Arizona Gaming Guide Magazine - September 2023 - 15:09

RIBS, BURGERS, LOBSTER!

And Don’t Forget Pizza Or Schnitzel

As you’ve no doubt caught on, this column has been featuring classic casino dishes every month for a while now because the team here wants to know which casinos serve up our readers’ favorite versions. Each food has its own National Day associated with it which provides the selected foods each month. September features plenty of different culinary treats including National Welsh Rarebit Day, of all things, as if casinos served this dish!

Clearly, the dishes have to be narrowed down so that our readers are able to find the items on the menus from one casino to the next. This month features several classic foods like ribs, burgers, pizza, and lobster. It’s very unlikely that the restaurants (both casual and fine dining) at your favorite casino don’t offer all of these selections.

Based on personal experience, I can think of several casinos whose dining outlets serve pizza that clearly arrived at their loading dock frozen, having been premade by a factory. There are other casino dining establishments that make hand-tossed pizza with your choice of ingredients which rivals the pizza served by local and national pizza franchises. And, unfortunately, I’ve had the salty, rubbery, moldy-unwashed-sock taste, experience with lobster served by a casino. So, I want to know which casinos our readers go to in order to enjoy these classic dishes.

One dish you won’t find in the casino, but I wish was available, is an excellent Wiener Schnitzel. I suggest on the 9th, you make your own at home. If you’ve never had one, this Austrian delicacy is a simple, thin, lightly pounded, breaded (salt, flour, eggs, bread crumbs), pan-fried (lard or clarified butter) veal cutlet. Please let me know if you see this dish on the menu at any of the Arizona casinos.

September 03 – National Baby Back Ribs Day

September 09 – National Wiener Schnitzel Day

September 18 – National Cheeseburger Day

September 20 – National Pepperoni Pizza Day

September 25 – National Lobster Day

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 A Lucky Month! Alexandra

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

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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

GIFTS, GIFTS, GIFTS & MORE GIFTS!

Enough with the gift giveaways. PLEASE! My wife can’t say no to the gifts that the casinos are constantly giving away. Most of the time we don’t even play, we just drive out to the casino and get the darn toaster or whatever it is. I’m sick of the useless gifts.

James Henderson, Buckeye, AZ

Tell the casinos to stop giving away crappy presents. How many toasters, luggage sets, sheet sets and waffle makers do they think we need? Gift cards and free play, that’s all!

Margaret F., e-mail

I am so sick and tired of the casinos bribing me to come play with a stupid gift. I’m done collecting $5 items that are worthless that end up costing me hundreds of dollars at the casino!

Diane Mueller, Chandler, AZ

My garage is filled with casino gifts from the giveaways. You wouldn’t believe all the items I have. I could probably fill up 20 kitchens and bedrooms and bathrooms with all the bed sets and towels and kitchen appliances and more!! I’ve given my friends and family I don’t know how many gifts. Some already get their own items from the casinos and they don’t want mine. I’m done. I’m not picking up another sheet and comforter set. In fact, I’ve decided that I will purposely not go on the giveaway days so I’m not tempted to pick it up just because!

Mira S., Gilbert, AZ

company. First, it’s easier to pay someone else to do the work. Second, the perceived competition with the other casinos. As in, “they are doing it, so I have to as well.” Third, it is one of the only large companies performing this service. Fourth, it works. If the gift program didn’t contribute significantly to a casino’s bottom line, they wouldn't do it. So, you mention NOT going to a casino on their gift days. If you all are prepared to follow through with that statement, do so. A shift in consumer behavior will affect a casino's bottom line.

Another way out of the cycle of picking up “useless gifts,” to use your words, is to focus only on promotions which are not based on physical items. Personally, I like gift certificates. They are small, have an exact cash value, and can be used by me, my family, my friends, or I can regift them.

I go out of my way to ignore gift promotions and only focus on gift card and free play promotions. The best promotions for me are “earn and get.” Whether it’s gas or free play, I’m gifted $X and then given the opportunity to play up for more certificates or free play the more points I earn. That’s how I avoid a garage full of crappy purses, plastic screwdriver sets, off-brand toasters (or blenders, or baking dishes lined with toxic paint), and so on.

We appreciate your feedback. Thank you!

Trust us when we say, we all know how you feel! Almost all casinos are using the same gift supplier (Imagine This | Casino Continuity Programs - ImagineThis.com). Make sure you check out their website to gain a better understanding of what casinos are outsourcing to this single company that they all use. If you’ve ever wondered why one casino offers a gift set, and then in the following month another casino has the exact same gift set, Imagine This is the reason why.

There are several reasons why the casinos are using this one

If you have a garage filled with unwanted and unused casino “gifts,” my advice to you is to stop collecting more gifts and to have a garage sale as fast as possible once the weather cools off. Price each unused and boxed item at $5 and sell them all. There are a lot of people out there who are more than happy to exchange $5 for a brand new toaster.

But based on what we’ve heard, post-pandemic, people who frequent garage sales recognize unwanted casino gifts and are beginning not to buy them. Prospective buyers are turning up their nose because they know the products are low-quality, not brand name, and are in low demand. So, before too many unwanted casino gifts flood the market, get rid of yours while you still can in exchange for cash. If that’s not your style, pick your favorite non-corporate charity and donate the items. If buyers are starting to reject the gifts, the donation places may soon catch on too! $

STRATEGY ALERT!

Minimum bet is 75 credits. Maximum bet may be as high as 2000 credits. Play the BOOST” bet (3X minimum) of 300 credits for 2X more frequent CA$H BLITZ features (on average).

NFL SLOTS

By Aristocrat Gaming

Recently, Aristocrat Gaming™ and the National Football League™ (NFL) released the first visuals of the new NFL-themed slot machines with the reveal of NFL Super Bowl Jackpots™. This introductory new game will bring the largest sports brand in the U.S. to casino floors across the country at the start of the 2023 NFL season. The original license agreement was announced in Fall 2021, providing both companies with an enhanced opportunity to drive engagement through an entirely new slot gaming experience.

We are thrilled to debut the first look of the new NFL-licensed slot machines, which will provide an innovative entertainment experience for millions of NFL fans who enjoy the fun of casino gaming,” said Hector Fernandez, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming. We are changing the game with this first-of-its-kind slot machine, offering fans the ability to customize the experience by selecting their favorite team in any casino they choose to play.”

The unveiling of the first NFL-themed slot machines represents an opportunity to bring the League closer to our fans in a new area,” said Joe Ruggiero, SVP of Consumer Products at the NFL. We have valued collaborating with Aristocrat to bring their vision and responsible gaming resources to fans during the 2023 NFL season and beyond.”

This much-awaited reveal of NFL Super Bowl Jackpots on the new King Max™ cabinet is the first of several games that will be unveiled over time as part of this industry-leading, multi-year agreement. Casino players of Super Bowl Jackpots have the chance to win a $1 million progressive jackpot, where permitted, and experience additional rich gameplay features, including six licensed fan-favorite stadium anthems during key moments in the game. The additional slot machines in the initial product roster that will debut later this year and into 2024 include Overtime Cash™, Super Bowl Link™, NFL Kickoff™, Winning Drive™, and Rings of Victory™ – each inspired by a unique element of NFL gameplay and featuring customizable team options.

Aristocrat Gaming also produced a brief promotional video of their brand new slot, which you can see on our website at AZGamingGuide.com/Index_files/videos.html or by clicking the picture to the left if you are reading this digitally.

(Continued on page 12)

NEW SLOTS Coming Soon

NFL SUPER BOWL JACKPOT SLOTS BONUS GAMES & FEATURES

FREE GAMES

Players choose their volatility and collect Cash-on-Reel prizes in the free games.

WHEEL FEATURE

Each wheel symbol collected in the Cash Blitz feature awards one spin of the Jackpot Wheel.

CASH BLITZ

Base game feature with Cash-on-Reel prizes, bonus triggers, and expanding reel arrays.

2 MINUTE DRILL

Collect consecutive Cash-on-Reel symbols before the clock runs out!

MATCH-3 JACKPOT PICK

Match three symbols to award progressive jackpots and multipliers.

CLUTCH KICK

Kick one of three footballs to win credit prizes and additional field goal kicks.

(Continued from page 8) VIDEO

When this issue went to press, we are not aware of any casinos in Arizona offering this slot. As soon as we have any details, we will pass them along in an upcoming issue, or through our social channels and e-newsletter. $

Click

ARIZONA LOTTERY

Submitted By Scientific Games

SCIENTIFIC GAMES & GAME OF THRONES Company Secures Rights For Digital & Retail Lottery

Games

Scientific Games announces an exclusive new, multi-year agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment to bring HBO's iconic Game Of Thrones brand to digital and retail lottery games for the first time. The expanded partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment features limited worldwide rights on the epic brand. Scientific Games will offer innovative Game Of Thrones branded player experiences with instant scratch games, Fast Play games and digital lottery games.

Game Of Thrones digital and retail game designs from Scientific Games are immediately available to U.S. and international lotteries. In fiscal year 2022, licensed branded games created by Scientific Games for U.S. lotteries represented USD $2.7 billion in retail sales. Renowned for science-based products and solutions that drive maximum proceeds for lottery beneficiary programs, the company applied advanced consumer research techniques to assess Game Of Thrones by Power Index, which is a measure of the intensity of 'liking' that a brand possesses. The property scored among the top brands available for lottery games today.

Kyle Rogers, Vice President of North American Instant Products for Scientific Games, said, "Our global teams are ecstatic to add a powerful brand Game Of Thrones to our licensed properties portfolio. Game Of Thrones is already a proven property in the gaming and social gaming sectors. There is so much iconography associated with the TV series that it works creatively with our omni-channel lottery games. Although it appeals to a younger generation of players, multi-generations of viewers watched Game Of Thrones around the world, so it has the potential to bring its massive fanbase and social media following to the lottery."

Rogers indicated that the insights gleaned from Scientific Games research positively supports Game Of Thrones as a right-fit brand for the company's next blockbuster lottery Linked Games which will be announced soon. The global lottery company offers the largest portfolio of licensed brands in the lottery industry with more than 100 properties for digital and retail games.

Scientific Games pioneered Linked Games winners' events in 2007 and has since produced more than 30 major events for the lottery industry. To date, Linked Games have generated nearly

$4.8 billion in retail sales and hosted more than 3,000 winners for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technologies, analytics and services to 130 lotteries in 50 countries, including nearly every North American lottery. The company is the largest instant scratch game provider in the world, and a leading global provider of iLottery solutions, digital lottery games, mobile apps, player loyalty programs and customer relationship management programs.

Scientific Games is also a leading provider of lottery games, technology, analytics and services to government-sponsored lottery programs globally. From cutting-edge backend systems to exciting entertainment experiences and trailblazing retail and digital solutions, they elevate play every day. They push game designs to the next level and are pioneers in instant games, data analytics and iLottery. Built on a foundation of trusted partnerships, Scientific Games combines relentless innovation, performance, and unwavering security to responsibly propel the industry forward. For more information, visit their website at ScientificGames.com. $

By Al Moe

AMAZING GAMBLING SYSTEMS REVEALED

How To Spot Scam Systems

When I was a kid, my favorite magazine was Gambling Times. It had cool stories about Vegas, interviews with professional gamblers, advertisements for gaming systems like “Auss the Boss,” and the 7-to-1 blackjack program.

I also saw an ad for the world’s best roulette system with a 100% money-back guarantee. Excited, I mailed away ten bucks and waited anxiously for the roulette system to arrive. It did. Inside the mailer was a sealed envelope that said, “Congratulations, you have the most amazing, stunning roulette system ever devised in your hands. Our 100% money-back guarantee is still available; just return this envelope unopened. But because the system is so powerful, you may not request a refund if you open this envelope and reveal its secrets!”

Being young and gullible, I hesitated a moment before ripping that sucker open and learning a valuable lesson. Everything in life is a gamble. Inside, the system boiled down to waiting at a roulette table until three consecutive spins were the same color and then betting against that color on the next spin. If you didn’t win, keep doubling your bet until you did. It’s magic.

I tried it the following weekend by driving to Lake Tahoe, winning $200 the first night and going broke the next. Lesson learned.

The Martingale System Still Lives

One of the oldest (and most debilitating) gambling systems in the world is the Martingale, and like my $10 roulette lesson, you double a losing wager until you win. Or until you knock up against the table limit or lose all your money.

The only guarantee to any gaming system is that the seller is the only one making any money. Eventually, you’ll lose. The roulette lesson is rooted in The Gambler’s Fallacy, which implies that previous events influence future ones in fixed-odds games. Or, more importantly, if something happens, like a red number coming up three times on a roulette wheel, black is more likely to come up next. It isn’t. The odds of either color (or green) coming up next are the same. Previous events don’t apply.

Unfortunately, more websites and text-message scams are popping up with guaranteed gaming systems, especially for now-

legal sports bets. When I was younger, there were plenty of star bet, t tell you that every second caller was told to bet on the other side. Half the buyers won. The other half got free picks the following week.

If you want to argue the semantics of the word system, you would be right to say a “system” that promotes making small enough bets in relation to your bankroll that won’t leave you broke after a few losers helps immensely. So does learning programs like blackjack basic strategy and card counting, following winning sports trends, and betting with your head, not your heart.

When the late great Doyle Brunson wrote Super System about poker, he emphasized people and odds, not luck and superstition. His “system” was based on knowing your poker game and applying math to understand good and bad bets and pot odds. The only guarantee in gambling is that knowledgeable decisions are rewarded more often than those made on hope and hunches. $

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

YOU CALL IT LUCK

I Call It Standard Deviation

If a person goes to the casino and plays a negative expectation game for a few hours and walks out a winner, they usually will tell you they had a lucky day. However, I would describe what they experienced as "Standard Deviation" in that they did not achieve the expected mathematical outcome which is a loss. Let me explain.

If I randomly flip a coin there are only two possible outcomes, heads or tails. On any given flip, there is a 50% chance that heads will be the result and a 50% chance that tails will be the result. So if I flip a coin 100 times, the expectation is to get 50 heads and 50 tails. Reality may be different. The measure of that reality is called "Standard Deviation."

Standard Deviation is a term used in mathematical probabilities to predict the outcome of an event. In our coin flipping trial of 100 flips you would expect to get 50 heads and 50 tails, but twothirds of the time you will get between 45 heads and 55 tails or just the reverse, or something in between, and that would not be unusual. This would occur 68.3% of the time. That measurement is one standard deviation from the expected outcome of 50 tails and 50 heads. Simply put, if you did a thousand trials of flipping a coin 100 times and recorded the results, most of your results would fall between 45 and 55 either way. What would be unusual is to get a lot of trials where the result was actually 50 heads and 50 tails.

Any game in the casino can be mathematically broken down and a house edge can be calculated. For example, if a Blackjack player uses perfect basic strategy at a six deck game, the house has around a .55% advantage depending on the rules. So the casino's expectation is to make 55 cents for every $100 wagered. If the casino's expectation was always equal to the actual outcome the player would never win, but thanks to our good friend Standard Deviation the player does win, sometimes. In fact, if you do play perfect basic strategy, you have a 25% chance of being ahead after playing 25,000 hands.

To overcome the house edge on a six deck game you would have to count cards and use a 1 to 12 betting spread, so at a $5 table your bets would be between $5 and $60. If you played this

way (and played several hundred 3 hour sessions) your average win would be $22.50. However, like getting 50 tails and 50 heads in our coin example, it would be rare to get an exact win of $22.50 after three hours of play. Two-thirds of the time you would wind up somewhere between a win of $191 and a loss of $147.

In the name of good journalism, I decided to conduct my own trial and report the results here. Over the past few weeks I played sixteen, 3 hour blackjack sessions at the local casinos using a 1 to 12 betting spread against a six deck game. Sixteen sessions is considered a very short trial, so I do intend to keep playing to see if the expected outcome will be close to the actual outcome.

Apparently Standard Deviation has been riding shotgun with me because my results are higher than expected! If you had a winning day at the casino make sure you thank our friend, Standard Deviation. $

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.

Submitted By Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos

FOOD, PROMOS, GAMES, SLOTS!

Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos, in Prescott, Arizona, offer smoke-free gaming, a wide selection of gaming entertainment and daily happy hour. They are very proud of their new selection of slot and video machines including Devil’s Lock, Xing Fu 888 from Bluberi and God of Gold, Tiki Fortune, Captain Riches, Lucky O’Reilly, and Pyramid Party from AGS, to name just some of the new machines to hit the casino floors!

Dragon Link from Aristocrat was recently installed at both casinos and soon IGT will install Prosperity Link which is proving to be a player favorite. They are also very excited to bring in new machines from Ainsworth; Treasure Spirits Phoenix, Treasure Spirits Dragon, Mustang Spirit, and Action Dragon

Choose from their two restaurants; Yavapai Cantina at Yavapai Casino for all your favorites and The Grey Room, Prescott’s newest dining destination located on the third floor of Bucky’s Casino. Live Action Craps, Roulette and Blackjack are also in play at Bucky’s Casino.

September

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

Guests playing slots or Table Games at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos may participate in Labor Day Loot Hot Seats! Winners will receive up to $500 cash or chips as prizes escalate daily. Play September 1st through 4th, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at both casinos!

September 25th through the 30th

Save the Date! Join them in celebrating their 31st Anniversary at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos! Play and win your share of up to $33,100 in cash prizes. Drawings take place Fridays and Saturdays, October 6th through 21st at 7 p.m. at both casinos. Also, enjoy fireworks at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 21st.

(Continued on page 22.)

ONGOING TUESDAY PROMOTIONS

Veterans Appreciation Tuesdays

Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos celebrate Veterans and activeduty military Gold Rush Club members every Tuesday! Veterans receive 3X points, $10 Gold Rewards, and a $10 food comp. Also receive a complimentary entry into the end-of-month Veterans drawing for $100 cash.

ONGOING WEDNESDAY PROMOTIONS

Seniors Day Wednesdays

Seniors are Special at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos! Gold Rush Club members age 55 and older are eligible to earn $10 in Gold Rewards and may win $100 cash in Seniors Hot Seats from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as enjoy food specials every Wednesday at both casinos.

ONGOING THURSDAY PROMOTIONS

Ladies Day Thursdays

Ladies Day is celebrated on Thursdays at Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos! Ladies Day Hot Seat winners may receive $250 cash from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., are eligible to earn $10 in Gold Rewards and may enjoy food specials at both casinos! Must be a Gold Rush Club member to participate.

Let’s Play, Preskitt! For information, visit BuckysCasino.com. $

REEL RESULT:

Game Overview

COLLECTION FEATURE

Each individual game has one meter for Free Games and one for Super Free Games. Landing the Collection symbols increases these meters.

FREE AND SUPER FREE GAMES

Free games award the standard feature from the game the feature win occurred on. Super Free Games award a feature played on separate reel windows. Landing scatter symbols awards additional free games.

FREE AND SUPER FREE GAMES COLLECTION

Play out all collected Free Games or Super Free Games with boosted multipliers on every free game played.

Wonder 4 Collection

Only available at Casino Del Sol (as submitted by Aristocrat Gaming at press time)

STRATEGY ALERT!

Add each game s meters together and play the game with the highest total.

Click the picture for an exclusive video on our website.

(AZGamingGuide.com/index_files/ videos.html)

THE NEW APACHE PRIME STEAKHOUSE

Exceeding Expectations With Excellent Cuisine

Small town friendliness, excellent service, gargantuan portions and the most inexpensive prices we have ever seen for fine dining in a casino! That was our most recent experience at the Apache Prime Steakhouse, in a nutshell. Many of you are probably familiar with Apache Gold Casino Resort near Globe, AZ and you may have even eaten in their steakhouse a time or two. What you may not know is that the original steakhouse has been relocated from a building adjacent to the property to right inside the casino, just off the gaming floor. The physical move prompted some changes, like mouth-watering additions to their menu for example, that have taken the dining establishment to another level.

Before we sat down to our meal, we got a sneak peek behind the scenes and introductions to a couple of the executives in charge of the operation. The Food & Beverage Director John Martinez is a seasoned, 25-year veteran who not only brings all of his significant experience and leadership skills but also a passion to provide next level service and comfort to all his guests. And guiding the Apache Prime Steakhouse into deliciousness is the culinary skills of Executive Chef Robert Vollmer with his passion and experience in the kitchen. Trust us when we tell you that you will not want to miss any of his creations.

Our scrumptious meal started with a wonderful, creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip as an appetizer. And, how could it not be delectable when served with fresh-made, warm tortilla chips? An addition to this popular dish was sauteed peppers which was unique and so delicious! Another interesting option on the menu that caught our attention (but we resisted ordering to save room for the main dish) was the Grilled Chicken Flat Bread appetizer. The description of fresh basil, pesto, boursin cheese and sun-dried tomatoes sounded very intriguing so it will be something we will just have to come back and try next time.

Although we didn’t order any of the salads, we were told by some fellow diners there that the Wedge Salad (diced tomato, red onion, bacon bits and blue cheese crumble) and the Spinach Salad (dried cranberries, candied pecans, red onions, goat cheese and raspberry vinaigrette) were some of the best they’ve ever had.

It was difficult to choose a main dish when faced with all the appealing options on the menu, from Filet Mignon or Prime Rib to the center cut Pork Chop glazed with house-made prickly pear sauce. And, for those who prefer seafood, there’s Grilled or Blackened Atlantic Salmon with garlic butter and fresh lemon or

Shrimp and Clam with garlic butter, white wine, cream sauce, sundried tomatoes and asparagus served over angel hair pasta.

After a long period of indecisiveness, we opted for the Smoked Baby Back Ribs glazed with their house-made prickly pear BBQ sauce and served with tobacco onion rings and the Chicken Piccata with cream sauce, capers and lemon white wine sauce, served over angel hair pasta. The rib meat was so tender it was falling off the bones and the prickly pear sauce was very light with just a hint of sweetness and much less subdued than the usual heaviness of traditional BBQ sauce. And, we were all in agreement, the Chicken Piccata was probably the best we’ve ever eaten. Period.

All entrees come with seasonal vegetables and baked or mashed potato, twice baked potato or baked mac and cheese and, of course, their fresh-baked Apache bread. In addition, sauteed mushrooms or shrimp and lobster tail are also offered as enhancers for each dish, along with half a dozen other options.

You will not leave this restaurant hungry. In fact, none of us at dinner that night had any room for the dessert. As scrumptious sounding as all their sweet options were (like the Pecan Praline Sundae or the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheese Cake), we just did not have the room for one more bite. Happy, full and very satisfied. That is how we left the Apache Prime Steakhouse and that is why we will be visiting this restaurant again in the very near future. Kudos to the Food & Beverage team as their hard work and effort has definitely paid off. Thank you for an extremely enjoyable and fulfilling dining experience. $

APACHE PRIME STEAKHOUSE

Thursday thru Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations suggested but not required Casual Business Casual Attire

For more information, please visit their website at: Apache-Gold-Casino.com or call 1-928-475-7600

Apache Gold Casino Resort Food & Beverage Director John Martinez (Left) with Executive Chef Robert Vollmer (Right)

O.H. Partners And Gila River Resorts & Casinos Launch The Next Iteration Of The “You Do You” Campaign Features Iconic Animation & Lively Beats To Appeal To A Brand New Demographic Of Casino Goers

Gila River Resorts & Casinos has announced the evolution of its “You Do You” brand campaign with an all-new concept created by its agency of record, O.H. Partners.

Gila River, a tribal gaming enterprise based in Chandler, Arizona, has achieved consistent growth throughout the years because of its nontraditional marketing tactics. In an effort to continue the growth, the brand tasked O.H. Partners with attracting a younger segment of guests to maintain its growth trajectory. The result, a brand-new iteration of Gila River’s long-running “You Do You” campaign. This updated and refreshed campaign serves as an invitation to every 'You' out there using a diverse cast with personalized animated art to connect with the new audience. By leveraging a shared value of inclusivity, O.H. Partners and Gila River emphasize the importance of being yourself and “Doing You” in the campaign.

The integrated campaign includes two multi-channel video spots and a variety of extensions across paid social media, organic social media, out of home advertising (OOH), print, radio, and property signage. The spots feature guests enjoying Gila River’s luxury and Las Vegas-style amenities with "You Do You" as the focus of the campaign serving as a consumer invitation and a brand declaration. The campaign is upbeat and on-trend, featuring fresh and playful graphics that highlight the unique attributes of the Gila River’s brand. To ensure the campaign resonates with experience seekers everywhere, O.H. Partners tapped creative international powerhouses Scholar, 750MPH, Company3, and New York based rapper, Outasight, to bring the evolution of "You Do You" to life.

"This campaign needed to demonstrate all the rich social experiences people can have on property, and it had to scream inclusivity. Animation allowed us to accomplish both. The campaign celebrates the uniqueness of our characters and separates our spot from the other casino campaigns out there," said Tim Washburn, CCO of O.H. Partners.

“We had the privilege to expand our enterprise by opening our fourth location, Santan Mountain casino. With the growth, it was only natural to elevate our brand campaign to connect to a wider audience,” said Dominic Orozco President & CMO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos. “Through the enterprise, we are able to support the Gila River Indian Community and that is something we take tremendous pride in. To continue this growth to further support the community, we challenged

O.H. to help us evolve our brand campaign to attract new guests and they rose to the occasion and executed a flawless campaign.”

"Our long-standing relationship with the Gila River team allowed us to identify marketing opportunities that would have been difficult for any other agency. It's a testament to the power of relationships and their ability to generate momentum," said O.H. Partners President Meagan Jackman.

From the O.H. Partners team, Tim Washburn served as Chief Creative Officer, Noah Williams served as the Creative Director, Joe Weber as Associate Creative Director, Holly Ringerud as Creative Planner, Amy Colbourn as EVP Insights & Strategy, Micki Hein as EVP Brand & Marketing, Cassidy Francois as Account Director, Paige Buffington as Senior Account Executive, and Keira Knowlton as Media Supervisor.

We had the opportunity to speak with CCO Tim Washburn and he added, “O.H. Partners is excited to be working with a client who is forward thinking and leads. We enjoy being the passenger in their vehicle. This new iteration of the You Do You campaign targets Millennials and a younger audience through animation, music, diversity, inclusion, a shared value system, and the connection with the four experience and gaming based properties to the Gila River Gaming Enterprise and ultimately the Gila River Indian Community. We want a new visitor to have an individual and authentic experience when they walk through the doors of any Gila River destination. And I believe this new campaign accurately promotes, in an exciting and entertaining way, all the concepts I mentioned.”

For more information visit PlayAtGila.com. $

Interblock Purchases Electronic

Interblock, a global leader in the development and supply of winning electronic table gaming products, is pleased to announce a strategic acquisition of specific assets from Aruze Gaming America Inc. The acquisition of Aruze Gaming's electronic table game assets helps to accelerate several of Interblock's strategic initiatives, while solidifying its commitment to delivering innovative and competitive solutions to the gaming industry.

"The Aruze acquisition creates a significant portfolio of innovative synergies we intend to bring to the market before the end of this calendar year. Aruze Gaming provides us with a new level of diversity we feel will accelerate our vision to make Interblock synonymous with table game technology," said John Connelly, Global CEO of Interblock. "As we continue to differentiate ourselves in the gaming industry, this acquisition empowers us to offer a broader range of highquality, innovative gaming solutions to our valued partners in both a traditional and online offering."

Through this acquisition, Interblock plans to integrate Aruze's reputable Electronic Table Games product line into its portfolio and expand its workforce to more than 700 employees worldwide. The company is committed to a seamless transition of support, service, and excellence, leveraging its robust support structure.

For more information visit InterblockGaming.com. $

Arizona Department Of Gaming Releases May & June Sports Betting Figures

Bettors in Arizona wagered over $451 million on sports in May of 2023, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents a 2.1% decrease when compared to the same month of last year.

Arizona has seen over $2.8 billion wagered through the first five months of 2023 and has surpassed $10.6 billion in total wagers placed since the inception of legal sports betting in 2021. The state collected approximately $3.4 million in privilege fees in May, resulting in nearly $50 million in privilege fees collected since the start of legal operations.

Bettors in Arizona wagered over $393 million on sports in June of 2023, according to the recently released report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents a 23.4% increase when compared to June of 2022.

Arizona has now surpassed $11 billion in total wagers placed since the inception of sports betting in 2021, with over $3.2 billion wagered throughout the first six months of 2023. The state collected approximately $1.6 million in privilege fees in the month, an increase of over 110% when compared to June of 2022.

Established by the Arizona State Legislature in 1995, ADG is the state regulatory agency for tribal gaming, racing and parimutuel/simulcast wagering, event wagering/fantasy sports and unarmed combat sports. ADG also provides and supports education, prevention and treatment programs for people and families affected by problem gambling through its Division of Problem Gambling and 24-hour confidential helpline, 1-800NEXT-STEP. For more information, visit Gaming.AZ.gov and ProblemGambling.AZ.gov. $

The Tonto Apache Tribe To Partner With Heritage Distilling Company To Develop Arizona’s First Tribally Owned And Operated Distillery On Native Land

In addition to on-site tastings, the Tonto Apache distillery will also extend Heritage’s innovative membership programs available to TBN partners: The Cask Club®, an annual membership-based program that allows members to create and customize spirits of their choice; and The Spirits Club®, a program that provides members quarterly shipments of Heritage’s award-winning spirits delivered directly to their door at a reduced rate, as well as priority access to new, limited, and seasonal releases.

Heritage Distilling Company, Inc., a leading craft distiller of innovative premium brands, announced a partnership with the Tonto Apache Tribe to develop a spirits distillery and tasting room adjacent to Mazatzal Hotel & Casino. The distillery will produce and serve both Heritage’s portfolio of awardwinning spirits, as well as exclusive Tonto Apache created brands, crafted to reflect tribal flavors and the local region.

“We have spent considerable time with the team from Heritage and we have toured their facilities in the Pacific Northwest. After seeing them help to change the federal law to make this a legal activity for Tribes across the U.S., we are excited to open a tribally-owned distillery in partnership with them harnessing their experience, expertise and top-level reputation in the craft spirits space,” said Tribal Chairman Calvin Johnson. “We will be the first Heritage Distilling location in the southwest and we are excited to offer this new amenity to our current patrons and the next generation of patrons we know are coming to the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino and to our new Apache Corners development.”

Heritage’s industry-leading operations are derived from their two distilleries and five tasting rooms across Washington and Oregon, along with their brand location in partnership with the Chehalis Indian Tribe in Rochester, Washington, at its Talking Cedar facility. As a Tribal Beverage Network (TBN) partner, the Tonto Apache-owned and operated destination will also offer several amenities for patrons including a Tasting Room that features Heritage spirits like Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey, Heritage Canned Cocktails, Florescence Vodka (a partnership with celebrity Chef Danielle Kartes & Rustic Joyful Food), Stiefel’s Select Single Barrel and Small Batch whiskeys, and Special Forces Whiskey, among others.

Chairman Johnson noted, “Apache Corners is a multi-year community and economic planning effort by the Tonto Apache Tribal Nation. Evaluation began in 2020 focused on what economic opportunities existed that would benefit the Tonto Apache Nation’s economy and benefit the region. Approximately 75 acres on the reservation will be used to build the future Tonto Apache economy and we are thrilled to announce Heritage Distilling as the first branded partner in this development effort.”

The Tonto Apache Tribe is the second Native Indian group to announce their entrance to the TBN. The first member was the Chehalis Tribe who joined forces with Heritage in 2018 to successfully lobby against Congress to repeal the ban on distilleries in Indian country. Talking Cedar, the Chehalis’ distillery and TBN’s first member, opened its doors in 2020 in Washington state, making it the first tribal-owned distillery in the U.S. and the first distillery allowed in Indian country since 1834. Heritage has several other tribes signed up under its model with announcements for each location and tribal partnership to be unveiled based on each tribe’s respective timeline for development. For more information on Heritage Distilling Company and the Tribal Beverage Network, visit their website HeritageDistilling.com.

The Tonto Apache Tribe is located adjacent to the town of Payson (originally named Te-go-suk, Place of the Yellow Water), in northwestern Gila County approximately 95 miles northeast of Phoenix and 100 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. Consisting of 85 acres, it’s the smallest reservation in the state of Arizona. The total population of the Tonto Apache Reservation is approximately 140 of which 110 are enrolled tribal members. 102 members live on the reservation (Tonto Apache Tribe, 1994). One-third of the tribal members are under the age of 16 (BIA, Indians of Arizona, 1994).

Visit ApacheCorners.com & MazatzalCasino.com for info. $

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

APACHE GOLD & SKY CASINOS Globe & Winkelman

No info submitted at press time. Contact casinos.

BLUEWATER CASINO Parker

DSB (Journey) September 2

Hair Ball (Van Halen, KISS, Mötley Crüe, Queen, Journey, Aerosmith, AC/DC, & more) October 14

BUCKY’S & YAVAPAI CASINOS Prescott

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

CASINO ARIZONA Scottsdale

Journey USA September 1 & 2

Savor (Santana) September 15 & 16

Bonfire (AC/DC) September 22 & 23

Elton: The Early Years September 29 & 30

CASINO DEL SOL Tucson

Buddy Guy September 9

Yacht Rock Music Festival October 8

Alice Cooper October 21

CLIFF CASTLE CASINO HOTEL Camp Verde

Live music at The Dragonfly on Fridays & Saturdays

Comedy at the Castle September 21

Little River Band October 7

COCOPAH CASINO Somerton

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

DESERT DIAMOND CASINO Sahuarita

The Temptations September 8

The Frontmen September 15

The Dirt October 12

Parmalee October 14

Ronny Chieng Live October 21

The Clairvoyants December 23

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO Maricopa

Air Supply November 3

Josh Turner November 11

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland December 8

Parker McCollum December 16

HON-DAH RESORT CASINO Pinetop

Live Music Tuesdays Through Saturdays

Monday Funday Comedy Shows

Mick Adams and The Stones September 15

MAZATZAL CASINO Payson

Josh Turner September 2

Candle In The Wind (Elton John) October 13

QUECHAN CASINO RESORT Winterhaven

98 Degrees with All-4-One October 5

TALKING STICK RESORT Scottsdale

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

Karla Perez as Selena The Show September 16

WILD HORSE PASS RESORT & CASINO Chandler

Tribute To Elton John September 1

Hip Hop 50 September 2

A Selena Experience by Emily Flores September 16

The Beach Boys September 22

The Church October 6

Craig Ferguson October 7

The Wallflowers October 13

Alice Cooper @ Casino Del Sol

Josh Turner @ Mazatzal Casino & Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

Air Supply

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

November 3

Air Supply, an Australian pop duo formed in 1975 by Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, is set to take the stage at the Events Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino on Friday, November 3 for a captivating live performance.

The duo released their first single “Love and Other Bruises,” which immediately shot to the top of the charts. Then, they were invited to open for Rod Stewart, performing fifty shows in Canada and the U.S. in 1977 at the biggest named venues, including Madison Square Garden in New York.

“Lost in Love” was released in Australia in 1978, which landed them a record deal. The song became the fastest selling in the world and was named song of the year in 1980, achieving multi-million plays on the radio.

Air Supply has become an international success. They accompanied The Roots in a live performance on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2011 and were proclaimed the Top 5 “Greatest Aussie Bands” of all time in 2020 by the Herald Sun alongside bands like AC/DC.

Delighting their fans, both new and old, the journey of Air Supply continues with a live performance at Harrah’s AkChin Casino. $

Friday, November 3, 2023

Doors are at 7 p.m. and showtime is at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $89.50; $69.50; $49.50 (All Ages)

REIK

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

December 1

REIK, an award-winning Latin pop trio from Mexicali, Baja California, is set to take the stage at the Events Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino on Friday, December 1 for a thrilling, passion-filled performance.

The trio, comprised of Jesús Navarro on vocals, Julio Ramírez on acoustic guitar, and Bibi Marín on electric guitar, has gained notable recognition across the whole U.S. and Latin America through their Latin pop songs and their romantic ballads.

REIK has performed hundreds of concerts and has won multiple awards since their debut single “Yo Quisiera” which was released in 2005, earning them a place in the music scene.

Since then, the trio has won multiple recognitions such as three 2005 MTV Music Awards for Best Group, Best Artist, and Best New Artist. REIK was also the 2009 MTV Award winner for Best Pop Group and Latin Grammy winner for Best Duo or Group Album.

The Latin pop trio and radio sensation is coming to the Events Center stage at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino to connect with fans through their artistry. $

Friday, December 1, 2023

Doors are at 7 p.m. and showtime is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $99.50; $79;50; $59.50 (Minors with Guardians)

Holiday Wonderland

Harrah’s

Ak-Chin Casino

December 8

TCG Entertainment, producer of one of the top Cirque-style shows in the industry, has announced the Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, a must-see holiday event to usher in the magic of the season. Igniting joy and wonder to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino on Friday, December 8, “Holiday Wonderland” is an all-new musical journey that will transport audiences to a magical land far away for a funfilled, unforgettable holiday-themed show experience.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming the talented performers and artists of Cirque Musica,” says Director of Marketing and Hotel Operations Samantha Gulick. “This holidaythemed extravaganza and musical enchantment will be the perfect way to wrap up the 2023 year at Harrah’s Ak-Chin.”

Featuring the talented cast of Cirque Musica, spectators will be dazzled by the acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks, and holiday cheer. The show blends the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with a musical mix of timeless seasonal favorites. Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is an unforgettable experience for the entire family to enjoy a world-class circus experience infused with the holiday classics we all love. Treat your family and create memories you will cherish forever at Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland! $

Friday, December 8, 2023

Tickets are $54.50 to $89.50 (All Ages)

Parker McCollum

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino

December 16

Texan singer-songwriter and national country star sensation Parker McCollum is hitting the stage at the Events Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino on Saturday, December 16 for a live performance, one of the last few performances of the year.

McCollum is the mastermind behind the album “Gold Chain Cowboy,” which launched his career into the country music mainstream in 2021. His newest album “Never Enough” positions him as a country music star who is here to stay. McCollum intertwines rock guitar and a traditional country sound that encompasses not only the realness of country music, but also his originality as an artist. McCollum is “sturdy as a live oak” and knows exactly who he is, according to his official biography.

Each song on the album offers a wide-range of unique melodies, everything from ballads to simple vocal-and-piano arrangements. He continues to showcase his talents to the world and introduce himself to new fans who, very quickly, appreciate his timeless style of country music. “I’m never thinking about singles,” says McCollum. “I’m trying to just write songs that can potentially stand the test of time. That’s the sole purpose of writing songs for me. Hopefully, one day, people will look back at what I’ve done in country music and think it was honest and good for the genre.” $

Friday, December 16, 2023

Doors are at 7 p.m. and showtime is at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $129.50; $99.50; $69.50 (All Ages)

By Sami Becker

PROBLEM GAMBLING

Warning Signs & Ways To Get Help

The American Gaming Association has designated September as Responsible Gaming Education Month to promote gaming literacy and consumer education. It is estimated that between 1% and 6% of Americans are addicted to gambling, which means up to 20 million Americans have gambling problems or are at risk. While that’s a large number, it doesn’t tell the whole story – problem gambling affects far more people than you might think. Each one of those 20 million people has family and friends who are hurt by the collateral financial and emotional damage inflicted by problem gambling. The vast majority of people can visit a casino for an hour or so, purchase a lottery ticket or buy into a football pool with friends and suffer no consequences. However, for a few people, the urge to gamble becomes overpowering.

Healthcare professionals tell us there are several behaviors which indicate a person might have a gambling problem, which can include:

• Using income or savings to gamble while bills go unpaid

• Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling

• Breaking or considering breaking laws to finance gambling

• Having depressed or suicidal thoughts because of gambling losses

• Arguing with friends or family about gambling behavior

If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, take this short quiz. If you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions, it might indicate you do, indeed, have an issue with gambling and should consider getting help:

1. Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?

2. Have you ever lied to people who are important to you about the amount you have gambled?

3. Have you made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling?

4. Do you gamble as a way of escaping emotional or physical pain?

5. Have you ever relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?

6. Have you ever jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or career because of your gambling?

7. Have you gambled to get money with which to pay debts or to solve other financial problems?

8. Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?

9. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

10. Do you gamble to try to get your money back?

After you’ve answered these questions, if you think you or someone you love needs help with a gambling problem, call the Arizona Office of Problem Gambling at 1-800-NEXT STEP to get free, confidential information. You will be connected with a knowledgeable, caring professional who will listen in an empathetic, nonjudgmental way, and put you in touch with the resources you need to deal with your problem gambling. You can also log onto their website at ProblemGambling.AZ.gov to learn more about ways to get help. That website offers a broad range of resources designed to help problem gamblers, including a list of the services they provide. $

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH

To Celebrate National Elephant Appreciation Day (Sept. 22), Find: ASIAN, AFRICAN, BANANAS, EAR, ELEPHANT, HERD, IVORY, LUCKY, MUD BATH, PACHYDERM, PRESERVE, ROAR, SANCTUARY, SMART, STAMPEDE, SWIM, TRUNK, TUSK, WATER, WISE, WRINKLES, ZOO.

Jokes & Quotes

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

A man goes to a doctor and says, “Doc, I want to live forever. What should I do?” The doctor thinks for a moment then asks the man, “Do you drink?” “Yes, I have a beer or two every day after work,” says the man. “Ok, from now on, no more drinking, ever, not even on your birthday,” replies the doctor. “Oh, that sounds hard, but ok,” answers the man.

“Do you smoke?” asks the doctor. “Yes, but very little. Maybe one or two smokes a day, more when at a party,” the man admits. “Ok, from now you stop smoking. Zero, zilch. Not even once a month,” demands the doctor. The man retorts, “Hmm, I guess I can do that. I wanted to quit anyway.”

“Now tell me, do you gamble?” the doctor asks. “Of course, I love to go to the casino a couple times a month and buy the occasional lottery ticket. But let me guess, no more gambling either? “That’s right,” the doctor replies. “And, lastly, do you have sex?” “Yes, I have sex with my wife.” “Nope. No more sex. You can’t even masturbate anymore starting now.” The man thinks about all this for a couple of minutes and then says, “Damn doc, this sounds extremely brutal but, you know what, I’m willing to do it! So, if I succeed with all these rules I will live forever?!?!?!” “Well, no,” says the doctor. “But every moment of your life will feel like an eternity!”

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): 3, 10, 15, 30, 55, 68

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): 3, 17, 25, 29, 44, 66

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): 9, 12, 15, 28, 55, 64

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): 5, 17, 23, 38, 54, 57

Leo (July 23 – August 22): 7, 18, 19, 36, 51, 59

Virgo (August 23 – September 22): 1, 21, 26, 31, 43, 67

Libra (September 23 – October 22): 2, 17, 18, 39, 45, 61

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): 5, 19, 23, 27, 48, 68

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): 6, 14, 17, 28, 50, 65

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): 12, 14, 25, 30, 52, 68

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): 2, 5, 17, 32, 52, 68

Pisces (February 19 – March 20): 2, 18, 25, 36, 55, 63

Water Rabbit Lunar Year

Ask for good luck: 3, 6, 7, 16, 19, 28.

Best days to travel: 1, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28. Best days to meet with someone: 1, 9, 21.

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: