Casino Player September 2022

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SEPTEMBER 2022 PACIFIC NORTHWEST’S BEST CASINO ilani A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BETTING THE BOOKS ■ MEGA MILLIONS MANIA CasinoPlayer BEST THE Our 27th annual survey of THE BEST casinos from coast to coast OF GAMING AWARDS 2022 AMERICA’S GAMING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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INSIDE CASINO PLAYER

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6 Publisher’s Message Celebrating The Best: Our annual review of your favorite casinos and their offerings by Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic 8 Players Talk You asked—we answered! 12 The Buzz Our coast-to-coast roundup of gaming’s hottest news 22 Scobe Speaks Peer Pressure at Any Age: Even casinos come with tough decisions by Frank Scoblete 24 Strip Search Show Time: Entertainment heats up the Strip this fall by Steve Kieva

138 Playing in the Spotlight Entertainment listings from casinos nationwide 144 Slot Payout Percentages State-by-state breakdown of slot machine payouts 149 Winners Meet some of the the lucky players who have won jackpots in casinos nationwide.

150 Player of the Month Mega Millions with the Live! Casinos team

The Best Of Gaming Awards 2022

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 The Games We Play . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Atlantic City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Chicagoland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Gulf Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Lake Tahoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Laughlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Las Vegas Downtown . . . . . . . . . . .70 Las Vegas Locals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Las Vegas Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Native Midwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 Native Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Native South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Native Southwest . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108 Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118 Racinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124 Reno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128 Southern Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . .130 Tunica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132 Cruising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

T H E G AME S WE P L AY

PLAYING THE MACHINES 28

Understanding the Slot: As the casino industry expands, the same old slot-machine myths survive—many through a misunderstanding of how slots work by Frank Legato PLAYING POKER 30 The Show Must Go On: WSOP begins, Phil Hellmuth wins again and Grand Poker

PLAYING THE BOOKS 32 Betting the Favorite:

36 Sports Betting Explained: A beginner’s guide to working the books

Plenty of news continues in the world of sports betting, especially as the NFL season gets underway by Sean Chaffin

Series returns by Sean Chaffin

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Celebrating The Best Our annual review of your favorite casinos and their offerings

W elcome to Casino Player ’s 27th annual Best of Gaming awards. In this special edition we cele brate and recognize the BEST the casino gaming industry has to offer as voted by you, our readers. Players are once again visiting and exploring casino resorts with gusto.We asked our readers to choose their favorites when it comes to casinos from across the country, identifying prop erties that offer players the best and most enjoyable experience. Our survey is extensive,picking our readers’ brains across a wide spectrum of categories—best casino, best hotels, best suites, best table games, best slots, best spas, best golf courses, best sportsbooks and their offerings… the list goes on and on. And, as usual, the response was overwhelming! Thousands of readers have made their voices heard by selecting their favorites in numerous categories.Our Best of Gaming awards serves as an annual touchstone, a never-fading snapshot of gaming’s elite, and these coveted awards serve as a guide to go and enjoy all the outstanding options available to you. What makes something the“best”?According to the Oxford Dictionary, best is defined as the most excellent or desirable, excelling above others. Frankly, it all comes down to personal preference and exceptional experiences.These winning prop erties all have many of the same characteristics in common— quality amenities, diverse offerings, the latest technology, and, most importantly, consistently great customer service. There’s a lot to say about “please”and“thank you”and get ting service with a smile. And in the casino and hospitality industries, these simple traits are not only paramount, they are the key to customer loyalty. Let’s face it, satisfying guests who aren’t too happy about dropping hundreds of dollars at the craps table in 20 minutes or a bundle at the slot machines can be extremely challenging.No matter how a gaming corporation chooses to utilize their resources, the fact remains that no casino today can survive without making a guest’s time at the property as pleasant as possible.Casinos that focus on great guest service hit the jackpot themselves and our annual survey showcases the ones who do it right. Judging by the results of this year’s Best of Gaming awards, it’s clear that there are so many great choices for fun, entertain ment and casino action in our gaming community. I want to take a moment to thank each one of our readers for their participa

tion in this year’s awards issue—we quite literally couldn’t do it without you.We hope you will use this special issue to plan your next casino excursion—perhaps you’ll even visit one or more of the winners and see for yourself what you’ve been missing. Also in this month’s issue, veteran gaming journalist Frank Scoblete gives his expert advice on ways to handle peer pres sure in the casino.There’s no question we’ve all experienced players who like to voice their opinions during game play, even when playing perfect strategy. If poker is your game, there’s still plenty of poker action across the country with the World Poker Tour, including some high-stakes action. As the casino industry expands, the same old slot machine myths survive—many through a misunderstanding of how slots work. Slot guru Frank Legato breaks this all down,detailing how slots actually work. With football season kicking off and the growing popular ity of sports betting,we give you a beginner’s guide to working the books to help you navigate game day. Beyond the money lines and point spreads, sportsbooks offer a range of alternative bets designed to cover many possibilities and we look at them all and give you the best tips to be an outright winner. Lastly, live entertainment is back in full swing,with some of today’s biggest stars—fromAdele and Miranda Lambert to Katy Perry and Aerosmith—taking the stage for their own residen cies in Las Vegas. Coming out of the pandemic, the appetite for live events is higher than ever and we are all eager to see our favorite performers on stage once again.When planning your next casino excursion, we’ve got all this covered so be sure to check out our nation-wide entertainment listings in the back of the book for all the upcoming shows.We’ve compiled a list of all the currently announced headliners, comedians, concerts and production shows at casinos across America. Cheers to good health, good luck and winning days!

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic Publisher lrobertson@casinocenter.com

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Casino Player America’s Premier Gaming Magazine print • mobile • online VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 4 P R E S I D ENT & CH I E F E X E CU T I V E OF F I C E R Derek James P UB L I SH E R & E D I TOR I A L D I R E C TOR Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic P R O D U C T I O N D I R E C T O R Diane Stevens-Gillan S E N I O R E D I T O R S Sean Chaffin

PLAYERS TALK

BLACKJACK AT SEA Just returned from a cruise.As I walked through the casino, I noticed that the blackjack tables were paying 2 to 1.If a $100 bet on a 3 to 2 game pays $150 for a blackjack, and a $100 bet on a 6 to 5 game for a blackjack pays $120, what does a $100 bet on a 2 to 1 game pay for a blackjack? thanks —Gary Woodland Park, CO Donald Schlesinger responds: It would be astounding to me that blackjacks would pay 2 TO 1, as this would confer an advantage to every basic strategy player on the ship! I’d be willing to bet that, even worse than 6 to 5, this ship was paying 2 FOR 1, which is to say even money on naturals—obviously, a disaster. So, because I don’t think the cruise was planning to give away money, I’d say that $100 black jacks were going to pay $100 and not $200, which would be the payout for 2 TO 1. Video Poker RNG Out of the possible 2,598,960 hands in a 52-card deck,do video poker manufacturers program all of these combinations into the RNG? Does it also include all possible combinations of royal flushes?Thank you. —Gary L. Via the Internet All combinations that are possible with a phys ical 52-card deck are possible in video poker with an electronic 52-card deck.The 2,598,960 possible five-card hands in which card order doesn’t matter stems from the ways the cards in a 52-card deck can be arranged.Video poker games are programmed with all 52 cards, with each having an equal chance of ap-

pearing, so the chance of any specific five-card hand appearing on the deal is 1 in 2,598,960. The possibilities are an easy calculation. There’s a 1 in 52 chance of any card being dealt on the first card, but the remaining cards then have a 1 in 51 chance of being dealt as the second card, then 1 in 50, 1 in 49 and 1 in 48. So the number of possible five-card hands dealt in any specific order is 52*51*50*49*48, or 311,875,200. But card order doesn’t matter in video poker As far as you and the machine are con cerned, Ace-King-Queen-Jack-10 of the same suit and Jack-King-10-Ace-Queen are the same hand. Any five-card hand can be arranged in 120 different orders, so we can divide the 311,875,200 possible hands by 120. That leaves 2,598,960 possible hands in which order does n’t matter. Online Blackjack I’ve started playing blackjack online, maybe an hour or so twice a month. I live in New Jersey where it’s legal, and it’s been a nice way to play while staying home more and avoiding viruses. The first few times I played, I approached it just like live games.Then it hit me.There was no reason not to have a basic strategy chart right next to me. I wasn’t slowing anyone else down. No dealers were going to look at me funny. This has been a big help for me. I can just glance to my right and have the play. That’s a good solution for a quick look at hands where you’re shaky at strategy. Another way with more detail would be to set up a tab with theWizard of Odds black jack hand calculator at https://wizardo fodds.com/games/blackjack/hand-calculator/. You can click to set up the rules you’re fac ing such as number of decks and split and dou ble down conditions. When you’re in a troublesome hand, you can click card images to reflect the hand, then enter to show possible plays and average outcomes. Using a chart is faster.The calculator will give more specifics and pick up on differences in hand composition. Royal Payout If your chances of drawing a royal flush in video poker are around 1 in 40,000,why is the payoff for a five-coin bet only 4,000?Wouldn’t equal be more like 40,000 coins paid per coin bet, or 200,000 for five coins? —Anonymous Via the Internet

Karrie L. Zukowski C O P Y E D I T O R Lon Rozelle

Jack Clayton John Grochowski Steve Kieva Frank Legato Kara Miller Jack Clayton John Grochowski Steve Kieva Frank Legato Kara Miller

Patrick Roberts Frank Scoblete Jerry “Stickman” Stich Tim Wassberg Sharon Harris-Zlotnick Patrick Roberts Frank Scoblete Jerry “Stickman” Stich Tim Wassberg Sharon Harris-Zlotnick

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S

N AT I O N A L S A L E S D I R E C T O R Karrie L. Zukowski A C C O U N T I N G M A N A G E R Jocelyn James C I R C U L AT I O N M A R K E T I N G D I R E C T O R Maureen Robertson C I R C U L AT I O N D I R E C T O R Jessica Taylor C U S T OM E R S E R V I C E CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-969-0711 customerservice@casinocenter.com O F F I C E S ATLANTIC CITY: 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, NJ 08205-4123 (609) 484-8866 • Fax (609) 645-1661 LAS VEGAS: 1137 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 110 Las Vegas, NV 89102-2259 (702) 736-8886 • Fax (702) 736-8889 Casino Player (ISSN 0001-8152) Casino Player is published twelve times a year, one issue per month, by Casino Player Publishing, LLC. 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, NJ 08205-4123 BASIC SUBSCRIPTIONS Basic subscription prices do not include shipping & handling. Subscriptions: one year (12 issues) $24; two years (24 issues) $37; three years (36 issues) $53. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Casino Player, 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7, Galloway, NJ 08205-4123 Periodicals postage paid at Galloway, NJ, and at additional mailing offices. © 2022 Casino Player Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this publication can be reproduced without expressed written permission of the Publisher. Casino Player magazine is a publication of Casino Player Publishing, LLC owned by Casino Player Media (CPM). Not responsible for typographical errors. READER’S ADVISORY: Readers are recommended to make ap propriate inquiries and take appropriate advice before sending monies, incurring expense, entering into any binding commit ment, or wagering any sum in relation to an adver tisement, ar ti cle, column or other feature published in Casino Player. Casino Player shall not be liable to any person for loss or damage in curred or suffered as a result of his/her accepting, offering to ac cept, or following an invitation, advice, or other recommendation contained in any adver tisement, ar ticle, column, or feature pub lished in Casino Player . The views and opinions expressed by the writers and columnists of this magazine are not necessarily representative of the views of its management and employees. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT! PROBLEM GAMBLING? CALL 800-552-4700 Samantha Cooper I T D I R E C T O R Robert Walden

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? WE WANT TO KNOW! E-MAIL US! letters@casinocenter.com or write to: Letters to the Editor 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, New Jersey 08205

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O er is valid through July 31, 2022. Based on availability and restrictions may apply. Maryland requires individuals to be 21 or older in order to enter the gaming oor or play video lottery terminals. Please play responsibly, for help visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1.800.GAMBLER. O ers are not intended for and will not be redeemed for anyone on the Maryland Lottery and Gaming control voluntary exclusion list. Management reserves all rights to stop or alter any promotion 16701 Lakeview Road NE | Flintstone, MD 21530 | 800.724.0828 | 301.784.8400 | rockygapresort.com

>> PLAYERS TALK

What ’s New On CASINOCENTER.COM

My wife and I play the $2.00 Double Dou ble Poker machines, which means our current hand-paid jackpots for 4 Aces (with or without a kicker), 4 deuces, and threes or fours with a kicker will not mandate aW-2G.Does that mean that the $1,600 or $4,000 jackpots will be credited directly into my machine? If so, the “floor workers” who normally would receive tips for hand pays would lose that benefit.Also,some machines currently only allow a maximum amount of credits before they eject a ticket.Another interesting feature of hav ing a large amount of money in the machine as opposed to the hand pay being in your pocket, would now require a lot of discipline not to keep playing with your winnings! The new feature makes for some interest ing features but not receiving those W-2Gs makes it easier on the pocketbook! Your thoughts. —Ange B. Somerset,NJ An increase in the tax reporting requirement to $5,000 would mean jackpots of up to that amount COULD be credited directly to your machine. It doesn’t necessarily mean they WOULD. It would be easy enough to adjust soft ware to put larger jackpots on your credit meter. However, changes in the way jackpots are paid would have to be approved by state gaming boards.There likely would be a period of different regulations in different states. In addition to tax reporting require ments, there’s an anti-money laundering as pect to how much money is allowed on a credit meter.That’s where your question about automatic ticket printouts comes in. Many casinos set $3,000 as a minimum to report large transactions in order not to run afoul of money laundering operations.So any win on a slot or video poker machine that would push the meter over $3,000 is printed as a ticket instead. If that remains in effect, then you’d often see jackpots printed out or paid by hand instead of going on the me ters. Certainly, a decrease in hand-pays would decrease tipping situations for slot personnel. You also are likely correct that putting large amounts of money on the meters would increase impulse wagering with money that otherwise wouldn’t be put to risk. As always, it must be said that even though a jackpot doesn’t trigger a tax form before the player can get paid, the IRS still considers the money taxable income. Reporting is up to you.

I get the casino needs to make a profit,but wouldn’t it be more fair to pay 190,000 or so?

—Anonymous Via the Internet

Your wagers fund not only payoffs on royal flushes, but pays on high pairs, two pairs, three of a kind and so on up the poker ranks. If a game paid anywhere close to true odds on a royal, there would be nothing left to pay four of a kind, full houses or other winners. Anything but a royal would be a losing hand. If you could afford it, you could play for hours and hours without ever seeing a winning hand. No one would play a game like that.We need the smaller payoffs to keep us going. Bar-Top Gaming Are there any casinos in Las Vegas that have video poker bar machines that also have the Buffalo slot games available on their machines. Thank you. —Tanya We checked with the folks at Aristocrat Tech nologies, manufacturers of Buffalo slots, who said Station Casinos and the Silverton in Las Vegas all have bar-top machines installed fea turing these games. Multi-Denom Payback I love both your magazines, Casino Player and Strictly Slots . I read both of them from cover to cover. My question is, when you are playing a machine on which you can change the denom ination from 1 cent to $25 or whatever the ranges are, do the payout percentages improve when increasing the denomination you play? Looking forward to your response. —Rick P. Greencastle, PA In general practice, yes. Modern multi-game machines store a separate game program for each game choice.While it’s possible to make every choice the same percentage, casinos have always rewarded higher wagers with higher returns.You can expect the casino’s pay back percentage policy for denominations in separate machines to apply that same policy to separate games in one machine. Taxable Slot Jackpots I love the information provided by Strictly Slots and Casino Player magazines. I have several issues regarding Congress possibly raising the taxable threshold to $5,000.

In The Spotlight Higher Bets, Higher Rewards: AGS seizes on a growing appetite for high-denomination, traditional-style slot games Expert Advice Betting The Favorite: NFL, MLB, NHL and More Smart Tips for Beating the Edge Take Our Quiz! Test your gaming knowledge. Are you up for the challenge?

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THE BUZZ

A n exciting new era of sports betting and poker play was ushered in on Sept. 1 with the grand openings of two sports book and poker rooms at two Louisiana-based casinos. Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino each made history by opening state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook locations at their resorts. In addition, Harrah’s debuted the largest poker room in Louisiana with its grand opening of the newWorld Series of Poker Room. “This was a special week for Caesars and our longstanding com mitment to Louisiana,” said Dan Real, regional president, Caesars Enter tainment.“The opening of our world-class Caesars Sportsbook locations and the new World Series of Poker Room add to the legacy that Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City have built in the Gulf Coast region.We’re ready to welcome sports fans into our sportsbooks, and we’re proud to open the largest poker room in Louisiana, true to the WSOP brand and what it represents.” To commemorate these openings, Caesars held two ceremonial events inside Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Bossier City, each featuring a ribbon cutting and ceremonial first bet. In New Orleans,Archie and Cooper Manning joined Pro Football Hall of Famer and former New Orleans Saint Rickey Jackson, local digni Caesars Bets Big in Louisiana Caesars Entertainment officially opened Caesars Sportsbook and World Series of Poker Room at Harrah’s New Orleans. On hand for the commencement were Archie and Cooper Manning, as well as Pro Football Hall of Famer and former New Orleans Saints player Rickey Jackson.

taries, and Saints Superfan Leroy Mitchell Jr., better known as “Whistle Monsta,”to open the new sportsbook and poker room.Jackson placed the ceremonial first bet with his $1,000 wager on the Saints to win the Super Bowl at 40/1 odds and any possible winnings benefitting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Harrah’s New Orleans now boasts a 5,700-square-foot sportsbook with four betting windows,12 self-service betting kiosks,a 147-foot video screen, and a state-of-the-art, high-powered audio system adjacent to the 5,000-square-footWorld Series of Poker Room, featuring 20 poker tables. The openings mark another phase in the ongoing $325 million transfor mation of Harrah’s New Orleans into Caesars New Orleans,which is expected to be completed by 2024. Horseshoe Bossier City’s new Caesars Sportsbook further cements its status as the foremost entertainment destination in northwest Louisiana.The more than 6,900-square-foot space features three betting windows, 15 self-service betting kiosks,more than 94TVs with a state of-the-art, high-powered audio system, a VIP viewing section, and a massive bar.

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G lobal lifestyle icon Martha Stewart brings delicious recipes and farmhouse charm to the Las Vegas Strip with her first restau rant,The Bedford by Martha Stewart,at Paris LasVegas.The fully immersive restaurant, which offers a unique and intimate setting coupled with a menu reflective of her culinary inspirations, opened onAug. 13 to rave reviews. Developed by Martha and her team of experts,The Bedford’s menu features flavorful dishes from fresh ingredients sourced locally. Transporting guests to an authentic dining experience at Martha Stew art’s famed country farmhouse, the restaurant boasts French-inspired cuisine and a combination of Martha’s favorite recipes. Guests can expect the classic Nicoise Salad, Oysters Rockefeller, a whole roasted chicken,carved tableside,and Martha’s famous Smashed Baked Potato to name a few signature items.And of course, signature cocktails like the Martha-Tini or Martha’s favorite, the Caipirinha. “I am thrilled to open the doors toThe Bedford at Paris LasVegas, my first-ever restaurant,”said Martha Stewart.“We have worked tirelessly to bring my farmhouse in Bedford, NewYork to life in Las Vegas, and I think visitors will be enchanted by what we have come up with.These are the same dishes that I serve to family and friends in my own home.” Designed by Martha herself, the 194-seat dining destination offers guests an authentic glimpse of how Martha lives and entertains in her own home.The Bedford by Martha Stewart draws inspiration from her 1925 country farmhouse, including an accurate replica of her own brown faux-bois dining room. Martha’s functional and practical lifestyle takes center stage in her thoughtfully appointed décor,which embraces a neutral, subtle color palette as a perfect backdrop to four seasons of color with simple yet beautiful furniture throughout. The Bedford by Martha Stewart at Paris Las Vegas is open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. MARTHA STEWART TAKES ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP

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NEW GAME ALERT

INSTA-Worthy

The 15 most Instagrammable casinos from around the world T hese days, casinos aren’t just a place to gamble, they can also be picturesque places to stay. From the fountains of the Bellagio to the Egypt ian-inspired pyramid of the Luxor, Casinos make iconic Instagram snaps with their decadent architecture and interior design. In a fun study, the editors of the online website bestcasinosites.net scoured Instagram to find the casinos that have the most posts and created a chart showing the top 43 most “Instagramed”casinos in the world. Number one on the list is Bellagio.The Bellagio is the most Instagrammable casino with a whopping 2,988,380 posts that have the hashtag #Bellagio.This result is not surprising as this Las Vegas resort and casino is synonymous with the word“luxury”with its 460-foot foun tains becoming a tourist attraction in their own right. Second place goes to the Marina

$1 Million Largest Progressive Jackpot in the Nation Exclusively at Gila River Resorts & Casinos Head over to Gila River Resorts & Casinos in Arizona to win up to $1 million on the nation’s largest multi-casino King of CardsTable Game Progressive. Exclusively at Gila River Resorts & Casinos–Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte andVee Quiva, guests can place a progressive bet,win the qualifying hand and spin the virtual wheel on more than 70 table games at all three prop erties (excluding craps and roulette).

Bay Sands with 1,910,335 posts with the hashtag #marinabaysands.This Singapore-based casino is the only casino in the top 10 that isn’t based in the US.This casino makes for a very unique Insta snap as a huge boat-like structure sits atop the casino buildings. Coming in third is MGM Grand Casino with 1,537,806 posts containing the hashtag #mgmgrand.This Vegas icon shines a distinctive emerald green surrounded by waterfalls and fountains,making it an appropriate place for your Instagram pics.

Methodology: 1.www.bestcasinosites.net/ collated a seed list of 43 of the most iconic casinos from around the world from an assortment of articles from Architectural Digest , TripsTo Discover,NewYork Spaces, Space Coast Daily, Town & Country magazine,Our Culture Mag, Cool Things, Finances Online and OneWorld 365. 2. Instagram was then scoured to find the most-used relevant hashtag per casino.

3. Each casino was then ranked from most to least popular. 4.The data is accurate as of 8/11/22 and is subject to change.

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MOHEGAN SUN POCONO KEEPS BRINGING THE FUN

I t’s been another great year for Mohegan Sun Pocono, capped off with more big wins in Casino Player ’s Best of Gaming awards, including first-place prizes for Best Rooms, Best Players Club, Best High Limit Room, Casino Where You Feel The Luckiest and Best Roulette.Continuing their tradition of bringing top-quality food, fun and entertainment to Pennsylvania,Mohegan Sun Pocono now has even more attractions to be excited about. In addition to some of your favorite restaurants like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Rustic Kitchen Bistro & Bar and Molly O’Sheas, Mohegan Sun Pocono recently openedThe HiveTaphouse. Featuring 20 beers on tap, two Topgolf Full Swing simulators and a menu full of classic game day grub,The HiveTaphouse is the perfect place to kick back and cheer on your favorite sports teams. Speaking of sports, Mohegan Sun Pocono’s state-of-the-art Unibet Sportsbook has everything a sports fan could want to take game day to the next level.With a 28-foot-wide, high-definition video wall, comfort able seating and cutting-edge betting terminals, you won’t miss a moment of action.You can even watch, and bet on, live harness racing weekly at the Pocono Downs racetrack.

Or, if you’re into more traditional casino gaming, the Mohegan Sun Pocono gaming floor includes nearly 60 live table games and more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games to choose from.And with new, incredible promos and giveaways happening all the time, the ways to win just keep on growing. If you want live music,Mohegan Sun Pocono has got you covered. Both up-and-coming artists and legendary acts pass through all the time, putting on amazing live shows at venues like Breakers, Molly O’Sheas andThe HiveTaphouse.AndWise Crackers,Mohegan Sun Pocono’s stand up comedy venue, is always hosting a variety of hilarious, nationally touring comedians. While usually focused on fun,Mohegan Sun Pocono also has mod ern meeting facilities built to accommodate gatherings and events of many sizes.With 20,000 square feet of f lexible meeting space and delectable catering menus, their world-class event service team has all the tools to craft an event that surpasses your expectations. Located on 400 beautiful acres in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Mohegan Sun Pocono is one of the largest and most distinctive entertainment desti

nations in northern Pennsylvania and is within easy reach of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware.There’s nothing quite like it and there’s no better way to escape the everyday, any day. To find out more about up coming attractions, special events and all of the different ways Mohegan Sun Pocono can bring you the fun and excitement you’re looking for, visit www.MoheganSunPocono.com.

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SUNSHINE SLOTS Head to Hialeah Park Casino for slots that are ready to pay out

G rab the sunglasses, sunscreen, and even that lucky charm. A visit to South Florida always brings plenty of sunshine and a chance to take in some rays at the beach. But a bit of play at the slots can also be mixed in with some playing in the sand. Hialeah Park Casino offers a perfect opportunity for that sun and slot getaway. Located in the city of the same name just northwest of Miami,Hialeah has been turning heads for decades and attracting plenty of attention from slot players.For the second year in a row the property checked in with Strictly Slots’ award for loosest slots on the East Coast. That’s quite a boon for readers and that much-needed trip to Florida can certainly turn into a winner beyond just getting some relaxation. Hialeah Park offers 200 acres of landscape and historic architecture more fitting for an ornate hotel resort on the Mediterranean than a casino. It’s all fitting for this historic South Florida property that dates its history as a former horse track back more than 90 years. The property is even anAudubon Bird Sanctuary with the famous Miami Vice flamingos on site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those heading indoors are then welcomed to quite a scene as well, an open environment with unique design features and offering something not seen in many casinos— windows! Miami averages 248 days of sunlight and Hialeah’s design takes advantage of that with plenty of natural sunlight reminding visitors they are indeed on vacation, or at least a sense of the natural world around them. Visitors have some excellent eateries to choose from. Check out Junior’s Bistro in the casino or LaVeranda Car & Café, located in the poker room, both offering a unique culinary experience. Hialeah Park also has a new option: the “Adina Healthy Village” restaurant and entertainment center.This venue puts a completely new twist on the traditional food court. Diners can expect high-quality ingredients from exceptional chefs serving up tasty, albeit healthy dishes. After a nice bite to eat,slot players may want to head back to the machines.Those loose slots make the chances of winning much more likely at Hialeah Park. Jackpots seem to be awarded at a non-stop pace.On average, over 200 jackpots are awarded daily at Hialeah. Hialeah Park features several electronic table games as well as 26 tables of poker action including Texas Hold ’em, Seven Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo.The poker room has become one of the best in South Florida and makes for a great evening of card playing. In addition to offering the loosest slots in Florida,Hialeah Park Casino consistently works on improving the customer’s overall experience.

SIGN OF THE TIMES Yesco installs two brand-new 50-foot showgirls for city of Las Vegas Y ESCO, the 102-year-old company known for creating internationally recognizable signs, and the city of Las Vegas announce the installation and official light ing of two brand-new, 50-foot-tall showgirls on the corner of Main Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.These new showgirl signs are dou ble the height of the prior showgirl icons in stalled in 2018,which each stood 25 feet tall. The showgirls lit up for the first time onAug. 31 at dusk.The previously installed, 25-foot tall showgirl signs are currently undergoing refurbishment due to weather damage.They are scheduled to be installed in the LasVegas Arts District this fall on the corner of Fourth Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.

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A fter years of extensive research and detailed planning, exhibit organizers are proud to an nounce the opening of “Princess Diana: Tribute Exhibition” in September. The 10,000-square foot royal exhibit will assume long-term permanent residency insideThe Shops at Crystals on the Las Vegas Strip.The exhibition has been designed to transport visitors effortlessly into the life of world-famous royalty through the designer fashions, personal effects and historic items of the“People’s Princess”and family and friends important in her life.The exhibition is created and produced by SBX Group and SEE Global Entertain ment in partnership with Pink Ribbons Crusade, an all-volunteer charity sharing its multimillion-dollar col lection of Diana artifacts and royal family memorabilia to raise funds to fight breast cancer.Organizers worked to curate the exhibit from a collection of Diana and British royal memorabilia considered by many to be the world’s most comprehensive—a collection that has taken the internationally respected charity more than 45 years to assemble. The exhibition is open daily from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. General admission adult tickets start at $29 and a por tion of each ticket sale will be donated to Pink Ribbons Crusade to assist in its fight against breast cancer. “PRINCESS DIANA: A TRIBUTE EXHIBITION” TO DEBUT IN LAS VEGAS

Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition combines Las Vegas entertainment and the world’s leading collection of Diana and royal memorabilia to offer an inside look at the royal family.

Muckleshoot Casino Marks Milestone with Topping Off of Hotel Tower

T he final steel beam for Muckleshoot Casino’s highly anticipated re sort tower was hoisted into place on Friday,Aug. 26, inAuburn,WA. The 1,000-pound, 25-foot-long beam, adorned with the signatures of Muckleshoot Indian tribal members as well as the men and women who built the 18-story structure, glided into place accompanied with a splash of fireworks. Hundreds of onlookers, from tribal leadership and casino executives to community partners and construction workers,wit nessed the milestone, which included a blessing and cultural dance of celebration. “Under the stewardship of the MuckleshootTribe,we’re creating a resort destination where memories will be made,” stated Muckleshoot Casino Chief Executive Officer John James. “Our commanding hotel tower, already drawing regional attention with its proud silhouette against the skyline, will be a beacon for the exceptional. From the ex citement of more ways to play to the warmth of elevated guest service, we will be the preferred central gathering point to dine, play and stay.” The glass tower—which will boast approximately 400 guestrooms, expanded gaming,an indoor pool,spa services,and a rooftop steakhouse among its amenities—will be the pinnacle of an exciting multi-phase evolution for Muckleshoot Casino.Earlier phases added a 20,000-square foot technologically advanced events center, a trio of fast-casual dining

destinations,a high-energy center bar, increased smoke-free gaming,and, most recently, Caesars Sportsbook at Muckleshoot. The new tower will be completed in the fall of 2023. Muckleshoot Casino COO Tyrone Simmons watches as the final beam for Muckleshoot Casino’s resort tower is placed atop the 18-story structure on Aug. 26, 2022.

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Hell’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Resort Southern California Opens

O nAug. 15,Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen—the iconic eatery created by cele brated multi-Michelin–starred chef and television personality, Gordon Ram say—has opened its doors at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Inspired by the acclaimed FOX culinary competi tion series of the same name, the new restaurant raises the bar among San Diego’s growing culinary scene that celebrates exceptional and exhilarating dining experiences. As the first location in California, diners can expect an experience in tune with the legendary concept where the restaurant’s design and menu are emblazoned with the iconic red and blue flames, including the wait staff’s uniforms, while the space will feature an elegant bar, full-service

famed BeefWellington and StickyToffee Pudding.Other specialty items include Lobster Risotto,Wagyu Meatballs,Pan Seared Scallops and Crispy Skin Salmon, to name a few, on top of sought-after cocktails that are celebrated for their delivery, like the Smoke on the BLVD and Notes from Gordon —which is presented with a cheeky remark from the celebrity chef himself. Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen is open seven days a week for din ner service from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.Friday–Saturday,and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday.

restaurant, exhibition kitchen,plush lounge, curated wine wall, two pri vate dining rooms (with the ability to be combined into one larger space) and two chef’s tables. “I love Southern California,” said Chef Ramsay.“It’s one of the best places to live, as well as visit, so it was a no brainer to bring Califor nia’s first Hell’s Kitchen to Harrah’s Resort SoCal.” As fans might hope, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Resort SoCal features many of Chef Ramsay’s signature dishes,such as his

Bellagio Debuts One-of-a-Kind Immersive Dining Experience Within Iconic Conservatory

T he iconic Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens unveiled one of Las Vegas’most exclusive dining experiences with the debut of The GardenTable.Available for brunch or dinner, The GardenTable invites guests to enjoy an epicurean adventure at a table set within the spectacular beauty of Bellagio’s stunning floral masterpiece. Specialty prix-fixe menus crafted by the award-winning teams at Michael Mina Bellagio and Sadelle’s Café feature fare that will delight all the senses.The GardenTable will be available for all future Bellagio Conservatory displays with menus rotating seasonally to complement the design theme.The experience can accommodate up to six guests and reservation time is limited to two hours.

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NOT ALL CASINOS ARE CREATED EQUAL

FOR A GAMING VACATION UNLIKE ANY OTHER, BET ON CELEBRITY. Experience the ultimate in luxury travel aboard the stunning ships of the Celebrity fleet, where you’ll enjoy stylish accommodations, the finest dining at sea, personalized service, and of course, a first-rate casino. We make every moment exceptional with complimentary cocktails, later hours, and action-packed tournaments for players of all levels. Members of our Blue Chip Club enjoy even more exclusive benefits. With Lady Luck on your side, join us for the ultimate journey of excitement, exploration, and exhilarating casino thrills.

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NOTICE: Prior to booking, please consult all applicable U.S. Centers for Disease Control travel advisories, warnings, or recommendations relating to cruise travel, at cdc.gov/travel/notices. If a certain threshold level of COVID-19 is detected onboard the ship during your voyage, the voyage will end immediately, the ship will return to the port of embarkation, and your subsequent travel, including your return home, may be restricted or delayed. Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice.©2022 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ship’s registry: Malta and Ecuador.

Gila River Resorts & Casinos offer modern luxury, great gaming and elevated amenities

F or decades, Las Vegas has been a gaming hub for players around the globe.Gila River Resorts & Casinos in Phoenix has elevated its amenities to create a new Las Vegas–style gaming oasis in the Southwest.With these new offerings, the luxury casino is celebrating a year of firsts with the unveiling of its $180 million expansion as well as the highly anticipated new table games from the amended tribal gaming compact. Gila River operates three locations:Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and

studded grand opening and guests have continued to flow in to experi ence the grandeur of the newly renovated resort. Whether you are seeking glitz and glamour or desire to be low-key in a high-stakes game, you can find exceptional table games at Gila River. With the newly amended tribal gaming compact,Arizonans can now ex perience Las Vegas–style table games including roulette, craps and bac carat. Gamers from across the country have been flocking to the Southwest to experience the new offerings,many of which can only be found inArizona at Gila River Resorts & Casinos. In addition to all of the gaming and resort fun, Gila River produces a stellar lineup of entertainment year after year. From live music to comedians and A list pool parties,Gila River offers acts to satisfy every one’s entertainment appetite. Gila River will be closing out the year with a bang with a first-class lineup including Kansas, Boys II Men, Da Vu Con Duong Mau Xanh, Chris Tucker, Mike Epps and Native American All Star Comedy. As Gila River continues to expand, its newest location,Santan Moun tain Casino, is currently under construction.Expected to open in 2023,the new casino is located in the southeast Valley of Phoenix.This modern desert oasis will feature 360° window views around the property and

Vee Quiva, all owned by the Gila River Indian Com munity.TheWild Horse Pass location underwent an 18-month $180 million expansion, adding a new tower with 200 rooms, two pools,event center,Bet MGM Sportsbook, the only Topgolf Swing Suite in the state ofArizona,and Prime,A Shula’s Steakhouse on the rooftop. Prime is the gem of the new tower. Sitting on the 11th-floor roof of the SunriseTower, guests can

enjoy breathtaking views of the Estrella Mountains, all while indulging in the nontraditional steakhouse menu.With offerings such as truffle mac and cheese, filet mignon and tableside gold flake cocktails,there is no bet ter place to experience upscale cuisine than Gila River. The stunning expansion was unveiled in February 2022 with a star

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Gila River operates three locations: Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva, all owned by the Gila River Indian Community.

highlight the breathtaking mountain views. Santan Mountain will have more than 800 slots, live table games, BetMGM Sportsbook, dining and bar options along with a function space. While fun, games and the“You DoYou”mantra are a priority, help ing those in need is always top of mind.Gila River prides itself on its giv ing heart and supports local nonprofits through the Gila River Cares program.Through this ongoing program,Gila River and its guests donate funds throughout the year to support education and child welfare. Like the gaming enterprise, Gila River’s guests love to support these organi zations and look forward to getting involved in any way they can. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,Gila River has something for everyone. From fine dining, upscale resorts and state-of-the-art sports books, everyone can“OwnTheir Moment”at Gila River Resorts & Casi nos. For more information,visit www.playatgila.com or follow along on their social channels at @PlayAtGila.

BetMGM Sportsbook at Wild Horse Pass.

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Peer Pressure at Any Age Even casinos come with tough decisions By Frank Scoblete

Peer pressure comes in many guises and degrees.The bored look is just one of hundreds of guises and degrees for people of all ages. In the casino we have peer pressure too. I was playing blackjack at an Atlantic City casino three decades ago. The game was four decks and offered the option of surrender, where you could give up half your bet instead of playing out the hand. This was an excellent option when you have a 16 versus a dealer’s face-up card of 10. Give up half your bet.That will save you money in the long run.There were a few other bets it was best to surrender. So,when I first started to surrender, the first one came maybe five or six hands into the game.The dealer, a pinch-faced ratty-looking man, started to annoy me by constantly telling me not to ever surrender a hand. “You don’t know what you are doing, do you?You surrender, that is cowardice.You are a coward if you surrender,” he’d say every time I surrendered. I’ve told this story before but I never took it that one step further. Here is the one-step further: Some of the other players (it was a full table) started to voice their opinion about my cowardice. “You gotta fully play out your hand,”said one guy.“Otherwise, you are just giving up your money with no chance of winning.” “It is a silly way to play,”said one woman.“Why not just give up half your bet in advance and don’t even bother to play?” One other guy guffawed:“Why come to the casino to play that way? Send your check through the mail and be done with it.” Usually very few players will gang up on another player at black jack, or any other game for that matter,but this was one of those times. Did they actually expect me to play an inferior method of play just because the dealer called me a coward and some of the other players agreed? I didn’t react. I just nodded when the criticisms came my way and I’d surrender anyway. I made the right plays.These folks were like the teenagers with bored looks.They had no idea of how to play the game at the best level of basic strategy.No sense arguing with them. I have a way of reacting to what people say if I really don’t want to react. I say“ah.”Depending on how you modulate your “ah” the per son to whom you are responding takes your“ah”as he or she wants to. “You are a coward for surrendering,”says the dealer. “Ah,” I nod. “My daughter is living in sin with a man 27 years her senior,” says another person. “Ah,” I say. “I fart a lot,” says one bedraggled old man before letting one big one loose.

M y neighbor’s son is now 17.When he was really young, in the single digits, he was a delightful kid. He had a great sense of humor and he really seemed to enjoy life. Now his face always looks bored.When he is with adults, no mat ter how smart those adults are, this kid has that “you people are really dopes” look as if these really smart adults are just jerks while he is, I’m guessing now, above it all? His friends, both boys and girls, have that bored look too. In their 17 or so years,what amazing accomplishments have any of these kids in this group had? Howmuch could they possibly know that easily puts their parents and their parents’ friends to shame? The answer to my question is really simple—the kids aren’t actu ally bored. It’s a group thing. It’s peer pressure.“You’re 17 Jimmy, time to look bored.Hey,kids,all of you are to look bored.You’ll get rid of that in your early 20s but until then,you must look bored.”And so, they look bored.

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