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Hints, Tips, And Advice On Your Favorite Casino Games! A Monthly Publication Created By Slot Machine Game Designers. The Arizona Gaming Guide is a free monthly magazine for people who enjoy visiting casinos and playing casino games. The magazine discusses Slot Machines, Video Slots, Reel Slots, Electronic Table Games like: Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps. Packed with in-depth features, advice, hints, tips, secrets, and so much more! MARCH IS PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH HARRAH’S AK-CHIN HIGH ROLLER SLOTS Try your luck on Harrah’s Ak-Chin exclusive and brand new mystery progressive High Roller slots. BUCKY’S AND YAVAPAI CASINOS ARE ON FIRE A recent slew of jackpots puts these two casinos in Prescott at the top of your list of places to visit next. HASHTAG LUNCH BAG GIVING BACK Local DJs help the community give back to people in need one meal at a time.
Citation preview
MARCH IS PROBLEM GAMBLING
AWARENESS MONTH 24
04 EDITOR’S NOTE
06 PLAYERS TALK
10 TABLE GAMES
14 NEW SLOTS
18 ARIZONA LOTTERY
20 DINING
22 WINNING WAYS
24 FEATURE STORY
26 TRIBAL NEWS
28 GAMING NEWS
34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
35 FUN FACTS
36 CASINO NIGHTLIFE
38 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
40 CASINO BINGO
42 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
44 FUN & GAMES
46 CASINO DIRECTORY
IN EVERY ISSUE
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 03
HARRAH’S AK-CHIN
HIGH ROLLER SLOTS
Try your luck on Harrah’s Ak-Chin
exclusive and brand new mystery
progressive High Roller slots.
HASHTAG LUNCH BAG
GIVING BACK
Local DJs help the community give
back to people in need one meal at a
time.
36 14
Contents MARCH
BUCKY’S AND YAVAPAI
CASINOS ARE ON FIRE
A recent slew of jackpots puts these
two casinos in Prescott at the top of
your list of places to visit next.
22
have to say that I have always been a proponent of change. When you sit still
for too long, figuratively or literally, you and your goals slowly begin to die.
The daily routine becomes boring and rote. You stop looking forward to any-
thing because you aren't creating anything new for yourself. Well, the first cure
for being stuck in a rut is to focus your attention and energy on something, any-
thing, new. No matter how small or overwhelming the new idea or goal may be, it
will force you to push yourself into a new chapter of your life.
This new thing may be as simple as playing a brand new game at the casino dur-
ing your next visit. That’s how I learned to love video keno. One day, many years
ago, I decided to play all the different video keno games I could find at the casino.
To my surprise I learned to love Caveman, Top Bottom, and Four Card! Now,
those games are part of my choices when I go to a casino. Recently, I make sure to
try any new slot machine on a casino floor regardless of who made it, what the
theme is, just to incorporate something new into my casino routine. Perhaps you
can employ this strategy too if you feel like you are stuck.
In this issue, you’ll find plenty of reasons to make your next trip to any casino a
success. We’ve got the low down on a ton of slots, plenty of tips for you to incor-
porate into casino visits, and much more! Please visit us at: facebook .com/
ArizonaGamingGuide, become part of our community and share your thoughts and expe-
riences with others who also love the same casino games you do. You can sign up
for our e-newsletter and find current and back issues of AZ Gaming Guide on our
website at azgamingguide.com . Let me know what you think of this issue and
have fun!
Alexandra Lang
Editor-in-Chief
Alexandra
VOLUME 07 • ISSUE 03
PUBLISHER
Chris Höft
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Elizabeth Torma
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Alexandra Lang
ART DIRECTOR
Melanie Mueller
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Al Moe
Lee Allen
Ramses Ja
Mark Novak
Cindy Esquer
Amanda Riddle
Lana Hartmann
Samantha Becker
ADVERTISING SALES
Nina Consiglio
Elizabeth Torma
MAILING INFORMATION
Arizona Gaming Guide
P.O. Box 20636
Mesa, Arizona 85277
INTERNET INFORMATION
www.azgamingguide.com
www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
Copyright © 2015 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. Information
contained within is not guaranteed to be correct. All pictures,
images, logos, trademarks and trade names, etc. are the sole
property of their respective owners. Intended for single use. Sale
and/or distribution without written consent is not permitted.
You must be 21 or older to gamble. Please play responsibly.
Help is available at 1.800.NEXT.STEP or problemgambling.az.gov.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Your Authority On Everything Gaming
Arizona’s State Gaming Regulatory Agency:
Arizona Department of Gaming
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007
1.602.771.4263 or azgaming.gov
Tribal Gaming Funded Problem Gambling Resource:
Office 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
04 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
“Like” us on Facebook because
we “Like” you too!
www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
CHANGE IS GOOD Try Something New
I
PLAYERS TALK
06 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Q: Dear Editor, I’m really disappointed that [the casino I visit]
changed the pay schedules on their video poker games. I
mostly play Jacks or Better but I play all the other games too
and they’ve lowered all the pays for the full houses and flush-
es. The deuces don’t pay the same any more either. What’s
going on? If you choose to print my question, please use
“Frustrated Video Poker Player” and not my real name. I real-
ly enjoy your magazine and hope to see my question in print.
Thank you.
Frustrated Video Poker Player – Chandler, AZ
A: Unfortunately, this is a trend that we’ve been seeing lately
in many casinos all across Arizona. Some casinos have such
horrific video poker pay schedules that popular games such as
Jacks or Better and Double Double Bonus Poker are actually set
as low as 6/5 (full house to flush ratio at minimum bet) which is
approximately a 95% payback! This is a huge difference consid-
ering that machines set at 9/6 have over a 99% return and well
over 100% when factoring in casino comps. The reason many
casinos are changing their video poker pay schedules is that
there is the potential for high returns for players using optimal
strategy. This is also the reason video poker players earn points
on their player’s cards much slower than other slot players. At
most casinos, video and mechanical reel slot players earn two to
three times points faster than video poker players and it’s simp-
ly because the house edge is smaller and video poker players
have such a greater advantage!
We applaud you for being a smart player, because more times
than not your average gambler is unaware. If we randomly ap-
proached a video poker player at a casino and asked what the
pay schedule is for his or her favorite game, there is a high like-
lihood that they wouldn’t be able to tell us and that’s unfortu-
nate. What we have noticed during our casino visits, and during
our own play sessions, is that not all video poker machines are
set to the same pay schedules in the same casino. Yes, you read
that right! Three banks of machines all containing the same vid-
eo poker games, set in the same denomination, in the same casi-
no can have three different payback percentages! If you like
playing Jacks or Better, for example, then make sure to examine
ALL the video poker machines that contain the game Jacks or
Better throughout the entire casino. Chances are the best video
poker pay table is in a place where you’d least expect it to be.
Remember, there are several variables that slot directors take
into account when positioning their machines and choosing the
payback percentages which include visibility of games and
high/low traffic areas. Also, you will find that the higher the
denomination, the better the payback percentages will be. This
not only applies to video poker, but other slots as well!
Q: Dear Sir or Madam, I don’t ever win anything at the casino
drawings or tournaments and neither does my wife. I have a
hard time believing that they are not set up. I’m starting to
recognize the same names being called over and over again. I
don’t see a bin with tickets in there with someone reaching in
and pulling out names? They tell us to swipe our cards and we
do. They tell us to listen for our names over the intercom and
we do. Then we’re supposed to believe that they randomly
draw names but I’m sorry we do not. I am having a hard time
believing these drawings are fair. How can you prove to me
that the drawings are not set up? I’d like to hear what you
have to say.
Richard Holman – Phoenix, Arizona
A: Richard, the drawings and promotions at the casinos are
not set up! All Arizona casinos must seek prior approval by the
Tribal Gaming Office and the Arizona Department of Gaming
before they are allowed to conduct any tournaments, drawings,
promotions, cash or prize giveaways. This is fact. If a casino was
to “fix” one of their marketing promotions they would be in
direct violation of the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact.
The current Compact was passed by the Arizona voters as Prop-
osition 202 in the November 2002 election which took effect in
2003. The Compact is part of state law in Arizona Revised Stat-
utes Section 5-601.02. All aspects of gaming, including contests
held at the casinos, is governed by these agreements between
the State and all the Arizona Tribes. No casino would be foolish
enough to jeopardize their gaming license over something as
miniscule as a raffle or a drawing! In fact, this is one of the main
reasons why the rules for these contests explicitly state that casi-
no employees, as well as their immediate families, are not al-
lowed to participate in these events. Appendix G, entitled
“Operational Standards, Specifications, and Regulations for
Lottery and Requirements for Promotions” describes very spe-
and get a $25 gift or gas card if we decide to print your question! Do you have a question for our staff of casino gaming industry professionals and slot experts? Write us with your questions
and comments in any area of gaming and we will make every attempt to publish a response in upcoming issues. Space is
limited so we are unable to print every letter or e-mail we receive. Please include your name and mailing address with all
correspondence. Mail to: Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277 or E-mail to: [email protected].
cific rules and procedures that must be followed before such
contests are approved. The mission of the Arizona Department
of Gaming is to protect the public, ensure compliance with the
Gaming Compact, and regulate the gaming industry to make
sure there is no “cheating” going on.
Unless they are just simply common names that are being
called, one reason you may be hearing the same names repeat-
edly is because those players may have a higher status level at
the casino. For example, sometimes (not always) drawings pro-
vide incentives to players who have higher tiers, earn more
points, or visit more often. It’s not uncommon for casinos to
provide more drawing entries to those who are in a higher play-
er’s club category (example: 10 drawing tickets for a person who
has tier level one, 20 tickets to a tier level two player, and 50
tickets to the player in the highest tier five level). I’m sure
you’re also familiar with the popular “earn one extra drawing
ticket for every 10 points you earn.” This is a common incentive
casinos use to encourage players to visit more often and/or play
more. There’s nothing unfair about that, right?
Q: I don’t understand why casinos waste so much space with a
bunch of table games and a poker room that just sits empty all
the time. Most casinos’ poker rooms usually have one or two
tables open and that’s all. Even the blackjack tables sit empty
unless it’s a busy Friday or Saturday night. Half the time I
can’t get my favorite slot on those nights or on other ones.
Why not put more slots in? Doesn’t make any sense. PLEASE
PUT MORE SLOTS IN!
Tamara Johannsson – Kingman, AZ
A: Tamara, there are only a couple of truly successful poker
rooms in Arizona where day or night, weekday or weekend, the
rooms are completely packed. Otherwise, you’re right, poker
rooms in most casinos nowadays operate one or two tables
while the others sit empty most of the time. From 2003 to 2006,
casinos all across the country saw an unprecedented boom in
poker revenues. In general poker has, since 2006, become steadi-
ly less profitable for casinos. The win per table has fallen dra-
matically to early 1990s levels. As a result, more and more casi-
nos are closing their poker rooms. This is a trend that has start-
ed in Nevada casinos and will most likely work its way to Ari-
zona’s casinos very soon.
For example, the most recent poker room closure in Vegas was
The LINQ, the third poker room to close on that corner of Fla-
mingo and Las Vegas Blvd in the past two years. All three were
owned by Caesars. Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall closed its poker room in
January 2013 and, when reopened as The Cromwell in February
2014, did not include a poker room. O’Sheas closed its poker
room in April 2013, located within The LINQ complex, and then
reopened without a poker room. All in all, there have been more
than a dozen poker room closures in Vegas and Laughlin, Neva-
da since September 2012 including Tropicana, M Resort, Sunset
Station and others.
Although poker rooms seem to be a dying breed, blackjack and
other table games are not going anywhere. As most players are
not familiar with basic strategy, the house edge (which should
only be 1% to 2% when players use optimum strategy) actually
ends up being quite more. In fact, the average blackjack hold
(the portion of money gambled that the casino retains) is 11.7%
and can be as high as 15%! Therefore, even if people were will-
ing to take the time to learn basic strategy and stop making idi-
otic side bets that tend to favor the casino to lower the house
hold, it still wouldn’t mean that casinos would take out table
games to put more slots in their place. Each casino in Arizona is
only allowed a certain number of slots based on the population
of their tribe. Most casinos are currently operating at their ca-
pacity and can’t, even if they wanted to, add more slots.
Q: Hi, I love your magazine and I read each issue! Please help
me understand something. I feel like the comps I get from [my
favorite casino] are all over the place. One month I get a ton of
free play, free rooms and other offers and then suddenly the
next month there’s hardly anything. I pretty much bring the
same amount of money each time. I play the same games, ei-
ther video poker or the slots. I visit once a week (sometimes
twice) and stay for about four to six hours (sometimes a little
more or a little less depending on how lucky I am). Sometimes
I give my friends my free play if I can’t go that week. Could
this affect my card? Any ideas why the offers could vary so
much? Thanks for your help.
Rhonda T. – Scottsdale, Arizona
A: Rhonda, there are so many factors involved that can influ-
ence your offers. Your monthly mailers with your cash back,
free play, gifts and additional comps are usually based on your
most recent play. How many points you earned and how quick-
ly you earned those points are factors that affect your casino
offers. Therefore, it is not unusual for your offers to change from
one month to the next. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
First of all, the rate at which you earn points varies based on the
casino game you are playing. For example, since video poker
machines have a much higher pay back percentage than video
slots, you are earning points at a slower rate (usually 2x – 3x
slower). Second of all, if your friend is only downloading your
money, but not playing with your card, then she could be seri-
ously affecting your status. Even if your friend is playing with
your card, the betting style could be different than yours and
this would definitely affect your monthly offers as a result.
Third of all, most casinos use a system to calculate a “daily theo-
retical average” for every player. Gaming days start and end at
various times, so it’s best to check with each casino to make sure
you are not playing across two gaming days when you should
just play across one gaming day to boost your points. $
PLAYERS TALK
08 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
TABLE GAMES
10 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
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, author of “Vegas and the Mob"—available at Amazon.
He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.
gered shows that slot players get a lot more back than blackjack
players do. Of course the house edge is a lot higher at slots than
at blackjack, that’s why there’s a difference.
A blackjack player may get 60 hands per hour and at $5 per
hand, that’s $300 in action. A slot player can play a penny ma-
chine with 50-lines and 2¢ per line and wager $1 every spin with
as many as 10 spins per minute. That’s 600 spins, or $600 in ac-
tion per hour, twice that of the blackjack player. In the long run,
players are comped about the same when based on their value
to the casino, that’s the truth. Play the game you like best and
you’ll enjoy yourself the most. The comps, of course, are a bo-
nus! $
By Al Moe
id you know slot departments bring in about 75% of
the gaming revenue at US casinos? So, do you get
better comps playing slots? It’s an age old question
that has mystified players and scholars for years. You too have
probably lost sleep over the implications, so let me confuse you
even more with a few facts.
Your earned comp isn’t based on what you win or lose. It’s
based directly on two things: time on device and amount wa-
gered. Alright, whining sometimes helps.
Each department (slots, blackjack, poker, and keno) sets their
own comp rate based on what they feel they can afford to pay-
back to keep you loyal. It takes fewer employees to handle 100
slots than it takes to handle 10 table games. That has an impact.
You can also play a lot more hands (or spins) on the video poker
games than you can play at table games. That has an impact too.
And which game do you think has the higher house-edge? If
you didn’t know, popular slots have a house edge between 5
and 8% on average. Blackjack is less than 1%!
Some gamblers refuse to use their player’s club card because
they think they won’t get much, but you have to use it to get
tracked and earn points. If you don’t, it’s a self-fulfilling proph-
esy and you’ll get nothing. Play an hour of blackjack at $5 a
hand and you’re right, you won’t earn much. Play regularly and
you will.
The Truth
Here is a comparison of three actual casinos and their comp
rates for slot play:
$3.33 in play equals 1¢ in comps, or $4,000 in action gets $12
$4.00 in play equals 1¢ in comps, or $4,000 in action gets $10
$5.00 in play equals 1¢ in comps, or $4,000 in action gets $8
In addition, many slot clubs offer both points for meals and
rooms as well as cash back!
Here is a comparison of three actual casinos and their comp
rates for table game play:
$5 bet average equals 25¢ per hour, or $4,000 in action gets $3.33
$5 bet average equals 30¢ per hour, or $4,000 in action gets $4.00
$5 bet average equals 33¢ per hour, or $4,000 in action gets $4.44
This strict comparison of comp dollars received per dollars wa-
D
FACT OR FICTION? Table Games Players Earn More Comps Than Slot Players
14 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
By Lana Hartmann
NEW SLOTS
GOLD FISH 3 Now Available At Casino Arizona
ans of WMS slots will be excited to hear that Casino Arizona just
released a ton of brand new titles! The games include: Willy Wonka
Pure Imagination, Monopoly Wheel Luxury Diamonds, and more!
In Gold Fish 3 by WMS, watch as the Wild Seahorse fully covers a reel and
not only duplicates itself but multiplies wins up to 5x, feed the fish in the
feeding time bonus, feed the fish for credits, or spin the mystery wheel for
one of five unique fish bonuses! Pick bubbles in the Gold Fish bonus for
exciting reel enhancements, pick clams for credits in the Blue Fish bonus,
watch as a respin is awarded with up to 18 Wild fish in the Red Fish bo-
nus, pick a diver’s helmet for credits in the Green Fish bonus, or trigger
the Purple Fish bonus to play any of these bonuses again! Featuring a
unique 4x3x4x3x4 interface, and all of your favorite Gold Fish characters,
you’ll be lining up for Big Fins, err, Big Wins! $
F
HIGHROLLER Exclusive Slots At Harrah’s Ak-Chin
arrah’s Ak-Chin has developed their very own cus-
tom mystery progressive Highroller slot machine
bank and it is live and ready for play! The custom
bank features ten IGT penny games all connected to a three
level mystery “Must Hit By” progressive featuring some of
IGT’s best themes including The Swordsman, White Orchid,
Stinkin’ Rich, Cats, and Prowling Panther.
Towering over the bank rests a custom, exclusively devel-
oped, replica sign package of the High Roller wheel in Las
Vegas. The center of the attraction at the bank are the two 47
inch LCDs on either side of the wheel displaying video of the
actual High Roller wheel and the three level mystery progres-
sives.
What’s our favorite game in the bank? Stink in’ Rich for sure!
Our staff absolutely loves this game! When you get a whiff of
this five-reel, 100-line action, you’ll quickly discover that the
Stinkin’ Rich theme is loaded with fun and huge potential payouts.
With theme-specific reel symbols and bonus action offering
bags of bling, living the good life has never smelled so sweet.
Make sure to play all 100 lines, as the bonus is triggered when
three Keys to Riches symbols land on a played pay line. $
H
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 15
The Hangover: Pretty Awesome Now Available At Desert Diamond Casinos
he Wolf Pack is back in IGT’s The Hangover: Pretty Awesome Video Slots,
another first-in-Tucson game at Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment’s
Nogales Highway location. The base game is packed with iconic imagery, hit
music and main characters from the hilarious hit film. This 5-reel, 40-payline progres-
sive features stacked symbols and random multipliers in the base game, and multiple
interactive bonuses. In the Find Doug Bonus, elevator buttons are selected as players
search for Doug and his bonus award. In the Tiger Bonus, players pick from random
objects, revealing credit awards and multipliers. There are also three exciting group
bonus features: In the Win It All Back group bonus, players place chips on their favor-
ite characters and hope for the highest hand. In Mr. Chow's Super Sexy Free Games
group bonus, 5 free games are awarded. Players collect jackpot picks and select icons
in search of big wins. In the What The Hell Happened? group bonus, players search
cameras, unveiling extra picks and multipliers towards the Virtual Wheel Spin.
Relive your favorite moments from the hit comedy with The Hangover: Pretty Awe-
some Video Slots, at Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment Tucson on Nogales Highway.
For more information, visit ddcaz.com. $
NEW SLOTS
T
16 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
By Lana Hartmann
Sons of Anarchy By Aristocrat
narchy is upon us as FX Network’s Golden Globe winning “Sons of Anarchy”
comes to casinos in Aristocrat’s new Sons of Anarchy slot game, a new action-
packed multi-site progressive game with a chance to win a $500,000+ jackpot and
the excitement of Cluster Power, No Limits and Big Symbols – a totally new way to play
and win. Sons of Anarchy slot game comes to life in all of the show’s gritty glory, with Jax,
Gemma, Clay and all of viewers’ favorite characters, creatively weaving the show’s story-
line into the game. The show’s hard-hitting action is captured perfectly on the award-
winning VERVEhd cabinet, with ultra hi-def graphics, 3D panoramic adjustable sound and
an ergonomic design that enhances game play. Sons of Anarchy has a 6x5 configuration
and is the first to feature the groundbreaking new Cluster Power, where winning combina-
tions are formed by connecting the same symbol in clusters across multiple reels. Addition-
ally, the game takes reel growth to the next level by expanding the reel area in any direc-
tion during the “No Limits Jackpot” feature. The exciting No Limits Jackpot feature is
awarded when a Big Jackpot Symbol lands and causes the reel area to grow to the size of
the Big Jackpot Symbol. Three Big Jackpot Symbols award the mini progressive; four
award the minor progressive; five award the major progressive; and six award the grand
progressive. Adding to the fun, a free games bonus awards from 10 to 100 free games! $
A
NEW SLOTS Coming Soon
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 17
QUICKHIT & U-SPIN MERGE By Bally Technologies
wo player favorites merge into one fantastic game! If there are two things we know players
can never get enough of, it’s Quick Hit and the exciting U-Spin wheel. Bally combines these
two player favorites in Cash Spin featuring Quick Hit, a new video slot offering the excite-
ment of a wheel bonus along with the chance to win five Quick Hit-style jackpots! This 5-reel, 25-
line game is full of fun features that will have you spinning your way to big payouts. Three
scattered U-Spin symbols on reels one, three, and five award one spin of the Cash Spin Wheel. Touch and
spin the virtual wheel to win free games, credits, or the huge U-Spin jackpot, which is available at any
bet. During the Free Games feature, pick from among 20 tiles until you match three tiles. You’ll be
awarded from 7 to 30 Free Games with a 2x multiplier. If that didn’t deliver enough thrills, the Free
Games can re-trigger the Cash Spin Bonus, awarding another spin of the wheel and another chance
to win credits, more free games, or the U-Spin jackpot! Cash Spin featuring Quick Hit stays true to the
classic Cash Spin game by offering the popular Money Bag Bonus. This pick feature is triggered by
three scattered Money Bag symbols on reels two, three, and four at any bet level. Pick one of the
three Money Bag symbols and instantly win a credit value from 3x to 50x total credits bet! You’ll
love Cash Spin featuring Quick Hit just as much as you loved the original Cash Spin! In fact, with
the addition of Quick Hit and the superb graphics on the Pro Series V22/32 cabinet, you may love it
even more! Look for the game on casino floors soon and get ready to spin the wheel! For more in-
formation, visit BallyTech.com. $
Coming Soon NEW SLOTS
T
18 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
By Cindy Esquer
ARIZONA LOTTERY
Joe DeSilva, Phoenix, purchased his usu-
al multi-draw Quick Pick tickets. That’s
the only game he plays. As he usually
does, he threw the ticket onto his com-
puter desk where it was quickly buried
under paperwork.
A few days later, while talking to his
mom on the phone, Joe began to straight-
en out his desk and discovered the ticket.
While still on the phone, he went online
to check it and was stunned to discover
he had six matching numbers for the
January 24 drawing of The Pick. Joe
checked the ticket several times. Those
six matching numbers made him the
winner of the $2.8 million jackpot. Not
only was Joe in disbelief, so was his
mom.
Joe took a few days to make some im-
portant decisions before coming to the
Lottery to redeem his ticket. He decided
to take the lump sum payment of
$1,902,903.80 before taxes. He has al-
ready been in contact with a financial
advisor and an attorney.
Joe is going to invest the money so he
can take care of his family and his future.
The ticket was purchased at QuikTrip,
2750 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix.
For more information on the Arizona Lottery,
visit their website at ArizonaLottery.com. For
the winning numbers, call 480.829.7425 in
Phoenix or 520.325.9141 in Tucson. Please
call 1.800.499.3798 for all other areas in
Arizona.
$2,800,000 The Pick $50,000 Scratchers
Jennifer Smith, Chino Valley, was recent-
ly at a store with her boyfriend. He pur-
chased two Cash & Carry Crossword
instant scratch tickets from a Lottery
vending machine. He gave one to her
and kept the other one.
Jennifer scratched her ticket at home.
When she first saw the amount of $50,000
that she’d uncovered she said, “I forgot
to breathe.” Jennifer and her boyfriend
ran to their car and drove to the store to
have the ticket checked. The clerk gave
her the paperwork and told her to sign
the back of the ticket immediately.
Jennifer is a frequent player of scratch
tickets. She likes the crossword and bin-
go games because she has to work a little
harder to find out if she’s a winner.
Jennifer usually buys the $2 Crossword
and Bingo tickets; she does not play any
of the draw games. She usually buys
from the Lottery vending machine at her
favorite store. The store her boyfriend
purchased the tickets from was not one
she usually frequents.
Jennifer is going to use some of the mon-
ey for fun for her kids. The bulk of the
money is going to be saved, and she
plans to pretend she doesn’t have it.
The ticket was purchased at Circle K,
1910 N. Hwy. 89, Chino Valley.
Stanley Wesley from Magnolia, Arkan-
sas, always buys Arizona Lottery instant
scratch tickets while visiting family in
Phoenix. During his recent visit, Stan-
ley’s brother bought him two Holiday
Treasures tickets. After Stanley scratched
the tickets, he saw that one of them was a
$100,000 winner. Stanley is going to use
the money to pay off some bills and have
a wonderful “holiday” with his family.
Charles Carpenter, Jr., Surprise, received
a big surprise from his boss. All the em-
ployees received a holiday card with
instant scratch tickets. He has a routine
that he follows when he scratches tickets.
First, he scratches off all of the numbers
without scratching off the amount. When
he scratched off the amount for one of
the numbers, it showed that it was a top
prize winner worth $50,000! He said,
“The ticket didn’t become real until the
Lottery validated it and presented me
with a check.” Everyone, including his
boss, found it hard to believe. $
$100,000 Scratchers
$50,000 Scratchers
20 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
CASINO DINING
MAZATZAL HOTEL & CASINO Where The Tables Are Always Hot
re you looking for a variety of dining options during
your next casino visit? Look no further than Mazatzal
Hotel & Casino in Payson, Arizona where the tables
are always hot!
Cedar Ridge Restaurant
Open seven days a week, this fine dining restaurant serves up
everyone’s favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with only
the freshest ingredients. The daily buffet is available Monday
through Thursday and on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm for only
$10 which includes the soup and salad bar and a soft drink. On
Fridays, the All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry Buffet is open from 11am
to 4pm for only $10 and from 4pm to 10pm for just $12. The
Sunday Brunch Buffet runs from 10am to 3pm and costs only
$18 for adults and $7 for children. Plus, they just introduced a
new menu and you absolutely have to try the Specialty of the
House, the slow roasted prime rib!
Apache Spirits
This lounge, just off the casino floor, continues the hot action at
Mazatzal with great drink prices, a tasty food menu, and plenty
of TVs to catch your favorite sporting events. Happy Hour is
from 3 to 6pm Monday through Friday. Make sure to try the
Baby Shrimp Cocktail for only $1.25 from 10am to 6pm Monday
through Friday.
The Grille
This is the place for a quick bite to eat no matter if it is day or
night. Open 24 hours, The Grille serves breakfast, lunch and
dinner including sandwiches, appetizers, salads, burgers, pizza
and desserts. Yum!
Coffee Korner
Serving the best gourmet coffee in Payson including the fin-
est homemade pastries, muffins, pies, cinnamon rolls and an
assortment of delicious treats to accompany Peet's fresh brewed
coffee, every hour on the hour. Refills on coffee are just $.80!
Also, when you visit, make sure to pick up your punch card
which lets you buy 10 coffee or 10 dessert items in one price
range and get one free!
Specials
Frybread For Families: Enjoy frybread for only $6 in the Fire-
side Room. For $1 more, add ground beef. All proceeds go to
support local families in need throughout the Rim Country.
Your choice of plain, honey & powdered sugar, bean & cheese
or Apache Taco (includes drink). Available Apr. 16, Jun. 18,
Aug. 20, Sep. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, and Dec. 17.
Crabby Wednesdays: All the crab legs you can eat for just $16!
For more information on Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, please visit
Mazatzal-Casino.com. $
A
By Mark Novak
By Lana Hartmann
arch is ushering in the green at Bucky’s & Yavapai
Casinos in Prescott, Arizona! Green grass, green
leaves, and green cash! And, you need to head up
there right away to try your luck as everyone seems to be hitting
some big jackpots on their slots recently.
In the February issue, we told you one lucky local won $134,800
on a dollar 2X Wild & Crazy three reel WMS slot at Yavapai
Casinos. Well, we are pleased to announce there are three more
big winners recently on a variety of games across both casinos!
The three winners are pictured to the right and include a
$476,000 Wheel of Fortune winner, a $12,000 Virtual Blackjack win-
ner, and a $14,000 Wicked Winnings winner. Talk about jack-
pots, and that doesn't include all of the “smaller” $500 and up
jackpots that are happening all the time across both casinos on
the over 525 slot machines they share between the two. During a
recent visit, our team was pleasantly surprised by the regular
announcements of jackpots over the casino intercom and
through the player tracking devices every few minutes!
Promotions Galore
From gifts to tried-and-true favorites, the Marketing Depart-
ment at Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos is always creating some-
thing new and enticing for Gold Rush Club members. In March
and April, Gold Rush Club members that have a hand pay jack-
pot at the slots or a table games side bet payout of $300 or more
will receive a coupon for a free “As Seen On TV My Pillow.”
Plus, ongoing promotions such as “Just For Gents” on Sundays,
M
BUCKY’S & YAVAPAI CASINOS On Fire With Jackpots And Sizzling Hot Promotions
22 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
WINNING WAYS
“Veterans Appreciation Day” on Mondays, “Seniors Day” on
Tuesdays, or “Ladies Day” on Thursdays offers everyone the
chance to win free play, gifts, food discounts, and more depend-
ing on the specific promotion. The Gold Rush Club sure knows
how to treat their members right. And, you can use your play-
er’s card at both casinos to earn points towards your status as a
lucky and loyal player at Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos.
Reasonably Priced Comfort Food 24-7
Both the Yavapai Cantina and Bucky’s Café offer excellent food
at budget sparing prices. You’ll find everything from Cinnamon
Rolls to Biscuits & Gravy to Steak & Eggs for Breakfast (served 7
to 11am daily at Bucky’s Café and 11pm to 11am at Yavapai
Cantina). The Lunch and Dinner menus at both locations truly
offer something for everyone. Our team absolutely loves their
selection of sandwiches. Plus, the daily specials are always a
treat. During our last visit we indulged on the mouthwatering
ribs, the special of the day at the time. Yum!
Actual Non-Smoking Sections
If you prefer to play in the comfort of an enclosed smoke-free
environment, you can have the best of both worlds at the casi-
nos in Prescott! Both Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos have their own
non-smoking sections. Bucky’s Casino hosts the brand new non-
smoking section on the third floor next to the bar and poker
room. Yavapai Casino’s non-smoking room is situated next to
the main gaming floor. These are the only casinos in Arizona to
feature dedicated non-smoking areas!
The casinos are located across from each other on Arizona
Highway 69 in Prescott. For more info visit BuckysCasino.com
or call 800.756.8744. $
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 23
Efren Ontiveros is all smiles at the
winning 25 cent Wheel Of Fortune
Triple Diamond slot on 1/24/15 for
$476,232.67 at Bucky’s Casino.
Bill Durbin has a huge grin with
the winning 1 cent Aristocrat
Wicked Winnings slot on 1/30/15 for
$14,400.00 at Bucky’s Casino.
Reese Edwards is lit up like the lights behind him on
the winning Virtual Blackjack machine on 2/2/15
having won the progressive for a total of $12,462.25
at Yavapai Casino.
WINNING WAYS
By Ron Meritt
roblem gambling is defined as a chronic behavior that
affects the major aspects of an individual’s psychologi-
cal, physical and social health. The collateral damage of
problem gambling affects far more than the monetary value of
betting. March is Problem Gambling Awareness month. In the
United States, approximately 2 million adults meet the criteria
for pathological gambling each year and another 6 million
adults struggle with problem gambling which often leads to
gambling associated crimes, loss of income and personal assets
and the development of major depressive disorders.
Healthcare professionals have identified behaviors which indi-
cate a person could have a gambling problem:
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 losses
Arguing with friends or family about gambling behavior
Compulsive gambling addiction, like drug and alcohol addic-
tion, creates increasingly difficult life issues and situations for
the gambler and gambler’s family. The following quiz asks
questions relating to feelings, thoughts and behaviors associated
with gambling addiction and may help determine whether or
not someone has a gambling problem.
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 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?
Answering “yes” to one or more of the quiz questions could
P
PROBLEM GAMBLING Warning Signs & Getting Help
24 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
FEATURE STORY
indicate a gambling problem. Fortunately there is help for those
suffering from gambling addiction. The first step is to call the
Arizona Office of Problem Gambling at 602-542-8998 or 1-800-
NEXT STEP to get free, confidential information. Each caller
will be connected with a knowledgeable, caring professional
who will listen in an empathetic, nonjudgmental way and con-
nect sufferers with resources needed to deal with problem gam-
bling.
Problemgambling.az.gov, the Arizona Office of Problem Gam-
bling website, is an additional avenue for learning more ways to
get support. The website offers a broad range of resources de-
signed to help problem gamblers.
One of the most effective tools offered to problem gamblers is
the self-exclusion program. This is an opt-in process which al-
lows a self-acknowledged problem gambler to voluntarily ex-
clude him- or herself from entering all Tribal casinos within the
State of Arizona for a specified period of time.
Other resources offered include: Tribal/State-funded out-patient
treatment, information on support programs for problem gam-
blers and their families, including Gamblers Anonymous and
GamAnon, and statistics from various sources concerning prob-
lem gambling.
To get help with problem gambling for yourself or a loved one,
just log onto problemgambling.az.gov or call 1-800-NEXT STEP
to get free, confidential information. $
azgamingguide.com | January 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 25
26 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
TRIBAL NEWS
ative chefs love to cook. And despite the indigenous
ideology concerning sharing, native chefs love to com-
pete against each other in a battle of the skillets, utiliz-
ing their individual culinary skills and favorite recipes to see
who wears the biggest apron.
While they all have their secrets, collectively they like to high-
light heritage in their cook-offs. “Food is very powerful and
everything goes back to our roots for me,” says Nephi Craig,
Executive Chef at the White Mountain Apache Sunrise Park
Resort (a previous winner of the Arizona Indian Gaming Asso-
ciation’s annual Chef’s Challenge). As founder of the Native
American Culinary Association, Craig has a mission described
in a Newsweek magazine article as, “restoring and reinventing
the largely-forgotten cuisine of forbearers.”
Using local ingredients like acorns, seeds, nuts, corn, squash,
rabbit, and venison, Craig doesn’t call his creations Native
American cuisine, but indigenous foods that represent the cul-
ture --- diversity, history, and resiliency.
Another Chef’s Challenge winner, Pascua Yaqui chef Enrique
Alcantar (Casino del Sol, Tucson) subscribes to that same theory
in dishes like his award-winning braised buffalo with white
tepary bean cassoulet. “I like to go lean and healthy with short
ribs and tepary beans, a diet staple for thousands of years, tradi-
tional foods cooked in contemporary style.”
Chef Lois Ellen Frank (Kiowa), founder of New Mexico’s Coy-
ote Café in Santa Fe, is a gatherer of natural ingredients from
the land --- prickly pear, yucca blossoms, purslane, and other
wild greens. Frank also bridges historical with modern in crea-
tions such as an ordinary blue corn tortilla complimented by
blue corn gnocchi arrowheads and guajillo chili sauce. “Food is
sacred,” she says. “What you eat is a gift of a person’s culture.”
Navajo top cook Freddie Bitsoie comments: “When I cook, I
strive to prepare dishes that have substance to the point where
elders can taste them and recognize a version of a dish they’ve
had all their lives. Just as tribes all over the nation have modifi-
cations of similar ceremonies, they each have culturally-specific
foods and instead of lumping them all together, we should cele-
brate their differences.”
Bitsoie is a long-time crusader to redefine Native American cui-
sine, to the point where the New Mexico-based owner of FJBits
Concepts is in current production of a TV show called
REZERVATIONS NOT REQUIRED. He calls it a first-time cook-
ing concept show that breaks new ground by blending culture
with food and tradition and involves only Natives in all aspects
of its production. “We look at the fun side of Indian Country ---
the heritage, dancing, singing, celebrating, and the many contri-
butions Native peoples make to the world of food.”
Ultimately hoping to own his own restaurant where everyone
understands Native American food and why entrees need to be
prepared in a specific way, the celebrity spokesman for the
cause will be trying to fill a niche market. “Traditional organic
Native foods are difficult to find. Historically, our ancestors ate
what they grew and hunted, but I’ll bet if there was a company
back then that offered cured venison in the form of pemmican,
they’d have taken advantage of it. When we look at our culture
today, wanting to ‘eat like our ancestors,’ it’s difficult because
most cooks don’t have the time or ability to gather their ingredi-
ents and pick their own berries. I’d like to offer a product line
containing things like Tohono O’odham cholla bud pasta or
perhaps an Ojibwe wild rice pasta.”
N
Images & Words By Lee Allen
BATTLE OF THE SKILLETS Aromatic Artistry—Smell The Sizzle
Pascual Rodriguez is Executive Chef for the Tohono O'odham
tribe's Desert Diamond Hotel Casino
TRIBAL NEWS
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 27
Some of those traditional foods have found their way onto the
menus at Chef’s Challenge cook-offs at the Tohono O’odham
Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson and at the most recent com-
petition at the Yavapai tribe’s Fort McDowell Adventures site in
Scottsdale.
“Everyone is going Native,” said NACA founder Craig who
continues to research, refine, and develop Native American cui-
sine. “Native people are emerging from an interruption in tradi-
tional foodways, a turn back to the most important ingredient in
Native cuisine --- healing --- and a way to recover our commu-
nities.”
On the menu at the 2014 Chef’s Challenge were dishes such as
mesquite boar rib accompanied by acorn squash; smoked elk
chilaquiles with a red chile reduction (topped with a fried quail
egg); carne asada tacos with roasted red pepper salsa, and
grilled Navajo beef rib eye with lotus root and patty pan squash.
Said chef Christian Movassaghi (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indi-
an Community): “I continue my grandmother’s influence of
cooking pre-Columbian food grown and harvested locally.”
Talking Stick Resort’s Ron Dimas, Chef de Cuisine of Orange
Sky Restaurant and 2013 Overall Best in Show winner, took 3rd
place honors this time with a boar belly and rack of ribs creation
where the meat was baked, then placed on a square of acorn
squash custard, topped with an agave chili chutney, and gar-
nished with chicharrones. “I like meals that are creative with a
menu focusing on locally-grown produce, naturally-raised
meats, and environmentally-responsible seafood.”
The naturally-raised meat theme caught diners’ attention with
the People’s Choice Award going to the Twin Arrows Casino
Resort team headed by Executive Chef Hector Vasquez and his
use of beef grown on the Navajo Nation.
“Our beef grazes naturally on over 350,000 acres, feeding on a
particular type of sage shrub that brings lots of protein and oth-
er nutrients as well as a special flavor to our meat,” said tribal
member and Cow Boss Al Pahi.
The Indian Gaming Association’s Chefs Challenge for 2015,
which is billed as “the only one of its kind in the tribal gaming
culinary scene,” will be held at Talking Stick Resort & Casino.
According to AIGA’s Executive Director: “This event celebrates
not only each individual chef’s talents, but the opportunity that
tribal gaming brings in the way of offering incredible cuisine in
the many tribally-owned venues throughout the state.” $
Executive Chef Anthony Chavez (right, Blue Water Resort &
Casino) prepares grilled chipotle steak and chicken satays
Ron Dimas, Talking Stick Resort kitchen wizard, does what he
loves and loves what he does
GAMING NEWS
28 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
JOINGO, the leading provider of mobile engage-
ment solutions for the casino gaming industry, and
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment, an enter-
prise of the Tohono O’odham Nation, announce the
launch of Desert Diamond Casinos’ mobile app, MY
DDC. The JOINGO-powered app integrates with
the casino’s existing IGT systems, features real-time
account info for Diamond Rewards members, plus
in-app access to amenities and information for all
three of their Arizona properties.
With locations in Tucson, Sahuarita and Why which
offer entertainment options ranging from gaming to
fine dining to major concerts at the 2,600-seat Dia-
mond Center, Desert Diamond Casinos is perfectly
positioned to get the most out of JOINGO’s capabili-
ties to engage their guests.
Using JOINGO’s intuitive mobile platform, Desert
Diamond Casinos delivers Free Play, dining offers
and promotions to their guests’ iOS and Android
devices. Geofencing capabilities allow Desert Dia-
mond Casinos to target and automate the delivery
of marketing messages, sending offers to guests
when and where they are most likely to act on
them. Integrations provide the utmost in functional-
ity, providing Diamond Rewards members with
immediate access to points, tier levels, and Reward
Dollar balances, inapp ticket purchasing through
Star Tickets, restaurant reservations through Open-
Table, plus social sharing capabilities via Facebook
and Twitter.
“We are excited to partner with Desert Diamond
Casinos to bring mobile into their operations,” said
Seamus McGill, JOINGO’s President. “With the powerful capabilities in our mobile
loyalty and engagement solutions, Desert Diamond is positioned to really capitalize
on real-time marketing.”
“The JOINGO design team created a striking mobile app for us in very little time,”
said Treena Parvello, Director of Communications and Public Relations for the
Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise. “We are especially excited to use geofencing
to engage with our guests at the time and place it will be most convenient for
them.”
The Desert Diamond Casinos app is available now on iPhone and Android. For
more information about Desert Diamond Casinos, visit their website at ddcaz.com.
You can also become a part of their community online on Facebook (/DDCAZ) or
Twitter (@DiamondCasinos). $
Desert Diamond Casinos Launch Mobile App
DoubleDown Casino Doubles Bonus Excitement With Wheel Of Fortune Extra Spin
Two bonuses are always better than one, and International
Game Technology’s (NYSE: IGT) social gaming website Double-
Down Casino continues to up the ante on excitement and enter-
tainment with their recent launch of Wheel of Fortune Extra
Spin for desktop and mobile devices.
Wheel of Fortune has proven to be the most popular game
theme on DoubleDown Casino since its debut of Wheel of For-
tune Double Diamond and Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme
Spin in 2014. Inspired by the classic slot machine loved by play-
ers around the world, Wheel of Fortune Extra Spin features the
Wheel Bonus, which changes all of the spin symbols into the
letters W-H-E-E-L, with each letter revealing a number of extra
spins or awards of 10 to 250x the initiating bet. Lady Luck
strikes twice with the Vault Bonus, which changes all of the
Vault symbols on the center reels into pickers, revealing pay-
outs from 5 to 25x the initiating bet.
“We put a huge amount of focus and talent into Wheel of For-
tune Extra Spin. We thrive on the pressure of taking this legend-
ary brand and increasing the ‘wow’ factor of the world’s most
popular slot machine,” said Jim Veevaert, DoubleDown Interac-
tive VP of Games. “It’s a fun challenge to turn a great slot ma-
chine into a mobile game. With Wheel of Fortune Extra Spin, we
struck the ideal balance of art, math and audio to recreate the
authentic casino experience.”
Wheel of Fortune Extra Spin is based upon a 3 x 5 reel spinner
and 20-line configuration, with a Scatter award that pays virtual
currency. The iconic Wild symbol also acts as a 2x multiplier,
offering players greater and more frequent wins.
More Wheel of Fortune titles are currently in development for
DoubleDown Casino, as part of IGT’s multi-year agreement
with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to develop mobile and
online games for DoubleDown Casino and for-wager online
play worldwide through 2024.
In 1996, IGT launched the Wheel of Fortune slot machine for
land-based casinos and solidified the Company’s leadership in
Wide Area Progressive technology. Known as the most success-
ful slot title of all time, the fan-favorite theme has minted nearly
1,000 millionaires and delivered $3 billion in jackpots through-
out its illustrious history. IGT has created more than 200 varia-
tions of the game that can be found on casino floors in more
than 20 countries worldwide. For more information, play Dou-
bleDown Casino online or on any mobile device via the free
iOS and Android application.
About IGT
International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) is a global leader
in casino gaming entertainment and continues to transform the
industry by translating casino player experiences to social, mo-
bile and interactive environments for regulated markets around
the world. IGT's acquisition of DoubleDown Interactive pro-
vides engaging social casino style entertainment to approxi-
mately 6 million players monthly.
More information about IGT is available at IGT.com or you can
connect with IGT at @IGTNews or facebook.com/IGT. Visit
http://apps.facebook.com/doubledowncasino or just visit at
doubledowncasino.com—anyone can play at the DoubleDown
Casino. $
30 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
GAMING NEWS
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 31
GAMING NEWS
The Arizona Department of Gaming kicked off Super Bowl
weekend with encouraging news for tribal contributions. The
tribal contributions to the state from gaming revenue were
approximately $14.2 million for the quarter that ended on De-
cember 31, 2014. This is a 5.8 percent increase when compared
to the same quarter of last year.
“While one quarter does not establish a trend, we are cautious-
ly optimistic that these numbers reflect an improving econo-
my,” said Daniel Bergin, Director of the Arizona Department
of Gaming. “This is a positive economic sign for our state and
critical programs will continue to benefit from this financial
support.”
The quarterly tribal contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund
will be distributed as follows:
Instructional Improvement Fund/Education: $6,916,939
Trauma and Emergency Services Fund: $3,458,469
Arizona Department of Gaming Operating Costs: $1,600,484
Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund: $988,134
State Tourism Fund: $988,134
Problem Gambling Education & Prevention: $284,738
TOTAL TRIBAL CONTRIBUTIONS: $14,236,898
(For the quarter that ended December 31, 2014)
Increased Gaming Revenue Supports Arizona Programs
The Arizona Department of Gaming, in partnership with Ari-
zona’s tribes, regulates Indian gaming. Under the Arizona
Tribal-State Gaming Compact, tribes with casinos contribute
one to eight percent of their Class III gross gaming revenue to
the state, cities, towns and counties. In Arizona, Class III gam-
ing includes slot machines, jackpot poker, blackjack, keno and
off-track pari-mutuel betting. There are currently 23 Class III
casinos in the state. Tribes send contributions to the Arizona
Benefits Fund every three months. For more information,
please visit gaming.az.gov. $
32 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Four-star northern Arizona destination, Twin Arrows Navajo
Casino Resort, has expanded their amenities to include a high-
ly technological, state-of-the-art arcade featuring a variety of
video games and systems for guests to enjoy.
“The opening of this high-tech video game arcade is part of
our ongoing expansion plan as we remain focused on provid-
ing the best experience for our valued guests,” said Derrick
Watchman, CEO of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise.
“We appreciate the feedback loyal visitors share and are
pleased to deliver entertainment for a wider range of ages as
well as families that frequent our resort and restaurants.”
Conveniently located on the first floor of the resort, near the
pool entrance, the new arcade at Twin Arrows features 15
stations with Internet capability, high definition 42-inch moni-
tors and Rocker Gaming Chairs. Officially open December 31;
guests can now rent an Xbox 1, Xbox 360, Wii U, Play Station 3
or 4, plus a wide selection of video games for $5 per person,
per hour. And, individuals, families, conference and business
guests can reserve the room or individual stations as part of
their resort, restaurant or casino visit.
To learn more about Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, the
new arcade or to book a room in their recently expanded 200
room resort, visit twinarrows.com.
About Navajo Gaming
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE) is a Navajo
Nation wholly-owned business entity created by the Navajo
Nation in September 2006 which owns and operates casinos in
New Mexico and Arizona. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Re-
sort, the fourth Navajo Casino, is located in Leupp Chapter,
near Flagstaff, Arizona. Currently, Navajo Gaming has 1,200
employees. Their vision includes job growth opportunities for
Navajos, to continue returning revenue to the Navajo Nation
and to continue building the Navajo gaming and hospitality
brand. $
Twin Arrows Opens Arcade
GAMING NEWS
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 33
Caesars Foundation/Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Gives Back In A Big Way
On January 21, The Caesars Foundation, coordinated through
the staff at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, presented an $8,000 check
to the American Cancer Society for Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino’s
month-long initiative to raise awareness of preventative health
and treatment of breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness
Month. In addition, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino also donated
$3,100 to the American Cancer Society from donations from
Harrah’s employees’ activities and donations.
“Caesars Entertainment, and locally at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casi-
no, has a long-standing passion for community outreach and
volunteerism,” said Jane Stimmel, Employee Engagement Man-
ager and HERO Chair. “We were excited to participate in this
program through Caesars Foundation and coordinate the Foun-
dation’s donation to the American Cancer Society.”
About The Caesars Foundation
The Caesars Foundation is a private foundation funded by a
percentage of operating income from Caesars Entertainment’s
resorts. The Foundation’s objective is to strengthen organiza-
tions and programs in the communities where their employees
and their families live and work. Nationally, the Caesars Foun-
dation focuses on supporting the continued independence of
health and wellness, and honoring older Americans. The Cae-
sars Foundation also provides gifts that support sustainability
programs that work to meet current needs without compromis-
ing the future. This includes projects and programs focused on
reducing the carbon footprint, energy and water consumption
and recycling. On the local level, the Caesars Foundation sup-
ports civic programs vital to the success of communities, includ-
ing organizations involved with education, children and fami-
lies, adults, the environment, health care and the arts. For more
information about the Caesars Foundation, please visit cae-
sarsfoundation.com.
About Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Celebrating more than 20 years in Maricopa, Arizona, Harrah’s
Ak-Chin Casino is Arizona’s first and only tribal casino to have
an international management partner. Offering the largest selec-
tion of the latest reel and video slots in a range of denomina-
tions, Harrah’s Ak-Chin features slot machines, video poker,
video Keno, as well as popular statewide progressives and live-
action poker and Blackjack.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin is the only casino in Arizona that allows
guests, through its Total Rewards program, to unlock benefits
and other prizes that can be used worldwide at the entire Cae-
sars’ family of casinos. Casino guests can also enjoy live enter-
tainment in The Lounge and a variety of dining options includ-
ing the Copper Cactus Grill, Agave’s Restaurant, The Range
Steakhouse, The Buffet and Dunkin Donuts®. Harrah’s Ak-Chin
Casino features 300 luxurious resort and tower guestrooms and
an outdoor swimming pool with swim-up bar. For more infor-
mation about Harrah’s Ak-Chin, visit harrahsakchin.com. $
Left to right: Mike Kintner, Director of Marketing and Operations, Christine Todd, Development Systems Program Manager, Whitney Rivest (ACS), Lynn Johnson
(ACS), Jane Stimmel, Employee Engagement Manager and HERO Chair and Denis Cournoyer (ACS).
Do YOU have something to rant or rave about?
Write me at: [email protected]
Kathy, I have seen your situation happen so many times and I
have wondered the same questions myself. I don’t understand
littering and why the casino seems to attract litterers is beyond
me. Obviously, there are so many employees dedicated to keep-
ing each casino very clean and presentable. Why a handful of
bad eggs have to ruin it not only for the casino but also for the
rest of us patrons is a question only the litterers can answer I
guess. I just feel bad for the employees who earn minimal wages
who have to clean up after people that have no respect for them-
selves, for the casino, or for others. On occasion I have even
given a tip to particularly friendly and welcoming cleaning
staff. If only everyone had the same attitude. $
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
gain, I just had to select a very recent reader letter de-
scribing a scenario at a casino that makes you just
wonder about people and their actions. In most cases I
really enjoy studying human behavior, but not so much with
this situation. I think one can only come to some pretty ugly
conclusions based on what our reader observed.
Dear Sami,
I was just at [a casino] last night. I’ll admit it, I had lost almost all of
my bankroll so I wasn't in the best of moods but that’s when I almost
lost it over what I saw. I’ve been around for over 60 years now and I
still can’t believe how some people act. I guess their mothers didn’t
raise them right. Wow!
This well-dressed woman (although that word implies a certain
amount of class and decency) was walking towards a bank of slots in
the [casino]. I noticed her reach into her purse and pull out a candy or
a sucker. She proceeded to unwrap it, ball up the wrapper and toss the
paper on the floor.
What a complete pig, I thought to myself! I know of farmers who kept
their barns so clean the animals weren’t even allowed to make a mess!
I was about to open my mouth and tell this piece of trash to pick up her
litter when I thought better of it. Instead of engaging her I settled for
glaring at her until she saw me, then glaring at the paper she threw on
the ground, then glaring back at her. I then made a face in disgust.
I thought that might provoke action on her part, but it didn’t!
When I got home I realized I was still mad at this woman. I decided to
sleep on it and write you in the morning. Perhaps I should have just
let it go and not allowed [the woman] to get under my skin like that
but I couldn’t!
I just don’t understand why people think it is OK to throw trash on
the floor at the casino, or ash their cigarettes all over the place except in
an ashtray, leave empty dinks overturned all over the place, extinguish
their butts in the carpet, the chairs, or the slots, and much worse.
Do these people really live this way at home? Is this how they behave
when they are at another person’s house? Do these people litter all over
the place or just at the casino? Disgusting!
-Kathy Whiting from Fort Mohave, Arizona
34 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
A
LITTERING IS JUST LAZY A Reader Barely Keeps Her Cool And Chooses To Vent Later
By Sami Becker
FUN FACTS
hen I was younger, the “scary” Friday the Thirteenth day was rife
with speculation as to what terrible fate might be visited upon us. The
fear of this particular day most likely stems from several historical
sources. A Norse myth tells of 12 gods having a dinner party in Valhalla. Loki, the
uninvited 13th guest, walks in and sets up Hoder (the blind god of darkness) to
shoot Balder the Beautiful (the god of joy and gladness) with a mistletoe-tipped
arrow. When Balder dies, the Earth plunges into darkness. Of course, there is also
the biblical story of Judas the apostle who is also the 13th guest at the Last Supper
who betrays Jesus. And, the bloody Friday the 13th in 1307 when King Philip of
France arrested the Knights Templar and began to torture and kill them.
However, I think Friday the 13th is a very lucky day. Throughout history and
even today, many cultures consider the number 13 and the day Friday itself to be
significant and positive for a variety of reasons. As a result, I’ve changed my
childhood views and I’m already looking forward to Friday, March 13th, 2015 and
Friday, November 13, 2015! If only a casino would create a promotion around it! $
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 35
ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO Why Friday The 13th Matters To Players
W
By Mark Novak
36 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
CASINO NIGHTLIFE
radio and television personalities, families, couples, individuals,
and everything in between.
While grandparents are often in attendance, this is not your
grandma’s charity event! We always have a DJ spinning, some-
times me, sometimes DJ Q Ward, and sometimes guest DJs from
the Valley’s most popular radio stations: 101.1 The Beat, Power
98.3, and Live 101.5. People get to groove as they prepare lunch-
es. Usually it’s about noon when we start loading up vehicles
with lunches and volunteers on their way to various parts of
town where transient (homeless or otherwise struggling) people
are known to congregate. The volunteer teams pick a spot, get
out of the vehicle, and simply invite anyone who could use
some extra food to come up and grab a meal. It is absolutely the
most rewarding experience you could imagine.
At first, this labor of love was organized and funded by DJ Q
Ward, fashion models Nick Beam and Tajii Sharp, Frisko, 101.1
The Beat Marketing Director Mattlocks, and me. After a few
successful months of operation, we started feeling the love as
food banks donated supplies and participants made monetary
contributions. The non-profit organization affiliated with this
event continues to be a source of opportunities, especially as
we’re seeking to expand from just food to also shoes and blan-
kets—the two most requested items.
The name Hashtag Lunch Bag reflects our initial desire to pro-
mote the event on the Internet, especially through social media.
However, we’ve grown to include promotional consideration
from several radio stations, both English and Spanish television
stations, and some noteworthy publications, including the Ari-
zona Gaming Guide.
Now that you know, there’s no excuse! Get out there and make
your money go further than your wallet. $
Ramses Ja Rudi King-Taylor II
•Music Director/On-Air Host (3-7pm) for
KNRJ-FM 101.1 The Beat
•Resident DJ/VJ for KTVK-3TV Friday 10am
•Host of R.E.D.Y. Set Radio
•Official Bum Squad DJ
•DJ Vatican Member
•For more information on Ramses Ja, visit his
website at: ramsesja.com.
magine this, getting yours and giving back at the same
time. It’s a win-win and it’s what you’re in store for when
you play at the casinos across the Valley. From a Hashtag
Lunch Bag event, to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Com-
munity Children’s Foundation, there are many ways the Arizo-
na Casino Gaming industry gives back to the community!
Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort are owned and operat-
ed by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The
community’s Tribal Council has several programs and affilia-
tions that demonstrate its commitment to improving the area.
For example, the Children’s Foundation is a non-profit, charita-
ble division of the Community that makes contributions to vari-
ous organizations and programs dedicated to serving the Com-
munity’s youth. In addition to giving back to the community,
the organization prioritizes educating and promoting the histo-
ry and culture of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Commu-
nity. There are guided tours available at the Community’s
Huhugam Ki Museum, the Discover Papago Park development
project, and WellPath, a program promoting healthy living in
the Community.
As part of the Gila River Casinos, Vee Quiva, Wild Horse Pass,
and Lone Butte Casinos have the philosophy of improving the
communities they are in. Through volunteering, donations, and
formal partnerships, the Gila River Gaming Enterprises are able
to make good on that philosophy. They work with the Heard
Museum, promoting Native American causes. They have also
partnered with the Banner Health Foundation, the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and
the National Kidney Foundation to promote awareness of na-
tionally recognized health concerns such as heart disease, kid-
ney disease, diabetes, and cancer. What’s more, Gila River
works with Chicanos Por La Causa and St. Vincent de Paul,
addressing issues like domestic violence, mental illness, and
literacy. They also make it very easy for any non-profit to seek
donations: all you have to do is write a letter with your request
and the Board will consider it.
I can also suggest participating in Hashtag Lunch Bag, the Val-
ley’s monthly giveback kickback! We congregate on the last
Sunday of each month at Sky Lounge in Downtown Phoenix.
We’re proud to say that every month since we started in Sep-
tember of last year, when the doors open at 10am, there is al-
ways a line of people waiting for us! It’s not only the gaming
community but also church groups, youth clubs, businesses,
I
By Ramses Ja
#HASHTAG LUNCH BAG Making Your Money Go Further Than Your Wallet
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Listings
38 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438
San Carlos Event Center
Inter-Tribal Powwow—Mar. 13-15
BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360
Dig Lounge:
Featuring a variety of live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm
Events:
Tutankhamun—Now through Apr. 12
Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777
The Showroom:
Rockin’ The Paradise (Styx Tribute)—Mar. 6-7
The Long Run (Eagles Tribute)—Mar. 20-21
The Ultimate Stones (The Rolling Stones Tribute)—Mar. 27-28
The Arizona Room:
Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to dance)—Tuesdays 6pm
Country Dance Nights (Learn to dance)—Wed. & Thu. at 6pm
La Propuesta De Mexico—Tuesdays 8pm
Daisy Train (Country)—Wednesdays 8pm
The Tommy Ash Band (Country, Rock, Americana)—Thursdays 8pm
Casino Del Sol—Tucson, AZ—520.838.6506
Paradiso Bar & Lounge:
Featuring a variety of live bands & DJs on weekends
Cliff Castle Casino—Camp Verde, AZ—800.381.7568
Dragonfly Lounge:
Featuring a variety of live bands & DJs on weekends
Cocopah Resort Casino—Somerton, AZ—800.237.5687
Events:
Karaoke with Bling Bling/DJ Sosa—Th & Fr at 8pm
Desert Diamond Casino I—Tucson, AZ—866.332.9467
Monsoon Nightclub:
Dance Fusion with DJ Blade—Fridays
Noches Caliente—Saturdays the hottest Tex Mex and Tejano music!
Desert Diamond Casino II—Sahuarita, AZ—866.332.9467
Sports Bar:
Karaoke Night—Wednesdays 7-11pm
Live music or DJs—Fridays & Saturdays
Diamond Center:
Anjelah Johnson—Mar. 7
Tracy Lawrence—Mar. 28
Lupita D’Alessio—Apr. 4
Peking Acrobats—Apr. 25
Michael McDonald—Apr. 30
Fort McDowell Casino—Fort McDowell, AZ—800.843.3678
Lucky 7 Saloon:
Featuring a variety of live music every weekend
Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino—Maricopa, AZ—480.802.5000
The Lounge: Heartbreak Alley—6th, Edgar Winter—7th, The
Walkens—13th, Daisy Train—14th, Rock Lobster—20th, Nashville
Gold (Country Tribute)—21st, Smooth Groove—27th, The Trouba-
dour Experience (George Straight Tribute)—28th Wild Wednesdays
Swingtips—4th, Western Fusion Trio—11th, Bandstand Shows—
18th, Yesterday Once More—25th The Lounge Happy Hour Starting
March 2nd Mondays through Thursdays from 5-8pm. He Said She
Said, Mondays 5-8pm, Stan & Miguel, Tuesdays 5-8pm, Jake Skeen,
Wednesdays 5-8pm, and Harry Luge, Thursdays 5-8 pm.
Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744
Timbers Lounge and Showroom:
Munday Funday—Comedy Show begins at 7pm
Featuring a variety of live local talent Tuesday through Saturday
Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452
Cascades Lounge:
Phoenix area bands & DJs offer free live entertainment throughout the
Tracy Lawrence Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita
March 28, 2015
Award-winning, multi-platinum, Country music star Tracy
Lawrence is returning to the Diamond Center for the first time
in five years on Saturday, March 28, 2015. Reserved tickets
start at $20 and are on sale now through Star Tickets and at the
casino Rewards Center, (10% discount to members). The doors
open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. Tracy Lawrence is
one of the most recognizable voices in Country music with
songs such as Paint Me a Birmingham , Time Marches On, Alibis
and Find Out Who Your Friends Are . The entertainer has en-
joyed 22 songs on the Billboard Top 10 charts with 18 number
one singles, selling over 13 million albums. The Multi-
platinum CMA and ACM award winner has helped shape the
sound of Country music for two decades, recently celebrating
20 years in music. Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations
and Communications for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enter-
prise, said “It’s a joy to bring Tracy Lawrence back for another
stellar performance! His last Diamond Center show sold out,
so tickets are sure to go fast! Don’t miss your chance to see one
of Country’s biggest names live in concert!”
Editor’s Pick CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 39
week featuring the Valley's best local bands & DJs
Mazatzal Casino—Payson, AZ—800.777.7529
Apache Spirits Lounge:
Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends.
Paradise Casino—Yuma, AZ—888.777.4946
Sharky’s Bar & Bites:
Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends
Quechan Casino—Winterhaven, CA—877.783.2426
Sidewinders Bar & Grill:
Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends
Talking Stick Resort—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777
The Showroom & Grand Ballroom:
BoDeans—Mar. 7
Frank Caliendo—Mar. 14
Elvis Lives: The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist—Mar. 20-21
Winger—Mar. 29
Doyle Bramhall II—Apr. 3
Leon Russell—Apr. 4
Al DiMeola & Billy Cobham—Apr. 22
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers—Apr. 24
ZZ Top—Apr. 26
Twin Arrows Navajo Casino—Flagstaff, AZ—855.946.8946
Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends
Vee Quiva Casino—Laveen, AZ—800.946.4452
VQ Live:
Featuring a variety of live music on the weekends
Event Center:
Charo—Mar. 28
Wild Horse Pass Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452
AiRIA Unplugged—Live music Fri & Sat 4pm-2am
Encore Lounge—Featuring a variety of live music nightly
Classics With A Twist—Featuring jazz music & cocktails Thu-Sun
Showroom:
Billy Ocean—Mar. 6
Lunar New Year Hoa Xuan—Mar. 7
Nashville Gold—The Story of Country Music—Mar. 8
Jenny McCarthy & Friends: Dirty, Sexy, Funny—Mar.14
Paperback Writer—Tribute to The Beatles—Mar. 15
Kathy Griffin—Mar. 20-21
Chance Tinder—Tribute to Elvis Presley—Mar. 22
38 Special—Mar. 27
Marie Osmond—Mar. 28
The Magic of Motown—Tribute to Motown—Mar. 29
Morris Day & The Time—Apr. 11
DSB: An American Journey—Apr. 17
Kenny Rogers—Apr. 25
Michael McDonald—May 2
Talking Stick Resort Presents:
Comedian Frank Caliendo March 14, 2015
Talking Stick Resort will be a place of laughter when it
hosts comedian Frank Caliendo on March 14. Known for his
spot-on celebrity impersonations, the standup comic will
have audiences chuckling until it hurts the moment he steps
on the Salt River Grand Ballroom stage.
Born in Chicago in 1974, Caliendo began performing in local
comedy clubs while enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee. He quickly gained a massive following and
would go on to join the hit comedy series, MADtv in 2001,
and become a semi-regular guest on FOX NFL Sunday the
same year.
In addition to his witty punch lines, Caliendo has received
recognition for his authentic impersonations of various stars
such as Morgan Freeman, John Madden, former President
George W. Bush and Charles Barkley. He’s mastered the late
night circuit, performing on The Late Late Show with Craig
Ferguson, Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night
with Conan O’Brien just to name a few, and has starred in
his own sketch show titled, Frank TV.
Tickets are on sale now. Please call 480.850.7777 or visit
TalkingStickResort.com for more information. $ Verify all details & age restrictions (generally 21 & over) for each event. Venues, times, dates, & ticket
information are subject to change. Photos/images copyright of the individual artist(s), photographer(s),
or venue(s). All Rights Reserved. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.
40 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 02/01/15 & direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.
Contact [email protected] to make updates. *Cocopah Resort Casino offers “Smoke-Free Sundays” which is a casino-wide non-smoking experience every week from 4am Sunday to 4am Monday.
Casino Sessions Seats Smoke-Free Area Electronic Late Night
Apache Gold Su, We, Th at Noon. Fr & Sa at
7pm. 1st Mo of the month at 7pm 100 No Yes No
BlueWater Mo-We 6:30pm. Su at 1:30pm. 400 Yes Yes No
Casino Arizona Mo-Su at 6:30pm
Daily Matinees at 12:30pm 1000 Yes Yes
L8 Nite Bingo Fr & Sa
Doors at 10pm. Games at midnight
Casino Del Sol Daily at Noon, 1:30, 2:15, 6:30 &
7:15pm 600 Yes Yes Cosmic Bingo Sa at 11pm.
Cocopah Daily at 1:30 & 6:30pm 350 Yes* Yes No
Desert Diamond I We-Mo 1:30, 2, 6, 6:30 & 7pm 300 No Yes No
Fort McDowell Sa & Su at 6:45am. We-Mo at
9am. Daily at 12:30 & 6:30pm. 1275
Yes (2 sections: enclosed or in
general seating)
Yes Fr & Sa at 11:30pm.
Call for Lunar Bingo schedule.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin We-Su at 11:30am, 2:30, 3:30,
and 6:30pm 470 Yes Yes No
Lone Butte Sa & Su: 10, Noon, 3:45, 5:30pm.
Daily: Noon & 6:30pm. 750 Yes Yes B.A.D. Bingo Fr & Sa at 11:30pm.
Mazatzal Mo-Th at Noon.
Tu & Th at 6:30pm. 280 Yes Yes No
Paradise Tu-Su at 1:30pm
Mo-Fr at 6pm. 300 Yes Yes
Call for Kozmic Bingo
& Other Special Dates
Twin Arrows Th-Su at 7pm & Su at 3pm. 100 No Yes No
Vee Quiva Daily at Noon & 6:30pm. 366 Yes Yes Bingo Eclipse Sa at 11pm.
CASINO BINGO
he $500,000 Bingo Super Gala returns to South Point
Hotel, Casino & Spa on Monday, March 16 and Tues-
day, March 17 beginning at 12pm each day. The two-
day bingo spectacular will offer a $250,000 daily prize pool each
day. Each day begins with 10 warm-up games with a total purse
of $10,000, followed by 19 Super Gala games for $10,000 each,
and concluding with one $50,000 coverall game and one $10,000
“2nd Chance” game.
Participants can purchase Super Gala entries for $295 which
includes two-day gala access, one 9-ON pack of bingo cards,
one food voucher per day and dauber. Throughout the Super
Gala, guests may purchase additional 6-ON packs of bingo
cards for $25 per pack. Participants are allowed to purchase up
$500,000 Super Gala March 16 & 17 South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada
to 15 additional packs of bingo cards per day, in electronic units.
During the warm-up games, participants may purchase their
first 6-ON pack for $10 and each additional electronic or paper
pack for $5. Super Gala participants that are playing electroni-
cally must purchase two additional 6-ON bingo packs for a total
of $50 per day. In addition, extra 3-ON coverall strips are availa-
ble for purchase for $5 with a daily maximum of 20 coveralls
per player, per day.
Doors will open each day at 8am with warm-up games begin-
ning at 12pm. South Point offers gala players a special $50 room
rate for Sunday, March 15, which includes a complimentary two
night hotel accommodation on the 16th and 17th. For more in-
formation, please visit SouthPointCasino.com. $
T
By Mark Novak
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA Directory & Gaming Statistics
Aquarius Casino Resort
800.662.LUCK
aquariuscasinoresort.com.
1,250+ slots, no smoking slot area,
high limit slots area, blackjack, table
games, roulette, craps, keno, race/
sports book.
Avi Resort & Casino
(Fort Mojave Tribe)
800.430.0721
avicasino.com.
1,000+ slots, bingo, blackjack, table
games, craps, roulette, poker room,
keno, race/sports book, KidsQuest.
Colorado Belle Hotel Casino
877.460.0777
coloradobelle.com.
750+ slots, blackjack, table games,
craps, roulette, poker room, keno,
race/sports book. Build your own
amazing burger at Pint’s Brewery!
Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
800.227.3849
riversideresort.com.
1,300+ slots, no smoking slot area,
high limit slots area, bingo, black-
jack, table games, craps, roulette,
poker room, keno, race/sports book.
Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall
800.634.3469
pioneerlaughlin.com
490 slots, blackjack, table games,
craps, roulette, sports book. Make
sure to check out the video poker &
reel slots!
Harrah’s Laughlin
800.447.8700
harrahslaughlin.com
900+ slots, no smoking slot area,
high limit slots area, blackjack, table
games, craps, roulette, poker room,
live keno, race/sports book.
Golden Nugget Laughlin
800.237.1739
goldennugget.com/laughlin
1,000+ slots, blackjack, table games,
craps, roulette, poker room, sports
book. Sign up for the player’s club
and spin for free play!
Edgewater Hotel Casino
800.677.4837
edgewater-casino.com.
750+ slots, no smoking slot area,
high limit slots area, blackjack, table
games, roulette, craps, race/sports
book. Great all-around casino!
We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information. To inform us of
updates, please email [email protected]. The Nevada Gaming Control Board
publishes statistics on casino gaming activity in Nevada according to their state’s gaming
regulations. The most current data for Laughlin at press time is from three months prior.
*A negative hold percentage indicates that game overpaid during the stated month.
Tropicana Laughlin
800.243.6846
tropicanax.com
1,000+ slots, blackjack, table games,
craps, roulette, and a sports book.
Stop in for lunch at Carnegie’s or
the Poolside Café and enjoy the food!
Laughlin River Lodge
800.835.7904
laughlinriverlodge.com
1,000+ guest rooms and suites, over
30,000 square feet of the hottest
Vegas-style gaming, four restau-
rants, fast food options, & more!
Slots Hold % Tables Hold %
Loose $1 4.86 Craps 8.09
25¢ 5.36 Blackjack / 21 14.91
Multi-Denom 6.05 Roulette 17.56
$5 6.35 Pai Gow Poker 24.77
5¢ 7.28 Let It Ride 27.60
1¢ 11.81 Three Card Poker 28.09
Megabucks 14.07 Other Table Games 31.34
Tight $25 15.06
Other Hold %
Loose Sports Pools 11.27 Win Amount Dollars
Bingo 12.33 Slots 32.4 mil.
Race Books 17.01 Tables 2.3 mil.
Tight Live Keno 27.56 Other 0.7 mil.
Laughlin’s Gaming Statistics December 2014
42 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
azgamingguide.com | March 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 43
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
Tropicana Laughlin News
TROP ADVANTAGE CLUB NEW 2015 BENEFITS
Beginning February 1, 2015, players achieving Gold, Platinum,
or Black Card status in the Trop Advantage Program receive a
complimentary three night stay with free slot play at the Cos-
mopolitan in Las Vegas and a cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines
for up to eight days in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Bahamas.
CLUB 50
The Tropicana Laughlin is calling all those at least 50 years
young! Every Monday, Trop Advantage Card members can
swipe their card and start the day off with a cup of coffee. Earn
base points and get discounts on food and a chance at free play!
GIFT DAYS—EARN POINTS, GET A GREAT GIFT
Everyone loves getting gifts, right? Well the season of gift giv-
ing isn’t over at the Tropicana Laughlin because they love giv-
ing them! Players earning just 1,000 base points on their Trop
Advantage Card on the Gift Day easily receive a voucher from
any promotional kiosk. Then, redeem the voucher for your gift
at the Players Club on the casino floor. Each new month brings
new gifts so make sure to check back at the Players Club.
March 7th: Tosca Handbag (choice of color)
March 14th: Bed in Bag (reversible, with comforter & 2 shams)
March 28th: Emeril Knife Set
WIN A HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE
What better way to celebrate Laughlin’s biggest biker gathering
than by giving away a Harley-Davidson motorcycle! On Satur-
day, April 25th at 11pm, the Tropicana Laughlin will give away
a brand new Harley-Davidson. Trop Advantage Club members
can earn drawing tickets from Wednesday, April 22 through
Saturday, April 25. Earn one drawing ticket for every 50 base
points on the Trop Advantage Card. On Thursday the 23rd,
players can earn a 2X bonus on drawing tickets!
$4,000 GETTIN’ LUCKY BINGO BASH
On Saturday, March 7, 2015 you can participate in the Tropicana
Laughlin’s Gettin’ Lucky Bingo Bash for just $10 per pack buy-
in for all regular games. Players can buy-in for Specials at $5 per
9-on for both games. Electronic units have a $2 use fee and a 3-
pack minimum. There’s a free gift for players club members!
Visit troplaughlin.com for more information. $
44 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
SUDOKU Each of the columns, rows, and nine 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.
(Solution on page 46)
9
7 6
3
2
6 4
8
5
7
1
5 9
6
5
2
7 1
6
8
4
1
9
2
WORD SEARCH
In honor of Potato Chip Day on March 14, find:
POTATO, CHIP, SNACK, FOOD, TASTE, DELICIOUS, FRIED,
CRUNCHY, CRISPY, SALTY, BOWL, BAG, FLAVOR, DIP, PARTY,
GEORGE, CRUM, SARATOGA, SPRINGS, NEW YORK.
Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)
F S M U R C A O P S V S T O T
B C R I S P M H J P F Z D Y K
H O K R O Y W N F C O O U S E
W F W P R N T G O Z N E R U Q
B M X L X Q A D O A O Q I W W
R O V A L F Q E S C F P D G F
C P H V A Z S A E D K S E N V
C Q P E U N B B M H R L F C C
R E A W F N R T O G A F A S A
U B R X T D I I O U S P C E L
N W T T A S K D P S G I J T E
C P Y J L B L S H A M H A Y T
H H R E G R G Z R D G C X O E
Y Z I W S G R S I A Z W P N I
E W S F P I K P N Q J M T A I
FUN & GAMES
CASINO DIRECTORY
46 Arizona Gaming Guide | March 2015 | azgamingguide.com
City Phone Slots Hig
h L
imit
Are
a
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Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 02/01/15 & direct inquiries by press time. We are not responsible for incorrect, missing, or outdated information.
Contact [email protected] to make updates. *Cocopah Resort Casino offers “Smoke-Free Sundays” which is a casino-wide non-smoking experience every week from 4AM Sunday to 4AM Monday
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01. Apache Gold Casino Resort Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe Globe 800-272-2438 608 Y Y Y Y Y Y
02. BlueWater Resort & Casino 11300 Resort Drive Parker 888-243-3360 526 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
03. Bucky’s Casino 1500 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott 800-756-8744 314 Y Y Y Y
04. Casino Arizona 101 & McKellips Scottsdale 480-850-7777 904 Y Y Y Y
05. Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd. Tucson 855-765-7829 1,077 Y Y Y Y Y Y
06. Casino of the Sun 7406 S. Camino De Oeste Tucson 855-765-7829 293
07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel I-17, Exit 289 Camp Verde 800-381-7568 633 Y Y Y Y Y
08. Cocopah Resort Casino 15318 S. Ave. B Somerton 800-237-5687 509 Y Y Y Y* Y Y Y
09. Desert Diamond Casino I 7350 S. Nogales Hwy. Tucson 866-332-9467 1,089 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
10. Desert Diamond Casino II I-19, Exit 80 Tucson 866-332-9467 675 Y
11. Desert Diamond Casino-Why Hwy. 86, Milepost 55 Why 866-332-9467 58
12. Fort McDowell Casino Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd. Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 894 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
13. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 15406 N. Maricopa Rd. Maricopa 480-802-5000 1,089 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
14. Hon-Dah Casino 777 Hwy. 260 Pinetop 800-929-8744 825 Y Y Y Y
15. Lone Butte Casino 1077 S. Kyrene Rd. Chandler 800-946-4452 786 Y Y Y
16. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson Payson 800-777-7529 417 Y Y Y Y Y Y
17. Paradise Casino 450 Quechan Dr. Yuma 888-777-4946 476 Y
18. Quechan Casino I-8, Exit 166 Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+ Y Y Y Y Y Y
19. Spirit Mountain Casino 8555 Hwy. 95 Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 247
20. Talking Stick Resort 101 & Indian Bend Scottsdale 480-850-7777 759 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
21. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino I-40, Exit 219 Flagstaff 855-946-8946 1,085 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
22. Vee Quiva Casino 6443 Komatke Ln. Laveen 800-946-4452 950 Y Y Y Y Y
23. Wild Horse Pass Casino 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Chandler 800-946-4452 950 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
24. Yavapai Casino 1505 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott 800-756-8744 242 Y
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Sudoku Solution
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