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Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino inspires grown-ups to play
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski like to say we inspire grown-ups to play.” Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino’s sweltering gaming floor is filled with the sounds of bells, winners’ squeals and chitchat among Stellar customer service is part of the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino experience, he says, although it’s hard to tell the maskclad employees are smiling. “Normally, we smile, make eye contact and say, ‘Hi, how are you doing?’” the guests on a recent Saturday. They’re A few years ago, Harrah’s Ak-Chin all socially distanced, even in the busy Casino underwent a $10 million restaurants. expansion. Now the resort has more
Michael Kintner, the casino’s senior than 529 hotel rooms and suites. vice president and general manager, is “On the weekends, we can run 100% proud of how the complex has been able sold out,” he says. “It’s a little down to survive the pandemic. during the week. For the most part,
He chalks it up to Caesars people are getting vaccinated and case Entertainment’s affiliation with numbers are going down. We’re starting Harrah’s. Players can sign up for Caesars to see some people come back.” Rewards, which can be collected Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is doing its at any of the company’s nearly 40 part to keep guests safe. The facility has U.S. properties for casino gaming or sanitation stations, masks, temperature on a jackpot, like, say a machine has For quick bites, check out Dunkin’ or entertainment activities. checks and employees who clean the slot something funky happen to it, or a Copper Cactus Grill.
“It doesn’t cost anything to sign machines. customer says, ‘I won $1,000’ and there’s “The restaurants are fantastic,” up,” he says. “Right now, if you sign “We’re keeping everything as clean really only $800, surveillance has to be Kintner says. “Oak & Fork has small up, you get $25 in free play. You can as possible,” he says. “We’re social able to see it. plates and a wine bar. We have all the use your credits in the restaurant, distancing in our restaurants. We’re “We were working with our tribal wine taps on the wall. I want to say there nongaming or gaming. It keeps people actually down to about 27% of our regulators and they weren’t very are 16 of them. So the wine comes out at coming back.” seating capacity and our buffets are comfortable with that. We decided not the perfect temperature. The small plates
Approaching his 16-year anniversary completely closed. It’s worked out. to have as many games so we could are amazing. with Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, Kintner Guests have been able to come back and socially distance and spread out as we “It’s a really great space with the enjoys the venue as much as the guests. play.” could.” outdoor patio when the weather’s He shares his joy when strangers ask Management decided against keeping Cameras are also placed throughout beautiful. We have heating lamps about his occupation. plexiglass in between the games because the casino and hotel to ensure guests out there, along with a fireplace and
“People ask me, ‘What do you do for it causes “all sorts of vision issues.” — and workers, for that matter — are televisions. This is a real favorite. a living?’ I say, ‘Well, I play games for a “We’re only running at about 72% of socially distanced. “Agave’s is a three-meal restaurant living,’” he says with a laugh. our machines,” Kintner says. “If we ever have an issue, we are able that’s back by the pool. It’s our café, if
“Seriously, I get to work for 864 very “Our slot performance manager has to contact trace and find out whether it’s you will. It has a bit of a Southwest flare talented people. They like to provide gotten really creative. We only have so employees or whoever and deal with it,” to it. Copper Cactus Grill is our 24-hour great service as part of our culture and much floor space, and plexiglass wasn’t Kintner says. quick serve. You can get a hamburger who we are at Harrah’s Ak-Chin. We working for us. If there’s a dispute The casino, he says, is perfect for quickly or a bite-sized pizza. local folks as well as travelers. Kintner “Chop, Block & Brew is our signature is used to Spring Training or Waste steakhouse. People rave about the woodManagement Phoenix Open visitors, the fired grill. We also have craft cocktails in numbers of which have dwindled due to the lounge.” the COVID-19 pandemic. Want to play more games? Next door “We’re also missing our Canadian — connected via an elevated walkway visitors right now,” he says. “As you can — is the Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment see, though, we’re pretty busy.” Center. A movie theater, bar and grill, The restaurants are bustling as well. bowling, laser tag and arcade fill the For casual dining, there’s Agave’s 165,000-square-foot entertainment Restaurant, which serves traditional and mecca. Southwestern fare, and the tapas-style “It’s like a great little oasis here in the Oak & Fork. desert where people can come out and Those wanting something a little more have a good time,” he says. upscale can check out Chop, Block & Brew. Featuring a wood-burning mesquite grill, Chop, Block & Brew boasts a rustic and relaxed environment and serves steaks, prime rib and seafood.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
