 Lone Butte is celebrating the long weekend with its Labor Day Blackjack Tournament. Registration begins at 10am and the tournament will start at noon. The starting buy-in for this tournament is $50 and the grand prize is $5,000. Guests can register before Monday, September 3 and receive an additional $1,000 in tournament chips.

Second Annual End of Summer $20K Super Stack Tournament—All month long. Vee Quiva guests who want a piece of the $20,000 prize pool can win their way into the Second Annual End of Summer $20K Super Stack Tournament by winning in the multi-table satellites or single-table shootouts, or buy-in for $250. Guests can get additional information on the tournament in the Poker Room. $

Both casinos will feature a $100,000 Zoom Ball as the main September promotion from the 1st until the 29th. Hot seat drawings to play the game happen at 2, 7 and 9pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the month.

The Poker department will start their Splash Pot Sundays running through the NFL regular season and will be followed up by Flush Frenzy for the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

Bucky's and Yavapai Casinos are sure to have your game!

Enjoy non-stop action and BIG-WIN payouts, with over 560 of the most exciting and entertaining slot machines in Arizona. All this and the clear skies and cool pines of Prescott, you just can't lose! The ideal climate, scenic mountains, historic downtown and two exciting casinos make Prescott one of Arizona's best choices for your next vacation or weekend getaway. Bucky's Casino adjoins the Prescott Resort for deluxe accommodations during your stay. For more information, be sure to call 1.800.756.8744 or visit BuckysCasino.com $ September Entertainment: • Yavapai Casino presents Cantina Karaoke Night every Tuesday from 6–9pm Hosted by Superior DJ. • Live music on Friday, September 14, 2018 by Sidewynder at the Yavapai Cantina from 7-11pm.

• Live music on Friday, September 29, 2018 by Funk Frequency from 7-11pm.

azgamingguide.com | September 2018 | Arizona Gaming Guide

37

888-243-3360 535

Y

Y

1500 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 318

05. Casino Arizona

101 & McKellips

Scottsdale

480-850-7777 920

Y

Y

06. Casino Del Sol

5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tucson

855-765-7829 1,023

Y

Y

08. Casino Of The Sun

5405 W Valencia Rd

Tucson

855-765-7829

7406 S. Camino De Oeste

Tucson

855-765-7829 287

I-17, Exit 289

Camp Verde

800-381-7568 657

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

15318 S. Ave. B

Somerton

800-237-5687 502

Tucson

866-332-9467 1,108

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 1,118

777 Hwy. 260

Pinetop

800-929-8744 778

1077 S. Kyrene Rd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 841

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

Payson

800-777-7529 365

Yuma

888-777-4946 487

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

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Y

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Scottsdale

480-850-7777 813

Y

Flagstaff

855-946-8946 1,098

Y

Y

Y

6443 Komatke Ln.

Laveen

800-946-4452 962

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.

Chandler

800-946-4452 1,023

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Y

Y

Y

1505 E. Hwy. 69

Prescott

800-756-8744 242

27. Yavapai Casino

Y Y

Y

Y

Y Y

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Y Y

Y

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Y

Y Y

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azgamingguide.com

facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide

Word Search Solution S R E B A M E R R I I C G A H T T E R S S

M E T P E S P D A Y E A K E R R L L T O E A E Y W B B C E R O U D Y A R E A E R A P R O B Y A D I

R C

B A R

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U N I O N A D N O A L M L O H

Sudoku Solution 8

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38 Arizona Gaming Guide | September 2018 | azgamingguide.com

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Sources: AZ Dept. of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 07/01/18 & 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!

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

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