24 TWIN ARROWS NAVAJO CASINO
POPULAR STARTING POINT FOR
SUMMER ADVENTURES
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
30 GAMING NEWS
33 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
36 CASINO NIGHTLIFE
38 CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
40 CASINO BINGO
42 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
43 FUN FACTS
44 FUN & GAMES
46 CASINO DIRECTORY
IN EVERY ISSUE
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 03
ELTON JOHN BY WMS
NOW AT MAZATZAL
This slot has a concert-like experi-
ence by immersing players in selec-
tions of Elton John’s classic hits.
POW WOW IN THE PINES
AT HON-DAH
An event in the most appropriate of
venues, the world’s largest stand of
Ponderosa Pine trees
26 14
Contents MAY
2015 TOURNEVENT OF
CHAMPIONS
$1.3 million purse on the line in the
nation’s biggest slot tournament
hosted by Multimedia Games
22
recently ran into a friend of mine who wanted to catch up about a few things
when she launched into her latest casino story. This time the subject was free
play, but it wasn’t about what you’re thinking and what I was thinking too at
the time—it had nothing to do with the amount of free play or lack thereof. She
was very passionately communicating to me that free play sucks!
Essentially, her point was free play is never lucky for her, no matter what the
amount is. She had such a poor opinion after several repeated bad experiences
with recent free play offers that she was ready to swear off free play for good.
“They can keep it for all I care” she proclaimed to me! Based on the e-mails we
receive, many of our readers feel the same way. But, I strongly encouraged my
friend, as I do all of our readers, to look at free play in a different and more posi-
tive light. Free play is one way a casino rewards you for your loyalty. Take their
gift as a sign that this is an opportunity for luck and good fortune to visit you.
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 new slots and those coming soon,
plenty of tips for you to incorporate into casino visits, and much more! Please visit
our Facebook at: facebook .com/ArizonaGamingGuide , become part of our com-
munity and share your thoughts and experiences 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 05
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 | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
“Like” us on Facebook because
we “Like” you too!
www.facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
GIVING & RECEIVING Why Free Play Is Special
I
PLAYERS TALK
06 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Q: I know why none of the casinos offer Roulette, Craps, or
Baccarat here in Arizona. It’s because they know they can’t
make as much money off those games and I don’t think that
it’s fair. I don’t care because I will still drive all the way to Las
Vegas and play them there. I just want to say that it’s sneaky
of them not to offer those games. It’s nothing but slots and
Blackjack here in Arizona for a reason—that’s where all the
money is—am I right?
Ted Duval—Tucson
A: Ted, I’m sorry but I must say that you are not correct with
regards to this particular situation. Table games such as Craps
and Roulette are not offered in any Arizona casinos because the
Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact of 2002 doesn’t allow
them! Offering these types of games at Arizona’s tribal casinos
would require reopening the voter-approved Compact.
I must also say that you are under the misconception that the
casinos lose money on table games which couldn’t be further
from the truth. In fact, casinos make more money on the table
games you mention than they do from slots! This is, under-
standably, difficult to believe. However, to illustrate my point, I
have pulled some data from the Nevada Table Games Hold
Percentages which is publicly available information.
The “Hold Percentage (HP),” which is the portion of money
gambled that the casino retains, has a huge impact on casino
revenues. The chief table games offered in Nevada casinos
(Twenty-One, Craps, Roulette, and Baccarat) are quite favorable
for the house. Since these are games of chance, obviously their
exact HP can vary. Examining monthly HP values for the period
beginning January 2004 through February 2015 for four table
games was rather astonishing! The maximum monthly HP for
Twenty-One was 14.41%, for Craps it was 17.56%, for Roulette it
was 25.70% and for Baccarat 19.53%. Averaging the HP across
all the months between 2004 and 2015 produced the following
numbers: for Twenty-One it was 11.69%, for Craps it was
13.08%, for Roulette it was 19.11% and for Baccarat 12.02%.
Although Arizona regulations state that payback percentages
for video slot machines can be set as low as 85%, most slot
games, on average, are produced and sold to casinos at an 88%
payback (which means a 12% hold for the casino). Average slot
HP during the same period of time never went over 12%. In fact,
figures across the months hovered around 7-10%. This is quite a
huge difference compared to these table games, in particular
Roulette figures that seem to hover around 20% HP!
Trust me when I say, Arizona casinos would welcome any and
all of these tables games for the increased revenue. However,
the Tribes and the State have to renegotiate their current agree-
ments to include these games. Will they arrive here eventually?
Perhaps. After all, they are internationally recognized casino
games that are very popular, but if and when that will be is any-
body’s bet.
Q: In your Arizona Gaming Guide it shows Casino Arizona as
having a smoke-free area. This is incorrect. We were there
Sunday, March 22 and there is absolutely NO non-smoking
areas or rooms. We asked a guard and he said no, it is smok-
ing only. We don’t understand why casinos insist on catering
to smokers. It is a filthy, unhealthy, stinky habit. Why can’t
non-smokers be given a room of their own?
Nancy Jean Konz—Phoenix, Arizona
A: Nancy, thank you for bringing this to our attention and
please accept our sincerest apologies for the inaccuracy. I was
very disappointed to learn about this oversight in our publica-
tion, because my team and I work very hard to produce a high
quality magazine that is free of errors.
There are many people who feel the same way you do about the
smoke at the casinos. On May 1, 2007, the Smoke-Free Arizona
Act (Proposition 201) went into effect banning smoking in all
enclosed workplaces and within 20 feet of all entrances or exits.
Casinos and all other businesses located on Indian reservations
are exempt from this law. A few years ago, we published an
article in the magazine entitled “Should the Casinos Ban Smok-
ing.” At the time we asked ten casino employees from all across
the state of Arizona what they believed to be the approximate
percentage of smokers at their casinos. One employee respond-
ed 50% while the remaining nine casino employees maintained
that 70% to 75% of their patrons are smokers—three smokers to
every one non-smoker! Continued on page 8
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].
In 2006, a study conducted by a research group from the Uni-
versity of Nevada, Reno indicated that, contrary to popular be-
lief, only one out of every five (in other words 20%) of the casi-
no patrons are actually smokers. The 2010 statistics posted by
the Center for Disease Control seem to mirror the results of the
study denoting 21% of the U.S. population 18 years of age and
older are smokers. It’s interesting that what casino employees
are suggesting based on their own observations and what the
Reno study and numerous other studies are reporting are so
vastly different!
If you’d like to play in a smoke-free environment, may we sug-
gest you visit Bucky’s and Yavapai Casinos in Prescott, Arizona.
Yavapai casino has a huge 2,300 square foot gaming area for
non-smokers which includes nearly 100 new slot titles as well as
some oldies but goodies we all love, its own entrance, restrooms
and a separate HVAC system to keep the fresh air continuously
circulating. Bucky’s also just recently introduced a smoke-free
area upstairs close to their café!
Q: Dear Editor: If someone hits a jackpot or does really well
on a slot machine, is it a good idea not to play that machine
for a while? I’m always disappointed when I sit down at one
of my favorite slots and notice that someone cashed out a lot
of money. I don’t know if I will just end up feeding it money
when I sit down to play. I also have another question. My
friends and I all feel the same way about this. Why is it that
when I’m doing well on a slot machine and I decide to cash
out a ticket with my wins, I never seem to do well on that ma-
chine after I’ve cashed out. Does cashing out a ticket somehow
reset a machine? It always seems I take a machine that’s on a
hot streak and turn it cold that way. I love your Players Talk
section and I would be so excited to see my questions in the
magazine, but even if you don’t choose to print mine would
you please, please answer them? My friends and I are so curi-
ous! Thanks so much! Keep up the good work.
Mary Hartman—Queen Creek
A: Mary, every spin on a slot machine is independent of the
spin before and completely random. There is no sequence to the
wins on a slot machine. Hence, your probability of hitting a
jackpot on one spin is the exact same probability of you hitting
the jackpot on the next spin. In fact, one of my team members
hit back-to-back four deuces on a video poker game. And, all of
us have had several jackpots (with taxable hand pays) on the
same day on the same machine. Think about it this way: Let’s
say you have a bag filled with various colored balls represent-
ing winning and non-winning combinations on a slot machine
and the bag contains one red ball which is a jackpot win. If
somebody sitting at a slot reaches into a bag and grabs the red
ball out of the bag, this person will hit the jackpot on that ma-
chine (this is essentially how a random number generator works
in a slot—at the moment the spin button is pressed, a result is
determined and displayed on the screen). Now, imagine that
person leaves and you sit down to play the same game. Who’s
to say that if you reach in to grab a ball that you won’t grab the
exact same red ball and get the jackpot? Therefore, you should
never, ever avoid playing your favorite slot game because some-
one has just hit a jackpot or cashed out a large sum of money.
Your luck is entirely your own and it’s based on when you press
the spin button and what combination the random number gen-
erator will obtain at that instant in time. Additionally, hopefully
you now understand that it’s also not correct to believe that a
machine is “due” because it hasn’t hit a jackpot for a while.
Furthermore, don’t ever pay attention to what the meters say as
to how much was cashed out. Many people move from one ma-
chine to the next with a ticket in hand, so the dollar amount
reflected on the meter may not even mean it was won on that
game! Just recently, I personally watched a lady put a $500 tick-
et into a slot, lose $50, cash out and leave. The machine said
“Paid $450!” Totally erroneous! She won nothing on that game!
You also have no way of knowing if someone just consolidated
a bunch of tickets from various machines and then just pressed
the cash out button!
To answer your second question, cashing out a ticket does not
reset a slot. In actuality, a machine resets itself each time a play-
er presses the spin button. Due to slot machine regulations each
game is required to be independent of the game before. You
mention that you feel you “take a machine that’s on a hot streak
and turn it cold” when you cash out. There’s not a slot player
out there that hasn’t felt the way you have at some point! I truly
believe that there is intuition at play. When a slot player decides
to cash out, there are feelings involved that are telling you the
machine is “done” and that you’d better collect at that moment.
Putting any amount of money into a slot to “test” it or continue
playing is going against your own gut instincts!
Thank you for the kind remarks about our magazine. We appre-
ciate you, and all of our fans, for your continued support of our
publication. Good luck!
Q: Thanks for a good read. I want to know what happens if a
progressive is taken off the floor … where does the money in
the progressives go?
Jose Rivera—Peoria, Arizona
A: Jose, this is a popular question amongst our readers. Any
player contribution towards a progressive has to be returned to
the players in some way. In-house progressives can just be dis-
tributed onto other progressive games in the casino. That’s part
of the Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact. When a wide-area
progressive, hosted by a slot manufacturer, is pulled from the
floor new game titles just replace old titles and the progressive
values are rolled over from the old games to the new games. $
PLAYERS TALK
08 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Continued from page 6
TABLE GAMES
10 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 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.
Blackjack in Arizona is also played with continuous shufflers,
where the used cards are placed back into the mix of decks, so
the game is always ready to go. This machine is designed with
what amounts to a Ferris wheel inside that spins around, ac-
cepting cards into about three-dozen individual slots. Then a
slot of cards is pushed out into the bottom of the machine for
upcoming hands. The machine can count the number of cards,
but it can’t sort or distinguish what cards are being used.
In fact, although some players dislike the continuous shufflers,
the odds on the machine are actually better for the player than
when the cards are dealt from a shoe. This is because the ma-
chine is designed to simulate a game where virtually all cards
are available for the start of each new round, which is statistical-
ly a tiny bit better. A tiny bit, and it’s very efficient (pitter-patter,
pitter-patter). Enjoy! $
Editor’s Note: According to Arizona State Gaming Regulations,
shuffling devices in every gaming facility shall be inspected each gam-
ing day before play commences to ensure that the shoe or shuffling
device is not damaged, is operating properly and has not been compro-
mised in any manner which might affect the integrity of the Blackjack
game.
By Al Moe
ll casinos in Arizona use shuffle machines for table
games because when the new gaming laws were first
proposed 15 years ago the thinking was that removing
as many possible chances for cheating would be a good idea.
That’s also why players can’t touch their cards at blackjack, so
we live with it.
As for the use of shuffle machines, John Breeding gets most of
the credit (or scorn) for the use of modern shufflers. He read an
article in the 1980’s about Las Vegas casinos losing money to
card counters and set about inventing a reliable machine that
could be used before each hand, but there was little interest in a
single-deck shuffler, so he invented a new game, Let It Ride , to
drive demand for his shuffler. The game is still popular today.
As demand for the game and machine increased, the company
Breeding founded, Shuffle Master, started manufacturing multi-
deck machines. Today, SHFL (now part of a company called
Scientific Games which includes slot manufacturers Bally and
WMS) holds 95% of the card-shuffler market in the United
States. That market includes machines for all table games, not
just blackjack.
Most blackjack games in Arizona are dealt from a six-deck shoe.
Instead of having the dealer breakdown and shuffle the decks,
two sets of cards with different colors are used, so one set is in
the shoe being used while the other color is in the machine be-
ing shuffled. The process is efficient, which makes all the casino
managers’ little hearts go pitter-patter, because instead of the
dealer spending six-minutes out of every sixty, hand-shuffling
the decks, the machine can do the job (pitter-patter, pitter-
patter). A 10% increase in hands dealt each hour leads to a 10%
increase in profits.
Do Shuffle Machines Cheat?
There is a common fear among players that the machines are
designed to cheat, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The machines actually allow a better shuffle and thus a more
random game to be dealt. The electronic shuffling devices are
submitted to an independent testing lab for verification of a
variety of different functions. The six-deck batch shufflers can
only move the cards repeatedly between two stacks of cards to
get a good mix. They cannot manipulate the decks for cheating
purposes.
A
Why Do Casinos Use Automatic Shufflers? How Reliable Are The Shufflers And Can They Cheat Players?
14 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
By Lana Hartmann
NEW SLOTS
Colossal Diamonds “Big Red” Live This Month At Mazatzal
merican Gaming Systems (AGS) and Mazatzal Hotel &
Casino proudly present Colossal Diamonds, a classic
that’s a simple, larger-than-life, 3-reel, 1-line game with a
minimum bet of 5 credits and a maximum bet of 15 credits and a
top award of 6,000 credits. The game sits on a giant cabinet, which
AGS calls “Big Red,” that measures eight feet across and has three
separate 42 inch LCD monitors each serving as an independent
super-sized reel. The game is installed at a remarkably high total
payback percentage of 90.12% (which makes it definitely worth
giving a spin) and a hit frequency of 25.34%!
For more information about this game and other products from
AGS, visit their website at playags.com. For more information on
Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, visit mazatzal-casino.com. $
A
Elton John Live This Month At Mazatzal
re you ready to look at gaming through the fabulous
glasses of Sir Elton John? He’s been a Las Vegas icon
for years, so it was only a matter of time his face
would appear on a slot machine. Created by WMS Gaming,
the Elton John slot delivers a concert-like experience by im-
mersing players in selections of his classic hits. Now, on May
4, these exciting new games go live at Mazatzal Hotel & Casi-
no in Payson.
The bonuses are what truly make this game unique and fun to
play. A bonus is triggered when a scatter symbol lands in
view on reels one, three and five. The particular type of bonus
is determined based on the bonus trigger symbol on reel five.
In the ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’ bonus dual
wheels are spun for a chance at credits, random WILDs,
WILD reels, symbol substitution and a +1 spin of the gold
record. Watch for big wins in the ‘I’m Still Standing’ bonus
where free spins turn blank symbols into all matching high-
lighted symbols! And, you’ll want to wait around for the
’Rocket Man’ bonus because once triggered a wheel will spin
and let you know what reel symbols will become WILD on
the next spin you play with the possibility of every single reel
symbol WILD! Visit wms.com for more information. $
A
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 15
Wild Mermaid Now Available For Play At Desert Diamond Tucson
earch for underwater riches in GTech’s Wild Mermaid video slots, now at Desert
Diamond Casinos’ Tucson location on Nogales Highway. Join the mermaid in her
quest for the ocean’s bounty in this 5-reel, 50-line game.
The Mermaid is wild and substitutes for all symbols except the Chest symbol. The Free
Games Bonus awards 5 Free Games and one additional game when a Jellyfish symbol
appears on any of the reels. The Jellyfish symbol becomes a nudging wild, moving down
one space with each spin. Once the Free Game Bonus credits have been awarded, the
player will be prompted to pick one of twenty Sea Shells appearing on screen, offering a
selection of prizes that will help build progress into the next bonus round. Housed in the
main game, the Trigger Tile feature is a bonus trigger mechanism for any bonus round.
Each position on the reel board corresponds with a tile, and every time a win is awarded,
the corresponding tile will be cleared. Winning combinations continue to remove tiles
until the entire board is cleared. The random tile removal feature will also help players
reach the bonus faster. A tile meter displayed on screen shows how many tiles have been
cleared from the game board. Visit Desert Diamond Casinos’ Tucson location today to
search for your sunken treasure and to try other new video slots from Gtech, including
Jungle Riches, Wild Blossom, and Uncovering Egypt! $
NEW SLOTS
S
16 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
NEW SLOTS Coming Soon
About The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory was created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, who
serve as executive producers along with showrunner Steven
Molaro. The series stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley
Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik
and Melissa Rauch. The popular show is produced by Chuck
Lorre Productions, Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Televi-
sion. Currently in its eighth season, The Big Bang Theory airs
Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and five nights a week in national
syndication. The Big Bang Theory and all related characters and
elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment
Inc. $
The Big Bang Theory By Aristocrat Technologies
ristocrat has licensed TV’s #1 comedy, The Big Bang
Theory, from Warner Bros., bringing the fun and all the
laugh-out-loud comedy of the broadcast television’s
most-watched show to casinos across North America in a game
that is nothing less than genius.
The Big Bang Theory Slot Game is the newest addition to Aristocrat’s
player-favorite Wonder Wheels product line, combining a video
slot with three mechanical wheels. Leonard, Sheldon, Penny,
Howard and Raj are all in this highly integrated game, with
video clips, 3D animations, character images, theme music and
unique character bonuses.
The game has a multi-game base game where players can play
up to four reel sets. One of ten mystery bonuses can be trig-
gered within the base game at any time with any bet. Addition-
ally, three scatters trigger The Big Bang Theory Bonus Wheel,
which awards one of six bonus features:
•“Large Leonard Hofstadter Collision Feature,” with free
Mega symbol spins with player-selected volatility;
•“Dr. Sheldon Cooper Roommate Agreement Feature,”
with eight free Reel Power spins;
•“Penny Friendship Paradigm Feature,” with five free
scatter pay spins awarded on a 4x4 reel set;
•“Howard Wolowitz Mystic Warlords Of Ka’a Feature,”
where the player selects cards to reveal multipliers and
credits;
•“Raj Koothrappali Scavenger Vortex Feature,” where the
player selects scavenger objects to reveal credits or
Win All;
•“The Big Bang Theory Progressive Feature,” where the
player selects symbols to win credits or progressive
jackpot prize
The multi-site progressive starting at $250,000 can be won on
any base game spin, with at least 200 credits bet, by spinning
the Jackpot symbol on all 4 games.
The Big Bang Theory Slot Game is available in Aristocrat’s highly
technologically advanced Helix cabinet which is powered by
Wonder Wheels. The game is a 3-level progressive with a multi-
site progressive option, 25-line, 4-way multi-game with a 50
credit minimum bet and a 600 credit max bet. Denomination
ranges from 1c to $20.
A
DID YOU KNOW? •The voice of Mrs. Wolowitz is played by Melissa Rauch, the actress
who plays Bernadette!
•Sheldon's trademark "Bazinga!" originated with writer Stephen Engel,
who would set up playful practical jokes around the writers room. It
was his word for ‘gotcha.’
•After struggling to find the perfect song for neurotic Sheldon's healing
ritual, it was Bill Prady, executive producer, who had the idea to use a
song from his daughter's preschool.
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 17
Betty Boop’s Firehouse By Bally Technologies
etty Boop’s sizzling new game is ready to fire you up! Join Betty and Pudgy as they take
you on an adventure in Betty Boop ’s Firehouse, a new 5-reel, 30-line video slot featuring a
ladder bonus, free games, two exciting base-game features, and the chance at a life-
changing top award.
Betty Boop’s Firehouse is the latest in a line of hit Betty Boop games from Bally. This time, Betty’s domain is
a busy fire station. Win up to 200 times total credits bet in Betty’s Blazing Tower Bonus. Start on the
lowest level of the ladder with 5 spins. Each spin is on a 3-reel mini game. Three matching 7s un-
lock the corresponding ladder level and award two more spins. When the spins end, you win a
huge award! During the irresistible Pudgy’s Wild Rescue Free Games, use the touchscreen to pick a
cat for Pudgy to rescue. You’re awarded 8 to 20 free games with Wild Reels, Symbol Wilds, Extra
Wilds, or a Wild Reel Multiplier. The game also offers two flaming-hot base-game features. In the
Mystery Stacked Reels, mystery symbols are randomly replaced to create a chance for thrilling five-
of-a-kind wins. In Betty’s 5 Alarm Scatter, the Mystery Stacked symbol also pays as a scatter for big
win potential!
Sound the alarm for Betty Boop ’s Firehouse! Look for this game on casino floors in Arizona soon! $
Coming Soon NEW SLOTS
B
18 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
By Cindy Esquer
ARIZONA LOTTERY
Elena Cutting, Goodyear, purchased an
assortment of Scratchers at the counter of
a store. One of them was her favorite, the
Platinum Crossword. She enjoys the game
because it takes time to play.
After Elena scratched the ticket and saw
that the ticket looked to be a winner, she
checked it at least five times. She then
took it to a store and used the self-
scanner.
When Elena came to the Lottery to re-
deem her ticket, she was told her ticket
most definitely was a $100,000 top prize
winner. Now that she knew the ticket
was real, she felt comfortable telling her
family about her win.
Elena works in the retail field and, for
relaxation, loves spending time with her
two Shih Tzus. To her, they are her chil-
dren. She also loves to read, mostly non-
fiction.
Since Elena’s family lives overseas, and
it’s been a few years since she’s seen
them, she will use some of the money
from this win to return home for a family
visit. The rest of the money will be in-
vested. The ticket was purchased at
Fry’s, 1064 S. Sarival Ave., Goodyear.
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.
$100,000 Scratchers $100,000 Scratchers
Juan Cruz-Diaz, Phoenix, purchased an
assortment of Scratchers that included
50X The Cash, a game he likes to play.
After Juan finished scratching the ticket,
he knew he had a $100,000 top prize win-
ner. Since he’d won $1,000 a year ago, he
also knew he should sign the back of the
ticket before he came to the Lottery to
redeem it.
Juan is a frequent Scratchers player. He
plays all of the price points depending
on whether or not he likes the game.
Juan is also a regular player of Powerball
and Mega Millions and uses his own set
of numbers.
Juan works as a restaurant prep cook and
doesn’t have a lot of spare time. Howev-
er, he manages to find time to play sports
as part of a men’s amateur league. Juan
also loves spectator sports.
Juan is going to use the money from his
win to pay off some bills and save the
rest. The ticket was purchased at Quik-
Trip, 8233 N. 7th St., Phoenix.
Editor’s Note: 50X The Cash is an exciting
new lottery game where players match their
numbers to any of the winning numbers to
win the prize shown. Revealing multipliers of
5X, 10X, 20X, or 50X multiplies the win by
that amount! Prize amounts vary from $10
to $100,000 and the odds of winning are 1 in
3.42!
Cody Sutliff, Lake Havasu City, likes to
play Scratchers and buys them twice a
week. He recently purchased two 50X
The Cash tickets from a Lottery vending ma-
chine and scratched them in the store.
Since Cody had returned to school two
years ago to get his degree in business
administration, he decided to be practical
and use some of the money for school
and save the rest.
Brent Horner, Surprise, purchased a few
Slingo Trio Scratchers tickets. He likes the
game because it takes longer to play. In
fact, he and his wife play them for enter-
tainment. Brent scratched the ticket at
home and knew right away that it was a
$50,000 winner. He had his wife check
the ticket and finally it registered that
they were looking at a $50,000 winning
ticket. Brent buys Scratchers about once a
month, or whenever he has extra cash.
He plays Powerball and Mega Million. $
$100,000 Scratchers
$50,000 Scratchers
20 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
CASINO DINING
MOTHER’S DAY DINING OPTIONS Gila River Casinos Roll Out Feasts For This Special Occasion
f you are like me, you may not have made plans yet to take
your mom out for Mother’s Day on May 10th. Well, don’t
panic yet because I do have a solution. Take mom out to
one of the three Gila River Casinos on her day and both of you
will enjoy dining on any one of several special menus prepared
by the casino. Regardless of if you pick Wild Horse Pass Hotel
& Casino, Lone Butte Casino or Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino,
you’ll be in for a treat!
WILD HORSE PASS HOTEL & CASINO
Café 24/7
Hours: Noon to 8:00 pm
Price: $13.95 per person
Guests will start with a spinach and arugula salad topped with
Applewood bacon, sliced red onions and champagne vinai-
grette. The featured entrée will consist of slow roasted pork loin,
apple streusel topping, mashed potatoes, and green bean and
mushroom casserole. For dessert, Tiramisu will complete this
delicious meal.
Shula’s Steakhouse
Hours: 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Price: $59.00 per person
Guests will start with a choice of the house salad or a crisp
wedge salad. The main entrée will consist of a 6 oz. Shula Cut®
filet mignon with shrimp scampi, or a pan seared sea bass with
crustacean sauce. For dessert, guests can delight in crème brulee
topped with macerated strawberries.
LONE BUTTE CASINO
Café 24-7
Hours: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Price: $13.99 per person
Guests start with a house salad with a choice of dressing. The
main entrée will include chicken marsala, risotto, and roasted
vegetables, with strawberry shortcake for dessert.
VEE QUIVA HOTEL & CASINO
Coffee Shop 24/7
Hours: 9:00 am to Noon
Price: $17.99 per person
The featured brunch at Coffee Shop 24/7 will include their tradi-
tional breakfast items of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and
hash browns. To add to your experience, there will also be a
made-to-order omelet station, carved prime rib and ham, and
everyone’s favorite chocolate fountain with assorted desserts.
Ditka’s
Hours: 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Price: $30.95 per person
You are invited to enjoy their Mother’s Day Special which will
begin with Mike’s salad, followed by your choice of either a
petite filet and crab cake, or a petite filet and scampi accompa-
nied by steamed asparagus and red mashed potatoes. For des-
sert, enjoy their raspberry cheese cake.
Personally, I think Ditka’s at Vee Quiva is my favorite from all
of the different options and you can then make the most of the
weekend by spending the night at their hotel. Bring the entire
family along and really make it a stay and play weekend for
everyone. In fact, each guest earning 100 points on their player’s
club card on May 8, 9, and 10 will walk away with a special
Mother’s Day bracelet as a gift. Plus, you can earn 5X entries on
Sunday, May 10th towards the Slot Bank Battle held on Mon-
days and Fridays.
For more information on any of the three Gila River Casinos,
please visit WinGilaRiver.com. $
I
By Mark Novak
By Mark Novak
his year’s cross-country search for the Nation’s Best Slot
Tournament Player is just around the corner, and with a
$1.3 million purse on the line, the 2015 tour will prove
to be the biggest slot tournament to date. The two-day Champi-
onship event on September 29 and 30 of this year will feature
more than 200 players representing 100-plus casinos (including
some Arizona casinos). For the second consecutive year, the
finals will be hosted by The Wynn Las Vegas inside the XS
Nightclub.
Comedian George Wallace helped kick off the western US tour
from Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 28. The tour will spend the
remaining spring and summer months hosting qualifying
events at casinos throughout the western half of the US. The
qualifiers will then converge back in Las Vegas in late Septem-
ber where they will be joined by qualifiers from the eastern US
to compete in the finals of the National TournEvent of Champi-
ons, all seeking to become the next National Champion and
walk away with the Million Dollar grand prize. Combined, the
TournEvent of Champions Red and Blue buses will traverse
approximately 40,000 miles and make stops at more than 70
casinos.
Last year, here in Arizona, both Desert Diamond Casino in Tuc-
son and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa hosted the local
TournEvents during the summer. Each local winner received a
paid vacation for two ($800 in airfare, 5 days/4 nights at the
Wynn, $500 in food & beverage credit at the Wynn) to Las Ve-
gas, Nevada and a chance at $1 million! All participants walked
away with money; even the last place winner received $500!
How To Participate
Step 1 (Semi-Finals): Get your hands on a Golden Pass™ by
competing in your home casino’s semi-final tournament. Ask
for more information at the player’s club at your favorite casino.
Step 2 (In-Casino Finals): Return with your Golden Pass™ and
prove you have what it takes to claim the top spot by competing
against other Golden Pass™ earners at your home casino’s final
tournament. One winner from each casino will advance to the
National Slot TournEvent in Las Vegas (all expenses paid).
Step 3 (National Championship): Pack your bags and your best
good luck charm as you and your guest head to Las Vegas to
compete in the Championship for your share of $1.3 million! $
T
2015 TOURNEVENT OF CHAMPIONS $1.3 Million Purse On The Line In Nation’s Biggest Slot Tournament
22 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
WINNING WAYS
24 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
his month, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort will
celebrate its second anniversary as it continues to wel-
come travelers to experience Navajo art, food and its
rich culture. In just two years, this popular Northern Arizona
destination has expanded to 200 rooms, fueled Northern Arizo-
na’s economy, provided 700+ high quality jobs and won numer-
ous culinary, business and hospitality awards.
Its six popular restaurant concepts, luxurious resort rooms, live
entertainment, more than 1,000 slot machines, 12 table games,
four poker tables, heated indoor pool, fully equipped fitness
center and newly launched arcade make this AAA Four-
Diamond resort the perfect place to escape the heat and cele-
brate summer. Since summer is Flagstaff’s high season, the city
offers a range of events and activities for Twin Arrow’s guests
to enjoy.
First Friday Art Walk – May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7: Enjoy
local and national artists’ work, exhibits and food samples while
strolling through historic downtown Flagstaff. See a full sched-
ule of galleries and featured artists at FlagArtsCouncil.org
Hullabaloo – June 6: This popular annual music, entertainment
and art festival celebrates all things Flagstaff. The live music,
T bike festival and costume contest combine to create an unfor-
gettable experience for out-of-town guests.
Flagstaff Wine and Food Festival – June 7: Sip exquisite wines
from approximately 30 international and national wineries as
well as the best Arizona vintners. Cuisine from the finest chefs
in Northern Arizona, including Twin Arrows’ own award-
winning team from Zenith Steakhouse, will also provide plenty
of decadent food to enjoy at this event for those age 21 and up.
Huckin’ for Hearts Disc Golf Tournament – June 20: Raise
funds for the Shadows Foundation and local Flagstaff families
with life-threatening diseases. Visit ShadowsFoundation.org/
Huckin-For-Hearts to sign up as an individual or form a Frisbee
golf team for the worthwhile tournament.
Flagstaff Brews and Blues Festival – June 20: Benefitting art
and music education in Flagstaff schools, this event features
great craft beer and live music from nearly a dozen bands as
well as tastings from local microbreweries and restaurants.
Flagstaff Rodeo – June 25-27: A great event for the entire family,
the Flagstaff rodeo is a three-day event featuring professional
bull-riding, bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc, steer
Words By Heather Austin
Images By Ryan Williams Photography
AAA Four Diamond Northern Arizona Resort Becomes
Popular Starting Point For Summer Adventures
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 25
A few of the most popular destinations include:
The Grand Canyon – Located about an hour and a half from
Twin Arrows, resort guests can enjoy Navajo Tacos for lunch at
Arrows Sports Bar then drive over to the Canyon before the sun
sets on its breathtaking buttes and pinnacles. Guests should
arrive at least 90 minutes before sunset and bring a light jacket
or sweater, as summer evenings can be cool at the Canyon. It’s
best to visit in May and June before late summer thunderstorms
threaten to spoil fun.
Sunset Crater – Just 45 minutes north of Twin Arrows, Sunset
Crater is the perfect spot for summer hikes amid towering pon-
derosa pines and the surreal lava flow and cinders. Formed
about 900 years ago from a volcanic explosion, Sunset Crater is
a favorite day-trip destination for Twin Arrows guests. Visit
August 25 on the National Park Service’s Birthday and admis-
sion is free. Celebrate afterwards with a delicious Navajo steak
and glass of wine at the award-winning Zenith Steakhouse.
Walnut Canyon – Less than a half hour south of the resort,
Twin Arrows guests can grab lunch or a treat-to-go at Indul-
gence before exploring Walnut Canyon’s ancient cliff dwellings,
hiking along trails and imagining what life was like for its an-
cient inhabitants. The curved canyon walls and geological cliff
formations are as awe inspiring as it is to visit actual pueblos
and connect to the past.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument – This memorable Nav-
ajo landmark is about 2 hours and 40 minutes from the resort
and situated entirely on Navajo land. Best as an all-day or two-
day adventure, Canyon de Chelly has become one of the United
State’s most popular tourist attractions for its towering Spider
Rock, inspiring Mummy Cave Ruins and incredible White
House ruin. Enjoy an early morning breakfast of buttermilk
Navajo Pancakes at Four Elements Café before heading out.
Hikes, Mountain Biking and Trail Runs – Twin Arrows is sur-
rounded by great trails including: Mt. Elden – Great for a stren-
uous trail run. Start on Fatman’s loop, then at the junction
choose Elden Lookout Trail. Humphrey's Peak – A strenuous all
day hike that offers spectacular views. Remember to bring plen-
ty of water and layer clothing as the altitude change and weath-
er can catch hikers off guard. The Arizona Trail, Dry Lake Hills
Trails – Twin Arrows is adjacent to numerous short mountain
biking trails that link together to form networks of trails to trav-
erse. Stop by a local Flagstaff bike shop to determine which trail
network will provide the desired views at a level of difficulty
that is enjoyable.
In addition to the newest casino games, breathtaking artwork,
relaxing accommodations and delicious cuisine onsite at Twin
Arrows, enjoy all that Northern Arizona has to offer this sum-
mer. Make a reservation at TwinArrows.com as the resort fills
up in advance, especially for weekends and the Fourth of July
Fireworks Spectacular. $
wrestling and barrel racing.
Museum of Northern Arizona Fundraising Gala – June 20 and
21: The annual event includes a gala dinner, silent auction and
the art exhibition - Reconstructing the View: The Grand Canyon
Photographs of Mark Klett & Byron Wolfe.
Twin Arrows 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular – Voted the
best fireworks display in Northern Arizona, Twin Arrows’
guests can enjoy an amazing pyrotechnics display for free while
relaxing on the cool grassy Twin Arrows lawn the evening of
July 4th.
In addition to all the events taking place in Flagstaff, Twin Ar-
rows’ location just off the I-40, and about 25 minutes from the I-
17 Flagstaff junction, makes it an ideal launching off point to
experience Northern Arizona attractions, national monuments
and nature this summer. Twin Arrows truly is your gateway to
adventure. Situated on the western tip of the Navajo Reserva-
tion, Twin Arrows is a short drive from many of Northern Ari-
zona and Northern New Mexico’s most scenic landmarks.
Guests can explore these picturesque destinations and then re-
lax in Twin Arrows’ spacious guest rooms, enjoy live Bingo or
try their luck on one of over 1,000 of the state’s newest slots.
26 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
TRIBAL NEWS
he White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) is at it again.
They are holding another pow wow in the cool confines
of Pinetop, Way Up High in the Ponderosa Pines, this is
an annually-anticipated event in the most appropriate of ven-
ues, the world’s largest stand of Ponderosa Pine trees scattered
across 1.6 million acres on the WMAT reservation.
“People plan their vacations around our pow wow,” says Mark
Neel, Events and Entertainment Director of the Hon-Dah Casi-
no, Resort, and Conference Center. “We had between 1,500 and
2,000 attendees last year and anticipate that number will again
be achieved, and possibly exceeded, this year.”
This is Year 18 for the three-day gathering (June 5-6-7) at the
Hon-Dah Festival Grounds where tribal dancers from Canada
and all over the United States get together to compete in several
forms of traditional dance (fancy dance, grass dance, Apache
Sunrise dance). In addition to the drumming and dancing, there
will be arts and crafts exhibits by native artists, and lots of food.
With 22 federally-recognized tribes in Arizona, there are a lot of
opportunities to pow wow, but this particular event keeps danc-
ers coming back year after year --- big prize money, enjoyable
spring weather, and Apache hospitality beginning with a Da-
got’ee (Hello) extended to summertime visitors fleeing triple
digit temperatures elsewhere.
Describing the pow wow as “a welcome mat for the White
Mountain Apache Tribe,” long-time pow wow workers Sharon
Walker and Nikina Whitaker say the festivities offer “a time to
meet with old friends, make new friends, sing, and dance.”
And there’s lots of that beginning with a Social Dance on Friday
Night, June 5th from 6pm till the last dancer calls it quits. “This
is a social event where native and non-native alike are wel-
come,” says Neel. “It harkens back to the days when tribes
would gather for socializing and to tell stories and trade goods.
We’ll have a bonfire in the outdoor arena and a variety of drum
groups, perhaps as many as eight, will play dance songs as long
as there are willing dancers.”
Grand entry, where all participants enter and circle around the
arena, takes place at noon on Saturday and Sunday (and 6pm on
Saturday) where spectators have an opportunity to view differ-
ent tribal dancers in all their regalia. Prize money this year totals
$39,500 with $9,000 of that cash pot allocated to drum group
competition. Initial registration indicates there will be as many
as 300 dancers competing.
“Pow wows are important for American Indians to express their
cultural heritage and preserve significant traditions,” according
to Anne Groebner who did marketing chores for the 2014 event.
“While dancers are entertaining and the regalia is a feast for the
eyes, much more lies beneath the surface as the dances general-
ly represent aspects of Native American spirituality, emotion,
history, and traditional society.
Host drums play a prominent part in pow wow procedure.
“Drum groups provide the rhythms and sounds essential to a
T
By Lee Allen
POW WOW IN THE PINES June 5-7 At Hon-Dah Casino Festival Grounds
TRIBAL NEWS
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 27
pow wow gathering,” Groebner said. “Drum groups are, first
and foremost, singers who sit in small circles that surround the
large drum being played. The energy level attained at an event
is created by the enthusiasm of these drum groups and their
music is haunting, spiritual, and uplifting.”
Unlike many other pow wows, the WMAT In-The-Pines gather-
ing has no admission charge to enjoy the multi-day pageantry.
Likewise, the panoramic performance presented by Mother Na-
ture also comes free of charge -- thick forests of spruce, aspen,
and oak trees, majestic snow-capped mountains, deep canyons
that dazzle the senses, and meandering streams that harbor
tranquility.
White Mountain Apache visitor information notes: “We believe
we come from the Earth and belong to it. Our unique and beau-
tiful home was given to us by our Creator and is rich in re-
sources, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and tradition.” This home
to Apaches is one-of-a-kind…starting at 2,600 feet above sea
level at its lowest point and climbing to the 11,400 foot peak of
Mount Baldy, the tribe’s sacred mountain.
The natural attractions have been here before history was
written down. Elk grazed and bugled across tules while deer
sipped from the seeps and wild turkeys scratched the grassy
hillsides. And Pueblo hunters stalked game with their spears
and atlatis. Although the game stalkers and their weapons are
different today, hunters and anglers and other outdoor counter-
parts from campers and hikers to snow/water/cross-country
skiers continue to make the trip up the mountain in pursuit of
pleasure.
And reservation boundaries are at the heart of this high country
hideaway where tourism efforts rank at the top of Apache tribal
revenue generators. “The Mountain Spirits watch over our land
and its people and the Creator has blessed us with the most
pristine beauty anyone could imagine,” says Chairman Ronnie
Lupe. “Using what Mother Earth has given us, we are working
hard to increase economic development by enhancing Tribal
Tourism Department efforts. Tourism not only brings jobs to
our community, but dollars that can be used to replenish and
sustain our natural beauty. As caretakers and stewards of our
land, we have an opportunity to make new friends from our
tourism efforts. Through this office, we’re encouraging every
member of the tribe to become a tourism spokesperson and cre-
ate a positive image of what we can offer.”
No trip to this pine forested paradise would be complete with-
out a stop at the Hon-Dah Casino-Resort-Conference Center
next to the pow wow grounds, 3 miles south of Pinetop. Billing
itself as “the Coolest Sport in Arizona” “Where Players Come
1st,“ the casino holds year-round monthly slot tournaments
where $25 buys into a chance to win one of the Top Ten prizes
including a First Place $2,000.
The scenic drive to Hon-Dah is easily made via US 60 East out
of Phoenix through Globe to Show-Low or using AZ-87 to Pay-
son and then AZ-260 to Show-Low. Call 928.369.7623 or visit
Hon-Dah.com for further information. $
28 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
TRIBAL NEWS
he National Indian Gaming Association's (NIGA) Board
of Directors elections were held during the Annual
Membership Meeting. NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens,
Jr. was reelected for his 8th consecutive term as the Chairman of
the association by acclamation. Chairman Stevens has been with
NIGA for 15 years. From 1993 to 1999 Chairman Stevens served
as an elected councilman for the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.
He is a former First Vice-President of the National Congress of
American Indians (NCAI). As a respected leader in Indian
Country, Chairman Stevens also serves as a long-standing
board member on the National Center for American Indian En-
terprise Development Board, on the Nike N7 Foundation Board
and is Vice Chairman of the Native American Basketball Invita-
tional (NABI) Foundation, he also serves on the Native Ameri-
can Advisory Board for the Boys and Girls Club of America. In
2012, Chairman Stevens was inducted into the prestigious Boys
& Girls Club of American
Alumni Hall of Fame. Chair-
man Ernie Stevens has earned
an Associate's degree from
Haskell Indian Nations Uni-
versity, in Lawrence, Kansas
and a Bachelor of Science
degree in Criminal Justice
from Mount Senario College
in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. He
is an enrolled member of the
Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.
He and his wife Cheryl have
been married over 30 years,
have five children and 13 grandchildren. $
T
NIGA CHAIRMAN STEVENS REELECTED Election Marks 8th Consecutive Term For Ernie Stevens Jr.
30 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
GAMING NEWS
In 2015, new opportunities will arise for the Arizona Office of Problem Gambling (OPG). Last year, OPG was proud to exhibit and present at over 90 venues to educate about the downfalls of prob-lem gambling as well as all the opportunities to get help through one-on-one coun-
seling, Gamblers Anonymous, GamAnon for families, and the further promotion of the Self-Exclusion program throughout Arizona. The OPG will continue to promote the mission of providing supportive and effective problem gambling prevention as well as to refer individuals for treatment of problem gambling. This year, the OPG will focus on education opportunities and in-crease awareness of problem gambling in rural communities throughout the state.
Looking Ahead With The Office Of Problem Gambling
In March, the OPG was excited to roll out the newest data management system which will track the number of clients receiving services with their contracted treatment providers and indicate the specific services provided. The data manage-ment software will allow an accurate tracking of outcomes to ensure the most effective treatment for those afflicted with problem gambling. The OPG staff is dedicated to maintaining and strengthening the relationships with key partners and stakeholders, as well as to provide effective outcomes for those who suffer with problem gambling. By utilizing 2014 as a foundation of suc-cess, the Arizona Office of Problem Gambling is excited to continue the mission of providing supportive care to families
throughout Arizona. $
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 31
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Lone Butte Casino and Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino
have linked the Fortune Pai Gow Progressive™ jackpot at each property to create
the largest progressive table games jackpot in Arizona. The progressive wager
gives players an opportunity to win all or part of a large, incrementing jackpot and
it has paid off for lucky Phoenix resident L. Noval who won $317,817 recently at
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino.
Gila River Casinos offers players a progressive jackpot funded by tables at each of
their three properties. The progressive jackpot system creates higher jackpots for
players and increases the excitement of one of the more popular table games. “I
can’t believe I won, I am so happy,” said Noval of her big win.
Since its inception, the Pai Gow progressive jackpot has paid out over a million
dollars to lucky winners at all three Gila River Casinos’ properties, and has also
paid out the largest Fortune Pai Gow Progressive™ jackpot in Arizona at a cool
$518,315. Fortune Pai Gow Progressive™ is a guest favorite and Gila River Casinos
is the first in Arizona to offer a multi-property linked progressive.
About Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc.
Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. operates three Arizona casinos owned by the
Gila River Indian Community including Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Lone
Butte Casino, and Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino. All three casinos offer a combination
of slots, table games, bingo, poker and hotel and are open 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year. Additional information on this and other events is available by calling their
phone number at 1-800-946-4452, or visiting their website at wingilariver.com. $
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino Pays $317,817
32 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Scientific Games Corporation
heated up the Lunar New
Year when its Bally interstate
wide-area progressive video
slot link hit for the first time
just recently, awarding the
lucky player a life-changing
$3.3 million jackpot!
The winner, a Massachusetts
resident who wishes to re-
main anonymous, was play-
ing the one-cent denomina-
tion Hot Shot Progressive
video slot for about an hour
when it hit at ARIA Resort &
Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
The slot machine paid a total
of $3,331,684.47.
This is the third largest jack-
pot in the 83-year history of
the Bally brand. Bally’s largest
jackpot ($3,683,932.96) hit in
2009 at the Casino Royale in
Las Vegas.
This jackpot win comes after
Bally connected its Cash Con-
nection link across Nevada and
New Jersey on Aug. 20, 2014,
creating the potential for even
larger awards that offer more
excitement for players. The combined link started with an
accumulated top jackpot of $2,206,417.70 and continued to
grow until it hit February 20, exactly six months later.
Hot Shot Progressive is an awe-inspiring double-wheel configu-
ration of the popular brand featured on a 42-inch vertical dis-
play sitting atop a 22-inch high-definition screen. The game
features popular play mechanics, touch-activated interaction,
progressives, and free games.
This is the second Bally jackpot to hit in February. A $1.5 mil-
lion jackpot hit on the Bally 1,000,000 Degrees slot link at Ho-
Chunk Gaming Madison in Wisconsin on February 11. The
Hot Shot Progressive slot game is available in casinos all
across Arizona and Nevada. Make sure to try your luck on
these games while they’re still hot! $
$3.3 Million Win On Bally Game
GAMING NEWS
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
troplaughlin.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 4.42 Blackjack / 21 14.21
$5 5.14 Craps 16.06
25¢ 5.68 Roulette 22.72
Multi-Denom 5.86 Pai Gow Poker 23.36
5¢ 8.64 Let It Ride 26.74
Megabucks 9.54 Other Table Games 30.25
1¢ 11.03 Three Card Poker 31.42
Tight $25 14.53
Other Hold %
Loose Sports Pools 3.60 Win Amount Dollars
Race Books 16.63 Slots 38.8 mil.
Bingo 26.70 Tables 3.4 mil.
Tight Live Keno 26.92 Other 0.7 mil.
Laughlin’s Gaming Statistics February 2015
Directory & Gaming Statistics LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 33
The Tropicana Laughlin Glowing Like A Jewel At Night
Scenic Lake Mohave Located Just Minutes North Of Laughlin
ith summer right around the corner everyone is
making their vacation plans. So let me ask - have
you considered Laughlin, Nevada? The Tropicana
Laughlin Casino & Hotel is a great choice to stay and play this
summer. A stay at the Tropicana provides you close proximity
to the Colorado River, desert trails, vistas and golf courses.
If your family enjoys water activities then Lake Mohave or the
Colorado River are just a few minutes away from the resort.
Lake Mohave’s clear water makes it a great choice for kayaking,
scuba diving, boating, as well as fishing. Or, enjoy the cooler
waters of the Colorado River as you jet ski or float along in your
pontoon boat. More of a landlubber looking for off-road racing
and throwing up sand in the desert? Maybe taking an early
morning stroll or jog to start the day is more your cup of tea?
Then take in some of the countless trails in the area offering
breathtaking vistas as you motor through or walk your way to
enjoyment. Take time to plan to catch a glorious desert sunset
too.
Of course, hitting the rolling golfing greens is another option.
We can recommend several area golf courses within miles of the
Tropicana. Swing through an early morning 18 holes while your
significant other enjoys the golf resort spa. Regardless of how
you spent your day, you can always go “home” to the Tropi-
cana Laughlin to refresh. You can lounge around the pool while
viewing our 140-inch big screen TV, play bingo, or hit the slots.
Tropicana Laughlin has some of the newest and most exciting
games.
When it’s time for good eats, then try one of our seven restau-
rants. Passiaggio Italian Garden’s menu is family-friendly with
plenty of Italian favorites as well as pizza-to-go. If you’ve
worked up a big appetite, then the Roundhouse Buffet is your
choice. Every night you can find a variety of dishes from sirloin
tips with mushrooms to Asian stir fry. On Fridays and Satur-
days we have a special seafood bar with favorites like crab legs,
chilled and grilled shrimp, oysters, and crawfish.
End the evenings enjoying nightly live entertainment, dancing
and a refreshing drink in the Caboose Lounge. No matter what
the season or how you get there, a visit to Laughlin and a stay at
the Tropicana is a vacation jackpot! For more information about
the casino, visit their website at TropLaughlin.com. $
W
By Joe Hagan
Director of Marketing, Tropicana Laughlin
Do you have a question for a Marketing Director? Have you
ever wondered how the play on your player’s club card trans-
lates into offers? Do you want to find out how it really works?
We know you do and here is your chance to find out!
Send your question in an email with “Ask Joe” in the subject to our
address at [email protected] and if Joe selects your question
to be answered in an upcoming issue, you’ll get a $25 gift card! (If
you prefer to send a letter, you may mail it to the following address.
“Ask Joe” Arizona Gaming Guide PO BOX 20636 Mesa, AZ 85277)
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
TROPICANA LAUGHLIN Stay & Play—And A Lot More During This Summer
34 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 35
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
TROPICANA WINS READER POLLS National Magazine Bestows Awards On Laughlin Casino Hotel
on player card level. Trop Advantage® members with a special
Veterans membership also receive a complimentary buffet for
two every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Roundhouse
Buffet.
About Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino
Tropicana Laughlin opened in 1988 and is centrally located in
Laughlin, Nevada. The 27 acre resort features ample parking for
boaters visiting the Colorado River during the summer and
RV’ers looking to enjoy the near perfect year-round weather.
The 1,487 room hotel boasts more than 1,000 recently renovated
rooms, approximately 1,000 slot machines, 18 table games, 7
restaurants, a 7,900 square foot entertainment Pavilion, nightly
entertainment, 140 inch Poolside Big Screen, and a new state-of-
the-art Bingo Hall. Additional information about Tropicana is
available at TropLaughlin.com. $
ropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino captured awards
from Casino Player, resulting from the national maga-
zine’s annual “Best Dining & Nightlife Awards” survey.
The popular Laughlin casino captured first place nods for The
Steakhouse voted “Best Steakhouse” and “Best Romantic Res-
taurant” while the resort’s Sushi Bar received “Best Asian” and
Passaggio Italian Gardens was acknowledged for “Best Pizza.”
In addition to these dining outlets, the resort offers 24-hour din-
ing at Carnegie’s Café, deli-style service at the Poolside Café,
south-of-the-border fare at Taqueria Del Rio and a wide variety
of breakfast and dinner entrees as well as a weekend seafood
buffet at the Roundhouse Buffet.
Trop Advantage® card members receive dining discounts based
T
36 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
CASINO NIGHTLIFE
or glass of sangria.
Latin Fire Dance Lessons are available every Tuesday evening
from 6-8pm. Admission is free. Wear comfortable shoes and
clothes that are easy to move in. After the dance lessons, check
out La Propuesta de Mexico. A true Latin band that offers the
sound, feel and rhythm of a spirited culture. From Selena to
Cumbia Colombiana, they offer the greatest sounds for a true
Latin night!
Country Dance Instruction—Mix, mingle and dance the night
away on Wednesdays from 6-8pm in the Arizona Room Patio
Grill For Country Dance Instruction Nights. Featuring the Tom-
my Ash band and instruction by Laina Lee aka "Dance Lane".
Country Dance Instruction Admission is free. Wear comfortable
shoes or your favorite cowboy boots and clothes that are easy to
move in. After the lesson, hear some of Arizona’s best musicians
perform the hottest country music hits. DaisyTrain brings the
top tunes of Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean
and many more. Straight out of Scottsdale, DaisyTrain packs
every performance with a Texas-sized dose of flash and flair.
This is one high-energy show you won't want to miss! $
here’s a hot new restaurant and
nightspot open at Casino Arizona
where Southwestern spices meet
the heat of the night. Arizona Room Patio
Grill is the kind of hangout with a casual
vibe and great patio that feels right at
home in Scottsdale. It’s the perfect spot to
grab a bite and a refreshing beer, catch a
game on the giant video wall or hear a
local band kick out a great set.
Casino Arizona’s talented chefs have
crafted a menu with bold, Southwestern
flavors such as their Machaca and Mojo
Chicken Street Tacos and their Pork
Green Chili Stew. Sweet treats include
Pecan Pie and Strawberry Tres Leches
Shortcake.
The bar offers specialty cocktails along
with craft beers from local breweries in-
cluding Four Peaks and San Tan. During
your next visit, make sure to try their Burger/Sandwich & Beer
Combo Special for just $9.00 and under! Plus, order any sand-
wich/burger and your first draft beer is only $2.00. Enjoy
their Craft Beer Flight - 4 delicious, 5 oz. pours for only $7.00.
EVENTS AT THE ARIZONA ROOM PATIO GRILL
Latin Fire Dance Nights—Mix, mingle and Merengue the night
away every Tuesday night at 6pm in the Arizona Room Patio
Grill with Latin Fire Dance Nights. Instructors Jack Mann, for-
mer ASU Latin/Ballroom Exhibition member, and Dance Cap-
tain Nikki DiGiorgio will lead lessons on basic Latin dances,
including Salsa, Merengue & the Cha-Cha-Cha.
These are fun and easy lessons that make for a great night, no
matter what level of dancing experience you have. Come alone
or with a friend; you’ll rotate partners throughout the class. And
at the end of each class, enjoy a “Free Dance” where you can
show off the moves you’ve learned so far.
Latin Fire Dance Lessons are the perfect lead in to the spicy
Southwestern cuisine available at the Arizona Room Patio Grill.
Enjoy the Fiery Romesco Burger, the Pork Green Chile Stew or
your favorite BBQ meal and cool off with a refreshing margarita
T
ARIZONA ROOM PATIO GRILL Where Southwestern Spices Meet The Heat Of The Night
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Listings
38 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Apache Gold Casino—Globe, AZ—800.272.2438
Events:
Apache Reggae Jam 2—Jun. 20
BlueWater Casino—Parker, AZ—888.243.3360
Dig Lounge:
Featuring a variety of live bands, karaoke & DJs—Daily at 5pm
Events:
Cage Rage 9—Jun. 20
Casino Arizona—Scottsdale, AZ—480.850.7777
The Showroom:
Vive Selena (Selena Quintanilla Tribute)—May 5
Bella Donna (Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac Tribute)—May 9
Aeromyth (Aerosmith Tribute)—May 22
Fan Halen (Van Halen Tribute)—May 29
The Arizona Room:
Latin Fire Dance Nights (Learn to Dance)—Tue. at 6pm
La Propuesta De Mexico—Tue. at 8pm
Country Dance Nights (Learn to dance)—Wed. & Thu. at 6pm
Daisy Train (Country)— Mon. & Wed. 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
Stargazer Pavillion:
Wheel of Fortune Tryouts—May 2-3
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
Bonkerz Comedy—May 8
Los Cadetes De Linares—May 9
Craig Campbell Live—May 16
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:
Amanda Miguel & Diego Verdaguer—May 16
Live and Let Die (Beatles Tribute)—Jun. 6
REO Speedwagon—Jun. 27
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: Shining Star—8th, Rock Fantasy Show Tribute—9th,
Rick Lenzi & Roustabout (Elvis Tribute)—10th, The Stilettos—15th,
Checker’d Past—16th, Stan & Miguel Trio—17th, Leif Garrett—
22nd, AzTex—23rd, The Relationship—29th, Quantum—30th Wild
Wednesdays Jo e Castello Pro ject—7th, Vinny Dijohn—13th, Yes-
terday Once More—20th, Bandstand Shows—27th The Lounge Hap-
py Hour Starting May 4th Mondays through Thursdays from 5-
8pm. Al Ortiz—4th, Notes From Neptune—11th, Laura Walsh—
18th, Stan & Miguel Trio—25th, Stan & Miguel Trio—Tuesdays, He
Said She Said—Wednesdays, Walkens Duo—7th, Jay Allan—14th,
Moot Davis—21st, Laura Walsh—28th Memorial Day Special enter-
tainment from The XO Band and Stan & Miguel Trio Margarita Sun-
days Poo lside parties held Sunday ’s throughout the summer.
Enjoy live music, great food and drink, all while relaxing poolside.
REO Speedwagon Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita
June 27, 2015
REO Speedwagon—the band, not the namesake truck—is roll-
ing into Southern Arizona on Saturday, June 27 at 8pm to take
the Diamond Center stage. Tickets start at $30 and are on sale
now. Formed in 1967, REO Speedwagon has rocked to the top
of the charts with 22 million albums sold in the U.S., 40 million
around the globe, and a string of gold and platinum records.
Thirty–plus years later, lead singer Kevin Cronin and band-
mates Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Am-
ato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) are still electrifying
audiences worldwide. The performance will feature hit sin-
gles, including Keep on Loving You, Take It on the Run, Can’t
Fight This Feeling, among others. Treena Parvello, Director of Pub-
lic Relations and Communications for the Tohono O’odham
Gaming Enterprise, said “Desert Diamond Casinos & Enter-
tainment is playing host to one of America’s most beloved
arena rock groups of the past several decades! We couldn’t be
more excited to welcome back REO Speedwagon to the Dia-
mond Center on June 27. They’re a long-time favorite here in
Southern Arizona!”
Editor’s Pick CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 39
Margarita Sunday starts May 24th and is from 2 to 6pm. Kush Coun-
try—24th, OneGunn (Bob Marley Tribute)—31st
Hon-Dah Casino—Pinetop, AZ—800.929.8744
Timbers Lounge and Showroom:
Munday Funday—Comedy Show begins at 7pm, Creagles (CCR &
Eagles Tribute)—May 5-9, Smokehouse (Country Variety)—May 12-
16, Groove City Band (R&B Variety)—May 19-24, Affinity (Variety)
May 26-30
Events:
Pow Wow In The Pines—Jun. 6-8
White Mountain Bike Rally—Jun. 27-28
Lone Butte Casino—Chandler, AZ—800.946.4452
Cascades Lounge:
Phoenix area bands & DJs offer free live entertainment throughout the
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.
Harry Luge—May 15
Mogollon—May 22
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:
Thunder From Down Under—May 7—9
Moody Blues—May 8
REO Speedwagon—May 17
Chris Young and Thompson Square—May 29
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:
The Atomic Punks (Van Halen Tribute)—May 15
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:
For Lovers And Others (featuring Jidenna, Sevyn Streeter, BJ The
Chicago Kid, Charles Hamilton, Anthony Lewis and John Hart, pre-
sented by Power 98.3)—May 8
WAR—May 9
Eddie Money—May 15
Tinh La Gi (Vietnamese Language Concert)—May 16
Working Class Hero (John Lennon Tribute)—May 17
Starship: Featuring Mickey Thomas—May 22
USA Belly Dance Queen Show—May 23
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience—May 29
Talking Stick Resort Presents:
Chris Young and Thompson Square May 29, 2015
The Pool at Talking Stick Resort is going a little bit country!
Country favorites Chris Young and Thompson Square are
slated to perform on the pool stage on May 29, making this
an event fans can’t afford to miss! The night-side concert
will be one for the books as Chris Young plays his signature
hits like Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song) and Voic-
es, while Thompson Square performs If I Didn’t Have You and
Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not. Join the party at the pool and
see the trio perform firsthand! 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 | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 04/01/15 & 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 Yes 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 Paradise Casino Bingo Hall in Yuma has a lot going
on this month so make sure you check them out!
Winner’s Circle Drawing $500 in cash on May 11th &
25th! Receive a drawing a ticket with your buy-in when you
play at any session for the month of May. Double drawing tick-
ets on Mondays and Wednesdays. May 5th—Cinco De Mayo
$500 Must go Special during the 6pm session. May 10th—
Mother’s Day Session Start time is 1:30pm with a $25 paper
buy-in and $47 & $77 electronic buy-in. 10 main games paying
$300, $500 Specials, $1,199 Double Action Coverall. May 25th—
Memorial Day $500 Must go Special during the 6pm session.
Sunday through Saturday 1:30pm matinee session with a $10
paper buy-in, $17 electronic, $22 manager’s special. $75 payouts,
$100 specials. Monday 6pm Sessions 2-Level Session L1($10/$17)
PARADISE CASINO BINGO HALL May Schedule Of Games And Promotions
= $100 payouts, L2($15/$27)=$150 payouts. Specials paying $125/
$200 odd/even coverall. Swipe your player’s card at time of pur-
chase and receive a free pack of specials. Tuesday & Friday
Nights are Ladies' Nights Any lady who bingos alone on their
main games will receive double payout during Tuesday ($200)
or Friday ($200) sessions. (Not valid on hot ball or specials)
Wednesdays are Gentleman's Night Any man who bingos
alone on their main games will receive double payout ($200).
(Not valid on hot ball or specials) Thursday Nights No Split Bingo
Tired of sharing your bingo winnings? This is your night! No
matter how many winner’s on their main games each winner
will receive $100 each. (Not valid on hot ball or specials) Satur-
day & Sunday Evenings Triple Points 10 main games pay $125
each with $175 specials and a $200 coverall consolation. $
T
By Mark Novak
Do YOU have something to rant or rave about?
Write me at: [email protected]
the past, when the smacking, shaking, hitting, cursing, and a
plethora of other obnoxious behaviors by casino patrons hap-
pened near the slot I’ve chosen to play at my favorite casino,
I’ve either elected to move to a different game further away or
I’ve informed a slot attendant, beverage server, or security
officer of my issues. Either way, the situation was resolved im-
mediately. You do have a legitimate concern about the abused
machines (they cost upwards of $15,000!). Fortunately, due to
the high level of regulation and third party testing of the games,
the computer operation is completely secure. However, the
touchscreens and monitors, not to mention the buttons, can only
put up with so much until they will break. Casino patrons
should remember the rule “if you broke it you bought it!” $
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
ello, I am writing to ask you to publish my question/
comment about the myriad of people who persist in pound-
ing, banging, and slapping machines, and also trying to
stop reels while playing slot machines. They actually believe that any
of these motions will make a difference. It is annoying to people around
them and results in dirty fingermarks on screens and keys that stick.
One lady next to me actually threw her beer all over the machine and
two of us while banging on the machine. Another actually tried to
physically push and shake the machine, slightly moving the entire
bank we were all playing. My question is does all this heavy abuse of
the slot machines eventually damage them or the computer operation
inside? Please use your forum to remind people that such actions don't
influence the outcome, anyway, and are hard on the machines and the
people sitting nearby. Thanks! Love your column and magazine!
-Ali Iliff from Tucson, Arizona
Thank you Ali for writing in and for your kind comments. In
42 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
H
BANGING AND SHAKING THE SLOTS A Reader Wonders If All The Abuse Affects The Games
By Sami Becker
FUN FACTS
or more than ten years, shared revenues from tribal gam-
ing have been invested in Arizona to improve education,
health care, conservation and the economies of local com-
munities throughout the state.
With the passage of Proposition 202, gaming tribes in Arizona
volunteered to share a portion of gaming revenues with the
state of Arizona and local governments to support specific state
and local programs. Twelve percent (12%) of the total money is
directed to city, town and county government services bene-
fitting the people such as public safety and promotion of com-
merce and economic development. An additional 9% of the total
funds the state’s regulatory expenses.
The remainder of the money is contributed to the Arizona Bene-
fits Fund. Of that fund, 56% of the shared revenue is directed to
azgamingguide.com | May 2015 | Arizona Gaming Guide 43
ARIZONA BENEFITS FUND Tribal Gaming Contributes Over $1 Billion In Revenues To Arizona
F
By Mark Novak
educational programs and needs ($460 million), 28% funds
emergency services and trauma centers ($230 million), 7% funds
wildlife and habitat conservation ($65 million), 7% funds
statewide tourism promotion ($65 million), and 2% supports the
education, prevention and treatment of problem gambling ($18
million). In addition, tribes contribute funds every year directly
to cities, towns and counties in Arizona ($104 million).
Charities and non-profits also receive millions of dollars from
tribes who are funding scholarships for students, supporting
social service organizations and providing revenue for educa-
tional, economic, and cultural organizations that benefit all the
people of Arizona. Since 2002, Indian Gaming has contributed
over $1 billion in revenues to Arizona! $
44 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 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)
6 4
9
2 5
6
8
3
2 3
9
1
7
5
7 4
9
6
3
7
6 8
9 2
4
7
WORD SEARCH
In honor of Chocolate Chip Day on May 15th, find:
BAKING, BROWNIES, CHIPS, CHOCOLATE, COCOA, COOKIES,
CUPCAKES, DARK, DECADENT, INGREDIENT, MELTED, MILK,
SEMISWEET, SUGAR, SWISS, UNSWEETENED, WHITE.
Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 46)
D Z E F G I F L I M U I K Y G
J U Y T N E A U S D I G A N P
D F N R A I Y Y N L E V E G I
F A S G K L S C E O C D N T S
A Z R A T A C S P I H C A O W
L B B K Z E D A S O F E I E C
Q J J L M E E E O W U E E K N
Z R O W T E I Y V C R G H N W
K T L E G T S C O T A R Q L S
O V N M T Z L C B E G E I S T
U E W H I T E M W T U D O E E
D B O F K I A N E V S I D F C
C O O K I E A B Z S M E J S O
C U P C A K S G G A H N V E S
W M K S E I O B K C F T R N W
FUN & GAMES
CASINO DIRECTORY
46 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2015 | azgamingguide.com
City Phone Slots Hig
h L
imit
Are
a
Bin
go
Casino Liv
e K
eno
Tab
le G
ames
Po
ker
Ro
om
Ho
tel
Sm
ok
e-F
ree
Are
a
Sources: Arizona Department of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 04/01/15 & 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
RV
Par
k
Go
lf
Location Sp
a
Arc
ade
01. Apache Gold Casino Resort Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe Globe 800-272-2438 598 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 320 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 1,073 Y Y Y Y Y Y
06. Casino of the Sun 7406 S. Camino De Oeste Tucson 855-765-7829 289
07. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel I-17, Exit 289 Camp Verde 800-381-7568 628 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 893 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 419 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 243 Y
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Sudoku Solution
2 3 5
8 6 4
7 1 9
1 9 7
2 3 5
6 8 4
6 4 8
1 9 7
2 3 5
6 2 3
5 9 8
1 4 7
8 1 9
7 4 6
3 5 2
5 7 4
3 1 2
8 6 9
9 8 6
3 7 2
4 5 1
5 7 1
4 6 8
9 2 3
4 2 3
9 5 1
7 8 6
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