40
20 HARRAH’S AK-CHIN HOTEL
AND CASINO IN MARICOPA, AZ
COMPLETES EXPANSION
04 EDITOR’S NOTE
06 PLAYERS TALK
10 NEW SLOTS
16 TABLE GAMES
20 FEATURE STORY
24 ARIZONA LOTTERY
26 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
28 GAMING NEWS
34 SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
36 FUN & GAMES
38 CASINO DIRECTORY
azgamingguide.com | May 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide 03
RAGING BUFFALO AT
MAZATZAL CASINO
This popular new slot features All-
Match play, Conditional Wilds, Buffalo
Stampede, and a Free Spins Bonus.
THE GOLDEN NUGGET IN
LAUGHLIN, NV
Read about the great promotions
patrons can participate in at the
Golden Nugget Laughlin in May.
26 10
IN EVERY ISSUE
Contents MAY
ARIZONA LOTTERY
MILLIONAIRE’S CLUB
The Arizona Lottery awards its first
top prize in the new Arizona Million-
aire’s Club Scratchers game.
24
hat I love the most about the casino gaming industry is the con-
stant change. From games to technology to the casinos themselves,
there is always something new happening. And, as casino enthusi-
asts here in Arizona, we are fortunate to be included in all those changes. Las
Vegas is no longer the only center of change in the casino industry!
If you haven’t visited Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino in Maricopa, Arizo-
na recently, I highly recommend going at your earliest opportunity. Their slot
floor is the largest in Arizona with more than 1,125 slot machines of your fa-
vorite games in all sorts of denominations. They have a large smoke-free area
with a wide variety of popular, new slot machines to choose from located just
off the main entrance near the hotel lobby. You can read all about the complet-
ed multi-million dollar expansion project that Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and
Casino undertook in this month’s feature story beginning on page 20. And
make sure you visit them soon, because I believe you’ll love what you discover
there!
We hope you enjoy this issue of the Arizona Gaming Guide magazine. Please
visit our Facebook at: Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide, become part of our
community 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 the Arizona Gaming Guide on our website at
AZGamingGuide.com. Let me know what you think of this issue and have fun!
Thank You!
Alexandra Lang
Editor-in-Chief
Alexandra
VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 05
MANAGING DIRECTOR & VIDEO POKER GURU
Elizabeth Torma
PUBLISHER & SLOT GURU
Chris Höft
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Alexandra Lang
ART DIRECTOR
Melanie Mueller
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Al Moe
Matt Probst
Mark Novak
Steve Bazzar
TJ Jorgensen
Megan Conner
Lana Hartmann
Samantha Becker
ADVERTISING SALES
Elizabeth Torma
Nina Consiglio
MAILING INFORMATION
Arizona Gaming Guide
P.O. Box 20636
Mesa, Arizona 85277
INTERNET INFORMATION
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Facebook.com/ArizonaGamingGuide
Copyright © 2019 The Arizona Gaming Guide. All rights reserved.
The Arizona Gaming Guide (AGG) presents casino industry and gam-
ing related facts and editorial opinions. AGG accepts no responsibility
and no liability for any actions of readers based on articles and/or
advertisements presented within. AGG is not liable for claims made in
articles and/or advertisements. All pictures, images, logos, trademarks
and trade names, etc. are the sole property of their respective owners.
Intended for single use only. Reproduction in part or in whole in any
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spective casino’s Players Club. Our full legal disclaimer can be found at
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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:
Division of Problem Gambling
1.800.NEXT.STEP or 1.800.639.8783
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, 85007
1.602.542.8998 or problemgambling.az.gov
04 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
HARRAH’S AK-CHIN Hotel And Casino Completes Expansion
W
PLAYERS TALK
06 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
Q: I have two questions. First, let’s pretend a certain type of
slot machine is available across eight games in one bank at a
casino. One game was played at a bet of $2 and hit a jackpot
for $300. Another game was played at a bet of $2 and hit a
jackpot for $45. Why is this happening? Second, when a per-
son is at a casino and a promotion calls two winners per hour
during a certain time period, what can a player do to enhance
their chances of having their name being called while their
players club card is inserted in a slot machine? Thank you
very much!
Roderick King – Phoenix, Arizona
A: Thank you for writing in Roderick! Your questions are excel-
lent and we’ll do our best to answer them.
To answer the first question, our only guess as to why different
jackpot amounts are being awarded at the same bet level on the
same game would be the structure of a bonus game or the pro-
gressive game.
For example, patrons playing the exact same slot which are con-
nected to progressives all have a chance of winning one of the
four progressives when they bet $2. Let’s pretend the four pro-
gressives are available to players in a bonus game which is typi-
cal for most slots in casinos these days. Players must match two
symbols to win a progressive. Let’s pretend it’s red for the first
progressive, yellow for the second, green for the third, and sil-
ver for the fourth one. The red progressive has a start value of
$10 but has a current value of $50, the yellow progressive has a
start value of $100 but has a current value of $500, the green
progressive has a start value of $1,000 but has a current value of
$5,000, and the silver progressive has a start value of $10,000 but
has a current value of $50,000.
Obviously the chances of winning the four progressives will not
be equal. We, as players, will not know and will have a very
difficult time determining through observation what the chanc-
es of winning each are. But we can make an educated guess.
Let’s pretend the low paying red jackpot will be awarded 95%
of the time (95 times out of 100 or 19 out of 20 times), the middle
paying yellow jackpot will be awarded 4.9% of the time (49
times out of 1,000 or almost once every 20 times), the higher
paying green jackpot will be awarded 0.099% of the time (99
times out of 100,000 or almost once every 1,010 times), and the
highest paying jackpot will be awarded 0.001% of the time (1
time out of 100,000).
Every time a player on the bank of games connected to the pro-
gressive is awarded the bonus round, they’ll win one of the
jackpots. Which one is up to the random number generator! But
based on the hypothetical odds (which are much more realistic
than our readers may want to believe!) the red jackpot will most
likely be awarded.
Please remember if one player hits the red jackpot, they’ll win
$50 but the reset value is $10. So, the next player to hit that red
jackpot will just win $10 even if their bet is the same!
If the game rules are defined in a certain way, then we all have
to live by them. Make sure to read the help screen on each slot
to better understand which wins are awarded and how they are
awarded. Ultimately, everything is up to the random number
generator in each slot machine.
For your second question, each promotion is structured differ-
ently at a casino and even from one casino to the next. A typical
hourly drawing promotion for free play is called “Hot Seats.”
The simplest form of Hot Seats takes all the players who active-
ly have their cards in a slot machine and have made a wager (or
wagers) recently and randomly selects one or more winners.
More complex forms of Hot Seats promotions might award en-
tries to players based on play on previous days, award entries
based on cumulative play on the day of the promotion, award
more entries based on players club status, etc.
Your best bet (pun intended!) is to ask for a breakdown of the
promotion rules from a players club employee. Each casino is
required to present promotion rules to patrons upon request.
The only way to enhance your chances in a drawing is to know
the rules of the promotion and do everything you can within the
stated rules to increase your chances. Aside from that, gaming
regulations require all promotional drawings to use a random
number generator in order to determine drawing outcomes.
But, the method by which a winner is drawn will be listed in the
promotion rules as well. Just ask to see a copy!
Q: I rely on casino buses for transportation, so I only go to
casinos on weekdays. Is there a way to know how frequently
players hit the jackpots or big wins on slot machines? Is it
once a day? Once per week? Once per month? Are big wins
and jackpots more frequent on weekends than on weekdays?
Margaret Todd – Phoenix, Arizona
A: You are not alone in posing these questions Margaret! Don’t
worry about what day of the week you decide to play at a casi-
no and how it might affect your chances of winning a jackpot or
not.
Every slot machine has its own random number generator hap-
pily spewing forth numbers all day and all night long hundreds
of thousands of times per second.
The slot machine and the random number generator inside do
not care what day or time it is.
(Continued on page 8)
PLAYERS TALK
08 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
The slot machine and the random number generator inside do
not care what happened on any previous spins and do not
know what will happen during any future spins.
Each spin is completely independent of the next on a slot ma-
chine and is based on a statistically random process (the ran-
dom number generator) which is tested by an independent la-
boratory. This is mandated by casino gaming regulations and is
enforced at multiple levels of government to prevent players
(and casinos) from being cheated by a non-random slot ma-
chine.
As a result, big wins and jackpots are not any more or less likely
to happen on a Saturday at 2pm as opposed to on a Tuesday at
7:30am. The same holds true for New Year’s Eve (typically the
busiest day of the year for a casino) versus Christmas (typically
among the slowest days of the year for a casino).
But, when the casino is full of lots of patrons and all the ma-
chines are being played, you’ll observe more jackpots on the
slots than at a time when there are only 25 patrons on the floor,
only half of whom are playing a slot!
Why? During full times with every slot being played, each spin
is a potential jackpot at any moment. For “large” casinos with
1,000 slots, any one of 1,000 slots might turn up a jackpot when
they are all played. But that same “large” casino with only 12
slots occupied, a jackpot is 83 times LESS likely to happen (1,000
divided by 12 equals 83) just because of the volume of players.
Again, don’t worry, your chances of winning on a slot don’t
change regardless of the day of the week. Your luck is your luck
and that is in the hands of the slot’s random number generator.
Now, you also asked about how to find out when large jackpots
are awarded or if a machine pays a big win to a patron. Please
understand a casino is not required to provide this information,
It is up to each casino to decide if and how they mention jack-
pots being awarded, cars given away, other large wins on their
slots and at the tables. Many casinos use social media and their
websites along with press releases to media outlets (like us) to
announce a big win. Others choose not to, or do so in only a
limited way. Again, they are not obligated to share.
However, in our decades of experience, we have come to realize
your best source of information about jackpots and large wins,
especially on games you enjoy playing, can be obtained through
many slot attendants. If you maintain a relationship with slot
attendants (and remember, tipping for good service is part of
that relationship), in our experience you can gather a wealth of
information about recent jackpots.
Personally, if I were in charge of a casino, I’d promote the crap
out of every jackpot (with the winner’s permission)! $
(Continued from page 6)
ery month something new is happening on the floor at Mazatzal Hotel & Ca-
sino in Payson, Arizona. This month, the sounds of stampeding buffalo, the
ding of jackpot bells, the smack of punches landing, and the magical sympho-
ny of raining diamonds is what patrons will hear when playing on the four new
game themes by EVERI that recently went live in the casino! For more information
visit MazatzalCasino.com.
• Raging Buffalo is a 40 pay line slot with a 320 credit max bet featuring All-Match
play, Conditional Wilds, Buffalo Stampede, and a Free Spins Bonus.
• Patriot Jackpots is a 5 pay line slot with a 5 credit max bet featuring Fixed Symbol
Multipliers and Symbol-Triggered Progressives.
• Haymaker is a 40 pay line slot with a 160 credit max bet featuring a Free Spin Bo-
nus with Wild Save, a Multi-Stage Pick Bonus, and Symbol-Triggered Progressive
Jackpots.
• Diamond Rain is a 40 pay line slot with a 400 credit max bet slot featuring Sub-
Symbols, Multipliers, Symbol-Triggered Jackpots, the Diamond Lock Bonus, and
the Diamond Rain Bonus. $
E
10 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
NEW SLOTS
Raging Buffalo & More! Now At Mazatzal Hotel & Casino
azgamingguide.com | May 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide 11
Coming Soon NEW SLOTS
lot play can turn into a guitar giveaway with IGT’s Adam Levine Video Slots. In Adam’s
Guitar Solo bonus, players interact with a full-display guitar to make selections that
award credits and multipliers. If players find five music notes in the bonus, they are
awarded an Adam Levine collector’s guitar and $2,000.
The title’s jukebox feature offers players a choice of seven different popular Adam Levine songs
to rock out to during base-game play. Players are eligible for the top jackpot and guitar givea-
way at all bet levels.
Housed on the CrystalCurve Ultra gaming machine, this 3x5 reel, 40 pay line game features a 75-
credit cost to cover. For more information, visit IGT.com. $
S
Adam Levine Video Slots By IGT
14 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
he slot machine Fu Stacks is a new and exciting linked banked theme on
Everi’s Empire MPX (E43) cabinet with a classic Asian aesthetic that offers a
highly popular persistent state feature.
The exciting persistent coin collection mechanic will draw players in as they collect
three coins on any reel guaranteeing them full gold stacks on their next three spins.
A 720 Ways game, all gold stacks reveal the same symbol on any given spin which
can lead to big wins. As players land wilds, their treasure grows bigger where they
can trigger a match three progressive pick regardless of bet.
The E43 is a space efficient premium cabinet with a crisp 43-inch 1080p HD portrait
display, game-controlled lighting, and a convenient charging station for mobile de-
vices.
For more information visit Everi.com. $
T
NEW SLOTS Coming Soon
Fu Stacks By EVERI
16 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
power. Why put money in the pot with a weak hand? And if
you’re the raiser, the other players may fold. That’s gold.
Narrowing Down The Field
You’ll want to narrow down the field when you hold a big start-
ing hand like pocket Aces (and Kings, Queens, Jacks and Ace-
King). While that might sound counterintuitive, you’ll want to
do it by either making the first raise or by re-raising.
A monster starting hand of pocket Aces is great, and you’ll win
almost 80% of the time against any single opponent — however,
your odds of winning fall as the number of callers increases.
Against just four opponents you’ll win only about 50% of the
pots. And sometimes it’ll be to a player with a rag hand like 5-4
who called because there were lots of people in the pot, or who
was in the blind and played for free.
Don’t let that happen! Raise with your big pairs and Ace-King
and Ace-Queen and play against a small field. $
Writer Al Moe has worked in the casino industry for many years.
He has lived and worked in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. He
also attended the University of Nevada, Reno. He is an avid writer
and blogger. His book, “Vegas and the Mob," is available online at
Amazon.com. He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.
By Al Moe
he game Texas Hold ’Em is the most popular poker
game in the world. Players make their best five-card
poker hand, but it’s different than games like five-card
draw.
You see in Texas Hold ’Em, players start with just two cards
and then share a series of five community cards. That means all
play and betting strategies are different than non-community
card games.
Texas Hold ’Em gets played in standard limit style with initial
bets half the size of later wagers and in a no-limit variety where
you can wager any number of chips you have in front of you.
As you can imagine, that makes for some wild times.
Proper Texas Hold ’Em Starting Hands
Last month I mentioned the best strategy for a beginner is to
play only about 15% of all their starting hands. To be even more
specific, you can limit your calls and raises to just pairs and any
two cards that include only face cards and Aces, and you’ll do
just fine. As you get a feel for the game, you can include two
suited cards that connect (such as an 8 and 7 of Spades) and
suited cards with an Ace.
That may sound a little boring, waiting for those premium
hands, but it’s really the way to go. And, there’s another key to
winning at Texas Hold ’Em that most beginners don’t quite
understand: their starting position.
Unlike drawing games where the high-hand starts the betting
each round, in Hold ’Em, the person under the gun to the left of
the button is first to act every round. That’s a big disadvantage
compared to acting last where you can put pressure on early
positions by betting when they have all shown weakness and
checked. Or, you can toss a hand from the late positions before
putting any more money in the pot.
What that means is you must have a stronger hand to open or
bet pre-flop (the first three community cards) than in late posi-
tion. You might throw away a hand like Ace-8 in early position
but raise if you are last to act and nobody has called. Play tight
up front, loose in back.
And remember, you need a stronger hand to call a raise than to
make the raise yourself. Why? Because the raiser has shown
T
JUMPING FROM WPT TO LIVE POKER Playing Live Texas Hold ’Em Poker
TABLE GAMES
18 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
The following is a simple basic strategy chart that will work for
most Arizona casino Blackjack games. Until next time, I hope
you play winning Blackjack! $
PLAYER HAND ACTIONS TO TAKE
5-8 Always hit
9 Double vs. DUC of 3-6, O/W hit
10 Double vs. DUC of 2-9, O/W hit
11 Always double
12 Stand vs. DUC of 4-6, O/W hit
13-16 Stand vs. DUC of 2-6, O/W hit
17 or more Always stand
A-2, A-3 Double vs. DUC of 5 & 6, O/W hit
A-4, A-5 Double vs. DUC of 4-6, O/W hit
A-6 Double vs. DUC of 3-6, o/w hit
A-7 Double vs. DUC 2-6, stand 7 & 8 O/W hit
A-8, A-9 Always stand
2-2 Split vs. DUC of 2-7, O/W hit
3-3 Split vs. DUC of 2- 7, O/W hit
4-4 Split vs. DUC of 5 & 6, O/W hit
5-5 Never split—treat as a 10
6-6 Split vs. DUC of 2-6, O/W hit
7-7 Split vs. DUC of 2-7, O/W hit
8-8 Always split
9-9 Split vs. DUC of 2-9, except 7, O/W hit
10-10 Never split
A-A Always split
DUC = Dealer’s Up Card
O/W = otherwise
Writer TJ Jorgensen has been a professional Blackjack player for over
20 years. He is well known for his tournament play and has beaten
some of the top tournament players in the world. He has also won
the World Series Of Blackjack. His book, “Beating The Casino At
Their Own Game” is available by email at: [email protected].
o matter what size of bankroll you take to the casino, it
is always more fun to win than it is to lose. If you
agree with this statement read on because this is for
you. People lose because they let the casino take their money
from them. They do this by playing the wrong games that have
a big house edge, they are under-capitalized (their bets are too
large for the amount of money they have in their pocket) or,
even worse, they are playing the games incorrectly.
One of the quickest ways to lose all your money at the casino is
to play Blackjack without any strategy or, worse yet, follow the
dealer’s rules and hit 16 or less and stand on 17 or more. Can't
lose fast enough? Then play hunches or at a continuous shuffle
machine table and play more than 1 hand.
Last week I saw a player who would not hit 12 or over, then
couldn't understand why he was the only one at the table not
winning. When the dealer shows a 7 through Ace they only bust
approximately 1 out of every 4 times. That means if you always
stand on 12 and over you will lose 3 out of every 4 hands when
the dealer shows 7 through Ace.
Even when the dealer shows a 2 through 6 they will only bust
approximately 1/3 of the time. So using a strategy that stands on
any hand of 12 and above is a big loser.
Gamblers, as a general rule, want something for nothing. They
want to win but aren't willing to put in the time to learn "how"
to win. I want you to make an investment in yourself, to learn to
play the game correctly.
If you are reading my column, you probably already know that
the game of Blackjack has the lowest house edge of all the casi-
no games offered at Arizona casinos. However, to get the house
advantage down to around –0.57, you must play perfect basic
strategy, and that will require some studying.
I see most gamblers playing Blackjack by hunches or gut feel-
ings. To approach the game in this manner gives the house
about a 10% advantage. In other words, you will lose, on aver-
age, $10 for every $100 played. By learning and playing perfect
basic strategy you can reduce the amount lost, on average,
down to $0.57 for every $100 played. By playing perfect basic
strategy your money will last a lot longer.
N
HOW TO MAKE YOUR MONEY LAST Blackjack Strategy
TABLE GAMES By TJ Jorgensen
20 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
Hotel And Casino Completes Expansion!
HARRAH’S AK-CHIN The Ak-Chin Indian Community and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, part of Caesars
Entertainment and the state’s only tribal casino to have an international manage-
ment partner, has completed its three year, multi-million dollar expansion pro-
ject. To celebrate this milestone, the property recently hosted a weekend full of events includ-
ing a VIP reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of The Events Center at
Harrah’s Ak-Chin and two sold-out Dave Chappelle performances.
“This celebration is the culmination of a two-year effort that pushed individuals to act on their
best ideas,” said Robert Livingston, general manager of Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. “Working
side-by-side with the Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council, we were able to make the
ideas a reality and create something truly beautiful. The vision for the renovation and expan-
COVER STORY—HARRAH’S AK-CHIN HOTEL AND CASINO
Words By HMA Public Relations
Images By Jordyn Crawford
Main Lobby
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel And Casino
sion project started in June 2016. Our ultimate goal was to create
an experience that would provide our guests and visitors with
high-quality hospitality, amenities and entertainment that fur-
ther elevated the property to a full-service resort and casino.
That vision is now a reality.”
“The Ak-Chin Indian Community is continuously looking for
ways to make a positive economic impact in our community,”
said Ak-Chin Indian Community Chairman Robert Miguel.
“Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is a perfect example of what we can
accomplish when we have common goals. The property draws
visitors not only from across the state but from all over the
world,” said Chairman Miguel.
A central element to the renovation was a focus on the tribe’s
rich history. Throughout the property, guests will see Native
American-inspired artwork and design elements that highlight
the culture and traditions of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
The Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino and Resort expansion includes a
new lobby, a 12-story, 229-guestroom tower, spa, expanded
gaming space, new restaurants, a multi-purpose event center,
parking garage, a new Bingo hall and a new renamed Laurel
Lounge for Caesars Rewards members.
In addition, enhancements are being made to pool-side rooms
that overlook a newly renovated pool area with a swim-up bar.
PROJECTS AT A GLANCE
Parking Garage
The new multi-level parking garage added an additional 730
parking spaces and allows direct access from the garage’s third
floor directly into the casino and a direct connection to UltraStar
Multi-Entertainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle.
azgamingguide.com | May 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide 21
The Events Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin
The Events Center at Harrah’s Ak-Chin seats more than 2,000
and will feature high-quality entertainers such as Dave Chap-
pelle, who took the stage as part of Harrah’s Grand Opening
Celebration on April 5 and 6, 2019. Other performers to date
include Penn & Teller and The Righteous Brothers, with upcom-
ing shows such as Dwight Yoakam and Los Lobos.
Bingo Hall
Harrah’s Ak-Chin boasts the only Bingo hall in the Caesars or-
ganization, continuing the proud heritage of William F. Harrah,
who opened his first Bingo hall in Reno in 1937. The newly ren-
ovated hall seats up to 430 players and features more than 200
electronic handheld BINGO devices.
Oak & Fork
Oak & Fork is a wholly new concept at Harrah’s Ak-Chin, pair-
ing crave-able and sharable small plate items with hand-picked
wines, beers and cocktails. The wine selection includes every-
thing from favorite local choices to imported selections from
across the world. Oak & Fork focuses on wine and food pairing,
making sure guests have a high-quality dining experience, eve-
ry time. The elegant atmosphere and optional outdoor seating is
a fabulous plus.
Chop, Block & Brew
Chop, Block & Brew is a 3,454-square-foot restaurant with seat-
ing for 159 guests. It features Native American-inspired artwork
and design elements that highlight the culture and traditions of
the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
Featuring gourmet burgers and a wood-burning mesquite grill,
the rustic and relaxed environment serves as a perfect venue to
enjoy pure-aged steaks, prime rib and seafood. In addition, the
restaurant boasts a full bar including more than 30 draft and
Robert Livingston – General Manager,
Harrah’s Ak-Chin
Robert Miguel—Chairman
of the Ak-Chin Indian Community
Michael Kintner—Director Of Marketing
And Operations, Harrah’s Ak-Chin
Feature Story Continued On Page 22
22 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
bottled craft beers, hand-crafted cocktails, premium whiskey
and scotch.
The Spa at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Featuring signature massage and facial treatments as well as a
full-service nail salon, The Spa at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino fea-
tures four beautifully appointed treatment rooms including one
couple's suite. Additional features of this spa include adjustable
beds to ensure guest comfort and increased relaxation, compli-
mentary LED Light Therapy in each treatment room, a dedicat-
ed Esthetics Room with back bar feature, and the Signature
Hungarian Face Massage that is featured in all of Eminence
Facials. In addition, guests may add a Facial Enhancement to
any massage. The spa features the renowned skincare brand
Eminence for facial and body experiences and Farmhouse Fresh
for other treatments.
The Buffet
The renovated buffet features American, Asian and Mexican
fare including hand-carved meats accompanied by traditional
sides, salads and soups. The dessert bar hosts favorites includ-
ing gelato and mini-cheesecakes as well as new selections creat-
ed by Chef Colin Ribble.
In addition, the newly remodeled 7,607-square-foot buffet fea-
tures a new pizza and pasta station offering Italian favorites
including a variety of pizza/calzones, brick oven baked pastas, a
made to order pasta station including deep dish, plus assorted
Italian breads and antipastos!
About Ak-Chin Indian Community
The Ak-Chin Indian Community is nestled into the Santa Cruz
Valley of Southern Arizona about 58 miles south of Phoenix in
the northwestern part of Pinal County. The tribe’s government
was formally organized in 1961, under the Indian Reorganiza-
tion Act of 1934. The Ak-Chin Indian Community is governed
by a five-member Tribal Council which oversees the govern-
mental operations and departments that service the community
of Ak-Chin. The tribe currently has 1,094 tribal members. Its
first major enterprise was Ak-Chin Farms, which currently har-
vests over 15,000 acres, making it one of the largest farming
communities in the United States. Ak-Chin Indian Community
entered into the gaming industry in 1994 with Promus/Harrah’s
management.
About Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Celebrating nearly 25 years in Maricopa, Arizona, Harrah’s Ak-
Chin Casino is Arizona’s first and only tribal casino to have an
international management partner. Harrah’s Ak-Chin is the
only casino in Arizona that allows guests, through its Caesars
Rewards program, to unlock benefits and other prizes that can
be used worldwide at the entire Caesars’ family of casinos. For
more information about Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, patrons can
dial 1.480.802.5000 or visit HarrahsAkChin.com. $
COVER STORY—HARRAH’S AK-CHIN HOTEL AND CASINO Continued
Chop Block & Brew At Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel And Casino
Lounge At Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel And Casino
Main Entrance At Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel And Casino
24 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
By John Turner Gilliland, Public Information Officer
ARIZONA LOTTERY
he Grand Canyon State is a little grander this month as the Arizona
Lottery awards its first top prize in the new Arizona Millionaire’s Club
Scratchers game.
Arizona Millionaire’s Club is a $30 ticket with 12 top prizes of $1 million, giving
more players than ever before the chance to make their dreams come true by
scratching a single ticket!
The million-dollar fun for players does not stop there, though, as four lucky
players who submitted their non-winning $10, $20 or $30 Scratchers tickets to
enter the Million Dollar Madness second chance promotion, in March, each won
$250,000 for a total of $1 million in March.
Players like Ashley D., from Phoenix. Ashley was packing for a volunteer trip to
Southeast Asia when he learned that he was a winner and was excited to be able
to extend his trip with his $250,000 prize. Or Bridgette A., a single mother and
Navy Veteran who is now finally able to own her own home and is going on a
cruise to celebrate.
“March was an amazing month and the Arizona Lottery is proud to have added
to our players’ excitement with this new ticket and promotion,” Executive Direc-
tor of the Arizona Lottery Gregg Edgar said. “Congratulations to all our instant
ticket players, who had a lot of fun while playing our whole range of games,
especially to our first Millionaire’s Club member and to those four players who
each won a cool quarter million in Million Dollar Madness!”
While the Million Dollar Madness second chance promotion may have concluded,
there are still multiple second chance drawings for other games still available so
players should check their Scratchers tickets to see if they are eligible. Players can
enter their qualifying non-winning tickets by visiting AZPlayersClub.com, or by
scanning their tickets using the Arizona Lottery Players Club free mobile app
(available for download on the iTunes App store and the Google Play store).
Players can purchase Scratchers tickets, including the new Arizona Millionaire’s
Club ticket, at all 3,000+ Arizona Lottery retail locations and players can learn
more about all of their second chance promotions, as well as all their other
games, at ArizonaLottery.com. $
Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery.
MILLION DOLLAR MADNESS BIG WIN AZ Lottery Welcomes First Member Of Millionaire’s Club
T
26 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
By Elizabeth Schueren
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA
ruise into summer on a brand new WaveRunner. This
May, Golden Nugget Laughlin is giving away a 2019
Yamaha WaveRunner and Trailer in their $20,000
Cruisin’ into Summer WaveRunner Giveaway!
All month long Golden Nugget Laughlin will be giving away
cash and spots into the Final Drawing, where someone will win
a brand new WaveRunner. In their preliminary drawings, three
winners will receive $200 cash, and one of these winners will
also receive a spot in the Final Drawing. The preliminary draw-
ings will be at 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm every Saturday in May.
Earning entries into their $20,000 Cruisin’ into Summer Wa-
veRunner Giveaway is simple. Earn one entry for every 25 tier
credits earned playing your favorite slot or video poker ma-
chines, Thursday - Saturday each week.
Plus, all finalists are a winner in Golden Nugget Laughlin’s
Cruisin’ into Summer WaveRunner Giveaway Final Drawing on
May 26. In the final drawing, one finalist will win a 2019 Yama-
ha WaveRunner and trailer, and the remaining finalists will win
cash or Free Slot Play.
C
GOLDEN NUGGET LAUGHLIN Win A 2019 Yamaha WaveRunner In May!
For more information about Golden Nugget Laughlin’s upcom-
ing promotions or to book a stay at Golden Nugget Laughlin,
visit GoldenNuggetLaughlin.com or call 1.800.237.1739. $
GAMING NEWS
28 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
Bucky’s & Yavapai Casino’s
Jackpot Arizona
Awards Over $89,500!
Jackpot Arizona has hit a total of seven different times for
close to $90,000! Four lucky winners felt the rush by hitting the
Gold Rush bonus and three additional winners are now living
lavishly as winners of the Regal Riches bonus.
These winners include local players as well as players from
the Phoenix Valley and even out of state. All winners have
received Emerald tier status and exclusive invitations to VIP
events as a part of the Jackpot Arizona Club.
With all-new bar-top slots coming mid-May to both proper-
ties, there are even more reasons to become a Gold Rush Club
member and be in to win!
Jackpot Arizona’s bonuses beyond belief can really hit any-
time, to any carded player and only at Bucky’s & Yavapai Ca-
sinos.
Upcoming Promotions At Bucky’s & Yavapai Casinos:
Senior’s Day every Wednesday—$10 Bonus Play automatical-
ly loaded to your card. $1.99 - $2.99 Breakfast Specials. $2.99
Lunch Special.
Friday Frenzy—Hot Seats from 7 to 11pm for slot & Blackjack
players, winners win $250 cash! $500 Hot Seat on the last Fri-
day of each month at 11pm.
Spring Into Summer—Hot Seat drawings to spin the Prize
Wheel hourly on Thursdays 2 to 10pm. Sunday, June 30th, 2 to
9pm $50 in chips plus a grilling gift. Grand Prize Drawing
Sunday, June 30th at 10pm for a BBQ grill & canopy package.
For more information, visit BuckysCasino.com. $
Caesars Entertainment
Wins Coveted
2019 CSO50 Award
Caesars Entertainment Corporation in partnership with Pro-
tiviti, was honored with IDG’s 2019 CSO50 Award for its
transformational cybersecurity risk assessment. Every year, 50
organizations are recognized with the award for their security
projects or initiatives that demonstrate outstanding business
value and thought leadership.
“Caesars Entertainment remains at the cutting edge of tech-
nology, always exploring new ways of enhancing our cyberse-
curity efforts,” said Scott Moser, Chief Information Security
Officer at Caesars Entertainment. “Winning the 2019 CSO50
Award wouldn’t have been possible without our valued part-
ner Protiviti, who helped us complete this risk assessment,
reevaluate our risk mitigation goals and progress in ways we
had not done previously.”
Caesars now uses an enhanced approach to reduce risk and
prioritize program resources and budgets. These changes
have not only matured the cybersecurity team but reaffirmed
Caesars Entertainment as an industry leader in cybersecurity.
Protiviti, a global consulting firm, evaluated Caesars’ data
processes and transactions using a proprietary approach that
combined two types of risk assessment:
• U.S. Commerce Department National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) 800-30, the standard risk assess-
ment model that provides general guidance for establishing
controls for high-risk areas of a business
• The NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which adds guidance
on control settings and the maturity of the controls
The 2019 award winners were honored at the annual CSO50
Conference & Award Ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona. $
George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen
At Gila River Hotels & Casinos
Vee Quiva Now Open
George Lopez, stand-up comedian, television and film actor,
talk show host and author, will kick off a weekend of Cinco de
Mayo activities at Gila River Hotels & Casinos – Vee Quiva on
May 3 with a ribbon-cutting and the public opening of George
Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen at 2pm. The restaurant features a
menu of dishes made from scratch including tacos, burritos,
bowls, and salads loaded with wood-fired carne asada, herb-
crusted rotisserie chicken and spit-fired al pastor. Guests can
expect Mexican favorites like handmade guacamole, churros,
street corn, horchata and more.
In addition to the various food options, the restaurant stays
true to Lopez’s roots, incorporating elements of traditional
Mexican and Chicano heritage, like Dia de Los Muertos skulls
and Lucha Libre masks. The restaurant flawlessly fuses this
cultural iconography with urban-inspired décor featuring red
brick, dark woods, and hand-painted graffiti murals. Prior to
the restaurant ribbon-cutting, Lopez will take photos with the
public on the casino floor in front of his iconic 1951 Chevy.
The car will be at the casino throughout the weekend.
The three-day fiesta will include:
Fri., May 3 (1:30-2pm): 1951 Chevy photo opportunity
Fri., May 3 (2pm): Official ribbon-cutting ceremony
Sat., May 4 (9am-3pm): Classic Car Show exhibiting more than
450 automobiles, with food trucks serving classic cuisine
Sat., May 4 (5-10pm): Viewing Party - Canelo vs Jacobs Mid-
dleweight Unification Fight
Sun., May 5 (Cinco de Mayo!): Roving Mariachi entertainment
and drink specials
Vee Quiva is a AAA 4-Diamond casino resort located at 15091
South Komatke Lane in Laveen, Arizona. For information
about Cinco de Mayo weekend activities, call 1.800.946.4452. $
2019 World’s Oldest Continuous
Rodeo Kickoff Steak Fry & Concert
With The Garth Guy At Mazatzal
The tradition continues! Tuesday, August 13, Mazatzal Hotel
& Casino hosts the 2019 Official World’s Oldest Continuous
Rodeo Kickoff “Steak Fry & Concert” featuring The Garth
Guy: The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute Show.
Beginning with the 1884 August Doins in the Midtown Mead-
ow, Payson has hosted The World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo
and attracted such names as Arizona Charlie Meadows, Tom
Mix, Tom Horn, Monty “Hawkeye” Henson and Tye Murray
just to name a few. The influence that the Payson Rodeo has
had on rodeo history, in general, is far reaching and it is no
wonder why thousands flock to Payson each year to experi-
ence the strong rodeo heritage that lives there. The Official
Rodeo Kickoff Steak Fry & Concert pays tribute to their deep
rooted rodeo heritage and is open to the entire Rim Country
Community. The event will feature an Official Payson Pro
Rodeo Committee Ceremony, a “Ranch Style” steak dinner
with steaks and all the fixin’s. After dinner, enjoy a special
Rodeo Kickoff Concert with The Garth Guy: The Ultimate
Garth Brooks Tribute Show, a live authentic tribute to one of
country music’s most legendary performers. For the last 24
years, The Garth Guy has been entertaining audiences across
the country with a one-of-a-kind tribute to Garth Brooks - the
man and his music.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. The
event is open to the public of all ages. The doors open and
dinner begins at 6pm. The Payson Pro Rodeo Committee Cer-
emony begins at 6:30pm, and the concert starts at approxi-
mately 7pm. Tickets are available online at MazatzalCasi-
no.com or at the cashier cage. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, the
Official Entertainment Headquarters of the World’s Oldest
Continuous Rodeo August 15-17! $
GAMING NEWS
30 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
May Casino Promotions
At Casino Del Sol
In Tucson, Arizona
HOT PROMOTION
Crack The Vault – Club Sol Members can swipe daily to enter
the weekly virtual drawings on Tuesdays. May 1st – June 25th.
2 winners every other hour between 12pm – 8pm have a chance
at $1000 cash! Each winner will receive $100 Free play & 3
chances to crack the vaults for a chance at $1,000 cash. Each
matched number is worth a cash payout. Every slot/table point
earned is an additional entry into the drawings.
BLACKJACK
Who’s My Lucky Dealer? – One Casino Del Sol Dealer’s name
will be drawn at the designated drawing times. All eligible
Club Sol Members will win $50 in Casino chips & $50 in FREE
bet chips. Each winning Guest will be issued a Grand Prize
drawing ticket for a chance to win $2500 in Casino chips on
Friday, May 31st at 6:30pm on the Piazza side of the Casino.
Drawing Dates: May 6th – 8th, May 13th – 15th, May 20th –
22nd & May 27th – 29th
Drawing Times: 10:30am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm & 10:30pm
BINGO
Mother’s Day – On May 12th, 50% off Electronic Packs. Check
out the new Mini Session Sapphire Pack, available for this day
only (mini-ball included). Sunday discounts & Bingo Bucks
coupons are invalid.
Memorial Day – On May 27th, 50% off Electronic Packs with
BOGO Level B’s. Check out the new Mini Session Sapphire
Pack, available for this day only. Sunshine Club discounts &
Bingo Bucks invalid.
For more info about Casino Del Sol, visit CasinoDelSol.com. $
GAMING NEWS
azgamingguide.com | May 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide 31
CASINO ENTERTAINMENT Editor’s Pick
Frankie Moreno Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita
May 31
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment welcomes Frankie
Moreno to the Diamond Center on Friday, May 31, 2019. Tick-
ets start at $15 and are currently on sale. Tickets can be pur-
chased through Star Tickets and at Desert Diamond Casino’s
Rewards Center. Doors open at 7pm; show starts at 8pm.
As a child prodigy on the piano and a gifted multi-
instrumentalist, Moreno was first introduced to American
audiences at the age of ten with his debut on CBS’s “Star
Search.” Moreno’s performance on ABC’s “Dancing With The
Stars” brought him into America’s living rooms again per-
forming his self penned hit “Tangerine Honey.” He has con-
tinued with more television appearances, magazine covers
and sold-out concerts including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy
Center and The Hollywood Bowl. The recipient of an Emmy
Nomination for his national TV special “Songs at Home,”
Moreno is now starring in his own nationwide special for PBS
titled “Frankie Moreno In Concert.”
Moreno’s collaboration for Sony Records with world-
renowned violinist, Joshua Bell, reached No. 1 on the Bill-
board charts in two separate categories. Artists included on
this album were Sting, Josh Groban, Chris Botti, Kristin
Chenoweth, and Regina Spektor. Moreno toured the U.S. with
Grammy-nominated country artist Billy Currington and coun-
try superstars Sugarland. Moreno has also joined multi-
platinum artists Air Supply for their world tour as musical
director, and wrote their recent radio single “Dance with Me,”
reaching No. 7 on the Top 40 Billboard charts.
Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communica-
tions for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said,
“Frankie Moreno is an unquestionably unique artist, com-
manding audiences with a fun stage presence. Don’t miss out
on seeing Frankie Moreno at the Diamond Center on May 31
for as little as $15!” $
Creedence Clearwater Revisited Desert Diamond Casino—Sahuarita
June 14
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment welcomes the band
Creedence Clearwater Revisited (CCR) to the Diamond Center
on Friday, June 14, 2019. Tickets start at $45 and are currently
on sale. Tickets can be purchased through Star Tickets and at
Desert Diamond Casino’s Rewards Center. Doors open at
7pm; show starts at 8pm.
CCR founding members and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers,
Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford, have been on quite a
ride. Following their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame, Cook and Clifford launched their CCR project in 1995
to once again perform live in concert the hit songs—
touchstones of a generation. Since then, the legendary rhythm
section has been thrilled by the outpouring of affection for
their new band. World tours and a platinum selling album
“Recollection” followed.
As fans around the world can attest, Cook and Clifford found
the right players that capture the sound and recreate what the
music was about. Lead guitarist Kurt Griffey brings crowds to
their feet and the front of the stage with his solos. He has rec-
orded and toured with other notable musicians including
members of the Eagles, Foreigner, the Moody Blues, Wings,
Lynyrd Skynryd, Santana and Journey. On lead vocal and
rhythm guitar is Dan McGuiness. The purity, power and
range of McGuiness’ soaring voice hits right to the heart. Mul-
ti-instrumentalist Steve Gunner rounds out the group.
Treena Parvello, Director of Public Relations and Communica-
tions for the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise, said,
“Experience the defining sound of a generation with CCR at
the Diamond Center on Friday, June 14! Desert Diamond Ca-
sinos & Entertainment is offering this exciting show to South-
ern Arizona fans for as little as $45.” $
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.
32 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
The Mavericks & Los Lobos Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
July 5
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino will welcome The Mavericks and
Los Lobos to The Events Center stage July 5, 2019. Doors 7pm,
Show 8pm. Tickets start at $34.50 and are on sale now through
all Ticketmaster outlets. The Events Center, which opened in
early 2019, seats 2,000 people and is part of a multi-million
dollar renovation.
The Mavericks’ genre-defying music has been connecting
with fans for the last three decades, with hits such as “What A
Crying Shame” and “All Night Long.” They also took home
the American Music Association’s award for Best Duo or
Group of the Year in 2015. With such diverse musical abilities,
the band is able to seamlessly blend elements of Tex-Mex,
Cuban bolero, R&B, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll. These
multi-faceted artists have also been able to translate their mu-
sical talents behind the scenes, founding their own record
label Mono Mundo Recordings in 2016. With their newfound
independence, they were able to produce their own album,
“Brand New Day,” in 2017.
Los Lobos is a Mexican American band with hits such as “La
Bamba,” “Too Small Heart” and “Son of the Sun.” The award
winning band has taken home a Grammy for Best Mexican
American/Tejano Music Performance, as well as a nomination
for Best Americana Album. Their dynamic songwriting and
eclectic style also shot “La Bamba” to number one on the Bill-
board Hot 100 in 1987. In recent years, the band released their
album “Gates of Gold,” continuing to foster their unique
sound with a blend of Tex-Mex, country, folk, blues and tradi-
tional Spanish and Mexican music.
UPCOMING SHOWS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO
Dwight Yoakam—May 11
Eddie Money & Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas—May 26
Los Lonely Boys & Ozomatli—June 8
CCR Revisited—June 15 $
4NR—A Tribute To Foreigner Mazatzal Hotel & Casino
July 26
On Friday, July 26, 2019, Mazatzal welcomes 4NR a tribute to
Foreigner. With ten multi-platinum albums and sixteen Top
30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most pop-
ular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal
that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now
exceeding 75 million.
Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring an-
thems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blood-
ed,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First
Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” “Dirty
White Boy,” “Long, Long Way From Home” and the world-
wide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Foreigner also
features strongly in every category in Billboard’s Greatest of
All Time listing.
4NR is an upper-echelon tribute of the highest caliber. Com-
prised of experienced, world-class touring and recording/
session musicians from Los Angeles, Boston, New York and
Great Britain. Their explosive show is matched by their un-
canny ability to replicate Foreigner's powerful repertoire. In
2014 the band performed on AXSTV "World's Greatest Tribute
Bands" in front of an estimated 1 million viewers and stunned
the audience with the near perfect replication of the Foreigner
sound. 4NR plays all the hits - from Foreigner's late-70s FM
Radio-hits - all the way up to their MTV Top 10's of the 80s as
well as some "deep-cuts", for the die-hard fans.
A 4NR show will have you on your feet from the first note to
the last leaving you with a feeling of not just another tribute
show, but a 4NR experience!
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the event, and are
available online at MazatzalCasino.com or at the cashier cage.
The doors open at 6:30pm. The show starts at 7:00pm. 4NR,
only at Mazatzal! $
Editor’s Pick CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
azgamingguide.com | May 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide 33
ook, I am well aware of the fact that the casino gaming
industry may be looked down upon by certain sectors of
the general population. I’m not going to judge the gen-
eral population. I also try not to be a hypocrite in my daily life
inside or outside of a casino.
However, if a casino patron decides to walk through the doors
of a casino, they should be welcomed by employees at that casi-
no with a certain level of respect, kindness, and basic customer
service. I have written about this topic numerous times across
the years and given that my colleagues and I know that casino
staff and casino management pay attention to what we write
about, I’ll give it another shot this month.
The customer service at some casinos leaves much to be desired!
Working over 10 years for the AZ Gaming Guide, and 20 years
altogether in the casino gaming industry, I estimate I have spent
over 10,000 hours in a casino for either work or pleasure. Yet,
somehow, I always come across new situations that just leave
me shaking my head thinking, “If management only knew!”
As a casino patron, have you ever been told by an employee “I
guess it’s time for you to make a donation out there” as a part-
ing comment leaving a restaurant? Well, that’s what I heard one
casino employee tell a humble guest during a recent visit to a
casino. And, that’s not an appropriate remark.
Upon pressing the service button on a slot machine, have you
been approached by a gum chewing, lip smacking, non-smiling,
grouch, who mumbles through a pat phrase (“Welcome to Co-
lossal Cash Casino, I’m here to help, what can I do for you?”)
and then levels a look at you like they’re angry/tired/bored out
of their minds? I have. And it doesn’t make me feel “welcome”
like the pat phrase’s intent suggests. People who choose to work
in the service industry need to learn to “put on a happy face,”
literally!
Although well-intentioned, I’ve heard casino employees tell
customers who’ve been fortunate enough to receive a hand pay
“don’t put it all back!” This benign sentiment can be construed
as belittling and condescending. No gambler wants to feel that
they’re perceived as weak or that they have a lack of judgement
or control. Much less that they will now have a massive losing
streak after their win.
As a hosted player playing a slot, have you had your host shout
CASINO EMPLOYEES SHOULD... Smile, Say “Hi”, Treat Customers With Respect, Etc.
By Sami Becker
SAMI’S SMACKDOWN
at you from across the casino floor (50 feet away) and draw
attention to you from all the players sitting around you? I have.
Although some people might enjoy the attention, I’m not one of
those people.
Or, here’s another one that just happened to me recently. I’m
purchasing a few sundries at the casino gift shop and the cash-
ier tells me to “have a great day and go back out on the casino
floor, have fun and LOSE MY MONEY.” I’m NOT KIDDING!
And, I’m not sure how to even discuss this incident further.
Was it a joke? If so—not funny. If it wasn't a joke—wow. Just
wow.
Here’s a letter I received from one of our fans …
Sami, I went to [a casino] to meet some friends for breakfast. I was
early so I sat down to play at one of my favorite games. Shortly after I
sat down, several employees started running from one machine to the
next changing out the boxes that contain the money and tickets and
replacing them with empty ones. They asked me to step away from my
machine. One of the security guards turned to me and said, “We need
to replace the full boxes with empty ones so you can fill them back up
again.” He said this in such a belittling tone that I was really offended.
When they let me go back to my machine, I cashed out right away and
left. I called my friends and told them I wouldn’t be having breakfast
with them that morning. I wasn’t about to give them another penny of
my money. I’m not the kind of person who complains and I didn’t tell
anybody what happened. I refuse to play [there] anymore, because I
have never been treated so poorly at a casino before. -Ruth
I am appalled by the circumstances surrounding Ruth’s letter!
Some people obviously don’t think before they speak and clear-
ly have absolutely no clue about how to treat their guests. If any
of our readers ever feel they have been insulted by a casino em-
ployee or have been provided with poor customer service, I
strongly suggest that it be communicated to that individual’s
supervisor or a different employee; perhaps someone at the
player’s club.
That being said, I sympathize with Ruth and any of our readers
who feel they have been mistreated. First, don’t let one bad ap-
ple spoil the whole bushel. But also, don’t forget that a casino is
a business and every business should be customer service-
oriented! As a paying customer, you deserve to be treated with
courtesy and respect at a casino! If you are not, it may be time to
take your business to another establishment! I wish you much
luck and casinos free from rant-worthy experiences! $
L
34 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
36 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
8 9
5
1
7
9
5 4
1 2
9 6
2
1
4
6
3
1
6
9
9
3
6
8
7 4
9
5
SUDOKU Each of the columns, rows, and 3 x 3 grids must contain all of the
digits 1 - 9. None of the digits may appear more than once in each
column, row, and 3 x 3 grid.
Level: EASY
(Solution on page 38)
WORD SEARCH
To Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day On May 15, Find:
BAR, BROWNIES, CAKE, CHIPS, COCOA, CONFECTION,
COOKIE, DARK, DUTCH, FLAKES, FONDUE, FROSTING, FUDGE,
GERMAN, HERSHEY, KISSES, MILK, MOUSSE, NESTLE, PIE,
PUDDING, SAUCE, SOUFFLE, TORTE, TRUFFLES, WHITE.
Words appear in any direction. (Solution on page 38)
S B U Q Q E C S S U O M E K A
N S A S O H L L I M Z E K X T
A C E R C O C A K S O L Q U O
M S Y K P B W I E S O D N R O
R Y F C A V Y D D O R N E U X
E P S F O L G I R A B H O Q D
G W D Y R N F G U K P N R G F
S E O U Y O T I E E K S O F P
E P T E T E T E S T Z E O S E
L K I I C C C U T R Z L C H T
F I Z H H U I Y L O Z F T H S
F S B V C W R I E T W F N A K
U S E G D U C G O T N U E F S
O E Z P G L P H N N X R T J I
S S A N N G D U P D S T D N I
FUN & GAMES
CHINESE HOROSCOPE—Year Of The Pig For May 2019...Pray for good luck on these dates: 6, 9, 12, 13, 18, 24, 28. The best days to travel: 5, 6, 7, 18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 29, 31. The
best days to meet a friend or relative: 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18. There is overlap on the 6th! The people born under the Pig sign are: Warm-hearted, honest, tolerant, highly value and have many friends, help friends without hesitation, and like to share what they have with others.
Dates for Year Of The Pig: 02/04/35-01/23/36, 01/22/47-02/09/48, 02/08/59-01/27/60, 01/27/71-02/24/72, 02/13/83-02/01/84, 01/31/95-02/18/96, 02/18/07-02/06/08, 02/05/19-01/24/20.
Really Long Odds To Win Sometimes Pay Off!
2011 St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series in baseball at 999-1
1999 St. Louis Rams to win the Super Bowl in football at 300-1
2000 Olympic Wrestling Rulon Gardner to win gold at 2,000-1
2007 Stanford vs USC college football with Stanford as 42 point underdogs
2007 Appalachian State (Division 1-AA) vs Michigan (Division 1-A) college football with Appalachian State as 33 point underdogs
2009 Kentucky Derby the horse Mine That Bird to win at 50-1
1990 Boxer Buster Douglas at 42-1 odds knocks out Mike Tyson
2015 Leicester City at 5,000-1 to win the English Premier League (That’s European Football or Soccer in the US)
1969 New York Jets as 18 point underdogs to Win Super Bowl III
1980 Winter Olympics with the US Hockey team at 1,000-1 to win gold
We are certain some of you may feel the need to add (or subtract) from this list depending on your own opinions, experiences, team
loyalties, and favorite sports. But, we feel it’s a good start to give everyone insight into why many gamblers love sports betting and
also why all gamblers love long shots and underdogs!
azgamingguide.com | May 2019 | Arizona Gaming Guide 37
CASINO DIRECTORY
38 Arizona Gaming Guide | May 2019 | azgamingguide.com
City Phone Slots Hig
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Sources: AZ Dept. of Gaming—Current Tribal Gaming Status as of 03/01/19 & direct inquiries at press time. Not responsible for incorrect information. Contact [email protected] to make updates.
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01. Apache Gold Casino Resort Hwy. 70, 5 mi. E. of Globe Globe 800-272-2438 485 Y Y Y Y Y Y
02. Apache Sky Casino Milepost 127 on Arizona 77 Dudleyville 800-272-2438 301 Y
03. BlueWater Resort & Casino 11300 Resort Drive Parker 888-243-3360 545 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
04. Bucky’s Casino 1500 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott 800-756-8744 304 Y Y Y Y Y
05. Casino Arizona 101 & McKellips Scottsdale 480-850-7777 920 Y Y Y Y
06. Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd. Tucson 855-765-7829 1,014 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
07. Casino Del Sol Marketplace 5405 W Valencia Rd Tucson 855-765-7829 8
08. Casino Of The Sun 7406 S. Camino De Oeste Tucson 855-765-7829 287
09. Cliff Castle Casino & Hotel I-17, Exit 289 Camp Verde 800-381-7568 656 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
10. Cocopah Resort Casino 15318 S. Ave. B Somerton 800-237-5687 529 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
11. Desert Diamond Casino-Tuc. 7350 S. Nogales Hwy. Tucson 866-332-9467 1,109 Y Y Y Y Y Y
12. Desert Diamond Casino-Sah. I-19, Exit 80 Sahuarita 866-332-9467 563 Y Y
13. Desert Diamond Casino-W.V. 101 & Northern Ave. Glendale 866-332-9467 1,089
14. Desert Diamond Casino-Why Hwy. 86, Milepost 55 Why 866-332-9467 58
15. Fort McDowell Casino Hwy. 87 & Ft. McDowell Rd. Fort McDowell 800-843-3678 889 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
16. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 15406 N. Maricopa Rd. Maricopa 480-802-5000 1,135 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
17. Hon-Dah Casino 777 Hwy. 260 Pinetop 800-929-8744 820 Y Y Y Y Y
18. Lone Butte Casino 1077 S. Kyrene Rd. Chandler 800-946-4452 853 Y Y Y
19. Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Hwy. 87, 1/4 mi. S. of Payson Payson 800-777-7529 374 Y Y Y Y Y Y
20. Paradise Casino 450 Quechan Dr. Yuma 888-777-4946 458 Y
21. Quechan Casino I-8, Exit 166 Winterhaven, CA 877-783-2426 1,000+ Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
22. Spirit Mountain Casino 8555 Hwy. 95 Mohave Valley 928-346-2000 250
23. Talking Stick Resort 101 & Indian Bend Scottsdale 480-850-7777 813 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
24. Twin Arrows Navajo Casino I-40, Exit 219 Flagstaff 855-946-8946 1,097 Y Y Y Y Y Y
25. Vee Quiva Casino 6443 Komatke Ln. Laveen 800-946-4452 956 Y Y Y Y Y
26. Wild Horse Pass Casino 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Chandler 800-946-4452 1,017 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
27. Yavapai Casino 1505 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott 800-756-8744 237 Y
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