Casino Player September 2022

Native Southwest

S ome of the country’s biggest and most exciting entertainment attractions can be found in the Southwest, especially Southern California, with the spotlight on Hollywood and other attractions from Disneyland to major-league sports. The Native Southwest also boasts some of the country’s top casinos, from the Los Angeles area to San Diego to Phoenix and beyond. When it comes to the Best of Gaming, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa topped the polls as Best Overall Gaming Resort. The property is located in Rancho Mirage, less than 10 miles from Palm Springs, and owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Players will find a perfect getaway for any casino fan. Fitting for California, the parking lot was even once used as a beach location in the 1963 hit comedy film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World . The No. 2 spot finds a new property inside the top three from last year’s results. Gila River Resorts & Casinos Wild Horse Pass, in Chandler, AZ, gallops toward the silver medal with many top awards. The property is owned by the Gila River Indian Community and offers an exquisite four diamond hotel, a great gaming environment, and everything gamblers have come to expect from a stellar resort. The property came in with Best Hotel Lobby, Best Suites and Best Spa. The property also impressed sports bettors, earning the top billing in all of the sportsbook categories. The Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel (formerly San Manuel Casino) checks in at third place again and continues seeing dividends from recent expansion and improvements. The casino is owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2021. The property has already unveiled some of the $760 million resort expansion project that included expanded gaming space with more than 1,500 additional slot machines, a new high-limit gaming room and much more. The property, located near the city of Highland, CA, scored big as Favorite Casino Resort To Vacation At, Best Casino, Best Players Club, Best Table Game Tournaments, Best High Limit Room and Best Video Slots.

Best Suites: Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass

Best Overall Gaming Resort ❶ Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage ❷ Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass ❸ Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel HOTEL ❶ Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage ❷ Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass ❸ Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Best Hotel Lobby ❶ Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass ❷ Talking Stick Resort ❸ Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage Best Hotel Staff ❶ Casino Del Sol ❷ Desert Diamond Casino Tucson ❸ Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Best Hotel

Best Rooms

❶ Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage ❷ Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass ❸ Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Best Suites ❶ Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass ❷ Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage ❸ Pechanga Resort Casino Best Pool ❶ Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage ❷ Casino Del Sol ❸ Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass Best Spa ❶ Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass, Aji Spa & Salon ❷ Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, Serrano Spa ❸ Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, Sunstone

Best Golf Course: Casino Del Sol, Sewailo Golf Club

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