BRAND NEW SLOTS BY IGT AND WMS
Incredible riches await with exciting upgraded and updated takes on the popular Scarab and Life of Luxury!
Harrah’s recently released their 13th annual report on Corporate Social Responsibility!
INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION
Just a few weeks ago we attended their Mid Year Conference & Expo and learned a lot!
20 HON DAH MEANS WELCOME IN PINETOP, AZ 04 EDITOR’S NOTE 06 PLAYERS TALK 12 NEW SLOTS 14 VIDEO POKER 16 TABLE GAMES 20 COVER STORY 24 GAMING NEWS 32 ENTERTAINMENT 34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN 36 FUN & GAMES 38 CASINO DIRECTORY azgamingguide.com | December 2022 | Arizona Gaming Guide 03
26 12 IN THIS ISSUE Contents DECEMBER
HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO RESORT
24
NUMEROLOGY
The New Year 2023, 2 + 0 + 2 + 3 = 7
Numerology is the belief in a mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. We have a few math geeks on the staff here. As you can imagine, they find Numerology a fun diversion. Sometimes they take it seriously. I always take Numerology seriously.
By adding the digits together, the number for the new year 2023 reduces, according to Numerology, to 7. Here’s what’s interesting about the number 7 when applied to a year:
LISTEN TO YOUR GUT
Intuition is a major theme of the 7 year, and learning to trust yourself on a more instinctual level is a big part of this. Make a point to follow your gut more often, and if you have trouble listening to it, then put a focus on getting more in touch with your instincts. They know what’s right for you.
BE MORE SCIENTIFIC
Along with intuition (essentially studying yourself) you should also study or learn in the areas of science, logic, and reason. And, if you don’t feel like actually studying, use more science, logic, and reason in your day to day activities.
BE MORE SPIRITUAL
Again, there’s a connection here with intuition and studying. You should pay more attention to your spirituality as it will help you focus (study) and be able to listen to your inner voice (intuition).
Have A Lucky Month and a Lucky New Year!
Alexandra
Alexandra Lang Chief
Editor@AZGamingGuide.com
Your Authority On Everything Gaming
VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 12
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 Mark Novak TJ Jorgensen 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 © 2009 2022 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 articles and/or 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. Check all details with the respective casino’s Players Club. Our full legal disclaimer can be found 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 gaming.az.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
EDITOR’S NOTE
04
PROGRESSIVE BONUS PICKS
Do Your Picks Matter Or Are Outcomes Predetermined?
Hello,
First off, I love your gaming guide! I have a question pertaining to the bonuses on slot machines. Generally speaking, I think I understand how the RNG works. However, my question is regarding the bonuses you get during slot play, assuming you’re lucky enough to get one!
For example, if you get the bonus that has you picking to win the “mini”, “minor”, “major”, etc., where you have to pick 3 matching symbols, is the outcome of that predetermined? So, that no matter what you pick, it’s going to be whatever the computer has already picked/decided?
Or, do you really have the chance of picking the “major” [with your luck] or using some sort of strategy thinking that the "major" symbols are going to be scattered on the screen, or some other “picking” strategy?
Or is it just predetermined that you are going to get the bonus and once in the bonus it is truly up to you and what you pick?
Appreciate the clarification, Lori Bailey via email
Lori, thank you so much for your kind words and for being an AZ Gaming Guide fan. We appreciate it very much. Your question is an excellent one, especially since all slot manufacturers have designed these progressive games and they populate the casino floors!
Unfortunately, there is a lot of incorrect information out there. Between a “know it all’s” opinion at the casino and the “know it alls” with a site/channel/feed/blog about slots (wait, isn’t that all passé because of the newest social media flavor of the month?!?!) it all gets very confusing, and mostly wrong. Trust me, we’ve been forced to look at the ugly stuff out there. It’s bad and wrong. And did I mention, wrong!
Let’s cut to the chase. Legalized casino gaming is regulated. Here in Arizona, the Tribal State Gaming Compacts force all gaming devices to follow the GLI Standard #11 Standards for
Gaming Devices, currently in Version 3.0. So, instead of guessing or acting like all those “know it alls” out there, we will quote that standard here.
4.4.1 Game Information and Rules of Play. The following requirements apply to the game information, artwork, paytables, and help screens including any written, graphical, and auditory information provided to the player by the gaming device: a) Player interface and player interaction device usage instructions, paytable information, and rules of play shall be complete and unambiguous and shall not be misleading or unfair to the player.
4.4.1 m) All game symbols/objects shall be clearly displayed to the player and must not be misleading.
4.5.1 Game Fairness. The following requirements shall apply to the fairness of the game: a) Games that are designed to give a player the perception that they have control over the outcome of the game due to skill or dexterity, when they actually do not (i.e., the game outcome is random and the illusion of skill is for entertainment value only), shall fully disclose this fact within the game help screens;
Essentially, a slot can’t cheat a player. A slot can’t mislead a player. A slot can’t provide an illusion of control over outcomes. Unless information about perceived skill is clearly explained in the slot’s help screen.
Our immediate advice to all our readers is to always read the help screen on any slot you choose to play. Always. That way, everyone knows what they are up against. Frequently, the help screen will contain a sentence similar to: Player input does not influence outcome.
Now, because of the requirements (see above) imposed on slots, most mini, minor, major jackpot pick bonuses, as you’ve described above, are usually predetermined. That is, once the bonus is triggered, regardless of if it’s randomly triggered because a “pot is full” or if symbols landed on the reels to initiate the bonus, your selections do not matter. Stick to a “strategy” that is yours and yours alone (we like to always pick the rightmost
06 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com PLAYERS TALK
(Continued
page 8)
on
objects until the bonus ends).
Why is this the case with slots? Why would a bonus be predetermined?
As you know, the difference in the values of the jackpots is large. The mini may reset at $10.00, the minor resets at $100.00 and the major resets at $1,000.00. The average value of awarding the pick bonus under fair circumstances (equal chance to win any jackpot) is a whopping (10 + 100 +1000) / 3 = $370.00. That’s pricey for slot math models. It would be a lot cheaper on the slot’s math model if the value of the pick bonus was $77.50. The only way to make that happen is to assign weights to each jackpot. That is, the chance of awarding the mini is 15 in 20 (75%), the minor is 4 in 20 (20%), and the major is 1 in 20 (5%).
But if the slot’s math model is weighted, it’s no longer fair. Displaying three items on screen and saying pick one to win isn’t a fair representation of what is going on with the game at that moment. Asking players to select from a field of nine items and match three to win is also not an accurate representation of what is going on.
What a slot could do is display 20 items and pick one to win. That would be fair, using our example. But, $77.50 as an average award is generally still too expensive! So, the assigned weights to the three jackpots could add up to 1,000 (mini has a weight of 950, minor has 49, and major has 1, for an average bonus value of $15.40, can you say “Cheap?”), or even more. And making a player pick from a field of 1,000 items at once will indicate to the player just how hard it is to find and win the major jackpot! Plus, it becomes tough to display 1,000 items, or more, on a screen.
There is an exception! If at the end of the bonus the objects that were not chosen “reveal” what was behind them. This style of bonus informs a player that had they picked differently, they would have won a different progressive. And all outcomes are equally likely. This is called a fair bonus.
With fair bonuses, there still isn’t a strategy. Just create your own strategy and stick with it. Don’t deviate from it. At least you’ll know the game is fair.
However, occasionally we’ve encountered slots which reveal the location of jackpots behind onscreen objects, yet constantly award the lower progressives. That generally means the jackpots are weighted, representing an unfair game. So, anytime we’ve come across these slots, we report them to the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG). And, wouldn’t you know it, the slots are removed from the casinos! If you’re suspicious about a slot, let us or ADG know immediately!
Just one final but extremely important thought. There is one bit of strategy advice we can share with you regarding the linked jackpot pick bonuses, where the slots are all connected to the same jackpots. Pick fast. You want to finish the bonus first before other players. In the event two slots trigger the bonus at the same time and end up awarding the same jackpot, you want to win the current jackpot amount and not the lower reset value! $
Thank you to our readers for your questions and comments, we appreciate you! Write us at Editor@AZGamingGuide.com or by mail at Editor, AZ Gaming Guide, PO BOX 20636, Mesa, AZ, 85277.
ALERT!
08 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
(Continued from page 6)
STRATEGY
You don t want to be the player who could have won the current value but instead was awarded the lower reset value
Scarab Ultra
By IGT
This new slot, IGT’s Scarab Ultra is the latest iteration of Scarab, one of IGT’s most successful titles on dual screen cabinets. It delivers everything players love from the original game with an all new jackpot playoff with a guaranteed jackpot win.
Housed on the state of the art CrystalCurve ULTRA cabinet, Scarab Ultra features a new animated Golden Scarab symbol that initiates multiple golden frames during play. In the base game, players have 10 games to land a Scarab symbol on the reels. When the Scarab symbol has landed, it turns the position into a golden spot. After the tenth wagered game, each collected golden spot turns into a wild for the Wild Stays Charges Then Pays feature that can lead to massive wins.
After three or more pyramid symbols land, the free game selection screen is activated and offers three player selectable options for the opportunity to play for more spins or more wild positions. Finally, when three or more golden coin symbols land, the jackpot playoff is triggered, and players can win one of five different progressive jackpots. Scarab Ultra is an 80 credit cost to cover game. For more information, visit IGT.com. $
Life Of Luxury
By WMS Gaming
Players are living the life of luxury with Life of Luxury Mermaid’s Gold bringing exciting new experiences to casino floors! Offering 10 Free Games, a Life of Luxury Bonus and a Luxury Zone, it’s hard not to enjoy the lavish lifestyle.
Mermaid’s Gold also showcases a Hot Diamonds linked jackpot with 6 levels of local progressive jackpots, 3 increasing persistent state Free Spins level and Jewelry Boxes with Jackpots or credit prizes that players will want to chase!
And, there are three more variants of this slot too! They are called Far East Fortunes, Great Eagle, and Jungle Cats. If these names sound familiar to you, they should! If they don’t, we’re sure you’ll recognize them when you see them. These titles are among WMS’ most popular over the years.
Just a few casinos around Arizona have this game and we wish more casinos would install this great slot. If you’ve played the slot and like it, let us know.
To experience the game via an exclusive video of this new slot, just go to our website at AZGamingGuide.com. The actual link is: www.azgamingguide.com/index_files/videos.html
You can also find the video on our Facebook (/ArizonaGamingGuide). Or, if you are reading this digitally, just click the slot’s picture to the right! $
12 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com NEW SLOTS
Ready For Play
By Lana Hartmann
HOW A CRAPPY PAY TABLE KILLS BANKROLL
Running Numbers On Jacks Or Better
We know you’ve got your favorite Arizona casino video poker destination. Hopefully it’s based on the best possible pay table and not because the buffet is cheap or because it’s the closest to your house!
Not playing the highest pay table available to you can really affect your bankroll and therefore how long you can play for and how many hands you’ll see in order to have a chance to hit a Royal Flush or other favorite hand. What is presented next is a breakdown of all the different Jacks or Better (JOB) pay tables we are aware of and how each one affects your bankroll. Enjoy!
The standard JOB pay table (5 credits wagered) is as follows:
Royal Flush 4,000 Straight Flush 250 Four Of A Kind 125 Full House 45 Flush 30 Straight 20 Three Of A Kind 15 Two Pair 10 Jacks Or Better 5
What players need to look for to discern the difference between pay tables is the values for the Full House and Flush. In this case, 45 and 30 credits. Since you should always play max bet (5 credits) to receive the boosted win for the Royal Flush, the 45 and 30 credit wins are simplified to “9/6” in this case. The hold percentage (how much the house wins on average on every wager) for 9/6 is around 0.46%. For 9/5, it’s around 1.55%. For 8/6, it’s around 1.61%. For 8/5, it’s around 2.70%. For 7/5, it’s around 3.85%. For 6/5, it’s around 5.00%. While those hold percentages are far better than most penny, two cent, nickel, and
even some quarter slot machines, if you aren't paying attention to that ratio of Full Houses to Flushes, you may find yourself without a bankroll, even when playing nickel video poker!
Most video poker players can easily play one hand every 30 seconds. That’s 120 hands per hour. And, by the way, that’s slow. Many video poker players can complete one hand every 5 seconds. That’s 720 hands per hour.
So, expanding our pay table example out to one hour of play, the average loss for nickels goes from around 14 cents to $1.50 when the pay table changes from 9/6 to 6/5. The average loss for dimes changes from $0.27 to $3.00. In quarters, the average loss across the hour ranges from $0.68 to $7.51. If you love to play dollars, the average loss per hour is $2.74 per hour at 9/6 and increases to $30.02 on a 6/5 game! And remember, that’s if you play perfectly, and you are playing a one hand game with only 5 credits wagered. Across the board the losses change by a factor of almost 11. Ouch!
Hopefully this example proves to you the difference between a 9/6 game of JOB and a 6/5 game is huge! Even when playing slow. Playing fast (720 hands per hour), your average loss ranges from $0.82 per hour on a 9/6 nickel game to $180.14 on a 6/5 dollar game.
Send us an email if you want to know how to hold a hand! Doesn't matter if it’s holds you are seeing other people make, or if you just want to be sure about your own holds. Ask us if you have any kind of a video poker question, regardless of what it’s about!
Write us at Editor@AZGamingGuide.com, or send a letter to: Editor, AZ Gaming Guide, PO BOX 20636, Mesa, AZ, 85277. $
14 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
VIDEO POKER CORNER
By Al Moe
CRAPS SLANG & ODDS FOR AZ CASINOS
Enjoy Yourself, But Proceed With Caution!
If you haven’t given Arizona craps a try, let me tell you a few more things that might make your transition into the game and its lingo easier. The first thing to know is that you’ll have to get chips from the inside dealers, but the stickperson runs the game.
Like other games, casinos set their limits and payoffs, so don’t be surprised if things are slightly different at each club. You’ll also have to listen carefully because every casino or group has its flavor.
In Reno, you’ll get paid 15 to 1 for a winning bet on eleven. In Vegas, that same bet pays 14 to 1. Either way, seven and eleven sound very similar, so dealers often refer to eleven as Yo or Yo leven. When the stickperson calls the roll, they’ll also make multiple references to betting names. Again, to make sure the inside dealers catch the call correctly.
STICKPERSON ROLL SAYINGS
The stickperson manages the dice flow and won’t send them out to the shooter until the inside dealers are ready. In the meantime, they’ll have a steady patter of come ons, bets, and encouragement.
On each roll, the stickperson will be sending out clues to their team with snappy comments designed to cement the number in the other dealer’s minds with what a field wager pays. Here are some things you’ll hear for each total from 2 to 12.
1 1: two craps, aces, snake eyes, pays double in the field.
1 2: three craps, the old one two, once in the field field.
3 1: four the easy way or the hard way (2 2), field roll four.
2 3, 4 1: fiver, five, no field five. Two way bets keep us alive.
5 1, 2 4: six the easy way or the hard way (3 3), two treys, the world’s smallest forest two trees.
6 1, 5 2, 4 3: seven, a winner on the come out, a natural. When a point is already established seven out, line away, pay the don’ts, take the field.
6 2, 5 3: eight the easy way or the hard way (4 4). No field eight.
6 3, 5 4: nine, midfield, Texas. Niner niner, nothing’s finer.
6 4: ten the easy way, field roll ten or ten the hard way (5 5), double nickel, speed limit, Sammy Hagar (“I can’t drive, fifty five”).
6 5: Yo leven, a natural, pay the line (on the come out roll) and
pay the come (with a number established). E O leven in the field.
6 6: twelve craps, the tops, double sixes, boxcars, two six packs, and pay triple in the field.
Obviously, you’ll hear much more, but that gives you an idea of what the stickperson is babbling about. It’s their job to entertain and to get the calls right every time.
The Field Bet (double on 2, triple on 12) has a house edge of 2.78%. The Pass Line is 1.41%. If you take 3 4 5x odds, the house edge drops to just 0.374%.
The house edge runs 11.11% for Any Craps (2, 3, 12); Hi Lo (2, 12), C&E (craps and 11); and 3 or 11. It’s 13.89% on 2 or 12 and jumps to 16.67% on Any Seven. The Horn Bet is 12.5%, hard way 6 and 8 run 9.09%, while hard way 4 10 are 11.11%.
If you play the one roll hopping hard ways, the house edge is 13.89%. Enjoy yourself but proceed with caution! $
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.
16 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
TABLE GAMES
TABLE GAMES
By TJ Jorgensen
6 TO 5 BLACKJACK VARIANT
How Close To The Truth Is It?
Iwas out the other night and decided to stop in one of our local casinos and play some blackjack. I was playing $50 a hand and received blackjack. The dealer paid me $60 on my bet. I said, “Excuse me but that should be $75!” The dealer said, “Not on a 6 to 5 blackjack table!” I pushed my chips in and said, “Color me up!” That is what you should do if you run across these games. DO NOT PLAY 6 TO 5 BLACKJACK! I had hoped that 6 to 5 blackjack would never come to Arizona but it has.
When the house changes the rule for blackjacks to pay 6 to 5 instead of 3 to 2 it increases the house advantage by 400%! For example, a six deck blackjack game that pays 3 to 2 on blackjack, has a house edge around 0.57% depending on the rules. Take the same game and change the blackjack to pay 6 to 5 and the house edge jumps to around 1.97%. Almost four times the expected loss! Most players won’t come close to beating a blackjack game with 6 to 5 payouts using basic strategy.
What's the loss in real dollars? To put it in perspective, if a player bets $25 per hand (at about eighty hands per hour) the expected loss will be around $11.20 per hour for a 3 to 2 blackjack game. The expected loss for the same player at a 6 to 5 blackjack game is about $38 per hour.
Here is what specific rule changes do to the game of blackjack: 3 to 2 natural blackjack payouts Lowers house edge by 1.40% in comparison to 6 to 5 payouts.
Double down on any total Lowers house edge by 0.25% in comparison to only doubling down on 9 11.
Dealer must stand on a soft 17 Lowers house edge by 0.2% in comparison to the dealer hitting a soft 17.
Double down after splitting Lowers house edge by 0.17% when allowed.
Re splitting aces Lowers house edge by 0.08% when allowed.
Late surrender Lowers house edge by 0.07% when allowed.
Number of decks A single deck swings the house edge in a player’s favor by 0.02%. An 8 deck game gives the house a 0.57% advantage.
Blackjack in the United States has ranked as the number one s also had the reputation as a low house edge game that gives players a good chance at winning. With 6 to 5 blackjack, that reputation is bound to change. No longer do players have a good chance at winning, now it is more than likely that they will lose, and nobody likes to lose. In the late 60s, the Las Vegas casinos changed their blackjack rules to make it harder for players to win. Their plan backfired and no one played their games, so they were forced to return them s
just a matter of time before casinos remove all the real blackjack t play any game that pays less than 3 to 2 for a blackjack. Warn your friends and family if they are headed to the casino not to play these games and use your knowledge gained from this column to explain why. Let the casino floor person or your casino host know that you do not like to see the casino floor filled with misleading games instead of real blackjack. If we all work together and don’t play these games, the casino will have no choice but to only offer 3 to 2 blackjack. $
Writer TJ Jorgensen has been a professional Blackjack player for over 25 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 newest book “How To Become A Blackjack Jedi” is available online at Amazon.com.
18 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center is in one of Arizona’s most beautiful locations, the White Mountains, surrounded by millions of acres of ponderosa pine. Guests will immediately feel the outdoor ambiance as they enter the lobby and check into one of the finest hotels on the Mountain!
20 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com COVER STORY
HON DAH MEANS EndlessExcitement,WhiteMountains, FineDining,andWelcome! WhyResortToAnythingLess?
The word “Hon Dah” in the Apache language literally means “welcome to my home.” Guests from every corner in Arizona, and the globe, are welcome at the Hon Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center located in the heart of Arizona’s White Mountains. Whether your visit is for business or for pleasure, you will find state of the art convenience dressed in the charm of the Southwest.
Owned and operated by the white Mountain Apache Tribe, Hon Dah Resort Casino is in the center of the pristine forests, wide savannahs and mountains of the Fort Apache Reservation which is home to a variety of wildlife including elk, black bear, cougar, javelina and turkey. Twenty six sparkling lakes and 400 miles of trout streams beckon to fishermen. Outdoor recreation is as diverse as the land, ranging from downhill and cross country skiing in the winter, to mountain biking, horseback
During your visit to Hon Dah Resort Casino, make sure to join the Players Club to take advantage of discounts, free play, and exclusive offers available to Players Club members. It’s absolutely free to join and you’ll get a little something just for signing up! Plus, earn points every time you play and be eligible for promotions that offer even more chances to win. So whether it’s tickets for big drawings, or a chance to win big bucks in cash or Mountain Moolah free play, the Hon Dah Resort Casino Players Club card is your exclusive pass to winning!
Make sure to plan your trip soon so you can get in on Hon Dah’s Holiday Cheer promotion! Now through December 24, players have the chance to win big. Drawings will be held every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. where 6 contestants will win up to $14,000 each week. The Grand Finale will be held on Saturday, December 24 where 10 winners will each get $1,000!
At Hon Dah Resort Casino you can stay in touch or get away from it all. It’s your choice! You can feel the outdoor ambiance as you enter their lobby and check into one of the finest hotels on the Mountain! Each of their 128 over sized rooms comes complete with a wet bar, refrigerator, satellite TV, and luxurious appointments. Banish stress with a visit to the hot tub, sauna, or heated all season pool. The kids, and others who are young at heart, can sharpen their skills in the video game arcade. But you’ll find the real action is with Lady Luck in the inviting casino!
Hon Dah Resort Casino features over 800 slots (with new games added to the floor regularly) and a live action poker room. Of all the casinos in Arizona, Hon Dah has some of the hottest promotions and offers the best incentives for their players. From Monthly Drawings to Hot Seat Drawings, there’s something every day of the week! They even host slot tournaments every month with cash prizes, free gifts, food and live entertainment! Just head on over to the Players Club booth for registration and complete rules.
For fine dining, at casino prices, try breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Indian Pines Restaurant. Indian Pines features daily buffets every day of the week for breakfast, lunch and dinner! They are open starting at 8 a.m. Monday Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday & Sunday. They close at 9 p.m. Sunday Thursday and at 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday. And, the Snack Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Our team’s favorite is the Friday Fish Fry Buffet (that features a carved striploin) for only $19.99 for adults and $9.99 for children and the Saturday Prime Rib Buffet for only $24.99 for adults and $9.99 for children, both open at 4 p.m. with the last seating at 9 p.m. The Indian Pines Restaurant even has a large Off Menu selection to satisfy any appetite including delicious varieties of hot breakfasts to choose from to their gourmet cheese burgers, sandwiches or salads for lunch. Start your dinner off with one of their great appetizers like chicken wings, cheese sticks or battered zucchini sticks (our team’s favorite) or you can even build your own pizza! Whatever you do, don’t forget to end your meal with their scrumptious Indian Fry Bread! (Continued on page 22)
azgamingguide.com | December 2022 | Arizona Gaming Guide 21
After checking in to your charming and cozy room at Hon Dah Resort Casino, you can enjoy a cocktail from Spirits Bar while warming yourself in front of the huge lobby fireplace before heading over to the Indian Pine Restaurant for a delicious meal. Afterwards, you may want to relax in the heated pool, spa or sauna, take in a show at Timber’s Showroom, or jump in on the hot action in the casino and try your luck on one of their 800+ slots and table games with live blackjack and poker nightly.
Hon Dah Resort Casino has all the latest and greatest new slot games from all the manufacturers. While there, we recommend you try some of our team’s favorite slot games from Aristocrat Gaming Buffalo Gold Revolution, Dual Dragons, Timber Wolf Gold, Twin Tigers, Tiger Wealth and Wukong Wealth! We always seem to have great luck playing these games!
For more information about Hon Dah Resort Casino, visit their website at Hon Dah.com or call 1.800.WAY.UP.HI (929.8744). $
Sunrise Park Resort Completes Renovations In
Time For The Winter Season
Sunrise Park Resort is excited to welcome everyone back for the Winter season! There have been a number of projects over the summer to improve the guest experience including new decks and paint on the Sunrise Day Lodge and Apache Peak Lodge. In addition, crews have widened “Denny’s Way” to access the peak of Cyclone Circle. There’s a new dining option at Sunrise Base as well! The Crown Dancer Café and Grill will offer both indoor and outdoor seating with a wide selection of dining and alcohol options. Sunrise has also developed a new “Mountain Learning Center” that will provide ski and snowboard instruction. For a full list of all the updates and information about ticket prices, lessons and rentals, visit their website at Sunrise.ski. $
22 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
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Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Announces Release Of Corporate Social Responsibility Report
Harrah’s Ak Chin Casino, part of Caesars Entertainment and the state’s only tribal casino to have an international management partner, recently released its 13th annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report highlighting the company’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance achievements. Harrah’s Ak Chin Casino is an important part of the enterprise and is pleased to share their market summary report.
“Caesars Entertainment and its affiliates are committed to helping build strong Arizona communities. We empower Team Members, support local businesses and non profit organizations, and respect the environment. Harrah’s Ak Chin works hard so you can play responsibly Together We Win,” the report stated in its opening remarks.
FOOTPRINT
1,330,000 Customer Visits1 5 Food & Beverage Outlets
2 Retail Outlets
529 Hotel Rooms 18,025 Square Feet of Meeting Space 65,190 Square Feet of Casino Space 1,153 Gaming Machines
25 Table Games
Sportsbook
TEAM MEMBERS
790 Total Team Members
$33,010,000 Total Combined Wages and Benefits2 58% of Supervisors and Above Are Women 32% of Supervisors and Above Are People of Color
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
440 Reported Volunteer Hours
$12,380 Value of Reported Volunteer Hours $51,600 Property Giving
ECONOMIC IMPACT
$5,930,000 Total Gaming Taxes Paid
$1,640,000 Other State and Local Taxes and Licensing Fees
$21,040,000 Total Vendor Spend by Property3
3% Certified Diverse Vendor Spend4
$3,900,000 Total In State Vendor Spend5
SOCIETAL CONTRIBUTIONS
$40,650,000 Total Societal Contributions6
About Harrah’s Ak Chin Casino: For nearly 30 years in Maricopa, Harrah's Ak Chin Casino has been Arizona's first and only tribal casino to have an international management partner. Harrah's Ak Chin is the only casino in Arizona that allows guests, through its Caesars Rewards program, to unlock benefits and other prizes that can be used worldwide at the entire Caesars' family of casinos.
Harrah’s Ak Chin also boasts one of the two Bingo halls within the Caesars portfolio, continuing the proud heritage of William F. Harrah, who opened his first Bingo hall in Reno in 1937.
In addition to craps, roulette, sports betting, slot machines, video poker, video keno, statewide progressives, and blackjack, Harrah's Ak Chin Casino guests can also enjoy a variety of dining options, including the Copper Cactus Grill, Chop, Block & Brew, Oak & Fork, Agave's Restaurant and Dunkin'®.
Harrah's Ak Chin Casino features 529 luxurious resort and tower guestrooms, spa and fitness center, and an outdoor swimming pool with a swim up bar.
For more information, visit HarrahsAkChin.com. $
1 Includes repeat visits by guests; calculated using tracked and estimated untracked visits. 2 Includes tips and gratuities. 3 Spend rounded to the nearest million; excludes employee, government, guest refund, race and sports book, management fee, other state driven fees, independent representative, employee assistance fund, donation, and garnishment vendors; also excludes additional slot revenue sharing. 4 Based on total vendor spend above, exclusions for supplier diversity vary by jurisdiction and as such, this statistic should not be used to draw conclusions about absolute certified diverse vendor spend. 5 Subset of total vendor spend above, based on vendors which reside in the state where the property is located. 6 Societal contributions include giving to nonprofit community groups, employee volunteering, taxes and employee salaries and benefits.
24 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com GAMING NEWS
azgamingguide.com | December 2022 | Arizona Gaming Guide 25
Indian Gaming Association Mid-Year Conference & Expo
The 2022 Indian Gaming Association’s Mid Year Conference & Expo was held on November 14 16, 2022 at the We Ko Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, Arizona. This intimate event of a little over 200 casino industry executives offered the perfect combination of learning, networking and sharing ideas on today’s hottest topics in gaming.
This year’s conference started off with a golf tournament featuring celebrity guest John Daly! All foursome teams had the opportunity to tee off with this incredible professional golfer and have their picture taken with him. Following the tournament, there were several interesting and very informative educational programs presented during the 3 day event. During the “NextGen Gaming: The Convergence of Commercial and Tribal Gaming” seminar, thoughts were shared on the future of the intersection of tribal and commercial gaming. Since Tribal gaming is the most successful wealth generator in the history of Indian Country, with $40 billion of revenue last year alone, the change has been transformational. However, many tribes feel that online gaming represents a threat to this transformation.
Another seminar, “Arizona Sports Betting: One Year Later,” examined the big question that everyone is asking and that’s how are the tribes doing in Arizona? With almost 20 licenses spread among commercial gaming and tribal gaming enterprises, it has brought a new era of competition. What has been evident is that politics need to be put aside with a focus on the policies and the business of sports betting.
“A Deep Dive into Class II Gaming in Arizona” was a very informative session about how Class II gaming plays an important role in the history and future of tribal gaming. It’s been called the “escape hatch for bad gaming compacts” because the revenue generated by Class II gaming is not typically included in revenue sharing with the state. Perhaps Class II gaming has a more prominent future in Arizona? Time will tell.
“A Closer Look at the Success of Digital Wallets in Arizona” was extremely educational. With the tremendous success of sports betting in Arizona, the digital integration of casinos is following close behind. Digital wallets are a good example of this integration. The digital wallet eliminates the need to handle cash at slot machines or redeem tickets, creating a frictionless experience for the casino visitor. Slot machine players will be able to use their player loyalty cards to access funds, place
wagers and cash out credits.
The global legal cannabis market was valued at $17.8 billion in 2021 and is expected to have an annual growth rate of 25.3% in the next decade. Meanwhile, the cannabis industry in Indian Country is successful in some states and non existent in others. During the session, “The Current State of Cannabis in Indian Country,” experts from all across the country discussed the growth, opportunities and the obstructions to a robust cannabis industry here in this state and all across Indian Country.
About The Indian Gaming Association
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) is a non profit organization of sovereign tribal nations with other non voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and business engaged in tribal gaming enterprises around the country. The Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2023, the largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country, will be held on March 27 30, 2023 in San Diego, California. For more information, visit IndianGaming.org. $
26 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com GAMING NEWS
Progressive Point Multipler At Paradise Casino
Win Your Share Of 100 TVs At Quechan Casino Resort
Earn more weekly rewards on Thursdays at Paradise Casino! How many points Players Rewards Card members earn on a single Thursday will determine how much Rewards Play they will be able to redeem at the kiosk machine. The amount of Rewards Play that could be earned ranges from $5 $500. Only one prize can be earned per Player Rewards card member per promotional day. Rewards Play offer must be claimed on the day points were earned.
PROGRESSIVE POINT MULTIPLIER
Paradise Casino will give qualified Player Rewards Club members a chance to earn a Progressive Point Multiplier based on Tier levels and attendance participation every Monday! The more Mondays you play, the more you earn! You could multiply your points up to 6x, 7x, and 8x! All Select, Premier, and Elite Player Rewards Club members will be able to swipe their Players Rewards Club cards through any of their kiosk machines every Monday and receive a Point Multiplier. Since this promotion is based on attendance participation, the Progressive Point Multiplier amount will be based on whether the participant came in to play the prior Monday. The available Progressive Point Multiplier resets on the first Monday of every month.
SPORTSBOOK
Football season is almost over! Rush into Paradise’s Sportsbook to place bets on your favorite teams and score! Grab a seat and watch Thursday Night Football with them every Thursday! Types of wagers offered include straight bets, parlays, round robins, match ups, futures, player and team prop bets, custom teasers, in play betting and more. Download the az.unibet app to place wagers directly from your phone! For more information, visit Paradise Casinos.com. $
Quechan Casino Resort is giving away 100 Brand New HD TVs during the Tower of TVs Giveaway December 3 & 17. Players Rewards Club members can earn drawing entries for this promotion starting on Thursday, December 1 through Saturday, December 17, 2022.
You need these Nizoni Electronic Essentials in your life! Quechan Casino Resort will give qualifying Players Rewards Club members one item from the four piece gift set Tuesdays or Wednesdays December 6 28. This gift program consists of USB LED Selfie Ring Light, Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Speaker Set, Compact Digital Display 10,000MAH Power Bank, and Wireless Stereo Ear Buds with Mic.
DINING SPECIALS
Ironwood Steakhouse: Surf & Turf | $39.95
Open Tuesday Saturday | 5 p.m. 9 p.m. For reservations, please call 1.760.572.1658
Sidewinders: Open Daily 11 a.m. 9 p.m.
Live Entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays | 9 p.m. 1 a.m.
$5 Food Specials During all Live Televised NFL Games
$13.95 New York Steak Special | Served Daily 4 p.m. 9 p.m.
$15.95 Prime Rib Dinner | Served Daily 4 p.m. 9 p.m.
Ocotillo Buffet:
Fridays: Fish Fry Friday | 4 p.m. 9 p.m.
Saturdays: Seafood Buffet 4 p.m. 9 p.m. | $34.95 Christmas Day Buffet | $26.95 served 11:30 a.m. 6 p.m.
For more information about these and other great promotions, visit PlayQCR.com. $
28 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
GAMING NEWS
AZ Dept Of Gaming Releases
Bettors in Arizona wagered over $360 million during the month of August, according to the most recent report just released by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG). I am excited to see such strong wagering figures for August, which is the final monthly report for Arizona’s first year of legal sports betting,” said Ted Vogt, Director, ADG. “Through the first year of legal wagering, Arizona has seen over $5.4 billion wagered on sports, highlighting the strong start for the state’s new sports betting industry.”
Arizona ranked 5th nationally in total wagers placed during August. Privilege fees totaled nearly $2.8 million in the month, resulting in over $21 million in privilege fees collected by the state since the start of legal operations. The full report is available on the ADG website at Gaming AZ gov
DID YOU KNOW?
Every Tribal casino is regulated by a Tribal Gaming Office (TGO) and is monitored by ADG. The TGO also has sole authority to resolve patron disputes regarding wins and losses. You can view the process for resolving patron disputes in Section 14 of the Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact (Compact), which is available on the ADG website.
ABOUT ADG
Established by the Arizona State Legislature in 1995, ADG is the state regulatory agency for tribal gaming, racing and pari mutuel/simulcast wagering, event wagering/fantasy sports and unarmed combat sports. ADG also provides and supports education, prevention and treatment programs for people and families affected by problem gambling through its Division of Problem Gambling and 24 hour confidential helpline, 1.800.NEXT.STEP. $
30 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
GAMING NEWS
APACHE GOLD CASINO Globe
Live Music In The Bar
APACHE SKY CASINO Winkelman
Live Music On The Casino Floor
CASINO ARIZONA TRIBUTE BANDS Scottsdale
DSB An American Journey (Journey) December 2 & 3
Bowl Of Champions Trivia December 6
Mick Adams & The Stones (Rolling Stones) December 9 & 10 The Pat Benetar Experience December 16 & 17 Showroom New Year’s Eve December 31
NYE CAZ Sports Bar December 31
CASINO DEL SOL Tucson
17th Annual Tamal Festival December 3 Los Angeles Azules De Iztapalapa April 15, 2023
CLIFF CASTLE CASINO HOTEL Camp Verde
Music & Comedy Are Back At The Dragonfly
Desert Diamond Band December 2 & 3
Country Image Band December 9 & 10 Yuyines de la Sierra December 16 & 17
Priminition December 23 & 24 Hit Squad 17 December 30
David Voss & Big Country December 31
COCOPAH CASINO & RESORT Somerton
Margarita World (J. Buffet & A. Jackson) December 2
DESERT DIAMOND CASINO Sahuarita
John Tesh December 2
Cheap Trick December 9
Felipe Esparza January 21, 2023
Jodeci January 28, 2023
Ladies Night Tour February 18, 2023
Jimmie Allen March 24, 2023
HARRAH’S AK CHIN CASINO Maricopa
Tracy Lawrence December 9
Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience January 21, 2023
HON DAH RESORT CASINO Pinetop
Live Music Tuesdays Through Saturdays Monday Funday Comedy Shows Are Back The Vegas Strip Kings December 3
QUECHAN CASINO RESORT Winterhaven
The Country Comeback Tour December 8 Jeff Foxworthy January 12, 2023
Jay Dupis (The Ultimate Elvis) January 19, 2023
TALKING STICK RESORT Scottsdale
ZZ Top December 2 The Mavericks December 9 Glitter & Glow New Year’s Eve December 31
Aaron Lewis January 21, 2023
Fitz & The Tantrums January 28, 2023
Kathleen Madigan February 4, 2023
Air Supply February 18, 2023
Tyler Henry (The Hollywood Medium) April 1, 2023
WE-KO-PA CASINO RESORT Fountain Hills
Live Music In Ember Steakhouse Live Music In WKP Sports & Entertainment
WILD HORSE PASS RESORT & CASINO Chandler
One Of These Nights (The Eagles) December 2
Saturday Night with Mike Epps December 3
Voyager (Journey) December 9
T Pain & Rick Ross December 10
Diamond Rio December 11 Michael Jackson A Thrilling Tribute February 3, 2023
32 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
Jeff Foxworthy @ Quechan Casino Resort
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Editor’s Picks Verify all details & tickets by contacting each casino directly, especially regarding age restrictions, dates, times, refunds, cancellations, and other event policies which are at the sole discretion of each venue and/or artist. $
Aaron Lewis @ Talking Stick Resort
Ladies Night Desert Diamond Sahuarita
February 19, 2023
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment welcomes Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne to the Diamond Center on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 for Ladies Night 2023.
Sheena Easton, whose career has spanned four decades, has sold over 20 million records worldwide. She has received two Grammys and was the first and only artist to have top five records on five major Billboard charts. Easton also has a list of notable acting credits, including a five episode appearance on “Miami Vice” and a co starring role opposite Stacy Keach in “Body Bags,” a John Carpenter directed trilogy for Showtime. Easton has frequently appeared in Las Vegas where she has been a major attraction for the last two decades, and she was recently inducted into the Las Vegas Hall of Fame.
Taylor Dayne is an American pop icon. With a career spanning three decades, Dayne’s groundbreaking debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight international star in 1987. She followed the smash hit with 17 Top 20 singles over the course of her career, including “Love Will Lead You Back,” “Prove Your Love,” and “I’ll Always Love You.” She is one of the very few artists in musical history to successfully crossover into almost every musical genre and chart with hit singles in Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary, and Rock.
Treena Parvello, Director of Government and Public Relations for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “On February 18, 2023, the Diamond Center will be home to the ultimate Ladies Night!” $
Diamond Rio Wild Horse Pass Resort December 11, 2022
Country Music band Diamond Rio, defined by mainstream country, bluegrass, and rock influences, performs Holiday & Hits in the Showroom. Hits include “Meet in the Middle,” “Mama Don’t Forget to Pray for me,” “Norma Jean Riley,” and “Nowhere Bound.”
Formed in 1989 in Nashville, TN the band consists of Marty Roe (lead vocal), Jimmy Olander (lead guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo), Gene Johnson (mandolin, tenor vocals), Dan Truman (keyboards), and Dana Williams (bass guitar, baritone vocals), Brian Prout (drums). Diamond Rio recently released I Made It, their tenth studio album. The title track was co written by the band’s lead guitarist Jimmy Olander and features 11 new songs. Produced by Olander and Mike Clute, I Made It is available now.
Diamond Rio signed to Arista Records and in 1991 with the release of “Meet In The Middle” became the first country music group in history to reach No. 1 with a debut single. The band is also known for their hits “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess,” “Unbelievable,” “In A Week or Two,” and more. They released their first ever autobiography, Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio on Thomas Nelson in 2009. The band known for playing every note on every album recently celebrated their 30th Anniversary, has sold more than 10 million albums, won a Grammy Award, a Dove Award, six Vocal Group of the Year wins (CMA and ACM), released two Greatest Hit albums, a live and Christmas project, earned five multi week no. 1 singles, 22 Top 10 singles, three certified Platinum and five gold albums. $
Editor’s Picks CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
azgamingguide.com | December 2022 | Arizona Gaming Guide 33
By Sami Becker
THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US
Here Are Some Interesting Facts For A Fun Filled Trivia Night
The holiday season is full of traditions, some shared and some unique. For many, there’s a tree, greeting cards, parties, gifts and food lots of food. The history of how Americans celebrate the holidays is as diverse and fascinating as the population. Here are some interesting facts about the holiday season that you may or may not know …
“Jingle Bells” was originally a Thanksgiving song. Turns out, we first started dashing through the snow for an entirely different holiday! James Lord Pierpont, a Unitarian church organist, actually wrote the song called “One Horse Open Sleigh” for his church’s Thanksgiving concert in the mid 1850s in Savannah, Georgia. Then, in 1857, the song was re released under the title “Jingle Bells.” On December 16, 1965, the jolly jingle earned its place in space history and a Guinness World Record when it became the first song ever played in space.
Two of Santa’s reindeer originally had different names. The 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” originally introduced the world to Santa’s reindeer but with slightly different names. Donner and Blitzen were actually called Dunder and Blixem which in Dutch refers to Thunder and Lightning.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was originally recorded by a 13 year old.
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a classic holiday song that was released back in 1958 with Brenda Lee, who was only 13 years old at the time, singing the festive tune. Many artists have recorded this song since including Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was originally created as an advertising gimmick.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer first appeared in 1939 when the Montgomery Ward department store asked one of its copywriters, 34 year old Robert L. May, to create a Christmas story for kids that the store could distribute as a promotional gimmick. May actually had to fight for the red nose on the reindeer because red noses were typically associated with drunks. It was finally accepted once the employer saw the illustrated concept. And, thus, Rudolph was born, with Montgomery Ward distributing 2.4 million copies of the story in the first year it was published.
34 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
Thomas Edison and his business partner invented Christmas lights.
According to the Library of Congress, Edison created the first strand of electric lights in 1880 which he hung up outside his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey during Christmastime. However, his friend and business partner Edward Johnson first took the strand of hand wired red, white, and blue bulbs and wrapped them around a Christmas tree. Another interesting fact was that Christmas lights were so expensive that they used to be rented rather than sold. An electrically lit tree was a status symbol in the early 1900s.
The largest gingerbread house ever made was as big as a real house.
The Texas A&M Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas built the largest gingerbread house in the world that measured 60 feet by 42 feet and is worth more than 36 million calories. What went into the making of this masterpiece? A whopping 3,000 pounds of brown sugar, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour, and 1,800 pounds of butter. And, the sweetest part wasn’t even the house walls! The construction also consisted of 1,800 Hershey bars, 1,200 feet of Twizzlers, 100 pounds of Tootsie Rolls, 100 Whirly Pops and thousands of other assorted candies.
At first, Christmas trees weren’t accepted in the United States. Christmas trees weren’t an immediate hit in the United States when they were first introduced by the German settlers in Pennsylvania in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Although there’s some controversy of the origin of the Christmas tree, Germany is credited with starting the tradition of decorating the trees in the homes. As late as the 1840s, Christmas trees were still seen as pagan symbols and not Christian.
Santa Claus wasn’t always a bearded man in a bright red suit with a furry white trim.
Thomas Nast, a Harpers Bazaar caricaturist, is credited for originating the red suited version of Santa Claus we all know and love today. Prior to the 1870s, Santa was shown wearing a wide range of colors from brown to green and even blue! However, the modern day depiction of Santa, with his reddened cheeks and large stomach, his little glasses, and a beaming smile is what we can thank Coca Cola for that stems from their marketing promotions.
Black Friday is not the busiest shopping day of the year. Most people believe that Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the busiest shopping day of the year but this is not true. The two days right before Christmas are actually the busiest shopping days of the year. However, Black Friday does have some of the biggest deals of the season. But what’s with the dark name “Black Friday?” The name refers to the 1869 U.S. economic shutdown. After the market crashed, prices were at an all time low and shoppers took advantage of the discounted prices. This boom helped businesses get back “in the black” after being “in the red” for so long. The name became even more popular when police officers in Philadelphia, during the 1960s, used the term “Black Friday” to describe the chaos that erupted on that day that signaled the start of holiday shopping.
The Abbreviation X in X Mas is actually not an abbreviation. The letter “X” in X Mas actually comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christos, which became Christ in English. The suffix “Mas” is from the Latin derived Old English word for Mass. The origin of the word for Christmas in Old English is Cristes Maesse meaning the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038.
You can write me at Sami@AZGamingGuide.com. Thanks for your letters and emails! Have fun and good luck! $
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
WORD SEARCH
Jokes & Quotes
Research shows that laughing stimulates the immune system and may help prevent or reverse some medical conditions.
After a long night, two gamblers walk out of a casino. One of them is completely naked and the other one has only his underwear on. The naked one says, “That’s why I respect you you always know when to quit!”
Gambling is like eating a bowl of pistachios. If you get a good pistachio, you want another good one. If you get a bad one, you want a good one even more. And, that’s gambling for you in a nutshell.
For some time, during all his trips to the casinos, a gambler had seen the sign “If you have a gambling problem, then call 1.800.GAMBLER” posted all over the casino. Finally, in a bind one night, he decided to call the number. When the person on the other end answered, the man said, “I have an ace and a six. The dealer has a seven. What do I do?”
Judge to carpenter: “You were arrested during a drug bust in an illegal gambling den. Tell me what were you doing there?”
Carpenter: “Making a bolt for the door, your honor.”
Zodiac Lucky Numbers
Aries (March 21 April 19): 7, 10, 23, 37, 49, 61
Taurus (April 20 May 20): 8, 14, 23, 29, 49, 64
Gemini (May 21 June 20): 2, 10, 26, 30, 45, 61
Cancer (June 21 July 22): 6, 15, 21, 36, 47, 57
Leo (July 23 August 22): 8, 9, 26, 30, 49, 61
Virgo (August 23 September 22): 3, 15, 19, 37, 55, 64
Libra (September 23 October 22): 8, 10, 19, 34, 51, 65
Scorpio (October 23 November 21): 4, 6, 24, 37, 56, 64
Sagittarius (November 22 December 21): 1, 11, 17, 41, 43, 66
Capricorn (December 22 January 19): 5, 16, 17, 41, 46, 67
Aquarius (January 20 February 18): 6, 7, 20, 32, 50, 62
Pisces (February 19 March 20): 1, 4, 19, 39, 56, 60
Water Tiger Lunar Year
Ask for good luck: 4, 8, 11, 14, 18, 20, 23, 26.
Best days to travel: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 26.
Best days to meet with someone: 2. There is no overlap this month!
Ranking third in the Lunar zodiac, Tiger is the symbol of bravery in Asian cultures. People under the sign of the Tiger are usually friendly, brave, competitive, charming and endowed with good luck and authority.
Dates For Year Of The Tiger: 02/13/1926 02/01/27, 01/31/38 02/18/39, 02/17/50 02/05/51, 02/05/62 01/24/63, 01/23/74 02/10/75, 02/09/86 01/28/87, 01/28/98 02/15/99, 02/14/2010 02/02/11, 02/01/22 01/21/23.
Next year of the Tiger is 02/19/2034 02/07/35.
36 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com FUN & GAMES 6 5 3 2 5 4 1 9 6 9 5 1 4 8 7 4 2 3 8 5 3 1 9 2 8 5 1
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04. Bucky’s Casino 1500 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott 800 756 8744 258
Y Y Y 05. Casino Arizona 101 & McKellips Scottsdale 480 850 7777 1,033 Y Y Y Y Y 06. Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd. Tucson 855 765 7829 1,058 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 07. Casino Del Sol Marketplace 5405 W Valencia Rd Tucson 855 765 7829 8 08. Casino Of The Sun 7406 S. Camino De Oeste Tucson 855 765 7829 287 Y 09. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel I 17, Exit 289 Camp Verde 800 381 7568 643 Y Y Y Y Y Y 10. Cocopah Resort Casino 15318 S. Ave. B Somerton 800 237 5687 570 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
11. Desert Diamond Casino Tuc. 7350 S. Nogales Hwy. Tucson 866 332 9467 1,289 Y Y Y Y Y
12. Desert Diamond Casino Sah. I 19, Exit 80 Sahuarita 866 332 9467 623 Y Y
13. Desert Diamond Casino W.V. 101 & Northern Ave. Glendale 833 332 2946 1,450 Y Y
14. Desert Diamond Casino Why Hwy. 86, Milepost 55 Why 866 332 9467 40 Y
15. We Ko Pa Casino Resort Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd. Fort McDowell 800 843 3678 927 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
16. Harrah’s Ak Chin Casino 15406 N. Maricopa Rd. Maricopa 480 802 5000 1,126 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
17. Hon-Dah Casino 777 Hwy. 260 Pinetop 800 929 8744 806 Y Y Y Y Y
18. Lone Butte Casino 1077 S. Kyrene Rd. Chandler 800 946 4452 1,149 Y Y Y Y
19. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson Payson 800 777 7529 375 Y Y Y 20. Paradise Casino 450 Quechan Dr. Yuma 888 777 4946 447 Y Y 21. Quechan Casino I 8, Exit 166 Winterhaven, CA 877 783 2426 1,000+ Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 22. Spirit Mountain Casino 8555 Hwy. 95 Mohave Valley 888 837 4030 179 Y 23. Talking Stick Resort 101 & Indian Bend Scottsdale 480 850 7777 1,030 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 24. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino I 40, Exit 219 Flagstaff 855 946 8946 1,016 25. Vee Quiva Casino 6443 Komatke Ln. Laveen 800 946 4452 1,295 Y Y Y Y 26. Wild Horse Pass Casino 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Chandler 800 946 4452 1,126 Y Y Y Y Y Y 27. Yavapai Casino 1505 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott 800 756 8744 227 Y
High Limit Area Bingo Live Keno Table Games Poker Room Hotel Smoke Free Area Sources: AZ Dept. of Gaming Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 10/01/2022 & direct inquiries at press time. Not responsible for incorrect information.
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Apache Gold Casino Resort Hwy.
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877 272 2433 453
Apache Sky Casino Milepost 127 on Arizona
Dudleyville 888 727 2243 288
03. BlueWater Resort & Casino 11300 Resort Drive Parker 888 243 3360 483
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azgamingguide.com facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide Use the QR codes for our website & Facebook Page! Sudoku Solution M S T I U R E I R D A F D V N E L O T S R L A Z N S U G A R R I I S R E T A W E P K L N D T A L L E R T N I G F I A S G E U E L M G I M S B T R O U A D S S M U R R E N E A R A E Y N U T S Z N T T L A S S 9 6 5 8 4 3 2 1 7 7 2 3 1 5 6 9 8 4 1 8 4 2 9 7 6 3 5 3 2 4 6 7 9 5 8 1 5 1 7 2 4 8 3 6 9 8 6 9 5 1 3 7 4 2 1 3 6 7 9 2 4 5 8 4 7 5 8 3 1 6 9 2 9 2 8 4 5 6 3 7 1 Word Search Solution CASINO DIRECTORY 38 Arizona Gaming Guide | December 2022 | azgamingguide.com