Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - April 2023 - 15:04

BRAND NEW SLOTS READY FOR PLAY

Read about all the new games at Harrah Chin Casino, Talking Stick Resort and Cocopah Casino.

Ready for a trip? Laughlin’s casino gaming and entertainment options are just a short drive away.

Meet this month’s MVP, Director of Surveillance and Facilities at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.

EDITOR’S NOTE

NATIONAL PRIME RIB DAY

April 27, 2023

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

VOLUME 15

04

MANAGING DIRECTOR & VIDEO POKER GURU

Elizabeth Torma liz@azgamingguide.com

PUBLISHER & SLOT GURU

rime Rib is perhaps one of my favorite meals to eat at casinos. I just can’t handle the pinkness of it so I always ask for “well done.” I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying this dish all over Arizona and beyond. So, sometime this month, in honor of National Prime Rib Day, I challenge our readers to enjoy this dish at a casino. Where can you get it? Lots of places! What follows below is a list of where you can find Prime Rib at Arizona’s casinos (at press time). Send me an email and let me know about your experience!

P

BlueWater: The BlueWater Grille on Sundays

Bucky’s Casino: Bucky’s Cafe on Saturdays

Casino Arizona: The Willows Restaurant

Casino Del Sol: The PY Steakhouse on Wednesdays

Cliff Castle: The Mountain Springs Buffet on Fridays

Desert Diamond Casino: The Nineteen 86 Steakhouse on Sundays

Gila River Casinos: The Fullhouse Café (all locations) Tuesdays & Thursdays

Harrah’s Ak-Chin: Chop, Block & Brew on select days

Hon-Dah: The Indian Pine Restaurant

Mazatzal: The Cedar Ridge Restaurant on Thursdays and Saturdays

Paradise:

Quechan: Talking Stick Resort: Twin Arrows: We

Alexandra Lang Chief

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 © 2009-2023 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.

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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

CAN YOU REMAIN ANONYMOUS?

Modern Technology Implemented By Casinos Provides The Answer

To the Editor at the Gaming Guide: First off, thanks for a great read! My wife and I have been reading your magazine for years now and I don’t recall you ever printing anything about this topic in the magazine but we have been wondering about it for a long time – facial recognition software. I’m sure the big casinos in Las Vegas use it, but do you know if the casinos in Arizona have that technology? I know that you and your team may not agree with this, but my wife and I DO NOT use players cards at any of the casinos! Never have and never will. I know we are missing out on offers but we play at a lot of different casinos, we keep track of what’s going on through your magazine and word of mouth and that’s where we go play. We just want to be anonymous when we’re at the casinos. Plain and simple. So, my question to you is how far does this facial technology go? Can the casinos recognize who we are and track us, even without a player’s card? And, what about masks? There’s still a lot of people running around with masks on their faces. How does the facial recognition work then? If you decide to print this, I’d appreciate you sign it Anonymous in Arizona. Thanks.

Anonymous In Arizona

Hi Anonymous! Thank you for writing in and for being our fan for such a long time. We understand the desire to remain an anonymous casino customer. Yes, you are missing out on offers by not having and using a player’s club card! And, those offers add up to around 2% of your casino spend, at least that’s the industry average.

But, let’s put all of that aside and examine the impact of technology and innovation on “anonymous” customers at casinos. Most casino surveillance departments in Arizona and beyond use high definition, digital cameras. They’re cheap, store videos electronically, and are far better than the old analog alternative. Security “sees” customers in better detail than ever before.

For example, some casinos now perform hand pays with the reverse side of bills facing up! Why? On the back side of US currency ($5 and up) is a quite large identifiable number indicating the value of the bill. The eye in the sky can easily identify how much you were paid. First and foremost, it’s a backup to what an employee did, which is to pay you the correct amount!

However, with the advent of image mapping technology, software captures a customer’s face and, using an algorithm, con-

verts the image of your face into a sequence of numbers based on the unique characteristics in the image. So, the casino isn’t violating your privacy by storing a picture of your face, they are storing a “fingerprint” of an image of your face.

A “faceprint?” Pretty much! Once on property, the casino converts from your chin to the top of your head, from ear to ear, and the profile of your face, into a sequence of numbers.

Once you win a taxable jackpot, it’s not difficult to imagine your address, photo ID info, and social security number can now be attached to your faceprint. While the casino might not sign you up for their players club without your consent, they can assign you some identifier in their accounting system and begin tracking your play, favorite restaurant, which bar you order a drink from, etc. Now they know who you are and what you are up to!

How do we know? Read an excerpt from a recent press release from Konami Gaming, a leading slot and casino product supplier: “SYNK Vision enables players to sign into the SYNKROS player loyalty system at EGMs (slots) & Table Games simply by sitting down in the chair in front of the EGM or a table games seat, versus having to use a traditional magnetic player card to access the loyalty system.” And that’s just one press release!

And, a mask doesn't hide your faceprint! Surveillance technology can “see through” a face covering. Think about it. A casino is on the lookout for undesirable people, banned persons, selfexcluded players, and a lot more in order to protect their assets and their guests. Just how anonymous are you? Not really! $

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

NEW SLOTS Ready For Play

Devil s Lock

At Harrah s Ak Chin Casino By Bluberi

Ready to have a Devilishly good time? Devil’s Lock from Bluberi puts the fun back in your slot experience. Try to land the helping hand Devil in the center reel position to unlock any coin values that have landed on any spin.

If you missed the Devil or coins on your spin, there’s always a chance for the Devil to rewind himself back into the game, giving players unexpected awards. Players can also chase the two Piggy Pots, each having a chance to trigger free games. In the free games, the Devil is present on every spin, ensuring the player will collect all landed coins. Fun, excitement, and unexpected awards await players in Devil’s Lock!

These games are located near the Hotel Lobby. For more info about Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, AZ, visit HarrahsAkChin.com. For more info about Bluberi Gaming, visit Bluberi.com. $

STRATEGY ALERT!

Low” volatility, Very frequent” Devil s Lock Bonus, Medium frequent” Free Games Bonus, On average, a little more than 1 in 3 spins is a winner!

Royal & Grand Legacy

At Harrah s Ak Chin Casino By Ainsworth

Brand new slots, Royal Legacy and Grand Legacy by Ainsworth Game Technology are also ready for play at Harrah’s Ak-Chin! Designed as classic three reel high denomination games, including a progressive jackpot, there are several reasons why players can have fun with this slot.

Play a video slot that feels like a reel slot complete with pay line multipliers up to 125X, up to three progressive jackpot multipliers, stacked progressive symbols on the second reel, and a chance to win several progressives on a single spin!

These games are located on the left side of The Lounge. For more info, visit AGTSlots.com. $

STRATEGY ALERT!

3 reels, 9 pay lines, max bet of 27 credits, $0.25 denomination, high volatility & payback!

NEW SLOTS Ready For Play

5 Dragons Ultra At Talking Stick Resort By Aristocrat

New dragons just dropped in, providing a soaring adventure like no other! You won’t find this game in a lot of casinos around the state, so you’ll have to try it at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.

Popping off with juicy new features, 5 Dragons Ultra is the innovative and glittering thrill ride you’ve been waiting for. Get free boosted games with the Second Chance Trigger. Land a wild and score yourself a multiplier, why not? Really go for the gold with fierce multiple windows during bonus games that will raise the roof on those wins.

Choose Your Volatility: When entering the bonus, players may choose to opt for more free games or larger multipliers in their bonus.

Extra Windows: Collecting coins during the free games bonus contributes toward unlocking reel windows.

Visit

VIDEO ALERT!

Dragon Link At Cocopah Casino Resort By Aristocrat

If you haven't tried Aristocrat’s Dragon Link, perhaps that’s because you cant find an open seat! Sure the game may be all over the state, but you can also give your luck a chance on Dragon Link slots at Cocopah Casino Resort near Yuma, Arizona.

Dragon Link has several brilliant and colorful Asian-themed base games: Genghis Khan, Golden Gong, Spring Festival, Silk Road, Peacock Princess, and Peace & Long Life. During the free games feature, Peace & Long Life, Spring Festival and Peacock Princess entice players with “Big Symbols” that can lead to rich pays or Hold & Spin potential. Genghis Khan lets players experience wild multipliers and Hold & Spin potential in the free games.

Dragon Link improves upon the industry-leading “Hold & Spin” mechanic found in Lightning Link, and a common trigger symbol makes it easy for players to recognize the Hold & Spin trigger, regardless of which game they are enjoying. Whichever base game players choose, Dragon Link’s Progressives, Hold & Spin, and Lucky Chance features remain common across all titles. Dragon Link’s grand jackpot is a linked progressive, while standalone jackpots give players a chance to win smaller-sized progressives more quickly and more often. $

STRATEGY ALERT!

High volatility & High” bonus hit frequency. A group of four slots is likely to have at least one game in bonus mode every minute!

VIDEO POKER CORNER

By Mark Novak

REEL REVIEW: WINNER’S WORLD

Aristocrat’s Multi-Game Bar-Top Unit With Video Poker, Keno & Slots

Aristocrat is traditionally recognized as a leader in slot machine games. They have designed some of the most copied math models for video slot machines since their inception in Australia in the 1990s. What we haven't seen from Aristocrat is video poker, video keno, and multi-game units.

Well, all that has changed now that their bar-top game is being installed in some casinos across the country. Of course, the 6,000 pound hippo in this space is IGT. They are the king of multigame units and will be very difficult to dethrone!

I’ve played this bar-top several times over the past year or so, usually with free play, rarely with cash, and then only with $20 less than a handful of times. Honestly, I only play this game for the Buffalo video slot or the Buffalo Keno and only if I can’t find a slot I want to try out or a video poker game without a lot of people on the bank next to me. I like my space.

I’ve played the video poker games, but the pay tables are so bad I really can’t recommend even wasting free play on them. Maybe if the pay tables were better, I’d consider playing, but as the unit doesn't feel like an IGT game, and I suspect the RNG is different from IGT’s as well, I don’t. Neither should you.

The Buffalo Keno is entertaining, I must admit. The minimum wager for the four card version I played is only $0.05. Cover all four cards for a total wager of only $0.20. There is no advantage to betting more as all the pays and bonuses are proportional. So, as you can imagine, when you set the game to “slow” and play at your own pace, $20 can last for a while.

You’ll see all this in the video but, after you’ve marked your spots, you are supposed to place three pairs of coins (each pair is a different color) on any unmarked numbers. Hit a pair of coins and wins are multiplied by X2. If a pair of coins is hit and an additional coin is hit, wins are multiplied by X3. If a pair of coins is hit and one coin from each of the additional colored pairs is hit as well, the win multiplier is X4!

This part’s a bit confusing as 5 free games are awarded when two pairs of those same coins are hit. 10 free games are awarded when two pairs and one additional (5 of the 6 coins) are hit. Players win 20 free games when all pairs (6 coins total) are hit.

Why are the free games fun? Well, it’s Buffalo, right? Players can retrigger, and there are win multipliers just like the video slot!

REEL RESULT: VIDEO ALERT!

At the start of the free games, players can place three gold coins on any unmarked spots. Hitting two of the three awards 2 more games, hit all three and you win 5 more free games. Players also have to place three multiplier symbols (the wild symbol from the Buffalo slot) which award a X2 for one hit, X4 for two hits, and X8 for hitting all three!

Sound like fun? It is definitely exciting waiting to see if your win is multiplied and how many extra free games you might get! But wait, there’s more! Randomly, at the end of any free game, 5, 10, 15, or 20 extra balls may be drawn allowing for extra hits on your marked spots, the multipliers, or the coins!

In the video, watch me trigger the bonus with 5 free games, then retrigger a bunch of times, hit the multipliers, and walk away with a big win. So, my Reel Result is to play this game for fun and as a way to stretch small bankrolls for time. Just don’t play the video poker.

You can 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 any video poker question, regardless of what it’s about! You can email Editor@AZGamingGuide.com, or mail your letter to: Editor, AZ Gaming Guide, PO BOX 20636, Mesa, AZ, 85277. $

By Al Moe

SPORTS WAGERS & BASEBALL IN 2023

Three Tips For The Upcoming Baseball Season

Sports wagering is a popular and profitable attraction found in Arizona casinos. Whether it’s profitable for you depends on your ability to weigh the game lines and your mental stability accurately.

All gamblers have thoughts and ideas that are sketchy; that’s a given, but betting on sports puts your emotions right on the line.

We love to win. So, at blackjack, we usually play the same way–hit till we get a hard 17 against a dealer seven through ace, right? At sports wagering, we get emotionally invested in the teams we love, creating a tightrope between our feelings and our financial stability.

Is there a solution? Of course. Follow a few simple tips to avoid landmines. Let’s look at what will save you early money and help get you ready for the playoffs.

TIP #1 – WAIT

Although baseball season is upon us, and we have all waited patiently to get into action, my number one tip is to wait on any wagers until the end of April. No, I’m not crazy, but the first few weeks of every baseball season are!

Great teams struggle, poorly equipped and managed teams win despite themselves, and the money lines are tough to justify because so many handicappers are setting them based on history or, worse, Spring Training.

Good teams will prevail in season wins, but teams haven’t jelled yet in April. There are 162 games before the playoffs. Wait until May. You will still have 140 games left to bet.

TIP #2 – WATCH

Looking at the box scores and reading about a game isn’t the same as watching. If you want to be great this baseball season (or any sports season), you’ve got to see how a team is playing before wagering on them to win or lose. Are the outfielders hitting the cutoff man? Are baserunners watching the coaches or running through signals? Are batters able to hit behind the runners and win one-run games? Can your team bunt, hit and run, or play defense?

Don’t worry if you aren’t sure about those things. Most baseball bettors aren’t. But you'll win more if you learn basic strategy to

play better blackjack. And if you learn the basics of great baseball, you’ll make more intelligent wagers.

Tip #3 – WITHDRAW

Can you ever bet on your favorite team? Sure. But listen to your heart first, and pass if you can’t justify the money line or point spread. And if you are strong, bet against them when they are likely to take a beating. If you can’t decide then you can’t be impartial. Again, you should pass.

At blackjack, you can hate the dealer, the cards, or the casino itself for causing your losses, just like you can hate the clouds and the rain for ruining your hike or golf date, but sports are different. Bet with your heart and you’ll lose your mind.

Betting the local team, your college alma mater, or your favorite players comes with a responsibility to your bankroll. Be financially stable and take emotion out of your sports decisions, and you’ll find that bet selections are more clear-cut. When they aren’t, withdraw from the urge to place a bet and wait for better odds. You’ll be glad you did! $

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.

By TJ Jorgensen

FALSE GAMBLING MYTHS

Common Topics I Overhear While Playing

In The

Casinos

Iam routinely amazed by the claims some players make at the casinos and how firmly they believe them to be fact! This article describes some of the claims I have heard and I’ll present the real facts.

Myth #1: Bad Players Can Affect Your Game

Suppose you are playing at a blackjack table and another guest is playing foolishly. A lot of players think that you should leave the table because, by playing foolishly, they are disrupting the natural flow of the cards, causing the dealer to win. The truth is a bad player will help you just as much as they will hurt you. While you remember the hands they caused you to lose, you forget the hands they caused you to win. So, in the long run, it really doesn’t matter.

Myth #2: You Should Take The Insurance Bet Sometimes

Many blackjack players still believe that you should take the insurance bet when the dealer shows an Ace and you have blackjack. If you are not counting cards, insurance is a bad bet. Some simple 3rd grade math will show you that the dealer will only have blackjack 3 out of 10 times so it’s better to get paid 3 to 2 every 7 times instead of even money 10 times. Never take the insurance, it’s a bad bet.

Myth #3: You Have To Adjust Your Playing Style

If you are dealt an eleven and double your hand against a ten and lose and, worse yet, this happens several times in a row, many players won’t double down because they assume the beating will continue! Well, the dealer may be “hot” in the moment, but in reality the cards don’t know that. You always have to rely on the math behind basic strategy! So the next time a double down hand comes up, you have to make the winning play. Doubling down is the winning play and you must use basic strategy.

Myth #4: You Have To Adjust Your Bets

After losing a bet and having the goal to maximize the return on future bets, a lot of blackjack players think you should increase your bet size. It really doesn't matter, because there is no betting system that can add or subtract from the casino’s edge. And, if you start to chase after your losses, that’s a recipe for disaster!

Myth #5: Sometimes You Should Go With Your Gut Instinct

Let’s examine a situation where the dealer is breaking almost every single hand and you are dealt a fifteen against the dealer’s

up card of a ten. A lot of players will go with the trend of the dealer breaking and stand. However, basic strategy says to hit. So, if you’re going to give yourself the best chance to win, you must always follow basic strategy. If you start playing hunches, you will give the casino about a 10% advantage over you.

Myth #6: Adjust Your Play Based On Previous Outcomes

Let’s say you're playing at a roulette table where the last 10 numbers have been red. A lot of players would bet red on the next spin and go with the trend. Others might bet on black to go against the trend. The fact is it really doesn't matter what color you bet as the previous results have no effect on future outcomes. I know that most players find that hard to believe. If you were flipping a coin and received 10 heads in a row, the next flip would still have an equal chance of being heads or tails. The previous results have no influence on future outcomes.

Using the slots as another example, let’s say you have the choice of two identical slot machines to play one has recently hit a jackpot and the other one has not hit the jackpot in a long time. Which one should you play? Most players, without hesitation, would pick the one that hasn’t hit when really it doesn’t matter. Each spin on a slot machine is completely random and isn’t influenced by prior outcomes. $

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.

IGA EXPO 2023

Submitted By Interblock Gaming

BRAND NEW ELECTRONIC TABLE GAMES!

Interblock Exhibits Ground-Breaking Technology At IGA 2023

Interblock®, award-winning Electronic Table Game (ETG) developer, presented the future of table games at the 2023 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (IGA) on March 29 and 30. Recognized as the largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country, IGA provides gaming companies and professionals a stage to showcase innovative products, meet industry leaders, and witness cutting-edge trends. This year at IGA 2023, held at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, Interblock demonstrated innovative new forms of technology designed to rise casinos to the top of the competitive gaming industry landscape.

“The Indian Gaming Tradeshow provided our team the opportunity to meet with some of the most impactful operators in North America and collect feedback in real-time, which is vital for our continued success,” said John Connelly, Global CEO of Interblock.“ At IGA, we introduced upgrades to virtually all our existing products and displayed dozens of new products, features, and functionalities.”

Gaming s Pick2Win Craps

Interblock’s novel Craps games, Pick2 Win Craps and Live Craps, were featured among Interblock’s exciting product suite at IGA. With three distinct colored cylinders to choose from, a Pick2Win Craps player chooses which two, out of three, dice will ultimately determine the result of each roll. Available as a traditional “Community” game of Craps, with one designated shooter, or “Individually” in which each player selects their own dice, Pick2Win can be played as a Standalone game or in a Stadium configuration.

Due to the authenticity of the product and ease of dealing the game, Interblock’s Live Craps at IGA is guaranteed to intrigue spectators. Having effectively reinvented and improved the Live Craps experience, Interblock’s Live Craps requires only a single dealer who deals to an unlimited number of players in an electrifying and engaging Stadium environment. The dealer invites one player to step up to the traditional Craps table to shoot the dice while the other players cheer and root for big

wins. Fully automated payouts and dice tracking technology greatly enhance the security of the game while creating a unique gaming experience. This year at IGA 2023, the Interblock booth featured a number of innovative products and a meticulously crafted layout with a high level of customer enthusiasm.

“I was looking forward to spending my first year at IGA with Interblock! Our team worked diligently to create an environment on the show floor that provided the best experience for our current and future customers,” said Cathryn Winnik, Interblock’s Trade Show Manager. “We showcased an impressive product mix that highlighted Interblock’s innovation and how our technology can make our partners more efficient and profitable Customers had an opportunity to meet with our team and learn how Interblock is the ‘Future of Electronic Table Games’ and the positive impact our new developments will have on their business. The products we displayed included existing games with new features and betting options, along with our latest offerings. I believe attendees were impressed by our Diamond Dual Bonus Wheel Roulette – it is a true display of our innovation as there is nothing else like it in the market. One of the many compelling features is that it creates a community envi-

In Pick2Win Craps, a player can choose which two out of three dice are part of the roll!

Interblock

ronment while playing Roulette. We were excited to be able to meet with attendees in San Diego as our live demonstrations were extremely impactful.”

Interblock’s new, award-winning Standalone product, Bonus Wheel Roulette, has remained a customer-favorite since its debut in October of 2022 and was on full display at IGA 2023. The dual wheel bonus system incorporates the thrill of playing traditional Roulette with the opportunity for players to win payouts up to 250 to 1. When players wager on any of the four bonus gems and the ball lands in the selected bonus gem pocket on the main wheel, a secondary bonus wheel spins to determine the amount of the bonus payout rewarded to players with multipliers up to 250 times. With the bonus round occurring approximately one in every ten spins and payouts more than seven times higher than that of a traditional Roulette wheel, industry experts agree that Interblock developers successfully produced an elevated game for Roulette players to enjoy and operators to drive revenue.

“IGA 2023 provided Interblock the opportunity to meet with and demonstrate our commitment to our Native Indian Gaming partners,” said Peter Herem, Vice President of Interblock’s US Sales Team. “Native Indian Gaming is critical to Interblock’s success, and we were excited to bring our latest developments and innovations to IGA 2023, including our latest Live ETG pit technology. Interblock’s innovation continues to

provide the opportunity for our Native Indian Gaming partners to run more efficiently and optimize their profitability across their entire gaming floor.”

Interblock hopes its presentation of new technologies at IGA 2023 will have influenced the North American gaming industry, promoting an expansion of knowledge and comfortability with advancements. While continuing to revolutionize the land industry, with product categories that attract players and extend play, the company plans to further expand into the online gaming sector. Aiming to be in a meaningful place in the online space by the end of the year, with signed contracts alongside leading online companies, Interblock intends to build upon its strong player recognition, innovation, and experience to create a unique niche for operators in this space. No matter the form, the company’s goal is to make Interblock synonymous with table games.

Interblock is the world’s leading developer and supplier of award-winning ETG products. Its multi-player gaming devices set industry standards and provide the ultimate in luxury interactive experiences. Interblock is globally recognized, in more than 234 jurisdictions, for diamond quality gaming solutions and technical support. Interblock’s exclusive collection of fully and semi-automated electronic gaming tables delivers superior product performance, innovative features, and unprecedented entertainment. For more, visit InterblockGaming.com. You can also follow them at their social pages on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. $

Interblock Gaming s Live Craps

Interblock Gaming s Bonus Wheel Roulette

Submitted By The Las Vegas Convention And Visitor’s Authority

PLAY, RELAX & EXPLORE IN LAUGHLIN

Multiple Casino Resorts, Entertainment Options & An Easygoing Vibe

Along the banks of the Colorado River on the southern tip of Nevada is Laughlin, a treasure trove of fun for casino enthusiasts. The riverside destination provides an array of exciting casino resorts, entertainment options, and an easygoing vibe. While there are many gambling options, there’s also something for everyone in this vibrant town that combines old-school charm with modern amenities. Let’s explore all that Laughlin has to offer, from gaming to outdoor adventures and opportunities to unwind.

Gaming

The desert gem has a number of casino properties along the river, and each one offers a different gaming experience, from slots and table games to bingo and off-track betting. A paved walkway called the Laughlin Riverwalk provides stunning views of the hotel properties and river, as well as fish, water birds, and boats sailing by. It’s the most scenic and convenient way to get from one casino to another. Properties include Tropicana Laughlin; Harrah’s Laughlin Beach Resort & Casino; Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino; The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino; Golden Nugget Laughlin Hotel & Casino; Laughlin River Lodge; Aquarius Casino Resort; and Edgewater Hotel & Casino.

Shop

With a variety of stores, boutiques and gift shops to choose from, Laughlin’s resorts can satisfy the itch to shop for just about anything. Tropicana Laughlin has shopping covered, between the ever-popular styles inside Marshall-Russo and the must-have sundries in the Essentials store. Inside Golden Nugget Laughlin Hotel & Casino is Gift Emporium, a one-stop shop for everything. For beer, wine and spirits, to jewelry and souvenirs, there’s Harrah’s Club Shop at Harrah’s Laughlin Beach Resort & Casino.

Relax At The Spa

While Laughlin is known as a casino destination, it is also home to incredible resort spas. The Spa at Laughlin Ranch is located on the beautifully manicured grounds of Laughlin Ranch Golf Course, and the menu offers luxurious services like hyperbaric chamber oxygen therapy. Jean Jeffrey The Salon & Day Spa at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino has an array of hair and beauty services along with its spa menu.

Get Outdoors

From river trips with Laughlin River Tours, swimming, or riding a personal watercraft on Lake Mohave, to an exciting round (Continued on page 24)

TRAVEL Laughlin, Nevada

trip with London Bridge Jet Boat Tours, there are plenty of ways to spend a day on the water in Laughlin. You can also enjoy the outdoors and explore the surrounding desert landscape with hiking trails along the Colorado River and Slingshot or UTV rentals.

Arts & Culture

Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Museum inside Don Laughlin’s Riverside Hotel & Casino holds a rotating collection of antique, classic and unique autos assembled from private collections from all over the world. The Colorado River Museum encourages visitors to learn the history of the Lower Colorado River with local artifacts and a museum gift shop. Across the street from Edgewater Hotel & Casino, the Florida D. Grecco Fine Art Gallery offers accessible and investment-level art with a variety of mediums.

Dine

Enjoy fine dining as you soak up views of the Colorado River at The Gourmet Room in Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino. Get that steak dinner you crave at the Saltgrass Steak House inside the Golden Nugget Laughlin Hotel & Casino; the Range Steakhouse at Harrah’s Laughlin Beach Resort & Casino; or Stockman’s Steakhouse at Edgewater Hotel & Casino. If it’s a playful atmosphere and casual menu you desire, that can be found at River Rock Pizza & Pasta at Aquarius Casino Resort; Bumbleberry Flats at The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino; and Beach Café at Harrah’s Laughlin Beach Resort & Casino. Inside the Aquarius Casino Resort is the casual Duet Coffee & Wine, a must for both coffee and wine lovers.

Enjoy The Night

Known for hand-crafted cocktails and domestic and imported beers, Rush Lounge inside the Golden Nugget Laughlin Hotel & Casino has both a dance floor with a live DJ and over 20 highdefinition TVs. Edgewater Hotel & Casino’s Edge Lounge fea-

tures free live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night, with groups performing a wide range of music, from rock to country and R&B. For an experience that you can only find in Laughlin, there’s Losers Lounge, a collection of talented performers who have been selling out live shows for more than 20 years, playing the best in songwriting from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

Shows & Entertainment

Laughlin’s entertainment lineup features a variety of talent with some of music’s top artists of every genre from pop to country, along with top comedians and tribute shows. There are also many exciting citywide events like the first annual Brewfest at Tropicana Laughlin on April 15, the WON Bass Fishing Tournament’s Laughlin Open from April 26-28, and the epic Rockets Over the River fireworks show on Independence Day.

Laughlin, Nevada, is the perfect place for anyone looking to experience some of the best in casinos and entertainment all while wearing your favorite jeans and sneakers. So, pack your bags and escape to a fun and relaxing getaway in Laughlin! $

Recently we had the opportunity to meet with April Stovall at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort near Maricopa, Arizona on the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

We are very excited to feature Ms. Stovall in this issue as you can't help but be drawn in by the narrative of her long career at the property and by her enthusiasm. Her achievements are wide-ranging beginning with moving up into leadership roles within the area of Security and Surveillance to now overseeing multiple casino departments. And, April is especially passionate and proud of CodeGreen®, the environmental program at the property. As they are significant and unique among Arizona’s casinos, we’ve highlighted some of the accomplishments achieved by Ms. Stovall and Harrah’s-Ak Chin in reducing the environmental impact of the business

Q: What are some of the milestones in your career path that led you to the position you hold now?

APRIL STOVALL

Director of Surveillance and Facilities

At Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort

A: I’ve held multiple positions over the years at Harrah’s AkChin Casino. I think that’s helped me become a better leader. I started in 1999 as a Security Officer! Back then, I didn’t realize I’d be spending my entire professional career at the same property. I was in security for one year and I was intrigued by surveillance. I can’t tell you details about the surveillance room, but the very first day I walked in, I have to say it was magical. That space made me feel like I belonged there, like something out of a movie. I still have the Surveillance Department under my belt currently and I cherish it greatly.

So, I moved from Surveillance Officer to Lead to Supervisor, at which point I began to learn the technical side of surveillance. During the housing market crisis in the late 2000s we were understaffed, which provided me the opportunity to cross train. I was up in the ceilings of the casino installing cabling, terminating cables, and gaining a lot of other job skills. Having that opportunity to learn, to cross train, allowed me to understand the ceiling, the walls, the floor, everything in the building!

Next, I became Surveillance Manager, and we were able to upgrade the system and the technology, which was very exciting. Then an opportunity came to be the Interim Facilities Manager. I said, “Sure! I’ll help out!” One month turned into two, then more, and one day management asked me to assume the role permanently, which I did.

The role of Facilities Director has been such a wonderful experience. I learned so much bringing that team together and I believe we are one of the best within Caesars Entertainment. The detail-oriented nature of both jobs allows me to inspect all the walls, the light bulbs, I like doing Gantt charts, organizing, 5S, and everything being in its place!

[Note: Gantt charts are bar charts illustrating a project schedule. Designed and popularized by Henry Gantt around the years 1910–1915, modern Gantt charts also show the dependency relationships between activities and the current schedule status. 5S comes from the Toyota Production System which was developed by Tahichi Ohno during the 1960s. 5S stands for five Japanese words which are Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke. Or, translated, Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain. This process is used in Lean Manufacturing and other business applications. JIT or “Just In Time” is a related inventory management system also pioneered by Ohno.]

When I started my journey, I would not have thought it would end up this way. A little over a year ago, I was promoted to Director and inherited the Environmental Services (EVS) Department. And if your readers recall our $180 million expansion was probably one of my greatest achievements here. We went from 300,000 sq. ft. to 900,000 sq. ft. on 40 acres, which was a huge milestone. The project involved a lot, including late nights and relentless follow through. Seeing the tangible result at the end was a true reward.

Now, within the last year, I’ve had the exposure to the EVS Department the fixers, washers, and cleaners! I’m so excited to see that team grow. We are investigating how to incorporate robotic technology, and I’m using my experience with the two other departments with EVS and vice versa. Plus, overseeing EVS has given me more involvement in the environmental program, CodeGreen, which I’m extremely passionate about.

Q: Please discuss CodeGreen, your role in it, and some of the successes.

A: I’m very proud to be the CodeGreen leader for this property. CodeGreen is an environmental program including sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint (energy, water consumption, recycling), and introducing real solutions to global environmental issues. The Ak-Chin Indian Community is close to my heart as this casino was built on farmland. They are an amazing partner with their own Environmental Department. This allows us to partner together on programs, events, and much more. The relationship is wonderful which is something other casino properties, regardless of where they are located, may not have. We benefit from an environmental culture.

We also participate in a CodeGreen competition within Caesars Entertainment every year. And I’m proud to say our casino regularly takes first or second place since about 2014. Not only are we a committed CodeGreen property, but the awards leave a legacy for the employees here.

We will participate with the Ak-Chin Indian Community in a tree planting on Arbor Day (Friday, April 28, 2023) at Milton Paul Antone Memorial Park in the Ak-Chin Village where the children of the community will plant the trees. And, we will help establish a seed exchange program, so community members can give and receive seeds for their gardens. I could talk all day about CodeGreen!

Another program I’m passionate about is the Clean The World program. For example, the soap recycling program takes our (Continued on page 28)

April has been with Harrah’s Ak-Chin for over 23 years.

She oversees Surveillance, Maintenance, EVS, Utilities, and Construction projects at the property. April is also the CodeGreen Leader that oversees environmental efforts.

Awards include:

Property & Western Division Chairman’s Award for Internal Service 2007

Property & Western Division Caesar’s Award of Excellence for Leadership 2019

Programs, Memberships, and Participations include: Clean The World Program Adopt-A-Highway Volunteer Earth Hour

Giving Tuesday

Earth Day (with the Ak-Chin Indian Community) Habitat for Humanity

SAVVY

Personal Accomplishments include:

Member and Business Manager for the Casa Grande Roller Derby (a 501c3 Non-Profit)

April’s Secret:

“April May Dismember” is her Roller Derby stage name.

“777” is her Roller Derby number.

(Continued from page 27)

used soap, it’s sterilized during melting, processed into bars, repackaged and sent to various US Veterans programs, to the homeless population in the US, and all over the globe to underprivileged countries. We also participate in hygiene kit building with organizations who rent out our ballroom space if they request it. We have an environmental forum coming to the property in May and I’ve pre-ordered 250 kits for them which they will complete and pick a 501c Tribal non-profit to donate to. I find it exciting that this is all part of my experience at work!

Q: What is the secret to keeping everything running so smoothly?

A: I believe leaders should develop and mentor new leaders. This keeps the chain going, if you understand what I mean. Thinking outside of the box, embracing change, understanding an evolving society and technology, being an active listener, problem solving, walking the walk and talking the talk, which are all so critical when managing people and a large business.

On occasion, I’ll dress up in an employee uniform and work a shift. The last time I did that was on New Year’s Eve, 2022. I was part of the EVS team, complete with a cleaning cart, and swept up a lot of confetti in the wee hours of the morning! That experience gave me the opportunity to interact with some newer employees who didn’t know I was their undercover Director. I was able to work and talk with them in that situation while gaining valuable experience and perspective as a result. I’ve cleaned bathrooms, ashtrays, hotel rooms, vacuumed, swept, and more. Since employees see me doing the work, I’m there with them, I think that’s empowering for all of us.

Q: What sets Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino apart?

A: The Caesars Rewards program. Hands down. As you know, it is nationwide and, in my opinion, it’s the best program in casino gaming. Members can use the program at over 50 properties and have access to all kinds of benefits including gaming, dining, entertainment, hotel stays, and more. And what guests also experience is our EGE (Everyone Greets Everyone) Program. Employees greet guests as soon as they walk in, across the floor, and each other behind the scenes off the casino floor. I’m in strong support of this program because when you walk

by someone and you say, “Hello! How is your day?” in a cheerful manner, it becomes contagious, it makes you and others feel good, which then gets shared with more people, especially our guests. Being nice makes you feel good, it’s that simple. We emphasize family style service here at Harrah’s Ak-Chin. For example, I don’t want the perception of our EVS team, the “Cleaning Crusaders,” to be unnoticed. They should be visible, they should interact with guests, especially because they work so hard.

Q: What are some of your goals?

A: I’d really like to see additional electric vehicle charging stations. As we see technology evolve, I think we should be at the forefront of that. As we are in Arizona, I think we can make use of solar technology, including solar covered parking and more solar trash cans. Composting is a very complicated process, but we are looking to schedule a pilot with one of our dining outlets to look at the benefits on a small scale first through a partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community so they can transport our compost to their farms. This is exciting, and I can’t wait for that to happen. The nice thing is the Community already has an operating compost program and we want to partner with them to start and grow ours.

I’m happy to say I believe I’ve reached the career goal I set for myself and I want to leave a legacy at this point and figure out what I want to do after being a successful leader here.

Q: What advice do you have for anyone who is interested in beginning a career in the gaming industry?

A: I have so much advice! I try to tell everyone, even prospective employees, we are like a small city. We have so many different types of jobs here. Marketing, Food & Beverage, Retail, Slots, Table Games, Maintenance Engineering, Cleaners, Housekeeping, the hotel, the pool, Bartenders, Landscaping, all sorts of things! So, it’s a great opportunity for anyone! My story is a perfect example – I’m going to try this out in Security – not knowing I’d make a career out of it. There are so many different jobs, advancement opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and more. Plus, it’s fun! There’s always excitement and something new. The gaming industry is definitely unique and entertaining. Even my experience with the expansion and the construction of

new employee and guest areas is a beginning to end process employees may not participate in at other workplaces. There’s an opportunity to discuss the finishes. Are they durable? How easy is this to clean? What is the guest perspective? Is it beautiful and efficient? All of those things are part of my job and part of working here.

As you may know, Surveillance and Facilities both are not traditionally positions held by women. So, over the years, I’ve always worked hard to go above and beyond to prove myself and be a representative for women to show that we can do those things. I have technical knowledge. I can get on a lift and run cable. Years ago I had gone to a facilities summit and as the only female in the group I thought, “Wow! I need to make sure my voice is heard.” And I can talk about things! But it makes me want to work twice as hard to make sure I don’t let women down, my team down, my boss down, the Community down. So, years later, at another summit in the facilities group, a female approached me and told me she remembered seeing me at that event saying, “Back then, I wished I could be you!” And her wish came true. She became a facilities manager and that made me feel so good. It was beautiful!

Also, I am a member of SAVVY, a women’s group where we give back to the community. We are trying to coordinate cleaning the commercial kitchen at a women’s shelter. We’ve done landscaping for them, and many other projects. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to be able to help them.

What is your favorite casino game and why?

On occasion, when I visit Las Vegas, I like to play blackjack and have a cocktail. One of the reasons why is, as I do oversee Surveillance, I want to get the customer perspective. It’s important. To be a well-rounded leader, I need to have that in my toolbelt. And, blackjack is fun! $

Property Accomplishments

2022 Recycled 2,354,622 lbs.

2021 Recycled 2,288,786 lbs.

2020 Recycled 1,845,201 lbs.

2019 Recycled 2,414,331 lbs.

2018 Recycled 2,508,266 lbs.

2017 Recycled 2,170,151 lbs.

1st Place CodeGreen Challenge 2018, 2016, 2014

2nd Place CodeGreen Challenge 2020, 2017, 2015

2nd Place CodeGreen Carbon Education Campaign 2015

#4 Green Key Rating 2014 through 2020

Hotel Tower Energy Management System

Room keycards allow guest adjustment of temperature from 68 to 80°F. Thermostats reset the temperature to 75°F when a room is unoccupied. When a keycard is removed, all lights turn off except for the light by the entry door for safety.

Hotel & Property Initiatives

Clean sheets and towels are available upon request to conserve electricity and water. Low flow shower heads and faucet aerators are used. Refrigerators are powered down or set to low in unoccupied rooms to conserve energy. Housekeeping turns off lights and pulls drapes closed in unoccupied rooms. Hotel soap is recycled and sent to the Clean The World program.

Hygiene kits are assembled at Harrah’s Ak-Chin for US Veterans and others in need through the Clean The World program.

Used cooking oil at Harrah’s Ak-Chin is recycled into bio-fuel.

Eight free electric vehicle charging stations available to guests.

Cold Plasma Ionization Bars in ventilation system use bipolar ionization to render viruses, bacteria, and mold harmless.

UVDI purification units to clean air are in use in the smoking section of the gaming floor including: 5.0 & 0.3 micron filters, gas absorption layers, photocatalytic converter, UV-C lamp.

Dining Specials & Hot Promotions

All Month Long At Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos

American Gaming Association Comments On Recent State Legislation

Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos invite you to come play and experience the new, delicious dining specials, Taco Tuesdays, juicy Prime Rib on Saturdays, flaky, tender fish specials on Fridays, and much more! They have upped their game on the already exciting, smokefree casino floor offering a wide selection of entertainment including 200 plus new slot machines!

April 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th

Cash Is King Cash prizes escalate monthly, April through June for a total cash giveaway of $57,750! Cash Is King cash drawings, every Monday in April, 6 p.m. at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos. Three lucky April winners will receive $500 cash, weekly!

April 7th

Hopping Hot Seats Gold Rush Club members playing slots or Table Games may win up to $500 cash on Friday, April 7th, playing Hopping Hot Seats from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos.

April 9th

Easter Brunch Buffet Come with a big appetite to Bucky’s Café and enjoy a delicious Easter Brunch including a Prime Rib Carving Station, Shrimp, Smoked Salmon, an Omelet Station and many more enticing items. Due to the limited availability, reservations must be paid in advance at Bucky’s Casino. Call 1.928.515.5222 for more information.

Lets Roll! Come roll your luck as they are now featuring live action Craps and Roulette, as well as Blackjack. You will find the Craps table open 4 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday through Sunday. “Let’s Play Preskitt!” For more information, visit their website at BuckysCasino.com. $

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear just signed HB594 into law, officially banning unregulated “skill” games throughout the Bluegrass State and notching a milestone victory for the legal gaming industry in the fight against illegal gambling. Kentucky is the first state to pass standalone legislation banning unregulated gambling machines and joins Virginia in taking proactive government action to eliminate these bad actors.

“This win is a testament to what we can accomplish when we unite as an industry behind a common cause and the American Gaming Association will use it as a springboard to pursue similar success in states throughout the country,” said American Gaming Association (AGA) President & CEO Bill Miller.

Mr. Miller added, “Not only do these machines harm communities, but they also pose an existential threat to our industry. Last year, Americans wagered $511 billion with unregulated machines and illegal sportsbooks and online casinos costing communities more than $13 billion in tax revenue.”

DID YOU KNOW?

The AGA anticipated 20.5 million Americans wagering $1.8 billion on the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The AGA anticipated 50 million Americans wagering $16 billion on Super Bowl LVII.

The AGA anticipates 68 million Americans to wager $15.5 billion on the NCAA Men’s Division 1 Basketball Tournament.

Our own state’s gambling regulators, the Arizona Department of Gaming, takes complaints about illegal gambling seriously. To report (even anonymously) suspected illegal gambling activity, visit Gaming.AZ.gov or call 1.602.255.3886. $

Casino Del Sol April Promotions, News, And More!

Disco Prize Pick On April 10th through 29th, Club Sol Members can swipe daily for an entry into the weekly Saturday drawings. Casino Del Sol & Casino of the Sun will draw 9 winners between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. where they will have a chance to win up to $500 Freeplay. Every slot/table point earned is an additional entry into the drawings. On April 14th & 21st, Club Sol Members can play a Swipe & Win game to win drawing entries, same day point multipliers or a chance to win up to $500 Freeplay!

Blackjack Hot Seat Progressive Beginning April 3rd from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every other hour Club Sol Members will have a chance to win $50 Freebet chips and $50 casino chips when seated at a live table game. In the event that a winner is not drawn at the designated times, the money will rollover to the next drawing time! Players must be present to win.

Drawing Dates: April 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25.

Bingo $25,000 Super Session on April 2nd. Reserve your machine today & get $25 off your buy-in. Over $25,000 is up for grabs! All regular games guaranteed to pay $1,100 and the last game of the night pays up to $100,000 with a $10,000 consolation! Paper only costs $80, electronic pre-sales cost $125 & electronic sales at the door are $150.

Easter Closure In observance of the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe’s Easter Ceremonies, the Casino Del Sol will close at 12 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023 and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023 for regular operating hours.

UME’s Chef’s Seasonal Selections Wok Chicken Tikka Masala (spices, tomato, cream, spring herbs, steamed rice & naan bread), $18. For more information visit CasinoDelSol.com. $

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

APACHE GOLD & SKY CASINOS Globe & Winkelman

No info submitted at press time. Contact casinos.

BLUEWATER CASINO Parker

Standup Sundays Comedy Now to May 28

BUCKY’S & YAVAPAI CASINOS Prescott

Live music at the Prescott Resort 6-9 p.m. Saturdays.

Pure Imagination Festival May 20

CASINO ARIZONA Scottsdale

Fools & Follies Trivia April 4

House of Floyd (Pink Floyd) April 7 & 8

Private Eyes (Hall & Oates) April 21 & 22

Damage Inc. (Metallica) April 28 & 29

The Faux Fighters (Foo Fighters) May 19 & 20

Bella Donna (Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac) May 26 & 27

CASINO DEL SOL Tucson

Los Angeles Azules De Iztapalapa April 15

Old Dominion April 28

Pancho Barraza May 5

Ice Cube with Too Short May 27

Franco Escamilla June 4

George Lopez June 17

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias August 26

Marco Antonio Solis September 8

Buddy Guy September 9

CLIFF CASTLE CASINO HOTEL Camp Verde

Live music at The Dragonfly on Fridays & Saturdays

Comedy at the Castle April 20

COCOPAH CASINO Somerton

Karaoke Saturdays 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

DESERT DIAMOND CASINO Sahuarita

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes August 5

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO Maricopa

Jordan Davis April 28

Caifanes September 15

HON-DAH RESORT CASINO Pinetop

Live Music Tuesdays Through Saturdays

Monday Funday Comedy Shows

MAZATZAL CASINO Payson

Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton) April 21

Revolució de Amor (A Maná) May 6

QUECHAN CASINO RESORT Winterhaven

Jo Koy April 13

Purple Reign (Prince) April 21

Marisela May 4

Australia’s Thunder From Down Under May 18

TALKING STICK RESORT Scottsdale

Scott McCreery April 21

Justin Moore May 26

The Happy Together Tour July 14

TWIN ARROWS CASINO Flagstaff

No info submitted at press time. Contact casino.

WE-KO-PA CASINO RESORT Fountain Hills

Live Music In Ember Steakhouse

Live Music In WKP Sports & Entertainment

WILD HORSE PASS RESORT & CASINO Chandler

Gin Blossoms April 8

Night Ranger April 14

Calexico with Orkestra Mendoza May 5

Old Dominion @ Casino Del Sol

Scott McCreery @ Talking Stick Resort

Editor’s Picks CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

Gipsy Kings Desert Diamond Casino August 5

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes are set to perform on August 5, 2023 at Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment’s Diamond Center. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased through Etix and at Desert Diamond Casino’s Box Office now. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.

Nicolas Reyes has been the leader and co-founder of the Gipsy Kings for more than 30 years. In the past three decades, they have dominated the World Music charts and sold more than 14 million albums worldwide. Their platinum compilation, The Best of the Gipsy Kings, was charting for over a year upon its release and their ninth studio album, Savor Flamenco, was awarded the Grammy for Best World Music Album in 2013.

The traveling Gipsy Kings have played some of the world’s greatest stages, from the Hollywood Bowl to Royal Albert Hall as well as hitting the big screen. Their rendition of Hotel California was included in the film The Big Lebowski and the HBO series Entourage Toy Story 3 featured a Gipsy Kings version of the movie’s popular, Randy Newmanpenned theme, You’ve Got a Friend in Me. The Gipsy Kings were also recently featured in a Big Lebowski spinoff The Jesus Rolls with Reyes appearing in person with the director and star, John Turturro, for some of the promotion.

Treena Parvello, Director of Government and Public Relations for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said, “Southern Arizona fans are in for an international treat. Famed Gipsy Kings featuring Nicholas Reyes are stopping at the Diamond Center on August 5.” $

Jordan Davis

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

April 28

Jordan Davis, an American country pop singer and songwriter best known for his hit duet “Buy Dirt” with Luke Bryan, is coming to The Events Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino on Friday, April 28.

A creative soul born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Davis secured a recording contract with Universal Music Group Nashville in 2016 with his genre-defying sound and lyrically-driven tracks. “Buy Dirt,” Davis’ 2021 duet with Luke Bryan, reached Number One on the Hot Country Songs chart and was one of the Top Five most streamed country songs in both 2021 and 2022.

“I’ve settled into a really good headspace in writing songs, which is rooted in being honest about past things that I’ve gone through, good or bad, and about some things that have kind of scared me about the future. So, the best thing for me is that ‘Buy Dirt’ opened up a whole other lane of songs that I think people can really connect with,” says Davis.

A well-respected and relevant artist, Davis is set to bring his talents to The Events Center stage for a night to remember with songs that people are going to feel not just hear.

Doors at 7:00 p.m., Showtime at 8:00 p.m.

The Events Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

General Admission Tickets $49.50

All Ages Event $

By Sami Becker

DON’T FALL FOR THE TRICKS

How To Beat Casinos At Their Own Game

Casinos use a wide variety of methods to prevent patrons from making simple decisions to limit the amount of time (and bankroll) spent at their establishment.

I’m certain you've come across the “there’s extra oxygen in casino air to keep people awake” on the “interweb” before. And, yes, that’s BS (like most of the casino “info” on the interweb).

What isn’t BS is the simple fact that a casino cashier is rarely near an entrance/exit. (The Edgewater in Laughlin, NV comes to mind as a notable counter-example!) The cashier should be visible and accessible, just not near the doors. Why? Most importantly security! There’s less chance of a smash-and-grab robbery. But in actuality, coloring up your chips or printing out your ticket, getting the cash, and walking out without making another wager is harder to accomplish when you still have to walk a long way to the door. Let’s say you were the casino boss. Where would you put your cashier in the building?

Another “trick” is changing your cash into credits on a slot’s screen, chips at a table, and slips at the sports book. Now it’s no longer something you interpret as money. What you see is something which has the value of money, but doesn’t really until you walk out. Just wait until cashless gaming arrives in a few years! The only way to participate in gambling then will be to have an account, most likely linked to your players club account, which will allow you to move money, digitally, from your bank account to the casino. If you still want to deal with cash in cashless gaming, the casino will have to accept your cash, place that value onto your account in order for you to use it at the casino, and then convert it back to cash when you leave. The only way to avoid the casino’s “trap” is to stick to your decision if you intend on walking away with a certain amount of cash. Mentally prepare yourself to walk away for the day, get up, and do it! Having an exit strategy, or plan of some kind, is imperative when walking in to a casino. Without one, you are in lady luck’s hands, and will be influenced by the casino environment all the time.

Most casinos lack windows and clocks. Even casinos being built right now will have very few windows and no clocks! Why? Casino management has long believed players who are not aware of what time it is, regardless of cell phone clocks, watches, being able to see if it’s day or night, are less likely to leave. An assumption to be sure, but probably a correct one. The way

to defeat this trick is simple. Bring your own timepiece, and use it! If you need to be somewhere, stick to the appointed time. Again, stay strong and resolute in the decision you made prior to arriving at the casino. If you were the casino boss, would you let customers know what time it is with convenient clocks?

The lights, music, and winning sounds of a casino are the easiest way to lure patrons into a casino and keep them there. “Monkey see, monkey hear, monkey do,” right? Look, the grocery store is no different! The food displays, the deli, and so on all help complete the buying experience. And who hasn’t bought items on impulse that aren't on their shopping list? I know I’ve been tempted. Well, the casino is exactly the same. Sure the lights and noise can be overwhelming, even annoying, and sometimes plain bad, but the overall atmosphere is one of “you can win and have fun here!”

What I fail to understand is how hearing “I wanna hold your hand” by The Beatles, and similarly repetitive songs, for the tenth time is supposed to make me gamble more, or for longer, or both? Repetitive songs are supposed to induce a trance-like state in shoppers, diners in restaurants, and gamblers. Certain songs make me want to leave, not keep gambling. Just saying! But that’s just me, apparently research indicates otherwise.

How can you defeat the lights? Sunglasses. How can you defeat the music and winning noise? Earplugs. But, if you were a casino boss, what music would you play to keep all your customers happy, continuing to gamble, and coming back?

I’d love hearing what you think; the good and the bad. You can write me at Sami@AZGamingGuide.com. Thanks for your letters and emails! Have fun and good luck! $

WORD SEARCH

To Celebrate Earth Day On April 22, Find: AIR, ANIMALS, CLEAN, EARTH, ECOSYSTEM, ENDANGERED, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, EXTINCT, HABITAT, OCEANS, PEOPLE, PLANTS, RAINFOREST, RECYCLE, REUSE, SOIL, WATER, WORLD.

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.

Jokes & Quotes

Research shows that laughing stimulates the immune system and may help prevent or reverse some medical conditions.

Anonymous Quote: The only thing harder than sticking to a diet is keeping quiet about it!

Jokes:

A young couple drove down several miles of country road not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position! As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband sarcastically quipped, “Relatives of yours?” “Yes,” his wife replied. “I married into the family.”

A sign in an office window read: Help wanted! Must be computer literate and bilingual. Equal opportunity employer. A dog grabbed the sign and walked into the managers office. Laughing, the manager said, “I can’t hire a dog!” The dog just pointed to the line: Equal opportunity employer. So the manager said, “Okay, type this email.” The dog sat down at the computer and in one minute typed the email perfectly. “Fine. Now write a computer program for it and run it.” The dog completed the task in 15 minutes. “That’s great, but you’re not bilingual!” The dog replied, “Meow.”

Zodiac Lucky Numbers

Aries (March 21 – April 19): 4, 21, 25, 32, 48, 64

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): 4, 10, 22, 41, 48, 60

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): 6, 15, 25, 27, 52, 61

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): 9, 13, 20, 42, 45, 67

Leo (July 23 – August 22): 6, 22, 23, 31, 45, 61

Virgo (August 23 – September 22): 11, 15, 16, 35, 48, 69

Libra (September 23 – October 22): 7, 9, 14, 37, 44, 69

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): 7, 21, 26, 32, 49, 62

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): 2, 6, 24, 35, 43, 63

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): 1, 2, 15, 29, 56, 62

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): 7, 17, 19, 40, 44, 69

Pisces (February 19 – March 20): 7, 17, 18, 35, 46, 61

Water Rabbit Lunar Year

Ask for good luck: 1, 9, 17, 20, 21, 24, 26, 29. Best days to travel: 3, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 26, 28, 30.

Best days to meet with someone: 3, 6, 18. There is no overlap this month!

Ranking fourth in the Lunar zodiac, Rabbit represents longevity, discretion and good luck in Asian cultures. People born under the sign of the Rabbit are kind-hearted, friendly, intelligent, cautious, skillful, gentle, quick and live long. They dislike fighting and like to find solutions through compromise and negotiation. Dates For Year Of The Rabbit: