Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - July 2023 - 15:07

There’s different betting options and sizzling top prizes, ranging from $1,000 to a staggering $5 million.

A $36,000 vacation giveaway, Josh Turner in concert, slots, table games, an all-suite hotel, and much more.

CLASSIC USA FOOD!

Four Foods For July

The June issue featured International Sushi Day in my Editor’s Note. Thank you for all of your responses. We are keeping track of what casino food outlet receives the most positive mentions.

This month, in scanning the calendar for food days, I came across several dishes which are, traditionally, associated with the good old USA. And since this month kicks off with a patriotic day, why not feature ice cream, hot dogs, chicken wings (one of my favorite foods), and cheesecake?

National Ice Cream Day is July 16th, and we want to know which casino has the best frozen treat! Regardless of if it’s soft serve, traditional, or gelato, on a cone or not, let us know where you like to get your fix! Brain freeze anyone?

National Hot Dog Day is only a few days later on July 19. Perhaps some of you can recall the Westward Ho’s Hot Dog Special in Las Vegas. $1 for a HUGE Dog. That kind of a deal you won’t find in any of Arizona’s casinos, just tell us where you think the best one is here in our state.

Then, back-to-back, it’s National Chicken Wing Day on July 29, and National Cheesecake Day on July 30. I know you have your favorites, so tell me where they are!

My team and I are so grateful to all of you for your correspondences. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As we compile all the results based on your suggestions, we will announce the final casino winners in all categories in an upcoming issue.

Have

Alexandra Lang

Editor-in-Chief Editor@AZGamingGuide.com

Your Authority On Everything Gaming

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 © 2009-2023 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.

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

IS SPORTS BETTING WORKING?

Readers Voice Opinions, We Talk Numbers, AZ Sportsbook Wins Award

In the February 2023 and March 2023 issues we covered sports betting in Players Talk. We have collected several responses from our readers along with some numbers from the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and a recent news story about awards presented to a sportsbook here in Arizona. While opinions about sports betting may vary, there is a lot of wagering happening here in the state and now, national recognition!

I rarely see people in the sportsbook at [the casino I visit]...I think [the casino] should get rid of it and put in more slots.

Jenny Sands Phoenix, AZ

Thank you for writing about sports betting! I love visiting [the sportsbook at my favorite casino]. Love your articles too!

Mike Turner Tucson, AZ

I mainly use the company betting apps on my phone. What I don’t like is the apps don’t work at the casinos. That’s when I go to the sportsbook. I like being in the casino watching a game. The energy is great and the casinos have a lot of TVs.

Jim Gould Cave Creek, AZ

I love playing slots and I have to convince my husband sometimes to go with me to play. I thought I’d share an easy way for me to do that with your readers because there may be other gals out there who need help. I keep track of the schedule of his favorite teams for all of his sports. On the days when they play, I just suggest he watch the game on a huge TV with other guys, make a bet, and have a beer, while I play!

Sara Hamm Buckeye, AZ

Bettors in Arizona wagered over $644 million on sports in March of 2023, according to a new report by the ADG. “March of 2023 is the fifth time the state eclipsed $600 million in wagers and is the second highest month since the inception of sports betting in Arizona,” said Jackie Johnson, Director, ADG. “I look forward to seeing how sports betting progresses in the state as we close out Fiscal Year 2023 in the coming months.” For the month, the state collected privilege fees totaling over $3.7 million, resulting in over $43 million in privilege fees collected by the state since the start of legal operations. $

Incredibe Growth & Success of Locally-Owned Operation

Desert Diamond Sports was honored at the 2023 SBC Awards North America with two prestigious awards: Industry Rising Star of the Year and Tribal Gaming Operator of the Year. Desert Diamond Sports alongside Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment are enterprises of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Both entities have undertaken an incredible journey to become leaders in Arizona’s burgeoning sports wagering market. Desert Diamond Sports is the only locally-owned mobile sports wagering operator in Arizona. Beginning in August 2021 with a small initial team, the operation started out from the ground up and far behind its competitors who operated in multiple states. With the support of partners Kambi and Strive, Desert Diamond Sports launched its website and mobile apps at the end of January 2022. Now, after a year and a half of hard work, this local operation has grown into the fifth largest mobile operator in the state, just behind nationally-recognized brands FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars

Desert Diamond Sports succeeded by leveraging its strong local brand with a loyal customer base, hiring a passionate and talented team, and receiving consistent support from the Tohono O’odham Nation and its Gaming Enterprise. The award-winning team continues to improve the sportsbook experience for customers by adding new sports, superior customer service, and more. Desert Diamond Sports’ mobile app complements the retail sportsbook experience offered at Desert Diamond Casinos’ Tucson, Sahuarita and West Valley locations, which launched in December 2021.Together, both operations are enhancing the Desert Diamond brand’s reputation for sports betting entertainment.

Brett Calapp, CEO for Desert Diamond Sports, said “As a new digital sports betting organization entering a very competitive market, we faced unique challenges. We were determined to make an example of our story with the hope of empowering similar local casinos that they too can run their own operations without hiring hundreds of people or selling their license.” $

NEW SLOTS Ready For Play

Buffalo Ascension

At Harrah s Ak Chin Casino By Aristocrat

New features, same Buffalo. Rise, Buffalo! All new at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, Buffalo Ascension builds on one of Aristocrat’s most iconic brands to deliver tons of new features and ways to win. Persistent reel growth offers an incredible 5,488 ways to win in the base game! Collect gold arrows to win the progressive jackpot and enjoy upgraded free games where your rewards can multiply to huge amounts! Lookout for Stampedes and Super Stampedes that will add Buffalos to the reels.

Progressive Jackpot Land a gold arrow on reel 3 to win the progressive jackpot. Enhanced Free Games Awards traditional Buffalo Free Games with multipliers, and the reel that triggered the feature will stay 7 positions high until the end of the feature. Stampede Buffalos run down reels & change at least 1 symbol to a Buffalo. Super Stampede Buffalos run down reels & change at least 3 symbols. $

STRATEGY ALERT!

Find the wager with the: highest number of ways, free games on top of a reel, middle reel 7 high. Clear out a reel & leave. Don t get trapped!

5 Dragons Ultra

At Harrah s Ak Chin Casino 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 in the Valley, so you can try it at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa.

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.

For info on Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino visit HarrahsAkChin.com. For info on Aristocrat visit AristocratGaming.com $

STRATEGY ALERT!

Pick the larger multipliers option for big wins

NEW SLOTS Ready For Play

Frankenstein

At Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino By Light & Wonder

Gila River Resorts & Casinos hosted a ribbon cutting for the Light & Wonder Inc. licensed Universal Monsters – Frankenstein slot machine. This exciting new game can only be found in Arizona at Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass!

The gameplay experience includes a prize board that displays winning potential, as well as the ability to add more power to the board with multipliers. Other options include the It's Alive feature, Power Up feature, and Free Games feature.

See Frankenstein like you’ve never seen him before, brought to life on the casino floor! Frankenstein’s unique gameplay experience combines cash on reels and true persistence with rich, cinematic art and sound.

The It’s Alive bonus is triggered by landing an It’s Alive symbol and at least one monster symbol. The monster symbol is electrocuted and awards a credit amount, a jackpot, or the grand jackpot from the prize board.

The Power Up bonus triggers when a power up symbol lands on the first reel, adding a multiplier of up to 10x to a credit or jackpot payout on the prize board. The multiplied credits and jackpots persist until any prize is won from the prize board.

The Free Games bonus triggers when players land three free game symbols. It gives the player a 5×5 reel array with multipliers locked for the duration of the free games.

STRATEGY ALERT!

This slot is a 5 reels, 30 pay line, game with a 30 credits bonus bet (Max bet is 600 credits).

For info on Gila River Resorts & Casinos Wild Horse Pass visit PlayAtGila.com. Light & Wonder info is at Explore.LNW.com.

Richard Strafella COO Gila River Resorts & Casinos (center, holding scissors) with team members at ribbon cutting for exclusive Frankenstein slot.

Exclusive Frankenstein slot at Gila River Resorts & Casinos Wild Horse Pass

ARIZONA LOTTERY

Submitted By Arizona Lottery

THERE’S

A SCRATCHERS® FOR EVERYONE

Find Your Perfect Game Today!

It is officially summer and what better way is there to celebrate than with the chance to win cool cash during Arizona’s hottest months? With dozens of Arizona Lottery games to choose from and sizzling top prizes, ranging from $1,000 to a staggering $5 million, there's an Arizona Lottery Scratchers game perfectly suited to you!

Chill out this summer with a variety of Scratchers games:

• Beat the Heat With Engaging Gameplay: Experience the thrill of Bingo with “Bullseye Bingo” tickets, challenge your mind with Crossword puzzles like “Coffee House Crossword,” or unleash your strategic skills with other captivating game formats.

• Unleash Your Passions: The Arizona Lottery understands that every player is unique. That's why they offer games tailored to your interests. Are you a dog lover? Then their “Lucky Dog” ticket will have you wagging your tail with excitement. Casino enthusiasts can indulge in familiar slot game style play with Wild Cherry Doubler.

• Explore Games for Every Budget: Scratchers games cater to every player, with ticket prices ranging from just $1 to $50. Whether you prefer a casual gaming experience or seek the adrenaline rush of high-stakes gameplay, there's a Scratchers game that suits your desired level of play.

No matter your passion, personality or style, the Arizona Lottery has a Scratchers ticket that offers a unique and immersive gaming experience that will keep you entertained all summer long.

But wait, there's more! Alongside their abundant Scratchers offerings, they have a promotion that will make your gaming adventure even more rewarding.

Each month, through September, 10 lucky players will be awarded $500 in Scratchers prizes with the $500,000 Scratchers Cash Players Club promotion, adding an extra level of excitement to your gaming journey.

And that's not all! One player will grab the grand prize and win a whopping $500,000!

To enter, simply submit your eligible Scratchers tickets through the Players Club. This is your chance to turn your gaming prowess into life-changing rewards.

Prepare to immerse yourself in a world of thrills, as Scratchers offers you a gaming experience unlike any other. From the wide range of games to the enticing promotion, every moment spent with Scratchers will be filled with anticipation and excitement. Plus, the chance to win big prizes may turn your summer woes into summer wins (or your dream summer vacation into a reality)!

Players can access the Arizona Lottery Players Club by downloading the app on the App Store, Google Play, or by visiting AZPlayersClub.com.

Players can purchase Scratchers and Fast Play tickets at all Arizona Lottery retail locations and enter their tickets through the Arizona Lottery Players Club app or at AZPlayersClub.com. For more information, please visit ArizonaLottery.com. $

Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery

By Al Moe

DOYLE BRUNSON’S GIFT TO THE WORLD Respectability And A Worldwide Stage For The Game Of Poker

Doyle Brunson won the World Series of Poker main event in 1976 and 1977 and it was a strong statement about his poker prowess. However, an even more compelling argument for his poker wisdom was his book, System, which he wrote shortly afterward.

Doyle, often called “Texas Dolly,” passed away at 89 on May 14, 2023, after an incredible poker career spanning nearly seventy years. He won ten WSOP bracelets, second only to Phil Helmuth with 13 titles in Texas Hold’em and three other games.

Like Phil Ivey, Brunson won titles in various forms of poker, including Deuce to Seven Draw, Seven-Card Stud Hi Seven-Card Stud, Seven-Card Razz, and a 2003 H.O.R.S.E. championship (Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Seven Stud, better Seven Stud).

In his book, Brunson recalled growing up in rural Texas, excelling in track, getting dozens of college basketball scholarships, and being scouted by the NBA’s Lakers. He was supremely competitive but had to switch his game to poker after a debilitating leg injury. While the NBA lost out, the poker world gained a gift that’s still giving – respectability and, eventually, a worldwide stage. I owe him for his gift.

In the 1960s, Doyle, Sailor Roberts, and Amarillo Slim Preston shared a poker bankroll and insight with each other. All three were eventual WSOP champs. Brunson shared his poker knowledge with the world, but an often-overlooked aspect of his story was that he gambled on weak hands.

According to Doyle, there was Winning and Dominating

Doyle often talked about being an aggressor at the poker table, pushing his opponents to make bad decisions by folding while he sought to destroy every game he played. But mixed among the sage advice was an admission that he often gambled on hands he wasn’t a favorite to win. But there was a reason he could do so with impunity and win more cash than others.

Because he was aggressive, he picked up more than his share of small pots, which helped balance the times he called with hands he knew were dogs. But the real payoff was a reputation for gambling and taking a chance on shaky hands.

So, while weaker players might regularly fold to his continued pressure, other players knew he might not be betting with the best hand and that he might go all-in with anything, so he got a lot of action – often when he did have unbeatable cards.

While most of us won’t ever attain the kind of poker highs Doyle achieved, we can consciously try to learn the games we play before we gamble at them. At poker, we can change gears, play a little fast and loose before tightening up, and use a variety of betting patterns so opponents can’t put us on a hand.

And finally, if it fits your style or goals, you can learn to play more than just top pairs and Ace-Face and Ace-X suited cards. There’s plenty to be said for Doyle’s favorite Texas Hold’em hands like small, suited connectors.

You’ll have to gamble a bit with smaller hands, but instead of waiting only for top hands, you can trap opponents playing big pairs by gambling with them and stacking them when you hit. When you do, think of Doyle and smile! $

Writer Al Moe has worked in the casino industry for many years. He has lived and worked in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. He also attended the University of Nevada, Reno. He is an avid writer and blogger. His book, “Vegas and the Mob," is available online at Amazon.com. He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.

TABLE GAMES

By TJ Jorgensen

$100,000 Blackjack Tournament My Time At The Final Table

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the Arizona casinos have discontinued Blackjack tournaments, unfortunately. It really doesn’t make much sense to me because every tournament brings in about 100 or more Blackjack players, not to mention all of the spouses, friends and family that come along for the fun! The Blackjack tournament community is fairly large and every tournament that I’ve ever attended has always been a success. So, time will tell if more casinos will bring the tournaments back.

At this point my friends and I, that are hard core tournament players, are forced to go to Las Vegas if we want to get in on the action. The Golden Nugget has an exciting $100,000 Blackjack tournament once every other month and that’s where you’ll find me and about ten other Blackjack afficionados from the Phoenix area.

The entry fee for the tournament is $500. They usually have about 200 players and round one is held on a Saturday. Six players are seated at each table and all are given $5,000 in play chips. At the end of eighteen hands, the two players with the most chips at the table advance to round two which is played on Sunday. All the other players are eliminated, but they do have an opportunity to rebuy in for another chance at the big prize. During the last tournament, I happened to win the table and advanced to round two.

In round two, six players are again seated at each table with a $5,000 stake and eighteen hands ahead of them vying for the top two positions to advance to the quarter finals. During the second round, I was fortunate again to win the table with the most chips.

In the quarterfinals, six players all start the round of eighteen hands again with $5,000 in play chips. Yours truly won with the most chips, advancing me to the semifinal. Nothing changes much in the semifinal round; same number of players at the table, same number of hands, and another $5,000 in play chips. However, now only one player with the highest number of chips advances to the final round.

On the final hand of the semifinal round, I found myself in the situation that I had to double a hard twelve to have a chance to advance (which I did) catching a nine for twenty one. When the dealer also made twenty one I pushed while everyone else lost, giving me the most chips at the table and advancing me to the

final round. All of the other players at the semifinal that didn’t advance to the final received prize money of $500 each!

With the final six you have a choice to chop the prize money and each take $14,400.00 and not play the final or play it out where 1st place pays $50,000, 2nd place pays $15,000, 3rd place pays $10,000, 4th place pays $6,500, 5th place pays $3,000 and 6th place pays $2,000.

All of the players vote on which option they want but a chop requires a unanimous vote. If even just one player wants to play it out then it must be played out. The only way you get more than the chop is to win 1st or 2nd place. During my final session, one person unfortunately wanted to play it out while the rest of us didn’t and (as usual) that person got last place!

The final round is twenty four hands with a chip count after hand twenty three. At this point the chip leader has $10,000, I’m at $9650, the other players are around $6,000 and Mr. “I want to play it out” has already been eliminated. The player with $10,000 is dealt a twenty and I’m dealt a sixteen so I’m faced with a dilemma, stand with my sixteen and take 2nd place or double down and go for 1st place and the $50,000? I reason you only get a chance once in a while so I go for the double down to win. How did it turn out? I busted the hand and didn’t win the $50,000 but at least I tried. What would you have done? $

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.

Talking Stick Resort Hosts 17th Annual Arizona State Poker Championship With A Prize Pool Over $1 Million. This August, Poker Players Worldwide Are Invited To Enter The Tournament And Enjoy The Luxury Property.

Talking Stick Resort is thrilled to invite poker players and fans back this August 18-22 for the 17th Annual Arizona State Poker Championship. The five-day tournament, hosted by the poker pro Tiffany Michelle, is known for its high stakes, skilled players, and a prize pool of over $1 Million.

“We look forward to the Arizona State Poker Championship all year. It is our biggest tournament of the year,” said Ramon Martinez, Director of Public Relations at Talking Stick Resort. “The energy is just different. These players bring their A-Game and they know how to have fun. So many of them have big, colorful personalities and their poker play is mesmerizing.”

The buy-in is $1,100, including the service fee, and players will start with $20,000 in tournament chips. Players can opt to purchase $10,000 in bonus tournament chips for $30. Re-entries and late entries are allowed until the end of the first break on all Day One's. The first three days of play, August 18, 19 and 20 begin at 9 a.m. and allow players to buy back in after losing. Then, the Semi-Finals will be on August 21 and the Finals on August 22.

Players can sign-up starting July 2, 2023, at the Arena Poker Room Cashier, or at the Bravo Poker Live website. To register online, players must have a Talking Stick Resort Players' Rewards Card ID # and registrations may only be made for the individual playing in the tournament.

Professional poker player and legend Tiffany Michelle will serve as host once again this year. One of the most recognized women in poker, she has broken records at the World Series of Poker and is a gold ring holder. In 2008, she was the Last Woman Standing at the famed event finishing 17th out of nearly 7,000 players.

Returning for its 17th year, the Arizona State Poker Championship has grown into one of the largest in the State. Every year, the top poker players in the world descend on the desert to play in Talking Stick Resort’s ARENA Poker Room, the Valley’s largest poker room. The ARENA Poker Room offers players a nonsmoking environment with 59 tables, surrounded by 16 bigscreen TVs, plus special food and beverage menus served around-the-clock and tableside massages.

Talking Stick Resort is a AAA Four Diamond Rated Resort and leading entertainment destination. In addition to the luxury accommodations, poker players who come to play in the Arizona State Poker Championship can revel in state-of-the-art amenities. Enjoy a culinary experience at myriad onsite restaurants, soothing spa treatments, a relaxing dip in one of the resort’s three pools, and a fun escape at the emerging Talking Stick Cultural and Entertainment Destination, which includes TopGolf, Talking Stick Golf Club, OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, iFly, Octane Raceway, Mavrix, Velocity VR and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.

“Players will obviously come for the poker, but we hope they stay for everything else Talking Stick Resort has to offer,” said Martinez. From our restaurants and nonstop gaming action to our luxury accommodations, spa services, resort pool, golf courses and entertainment options poker players can turn their poker championship trip into a full vacation.”

For more details about the ARENA Poker Room at Talking Stick Resort and upcoming tournaments, please visit their website at TalkingStickResort.com or call (480) 850-8693. $

MAZATZAL HOTEL & CASINO

$36,000 Vacation Giveaway, Josh Turner Concert, And So Much More

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

From the food to the service to the slot floor and everywhere in between, Mazatzal has everything for the casino gaming enthusiast in a location that can’t be beat. Now that temperatures have already skyrocketed, why not choose Mazatzal as your next gaming getaway? Enjoy 20 degree cooler weather among the beautiful tall pines and exciting casino action all day and night long. Then, when you’re ready to relax and take it easy, you can in a luxurious room in their all-suite hotel.

Entertainment

Josh Turner Concert

Mazatzal Hotel & Casino is celebrating their 30th birthday with a special outdoor concert featuring country music superstar Josh Turner on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Over the last two decades, Josh Turner’s rich baritone voice has been one of the most recognizable voices in country music. Josh Turner has been topping the charts with iconic #1 hits such as “Your Man,” “Would You Go With Me,” “Firecracker,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “All Over Me,” and “Hometown Girl.”

The concert will be held outdoors (West Parking Lot) and is open to the public of all ages. The General Admission (Standing) tickets are $50 in advance or +$10 if purchased after August 27. Reserved and VIP (Seated) tickets are $75 & up in advance or +$10 if purchased after August 27.

Promotions

$36,000 Vacation Giveaway

Now through July 31, you can gain entries by earning 200 base points to win your share of $36,000 vacation cash! Drawings will be held on July 31, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cold Stone Creamery Weekly Giveaway

Get an exciting gift by simply earning 500 base points now through July 14 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

20 For 20 Tuesdays

Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., players club members can earn 20 base points to receive $20 MazCash! See Players Club for more details.

Point Multiplier Days & MazCash

From Monday Fundays and 4Ever Young (for those age 40+) to Veteran Appreciation Days, Mazatzal has exciting promos every day of the week for members to earn bonus points and more free play when actively playing slots! See the Players Club for more details.

Sportsbook

The Sportsbook is open! Watch live games, get up-to-date spreads and money lines, and enjoy food & drink specials.

For more information on Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, their current promotions, entertainment and dining specials just visit their website at MazatzalCasino.com or call 1-800-777-7529. $

Submitted By Jeff Spight, CEO of Mind 24-7

MIND 24-7 WALK-IN CARE

The ER Isn’t The Place For People With Mental Health Concerns

Emergency departments (ED) are one of the most incredible medical advances of the 20th century. The doctors, nurses and staff who work in emergency medicine save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives each year. They are equipped to handle a wide range of physical health problems from burns and broken bones to seizures and strokes. People with mental health concerns should be treated in dedicated mental health walk-in clinics with mental health professionals on staff day and night to meet their needs.

Why not the emergency department (ED)?

Most EDs don’t have full-time mental health professionals on staff, meaning patients dealing with mental health issues often must wait hours to be seen by an on-call provider. That puts ED staff in the position of caring for patients in crisis who are potentially a harm to themselves or others for extended periods. Patients not in crisis, but who come to the ED for essential mental health care, frequently decide to leave rather than wait, putting them at risk for more serious issues.

Further, there are detrimental effects on the health care system itself. When patients who need mental health care occupy beds, there are fewer available for those requiring treatment for lifeand limb-threatening physical ailments. Cost can’t be overlooked either. ED visits for mental health conditions contribute to the country’s accumulation of $47 billion in unnecessary emergency care each year. Simply put: When EDs are forced to respond to mental health concerns they aren't equipped to manage, it puts a strain on hospital resources and on the health care system overall.

Even when patients with mental health issues are treated in the ED, there’s only about a 50% chance they will go on to receive the follow-up care they need. Mental health is a journey and is rarely achieved in a single visit to any provider. Whether a patient needs medication, therapy or other treatments based on their diagnosis, follow-up care for mental health issues is essential.

And yet, it’s understandable patients aren’t getting the ongoing care they need, considering the average wait time to get an appointment with a mental health provider in the United States is six weeks. When patients leave the ED following a mental health episode, they may be told they need follow-up care, but

it can be difficult to access that care given the lengthy wait times. A specially designed urgent mental health care center can take on the responsibility of making quality referrals and even providing ongoing care until a patient is connected with a longer-term provider, whereas most hospital EDs aren't equipped to do that.

Patients need and deserve an alternative. They need a different option than going to the ED when they know they need mental health care, or waiting weeks before getting the help they need. They deserve an alternative to getting the bare minimum.

How MIND 24-7 fills this gap in care

When Chief Executive Officer Jeff Spight started MIND 24-7, he had a goal to fundamentally change the way people access mental health care. In Arizona, his clinics are successfully filling a critical gap between long waits to get an appointment with a provider and going to the emergency department for mental health care, which is not only time-consuming and costly, but inadequate.

MIND 24-7 is open around the clock for walk-in care where no appointment is necessary. They treat every kind of mental health condition including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, schizophrenia, addiction, substance use disorder and more in both adults and youths. Rather than waiting hours to receive care, MIND 24-7 patients see a mental health professional within 20 minutes of arrival, and most will be on their way again in about an hour and a half. MIND 24-7 clinics accept health insurance, including Medicare and AHCCCS. They also never turn anyone away due to lack of coverage or inability to pay.

MIND 24-7 provides an alternative that reduces the pressure and strain on EDs to ultimately create a better working health care system overall. Mr. Spight envisions a future in which no one will ever have to wait to receive the mental health services they need. With four locations and counting, they’re on their way to making this goal a reality.

If you feel like stress is getting the best of you, remember that you’re not alone. No appointment is necessary. To learn more, text or call 1-844-MIND247 or visit Mind24-7.com. $

Hot Promotions & Cool Giveaways

During July At Casino Del Sol

Casino Del Sol & Casino of the Sun always keep it interesting and fun with their gaming specials every day of the week. And July is no different than any other month because it’s packed full with hot promotions and cool giveaways. If you haven’t visited in a while, it’s time to pack your bags and head down to Tucson for some great gaming action.

Promotions & Giveaways

Summer Hot Slots Club Sol Members can join in on the Hot Seats July 8th – 29th. Every Saturday at Casino Del Sol & Casino of the Sun, 9 winners will be selected between 12 p.m.-6 p.m. for a chance to win up to $250 in instant Free play. (Carded slot Players will be eligible for this promo.)

Six Pack Sundays On July 9th & 23rd, Club Sol Members who earn 150 slot/table points can pick up a gift item between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Members can earn up to 3 gift items per promotional day. (Gift item = six pack or alternative beverage.)

Sunshine Club On Mondays, Members who are 50 and over can receive exclusive dining offers & live drawings for a chance to win up to $150 Free play. Every 25 pts earned is an additional entry into the current day’s drawings. Drawings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m. & 6 p.m.

Wine Wednesdays Club Sol Members can earn up to 10 bottles of wine & get a bonus bottle by earning just 150 pts for every bottle between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Play & Get Thursdays Club Sol Members can earn just 200 pts to receive the gift of the week between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Free Stuff Fridays Club Sol Members can earn just 75 pts to get a prize between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Birthday Celebration Club Sol Members can play a Swipe & Win on their birthday for a chance at $1000 Free play and earn entries into a drawing for additional free play! The next drawing date is scheduled for July 22nd $

Gila River Resorts & Casinos Celebrates Fourth Casino Opening With Country Music Star Gabby Barrett In Concert And Aerial Drone Show

The largest gaming enterprise in the Valley, Gila River Resorts & Casinos, just hosted their grand opening celebrations on June 30 and July 1 in honor of their newest location, Santan Mountain Casino. Guests were welcomed with giveaways, Las Vegas-style showgirls, aerial drone shows and an exciting concert with country music star Gabby Barrett.

The grand opening festivities were a culmination of a 20 month, $180 million project that will bring more than 700 new jobs to the East Valley. The new property features floor to ceiling windows, 33,000 square feet of gaming floor, 813 slot machines, 25 table games, BetMGM Sportsbook (the largest casino sportsbook in the state), outdoor gardens, event space and new food concepts including Mein Dish, Upper Deck Deli

and Honey & Vine. The sit down restaurant Honey & Vine features an outdoor patio, coffee bar, all day food service as well as a live DJ on special occasions.

“We are excited to break the mold with traditional casinos and bring a stunning new property to our loyal guests,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos. “With views of the Santan Mountains, modern touches, and elevated amenities, there is not a gaming destination like this in the State of Arizona.”

With the addition of the fourth property, revenue from the enterprise directly funds infrastructure, education and public safety for the Gila River Indian Community. Additional revenue from the enterprise also goes to support the local cities, towns and counties. For more information about any of the Gila River Resorts & Casinos, visit PlayAtGila.com. $

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort Receives Tripadvisor 2023 Travelers’ Choice Award

The We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Tripadvisor 2023 Travelers’ Choice Award in recognition of its commitment to hospitality excellence. This is the second year in a row that the property has received this coveted industry acknowledgement.

The Travelers’ Choice Awards celebrate travelers’ favorite destinations, hotels, restaurants and things to do based on review data collected on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period. Winners are ranked among the top 10% on Tripadvisor globally as determined by the quantity and quality of the ratings received.

“We’re thrilled to receive Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award once again,” said Aaron Moss, General Manager for the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. “This award is especially meaningful because it comes from the travelers themselves – the people who play in our state-of-the-art casino, enjoy our luxurious accommodations, dine at our variety of fast and casual restaurants, and relax in our spa. Their positive reviews validate our team members’ hard work and dedication, and inspire us to continue providing exceptional guest experiences.”

About We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort

Owned and operated by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the spectacular 166,341-square-foot We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort boasts state-ofthe-art gaming, a variety of specialty fine and casual dining restaurants, and live entertainment. The AAA Four Diamond hotel offers 246 luxurious guestrooms and suites; 25,000 square feet of meeting space; and two resort-style outdoor pools. The casino resort’s proximity to the two highly acclaimed courses at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club and numerous outdoor activities at Fort McDowell Adventures make it the ideal destination for a vacation, business function or special event. For more information, visit WeKoPaCasinoResort.com. $

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

APACHE GOLD & SKY CASINOS Globe & Winkelman

No info submitted at press time. Contact casinos.

BLUEWATER CASINO Parker

DSB (Journey) September 2

BUCKY’S & YAVAPAI CASINOS Prescott

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

Frontier Days (World’s Oldest Rodeo) Now - July 4

CASINO ARIZONA Scottsdale

Gypsy Roses (Guns ‘n’ Roses) July 7 & 8

TLR (The Eagles) July 21 & 22

The Police Experience July 28 & 29

CASINO DEL SOL Tucson

29th Anniversary Fireworks Celebration July 3

Los Tucanes De Tijuana & Ramon Ayala July 14

Iron Chef Tucson July 22

CLIFF CASTLE CASINO HOTEL Camp Verde

Live music at The Dragonfly on Fridays & Saturdays

Comedy at the Castle (inquire at casino)

COCOPAH CASINO Somerton

Karaoke Saturdays 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

DESERT DIAMOND CASINO Sahuarita

Grand Funk Railroad July 22

Gipsy Kings Featuring Nicolas Reyes August 5

Little River Band August 12

The Temptations September 8

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO Maricopa

Caifanes September 15

Josh Turner November 11

Parker McCollum December 16

HON-DAH RESORT CASINO Pinetop

Live Music Tuesdays Through Saturdays

Monday Funday Comedy Shows

Voyager (Journey) July 14

American Highwaymen (J. Cash, W. Jennings, W. Nelson, K. Kristofferson) Aug. 25

MAZATZAL CASINO Payson

Mirage (Fleetwood Mac) July 1

World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo August 17 - 19

Josh Turner September 2

Candle In The Wind (Elton John) October 13

QUECHAN CASINO RESORT Winterhaven

S!CK!CK & Konstantina Gianni July 28

Ja Rule & Ashanti August 17

TALKING STICK RESORT Scottsdale

The Happy Together Tour July 14

Little River Band July 15

The Tubes August 5

Chiquis September 15

Jake Owen October 26

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

Legands In Concert July 8

The Home Edit Summer Of Fun Tour July 11

George Thorogood & The Destroyers July 23

Gipsy Kings Featuring Nicolas Reyes August 4

The Beach Boys September 22

Josh Turner @ Mazatzal Casino & Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino George Thorogood & The Destroyers @ Wild Horse Pass Casino

Iron Chef Tucson Casino Del Sol July 22

Casino Del Sol and Blue Moon invite you to treat your taste buds at the Culinary Experience and stay for the Iron Chef Tucson Competition, Saturday July 22nd at Casino Del Sol's beautiful Grand Ballroom. Join them as two of Tucson's finest compete for a chance to be crowned Iron Chef Tucson. Chef Devon Sanner of Zio Peppe will battle current Iron Chef Kenneth Foy of Dante's Fire. Your mouth will never forgive you if you miss any of our Iron Chef Tucson Culinary Experiences throughout the day, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Presented by Blue Moon Brewing Company, Sunora Bacanora, Affinity Kitchens, Arizona Appliance and Home, Arizona Restaurant Supply and Casino Del Sol.

The Iron Chef Tucson Competition will be hosted by Matt Russell, Publisher of OnTheMenuLive.com and Ryan Clark, Executive Chef at Casino Del Sol.

Choose from three unique Iron Chef Tucson Experiences: Culinary Experience Only (1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.)

Iron Chef Tucson Competition (5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.) PLUS the Culinary Experience (1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.) Combo

All Inclusive VIP Experience (Culinary Experience: 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m., VIP Reception: 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m., Iron Chef Tucson Competition: 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.)

For more information visit CasinoDelSol.com. $

The Happy Together Tour Talking Stick Resort

July 14

The hit-filled “Happy Together” Tour returns!

2023 will mark the 14th year of the highly successful, hitfilled summer package, the “Happy Together” Tour. The touring sensation that has crisscrossed the nation delighting audiences for over a decade returns this summer with a show full of chart-topping hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s – an undeniable 61 Billboard Top 40 smashes. The Tour is once again joined by The Turtles, who also act as musical hosts for the evening. Along with The Turtles will be Little Anthony, Gary Pickett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, Classics IV and The Cowsills.

The Turtles are best known for their harmony-heavy California pop sound. With such hits as “Elenore,” “She’d Rather Be With Me,” “It Ain’t Me Babe,” “You Showed Me” and the title of the tour, “Happy Together,” the band ruled the airwaves in the late ‘60s. Ron Dante joins the line-up to delight with his own mega-hits, “Sugar Sugar” & “Tracy.”

Little Anthony has over 60 years in show business and over 50 Million records sold worldwide. His voice has not changed a bit and is considered one of the greatest voices of all time! Little Anthony was inducted into the 2009 class of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Some of the most iconic songs ever written and Little Anthony performs include: “Goin’ Out of My Head,” “Hurts So Bad,” “Tears on My Pillow,” “I’m On The Outside (Looking In),” and “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop.”

For more information visit TalkingStickResort.com. $

By Sami Becker

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN GIVES BACK And Continues To Make An Impact On The Community

My column has always been dedicated to rants, raves and reflections. Unfortunately, many articles have been focused on the rants rather than the raves as most of my readers’ comments tend to be gripes. We’re all guilty of sometimes focusing too much on the negative rather than seeing all the positive in front of us. It’s human nature that the “bad things” grab our attention and stick in our memories.

Of course there’s a litany of things all of us casino enthusiasts can complain about (regardless of the casino we frequent) the loud, awful music, security not doing enough to prevent hoverers and smackers, poor customer service, and the list goes on. No casino will ever be perfect and capable of making all their customers happy all of the time.

What we don t focus on enough is what the casinos are doing right. For example, Harrah Chin has always fostered a culture of giving back to the community. And, environmental stewardship is an essential part of the Harrah's Ak no

Chin Casino announced a partnership with the National Park Trust via a Caesars Foundation grant to sponsor Saddleback Elementary School's participation in the Buddy Bison School Program. Incorporating stewardship, recreation, and education in an "outdoor" classroom setting, the Buddy Bison School Program provides opportunities for interactive and exciting learning experiences that educate students on multiple aspects of the environment, including ecosystems, the importance of conservation, and encouraging active involvement and exploration of the outdoors.

"Our Caesars Foundation partnership with the National Park Trust continues to foster our culture of giving back to the community," says HERO Committee Chair Barbara Achten. "Our Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino HERO Committee had fun interacting with the students from Saddleback Elementary School. The smiles on their faces were a mile wide!"

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Guests Donate More Than $27,000 To Local Maricopa Charities Through NRT Machine Donations

Harrah Chin Casino employees celebrated the beginning of May by replanting the Employee Garden just off the Employee Dining Room. Known as a quiet place where employees can gather and take a break, the garden is a produce source for any employee who wants to take something home. "Harvesting seeds, replanting and cleaning up the garden is an effort our employees look forward to every year,” said CodeGreen leader April Stovall. “It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time together creating a unique and inclusive community space.”

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino continues to foster a culture of giving back to the community. The latest effort, offering guests an option to donate their change via the NRT machines at cash out, raised more than $27,000 for local Maricopa charities in the first six months of the program. “We’ve built a culture that celebrates community involvement and giving back,” said HERO Committee Chair Barbara Achten. “When people become a part of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, whether they join the team or are a guest, we like to highlight opportunities for them to support the community. Our new NRT program makes it easy for guests to make a big impact. And it only takes a little bit of change.” $

Chin Casino Employees Replant Employee Garden

As part of the property’s CodeGreen initiative, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Employees Mellitta and MaryLou joined other team members in replanting the Employee Garden. The Employee Garden is a source of fresh produce and a place for gathering.

REEL RESULT:

Lightning Link Sahara Gold

Apache Gold Casino Resort

Bucky’s Casino

BlueWater Resort & Casino

Casino Del Sol

Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita

Desert Diamond Casino Tucson

Desert Diamond West Valley

Hon-Dah Resort Casino

Lone Butte Casino

Mazatzal Casino

Quechan Casino Resort

Spirit Mountain Casino

Twin Arrows Navajo Casino

Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino

Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino

(as submitted by Aristocrat Gaming at press time)

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH

To Celebrate National Hot Dog Day on July 19, Find: HOT, DOG, HOTDOG, COOKED, SAUSAGE, GRILLED, STEAMED, BUN, CORN DOG, PIG IN A BLANKET, MUSTARD, KETCHUP, ONIONS, MAYONNAISE, RELISH, CHEESE, CHILI, SAUERKRAUT, SALT, GARLIC, PAPRIKA, GERMAN, STREETFOOD, BASEBALL. Words appear in any direction.

Jokes & Quotes

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

Two elderly women were out driving. Cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but the driver kept going. Alarmed, the passenger thought, I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light. They came to another red light. Again, they drove right through. Again, the passenger questioned her sanity, but kept quiet. Still, she was getting nervous.

At the third intersection, sure enough, it happened again. The passenger couldn't let it go this time. She turned to her friend and said, “Did you know that we just ran three red lights in a row? You could have killed us both!”

Her friend said, “Oh my! Am I driving?”

A young lady came home from a date, looking sad. “Anthony proposed to me an hour ago,” she told her mother. “Then why are you so sad?”

“Because he also told me he is an atheist. Mom, he doesn't even believe in hell.”

“Marry him anyway,” her mother replied. “Between the two of us, we’ll show him how wrong he is!”

Each of the columns, rows, and 3 x 3 grids must contain all of the digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear more than once in each column, row, and 3 x 3 grid. Level: EASY (Solution on page 38)

Zodiac Lucky Numbers

Aries (March 21 – April 19): 1, 15, 21, 33, 48, 66

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): 4, 14, 25, 32, 52, 57

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): 2, 7, 26, 42, 54, 66

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): 1, 17, 21, 29, 46, 58

Leo (July 23 – August 22): 8, 14, 22, 34, 43, 69

Virgo (August 23 – September 22): 2, 11, 20, 37, 55, 68

Libra (September 23 – October 22): 1, 3, 14, 39, 54, 62

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): 8, 16, 23, 42, 55, 60

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): 11, 12, 21, 34, 53, 59

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): 6, 24, 26, 41, 47, 57

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): 6, 11, 15, 28, 52, 63

Pisces (February 19 – March 20): 10, 19, 24, 31, 44, 58

Water Rabbit Lunar Year

Ask for good luck: 1, 3, 10, 12, 13, 16, 20, 22, 25, 28.

Best days to travel: 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 19, 20, 24, 31.

Best days to meet with someone: (none).

There is overlap for luck & travel on the 1st, 3rd, 12th, & 20th! 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:

REEL RESULT:

Buffalo Link

Casino Arizona

Casino Del Sol

Cocopah Casino

Desert Diamond Casino Tucson

Desert Diamond West Valley

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

Lone Butte Casino

Mazatzal Casino

Talking Stick Resort

Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino

Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino

(as submitted by Aristocrat Gaming at press time)