Taking advantage of the terms of their new tribal state gaming compacts, Arizona’s gaming tribes introduced new Las Vegas-style table games, including craps, baccarat and roulette, beginning July 29.
Previously, the only table games allowed in the Indian casinos were blackjack and poker. Other games they can introduce include pai gow, a domino game, and sic bo, a dice game.
One of the first was Gila River Hotels & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, with the tribe’s two other properties, at Chandler and Vee Quiva, planning to add the games August 27. All will increase the number of slot machines and increase wagering limits.
The Wild Horse added 14 roulette, baccarat and craps tables.
The need to acquire equipment, such as roulette wheels, for which there can be waiting periods and to train dealers in their use, is one reason for the delay.
Gila River Hotels & Casinos CEO Kenneth Manuel said in a statement: “This is truly a historic moment in our 27-year history that will benefit both the Gila River Indian Community and the state by providing additional jobs and tourism, as well as increased opportunities to support the community.”
On August 4, Gila River’s COO Richard Strafella said, “All the games have been open all week and been performing unbelievably.” He added, “The tables are doing unbelievably well. Right now at this moment, I have cameras in my office, we have two full craps tables and two full roulette wheels going and two full baccarat tables, on a Wednesday afternoon.”
Fans of the gambling class film “Casino” might remember Strafella in the role of Robert De Niro’s executive assistant in the film.
Some casino patrons waited two hours to play craps on the first day they were available.
The Wild Horse Pass has also launched a High Limit Salon with midi baccarat, six high limit blackjack and one high limit roulette featuring a “chocolate chip” valued at $5,000. It includes an Asian buffet.
Strafella added, “It’s a very, very special room that was designed specifically for the Asian players that truly love the game of baccarat, but for the domestics as well for blackjack and roulette.” The minimum bet accepted is $25 and the maximum by state law is $100,000.
He told AZ Big Media, Guests today expect to find entertaining, rewarding and experiential games when they visit a casino. Whether you’re seeking all the glamour and glitz or you desire to be low-key in a high-stakes game, you can find it here at Gila River Hotels & Casinos.”
Harrah’s Ak-Chin added one craps table and a baccarat table. The Casino’s Senior Vice President and General Manager Michael Kintner commented, “The addition of craps and baccarat to our casino floor is exciting for our valued customers.” He added, “These, along with blackjack and poker, bring a full gaming experience to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino.”
Treena Parvello, director of government and publication relations for Desert Diamond Casinos, which has a casino near Phoenix, told the Arizona Republic, “Testing of our new table games are underway with plans to go live as soon as they are ready.” She added, “Desert Diamond Casinos is undertaking massive expansions at all of its facilities statewide. At Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, we will unveil nearly 150 new gaming machines in the coming days, including more than a dozen games that will only be found in our casinos in Arizona.”
The state’s 22 gaming tribes concluded new 20-year compacts with Arizona’s governor in April that, besides allowing for sports betting for the first time, and new casinos in the Phoenix area, also allowed the introduction of the new table games.
Sports betting is set to begin accepting bets on September 9, the first day of the NFL season.
