Strictly Slots December 2022

THE MAGAZINE FOR SLOTS & VIDEO POKER PLAYERS StrictlySlots DECEMBER 2022 ▼ VIDEO POKER: HOW TO PICK THE BEST GAMES

HOT SLOTS AND MORE AT AWARD-WINNING SCARLET PEARL CASINO RESORT

SLOTS THE BEST OF AWARDS Our annual review of your favorite casinos for slots, video poker and more

SLOT SPOTLIGHT JACKPOT GO! ROCK PAPER SCISSORS SCARAB ULTRA TREASURE SPINS

PL AY THE L ARGEST GAMING FLOOR I N SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA.

With a huge selection of games and lots of wide-open gaming space, you get to play more of your favorite slots and table games. Come experience true Louisiana hospitality, Coushatta style!

Coushatta supports responsible gaming. Call 877-770-7867. Coushatta Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. ccrla.com

Gift Giving

GIVE Casino Player & Strictly Slots Made Easy! for HALF PRICE!

LIMITED TIME OFFER— ORDER TODAY!

Share the fun! Share the strategies! Share the glamour and money-saving tips inside every issue of Casino Player & Strictly Slots — for 1/2 OFF the regular subscription price. There’s no limit to the number of gift subscriptions you can give at this remarkable price! CASINO EXCITEMENT DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR Subscribe today or give your first gift of Casino Player or Strictly Slots for $24 and give additional gift subscriptions for only $12!

QUICK & EASY ORDERING!

FAST & SECURE: www.casinocenter.com/holiday TOLL FREE: 800-969-0711 Or mail your list of gift orders, along with payment to: Casino Player Publishing 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7, Galloway, NJ 08205

Our Best Deal of the Year!

Surprise all your fellow gaming enthusiasts with the excitement of Casino Player & Strictly Slots— without straining your holiday budget!

Cannot be combined with any other offer. Special holiday offer effective through January 31, 2023.

CP- Full Price 0PGH18 • Half Price 2DPGH18 SS-Full Price 0SGH18 • Half Price- 2DSGH18

IN SIDE VOLUME 19 l NO. 10 l DECEMBER 2022

StrictlySlots

106 WELCOME ABOARD Celebrity Cruises ups the ante on the ultimate gaming vacation

34 INTRODUCTION 36 THE SLOTS WE LOVE

columns & departments

40 ATLANTIC CITY 44 CHICAGOLAND

6 EDITOR’S LETTER

108 SLOT PAYOUT PERCENTAGES 113 WINNERS 114 PERFECTLY FRANK

Living your jackpot dreams by Sean Chaffin

46 DETROIT 48 FLORIDA 50 GULF COAST 52 IOWA 54 LAKE TAHOE 56 LAUGHLIN 58 LAS VEGAS DOWNTOWN 60 LAS VEGAS LOCALS 62 LAS VEGAS STRIP 64 LOUISIANA 66 MARYLAND 68 MISSOURI 70 NATIVE MIDWEST 74 NATIVE NORTHWEST 78 NATIVE SOUTH 80 NATIVE SOUTHWEST 84 NEW ENGLAND 86 NEW YORK 88 OHIO 90 OKLAHOMA 94 PENNSYLVANIA 96 RACINOS 100 RENO 102 SOUTHERN INDIANA 104 TUNICA

8 READERS

TALK BACK

Correcting the Correctors: The wealth of online slot advice remains dubious at best by Frank Legato

12 UP FRONT

The latest news and events fromcasinos across the country

24 SPINNING REELS Flights of Fortune?

Seeing those reels line up just right is a thrilling experience by Sean Chaffin

26 SCOBE’S SLANT

Use the Power of Slots: There’s strength in numbers by Frank Scoblete

28 VIDEO POKER INSIDER Don’t Get Fooled Again: “Identical” video poker machines might have very important differences by Jerry “Stickman” Stitch

30 SLOT SPOTLIGHTS

Jackpot GO!, Rock Paper Scissors, Scarab Ultra and Treasure Spirits

VOTED

BEST OVERALL CASINO BEST PENNY SLOTS BEST $5+ SLOTS BEST VARIETY OF SLOTS BEST SLOT CLUB

BEST SLOT CLUB PROMOTIONS BEST VIP SERVICES BEST NON-SMOKING AREA CASINO WHERE YOU FEEL LUCKIEST

TO LEARN MORE VISIT PHILADELPHIA.LIVECASINOHOTEL.COM

1.833.4PA.LIVE | PHILADELPHIA.LIVECASINOHOTEL.COM 900 PACKER AVENUE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19148 GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER

EDITOR’S LETTER

LIVING YOUR JACKPOT DREAMS

F ans of home design may have come across one of HGTV’s more popular shows, My Lottery Dream Home . Host David Bromstad takes major lottery winners, and occasionally large casino winners, on a tour of a few homes.These homebuyers hope to cash in on their new

Being treated like a VIP, even if only for a few hours, is a major part of that trip to the casino as well. And this special issue offers players a chance to check out some great casinos working overtime to make each visit a special experience.The Best of Slots awards offers readers a chance to weigh which

cash infusion with some new digs, either in their own hometown or somewhere else, depending on their own preference and the amount of cash that came with their big win. However, what may be surprising is the generally toned-down nature that these big winners often go for when it comes to a home. Many make more modest choices than one might expect, leaving those McMansions for others to check out. It’s actually a bit refreshing and fun to see their individual tastes and how those winnings are helping out a family find a nice,new home.Slot players have probably had similar dreams of their own— hoping for a nice payout but maybe not that MegaMillions billion-dollar type payout. My Lottery Dream Home winners often

properties are rising to the top and should be put on the list for that next gambling getaway. Read through the awards and see if your favorite casino made the list. As usual, you’ll also find plenty of information on the latest and greatest slots as well as news from the world of gambling and casinos. While the awards look to the past year, this issue is also a little about the future of slots. Judging by the results of this year’s Best of Slots awards, it’s clear that there are so many great choices for fun, entertain ment and casino action in our gaming com munity. I want to take a moment to thank each one of our readers for their participation in

While the awards look to the past year, this issue is also a little about the future of slots. Judging by the results of this year’s Best of Slots awards, it’s clear that there are so many great choices for fun, entertainment and casino action in our gaming community.

this year’s awards issue—we quite literally couldn’t do it with out 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 miss ing. Good luck on that next trip to the casino—maybe a My Lottery Dream Home is in your future too!

fall into this category, scooping a nice jackpot while not experiencing absolute life-changing money.These winners have a windfall perfect for a modest 3,200-square-foot home in the suburbs or near the beach rather than a mansion in the south of France complete with a yacht on the Mediterranean. Many slot players long for being in the same situation.Part of the fun of playing slots is dreaming of one’s own score at the casino—the thrill of victory and the mystery of what that might bring.“ I just want that one huge win—maybe six figures are heading my way! ”many have thought while hitting that spin button.Whether it’s a new house,car,a nice vacation,or scoring just enough to spring for a great dinner for the family,dreaming for some big things is a major part of some reel-spinning entertainment.

—Sean Chaffin, senior editor

6 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

BE THE

Thank you to Strictly Slots Magazine for our 8 First Place wins in the Best of Slots 2022 Awards. With more than 2,000 slot machines, there’s something for everyone at NY’s #1 Gaming Resort.

IT’S YOUR TURN

TURNINGSTONE.COM

READERS TALK BACK

The Magazine for Slot & Video Poker Players VOLUME 19 • NUMBER 10

P R E S I D E N T & C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R Derek James P U B L I S H E R & E D I T O R I A L D I R E C T O R Lisa Rober tson-Dziedzic

Late Bonus Could you please tell me something about slot machine odds and bonuses? I was playing for a while and it seemed like the bonus wasn’t hap pening very often. I spotted a guy with a name tag that said“slot supervisor,”and asked him how often the bonus was supposed to come up. He said no set time, but he thought the average was about once in 80 plays. I went back to play and counted. It took 224 spins before I went to the bonus.How is that even possible if it’s supposed to come up once per 80? Thank you. —Anonymous Via theWeb Results are random, and every result is possible on every spin. If the odds are 1 in 80 of going to the bonus round when you start, they’re still 1 in 80 if you’ve gone 80 spins without a bonus, or 100 spins, or 224 spins. Over a very long time, the odds of the game will lead toward about 1 spin per 80 taking you to the bonus round. To illustrate, I’m going to make up an over simplified example. Imagine you were rolling an 80-sided die, with spaces numbered 1 through 79 and one space marked “BONUS!”You could have a chart giving you a slot reel combination for each number. No. 1 could be five ravens, No. 2 five unmatched symbols, and so on.When the die landed on BONUS!, you’d get to play a separate game to accumulate extra credits. The first time you rolled, chances would be equal of the die landing on each space. The second time you rolled, your actions would be exactly the same, and the chances for each space would still be equal.No matter how many times you rolled and how long you went without a bonus, you’d still be starting from scratch on the next roll.If you rolled 224 times without a bonus, the chances on the next would still be 1 in 80. Slot machines are more complex, with many more possible outcomes. Instead of one face among 80 on a die, one-eightieth of thousands—or even millions, in the case of big

jackpot games—of combinations will take you to the bonus. You are a 79-1 underdog of going to the bonus on each spin.That makes long bonus-less streaks not only possible, but inevitable. There’s a flip side.Given enough chances, multiple bonus events within a few spins also are not only possible, but inevitable. Hand-Pays and ‘Must-Hit-By’ Thanks for printing my letter “Bonus Bets” in the September Strictly Slots . I related a recent win on a Crazy RichAsians bonus round.Unfortunately,my letter included a typo.I reported a win“about $400 short of”a hand-pay.(As your readers know,a hand pay of $1,200 or more would trigger a tax form and money owed to the IRS.) I meant to say that my win was“$40 short”of $1,200.Roughly $1,160. So, nearly a hand-pay. Not that an $800 win isn’t nice, but I wouldn’t have bothered with a letter over that amount.My apologies for the mistake. But it raises another question. I’ve seen some progressives with “must-pay by” signs. Crazy Rich Asians isn’t one, but is it possible that some machines are designed to pay off a bonus or big line hit just a little bit short of $1,200, to save the casino the bother of issuing pa perwork? This wasn’t the first time I’ve hit a simi lar win. (Not to mention a few well above $1,200 as well, luckily.) Might a machine have a“must-pay by” limit without advertising it? —Paul C. ValleyVillage,CA Thanks for the correction, Paul. On your other question, the answer is yes, slot manufacturers very consciously set jackpots just under the $1,200 limit for the convenience of both the player and the operator.It’s why, for instance, the royal flush on a quarter video poker game pays $1,000. On “must-hit-by” jackpots, the machines always advertise it.Must-hit-by pays are designed to generate so-called“jackpot fever”when the level nears where it must hit by. It will be an exciting race as players chase that jackpot, hoping to be the first to hit the predetermined level. Progressive Math I subscribe to both Strictly Slots and Casino Player magazines. I really enjoy reading them,and I figure that one good article can pay for my subscription for the year with money saved at the casino.With that said, I have been skimming through my older issues of Strictly Slots and looking at the Slot Spot light sections. Of particular interest to me is the Payback % Range. I have never been one to play

S E N I O R E D I T O R S Sean Chaffin Karrie L. Zukowski

C O P Y E D I T O R Lon Rozelle

P R O D U C T I O N D I R E C T O R Diane Stevens-Gillan

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

Frank Scoblete Tim Wassberg Sharon Harris-Zlotnick

John Grochowski Steve Kieva Frank Legato Jerry “Stickman” Stich

N AT I O N A L S A L E S D I R E C T O R Karrie L. Zukowski

C I R C U L AT I O N MA R K E T I N G D I R E C T O R Maureen Rober tson

C I R C U L AT I O N D I R E C T O R Jessica Taylor

I T D I R E C T O R Rober t Walden S U B S C R I P T I O N & R E N E W A L C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E 1-800-969-0711 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 South Rancho Drive, Suite 110 Las Vegas, Nevada 89102-2259 (702) 736-8886 • Fax (702) 736-8889 Strictly Slots (ISSN 1527-5027). Strictly Slots is published 12 times a year by Casino Player Publishing, LLC 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7, Galloway, NJ 08205 4123 Basic Subscriptions: 12 issues $24; 24 issues $37; 36 is sues $53. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Strictly Slots, 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, NJ 08205-4123 Periodicals Postage rate paid at Galloway, NJ and at additional mailing offices. © 2022 Casino Player Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No por tion of this publication can be reproduced without expressed written permission of the Publisher. Strictly Slots magazine is a publication of Casino Player, LLC, owned by Casino Player Media (CPM). Not re sponsible 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 Strictly Slots. Strictly Slots 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 Strictly Slots . 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.

GOT A QUESTION? e-mail to letters@strictlyslots.com PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CITY & STATE Or mail your inquiries to: Strictly Slots, Readers Talk Back 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, New Jersey 08205

BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT! PROBLEM GAMBLING? CALL 800-552-4700

8 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

PRINTED IN U.S.A. www.casinocenter.com

17 TOTAL WINS FIRST PLACE WINS

Best Reel Slots Best Progressive Slots Casino Where You Feel Luckiest Best Quarter Slots Best Variety of Slots Best Hosts Best Customer Service Friendliest Casino

9380 Central Avenue • D’Iberville, MS 39540 888–752–9772 • ScarletPearlCasino.com • Must be 21 or older to gamble. Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort reserves all rights. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.

What ’s New On CASINOCENTER.COM

READERS TALK BACK

linked wide-area progressive machines because of the lower payback percentage.Simply compare the machines listed on page 22 and 23 of the November issue of Strictly Slots and decide which one you would play. I wish Strictly Slots would consider doing a stand-alone publication that lists all of the payback percentages and hit frequen cies of the machines in your database. I would gladly buy a publication like this. —Mike D. Brenham,TX The lower overall payback percentages on big-money progressive slots are a necessary tradeoff if casinos are going to offer those life changing wide-area progressive jackpots. It is a math problem for the game programmer: If a penny game offers a 90 percent payback percentage, only so much of that percentage can be dedicated to the base game.The rest must go to fund and grow that top jackpot. If it’s good overall payback you want, go with a machine level progressive.If you’re shooting for that pie in the sky, you’ll need to fund that pie somehow. The Risk of Staying Too Long I usually do pretty well in the casino.My problem is, I never seem to leave a winner—or at least,not leaving with as much as I should.Here’s a recent example of what I’m talking about. Last week, I won a solid $3,565 jackpot thanks to a great hit on a video poker game— Ultimate X. I had been playing for about an hour and a half when I hit,and at that point I was down about $600.That win was a great shot in the arm, made even more thrilling because I was almost out of money for the night. Now I had a decision to make: do I leave ahead nearly $3,000,or do I keep playing,hoping to win more and have fun doing it? You can probably guess what happened. I decided to stay and play a little longer since I now had a sizable bankroll.Plus, this could be the start of a winning streak and I wanted to take the most advantage of it. That didn’t happen. I played video poker a little longer and got nothing. Lost $400 dollars. I decided to switch things up and went to try a few slots. I lost $200 on one machine, $300 on the next, and another $300 on the third. I went back to my video poker machine and dropped another $400.This sort of thing went on for a while. I’d hit a little bit, but eventually lose more and more. In the end I left a winner, but instead of being ahead about $3,000 I went home with just about a $900 profit.

Was I wrong to continue playing? Should I have left immediately? I won for the night, but what I put back stings.And it’s not the first time it’s happened.What’s your advice? —M.D. West Palm Beach, FL The short answer is that it is okay to play a little longer after winning. But what you did sounds more like an excited frenzy—the thought that you’re fat with cash and unstop pable. You need a more reasoned approach to playing and managing your money.Gambling’s tough. It’s risky.And by and large the house has a much, much better chance of being the winner in any encounter than you do. So when you’re ahead, especially by a decent amount, it’s not to be taken lightly or frivolously. Good advice for the circumstance you describe, as soon as you had the money in hand, put the bulk of it in your pocket—about 70 per cent—never to be seen again while in the casino. (Some players will take half of the money and put the rest at risk, but a more conservative 70 percent is a better approach if you’d like to keep the bulk of your winnings.) So in this situation, you would be playing with 30 percent of $3,000, or $900.That amount of money affords you the freedom to continue playing while locking in a nice profit.If you win more, great.If not, you still leave the casino with more of those hard-fought winnings instead of the stinging pain of regret. Bingo Program With electronic bingo, can the jackpot game be pre-programmed so that the jackpot will not be won until they choose for it to be won? —Shirley G. Via the Internet John Grochowski responds: Electronic bingo numbers are drawn randomly and the opera tor has no control over when the winning pat terns will appear. That applies regardless of whether you’re talking about traditional-style bingo on electronic cards, or Class II slot ma chines where the game is really electronic bingo but the screen displays a slot-style interface. Regardless of the style of game, more than one person has to be playing. Bingo games are not banked by the house.Winners are paid from a pool of wagers made by all players on the system. On each machine, bingo numbers are delivered by a central server that is linked to all machines. But the house has no control over which numbers are drawn and delivered.

In The Spotlight Don’t Get Fooled Again: “Identical” video poker machines might have very important differences

Back to Basics: The mechanical reel-spinning slot machine continues to prove itself popular with players

Expert Advice Winning at Three Card Poker: The story behind the game, and smart strategies for beating the house

Get Social!

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @CasinoPlayerPub for special offers, discounts and exclusive information

Like, share, tweet, comment, repeat.

10 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

Less than 30 minutes from Seattle, Snoqualmie Casino offers fast-paced gaming, top-tier entertainment, award winning restaurants, Seattle’s closest Sportsbook and one of the Northwest’s only cigar lounges. The breathtaking view of the Snoqualmie Valley along with countless entertainment options and Seattle’s closest sportsbook make Snoqualmie Casino a must-visit destination. AQuick Escape . . . Endless Possibilities.

snocasino.com /snocasino 37500 SE North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, WA 98065

UP FRONT

ALL-NEW HORSESHOE LAKE CHARLES OPENS

S ince closing for more than two years due to the pandemic and damage from Hurricane Laura, the former Isle of Capri Lake Charles officially came ashore in a brand-new, land-based build-out as Horseshoe Lake Charles on Dec. 12.The all new 60,000-square-foot property brings the legendary Horseshoe brand to southwest Louisiana, showcasing the ultimate gambling experience for guests, including new rooms, unmatched restaurants and a variety of enter tainment. The new property boasts nearly 1,000 slot machines and table games, as well as an officialWSOP Poker Room,an all-new Caesars Sportsbook and 253 hotel rooms designed with inspiration from local scenery. In addi

Carano,president and COO of Caesars Entertainment.“But we couldn’t be prouder of our team and all of the hard work they’ve put into this beautiful property.We look forward to welcoming our partners and the community to celebrate with us as we commemorate this milestone and introduce them to Horseshoe Lake Charles.”

tion to a wide palette of food and beverage outlets, Horseshoe Lake Charles also will bring multi-Michelin–starred chef Gordon Ramsay to the Pelican State with the opening of Gordon Ramsay Steak in mid-2023. “When we closed the Isle of Capri in 2020, we were not expect ing the property to be shut down for this length of time,”saidAnthony

Sahara Las Vegas Celebrates 70-Year Anniversary

S ahara Las Vegas celebrated its historic 70-year anniversary in October with the official debut of “70 Years of Extraordi nary Images: Sahara’s History in Photographs,” an exhibition span ning the resort’s history and noteworthy milestones from 1952 to the present day.The collection of iconic images sourced from

the LasVegas Convention andVisitors Authority (LVCVA) archive includes vintage images of dazzling entertainers and global superstars, including Marilyn Monroe,Grace Kelly,Elvis Presley,The Beatles, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra, among many other notable guests at Sahara.Since developer Milton Prell opened the property on Oct. 7, 1952, Sahara has under gone several expansions and transformations.The prop erty’s first expansion to add additional hotel rooms took place in 1954 and two new hotel towers were built in 1960 and 1963, and a third tower was added in 1988. In 2011, the property underwent a redevelopment as SLS Las Vegas before reopening in 2014. In 2017,Alex Meruelo and his company,Meruelo Gaming, announced the purchase of the SLS Las Vegas and its rebranding to Sahara Las Vegas. Since its grand reopening in 2019, Sahara Las Vegas has been completely reimagined thanks to a $200 million renovation.

12 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

SNOQUALMIE CASINO FOR THE WIN! GUEST HITS $1M JACKPOT ON TREAS URES EXPLOSION SLOT MACHINE T hanksgiving weekend will be one to remember for a Snoqualmie Casino Crescent Club member who hit a life-changing progressive jackpot totaling $1,039,633.73 while playing a 5Treasures Explosion slot machine from slot manufacturer Light & Wonder . Casino team members and fellow guests alike helped the guest celebrate the seven-figure pay

out when the lucky guest hit the $1M+ jack pot on a $5.88 bet.Over the past two weeks, players from the states of Texas, Nevada and now Washington have each taken home jackpot win nings of up to $1.1M on the 5 Treasures Explo sion game.

The three big winners took home a combined $700,000 in prizes, with a half-million going to the first-place finisher.

CRUISING FOR A JACKPOT V acations on the high seas recently had the opportunity to get in the action in Carnival Cruise Line’s largest-ever slot tournament.The Carnival $1 Million SlotTournament was a hit in November with 100 prizes up for grabs, including a top prize of $500,000 for first-place winner. More than 1,600 players took part, also making the event Carnival’s largest casino tournament event. An awards ceremony concluded the week-long competition. Heather Raub took home the grand prize of $500,000 with Jeffrey Moore finishing runner-up for $150,000 and Mark Dobrowski taking third for $50,000. “It’s fitting that the biggest casino event in our company’s history coincides with our 50th birthday,” Carnival Vice President of Casino and Performance Marketing Jonathan Lask said.“Seeing firsthand the enthusiasm for the $1M Slot Tournament from our guests,I’m looking forward to us building on this with similar events.” Carnival is now planning more tournaments, including two additional million dollar slot competitions over the next two years. Next year’s event takes place

5Treasures Explosion offers players free-spin opportunities and popular Light & Wonder bonus features to enhance the highly animated slot play experience. Snoqualmie Casino, known as Seattle’s closest casino, is less than 30 minutes from downtown, offers a variety of table games, one of the region’s only cigar lounges, national entertainment, fine dining andWashington state’s first sportsbook and mobile sports wagering app. Targeting early 2025, Snoqualmie Casino is also expanding to add a new 210-room luxury hotel, an additional 11,000 square feet of gaming floor space, an immersive full service spa, fitness center and indoor pool with outdoor deck, an expansive 2,000-seat entertainment and convention center, a new onsite parking structure, and two brand-new restaurants.

on Carnival Celebration , departing Miami on Oct. 29, 2023.The tournament returns the following spring and will be held on the new Excel-class ship, Carnival Jubilee , departing Galveston,TX, on May 18, 2024.

www.casinocenter.com ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ DECEMBER 2022 13

S ee the ballroom of DancingWith The Stars tour featuring your favorite Dancing with the Stars pros, AMERICA’S FAVORITE DANCE SHOW IS BACK ON TOUR come to life in this brand-new production

PLUS special guest stars. With dazzling routines in every style, jaw-dropping talent, and non-stop entertainment, it’s sure to be an unforgettable night full of all the magic of theTV show and more! Upcoming shows include: Jan. 6 • MGM National Harbor,National Harbor,MD Jan. 8 •Wind Creek Casino Hotel, Bethlehem, PA Jan. 13 • Mohegan Sun,Uncasville,CT Jan. 14 • Borgata Casino Resort,Atlantic City,NJ Jan. 21 •Turning Stone Resort Casino,Verona,NY Jan. 22 • MGM Northfield Park,Northfield,OH Jan. 25 •The Colosseum at CaesarsWindsor,Windsor,ON Feb. 2 • Riverside Casino Resort,Milwaukee,WI Feb. 4 • Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake,MN Feb. 10 • Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort,Cherokee,NC Feb. 17 • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino,Hollywood, FL Feb. 24 • Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino, Biloxi,MS March 8 • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sacramento,CA March 11 •Agua Caliente Hotel & Casino, Rancho Mirage,CA March 12 • Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas,NV

BRUNO MARS RETURNS TO PARK MGM

M ulti-GRAMMYAward–winning superstar Bruno Mars announced 10 new show dates at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. The 10 show dates are Jan.25,27,28;and Feb.1,3,4,8,10,11 & 14.Fourteen time GRAMMY Award winner and 30-time GRAMMY Award nominee Bruno Mars is a celebrated singer, songwriter, producer and musician who has sold over 200 million singles worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.

SKATE YOUR WAY IN VEGAS

Visitors can ice skate on more than 4,200 square feet of real ice atThe Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, as it brings backThe Ice Rink at the resort’s Boulevard Pool. Running through Monday, Jan. 2, the space also features the return of The Chalet, a holiday village with open-air fire pits perfect for cocktails and s’mores, and guests can savor all the holiday vibes while enjoying classic holiday films displayed above the rink on the resort’s 65-foot marquee.

14 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

thank you for making us number one

Thank you, Maryland Best Overall Casino Best Progressive Slots

Best High-end Slot Area Best Slot Club Best Slot Club Promotions Best Customer Service

Best Video Poker Best Penny Slots Best Quarter Slots Best Dollar Slots Best Variety of Slots

BOOK NOW | maryland.livecasinohotel.com At Arundel Mills. Must be 21. Please play responsibly, for help visit MDGAMBLINGHELP.ORG or call 1-800-GAMBLER. (C)2022

T he wait for legal sports betting will soon come to an end for bet tors in Ohio. Sports betting in Ohio launches on Jan. 1 and ex perts are predicting big numbers. PlayOhio.com estimates Buckeye State residents will wager $8 bil lion on sports in 2023 and that the state could become the fifth-largest sports betting market in the U.S.,behind only NewYork, Illinois,New Jer sey and Nevada.The state is launching retail sportsbooks,dozens of sports betting apps, and hundreds of betting kiosks throughout the state. “As we’ve known, the amount of money that Ohio sports fans will bet on sports is massive,” PlayOhio analyst Danny Cross said.“Ohio has been waiting for years for regulated betting, boosted by more than a year of lead time since the law was passed.Although $8 billion is a staggering number, it’s in line with figures we’ve talked about for years.” The site projects Ohio sportsbooks taking in around $777 million in bets in January, followed by $707 million in February, and $778 million in March. OHIO SPORTS BETTING GOES LIVE ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

GARTH BROOKS ANNOUNCES NEW LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY ‘GARTH BROOKS/PLUS ONE’

Coungry legend Garth Brooks recently announced a new head lining Las Vegas residency, Garth Brooks/Plus ONE , atThe Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning in 2023. “Vegas is the place where anything

goes, andThe Colosseum at Caesars is the heart of Vegas,”said Brooks.“The perfect combination to present a show that will not only push the envelope, it’s gonna shred it.” Garth Brooks/Plus ONE will give

FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE PREMIERES NEW VIVA VISION MUSIC LIGHT SHOW

fans the opportunity to see Garth up close and personal onThe Colosseum stage.No two shows will be the same—with varying band members and the occasional special guest, fans are prom ised a once-in-a-lifetime performance each and every night. Whether it be one fiddle player, percussion and background vocals, or the whole band, each song, as well as every perform ance, will be a unique and shared experience night after night for Garth and his audience. “Having Garth Brooks, one of the greatest of all time, bring his tremendous talent and an entirely new show toThe Colosseum only adds to the remarkable legacy of Caesars Palace, saidAnthony Carano, president and chief operating officer for Caesars Entertainment. ”We are confident that Garth Brooks/Plus ONE will be an unforgettable live entertainment experience for our guests, and we are honored that he’s chosen to join the Caesars Entertainment family.”

D owntown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street Experience’s Viva Vision canopy recently unveiled the latest addition to its iconic music light show library featuring the music of legendaryAmerican rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Fremont Street Experience’s famed Viva Vision shows represent seven- to nine-minute-long visual interpretations of each band, their lyrics and the message and vibe of each artist.Created solely for Fremont Street Experience, the Stone Temple Pilots show features the band’s biggest hits including “Interstate Love Song,”“Plush” and “Vasoline.”StoneTemple Pilots joins an extensive roster of top perform ers that have created Viva Vision shows including KISS, Bon Jovi,The Who, Queen, Steve Aoki,Tiesto and more. Created by some of the best 3D motion graphic artists in the world, each Viva Vision show is dedi cated to bringing visitors to Fremont Street Experience via new and unique entertainment that can’t be found anywhere else.

16 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

ONSTAGE

Before Hamilton or In the Heights there was Freestyle Love Supreme

F rom producer Lin-Manuel Miranda and fresh from Broadway, Freestyle Love Supreme , which opened inside The Summit Showroom on Nov. 10, brings hip-hop improv to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. Re cipient of a 2020 Special Tony Award, Freestyle Love Supreme , directed by Thomas Kail, is a non-stop blend of hip-hop, improvisational comedy, music and vocal stylings.The cast of talented performers will provide non-stop action throughout the 90-minute show, spin ning suggestions from the audience into humorous bits, instantaneous songs and riffs, and fully realized musical numbers. No two shows are ever the same.The electrifying vocals of the performers—from singing to rapping to beat-boxing with harmonies and freestyle flow—are backed by tight tunes from key boards and human percussion. Conceived by AnthonyVeneziale and created byThomas Kail,

Lin-Manuel Miranda andAnthonyVeneziale, Freestyle Love Supreme pays homage to John Coltrane’s“A Love Supreme,”with a nod to musical roots in jazz,soul,blues and hip-hop.Performances runWednesdays–Sundays.

Wynn Las Vegas Announces Awakening , An Unparalleled New Show Experience An unprecedented spectacle, Awakening, immerses audiences in the custom-designed, 360-degree Awakening Theater atWynn Las Vegas. The show is conceived and created by BernieYuman, Baz Halpin and Michael Curry, and narrated by two-timeAcademyAward-winner Anthony Hopkins. Awakening invites audiences to join the quest of a heroine and her two fellow travelers as they seek to reunite two lost lovers. Infused with modern-day myth and magic, the show comes to life through a combination of dramatic choreography, technology, fantastic creatures, and a custom sound system designed to showcase its breathtaking original musical score.The theater features 1,600 seats, each within 75 feet of center stage and elaborate set designs are showcased as the journey unfolds across a 60-foot prismatic stage, made of dichroic glass and custom LED screens.More than 300 costumes, inspired by haute couture, bring the five unique and visceral worlds of Awakening to life.

Legendary entertainer and music icon Donny Osmond has extended his award-winning solo residency inside Harrah’s Las Vegas Showroom at Harrah’s Las Vegas into 2023.Osmond’s show is a dynamic, energy filled musical journey of his unparalleled life as one of the most recog nized entertainers in the world. Fans are treated to engaging performances throughout the show including the fan favorite and show stopping“Auto-rap-ography”—a rap song accompanied by mile stone photos and videos from his impressive career of six decades. Donny also does a full Broadway production of his classic Disney hit from Mulan ,“I’ll MakeA Man Out OfYou.”New show dates include Jan. 24–28, 31; Feb. 1–4, 14–18, 21–25, 28;March 1–4, 7–11, 21–25, 28–31;April 1, 4–8; and May 2–6, 9–13, 16–20, 23–27. Donny Osmond Extends Award-Winning Las Vegas Residency

18 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

We’ve Won Big And You Can Too BEST OVERALL CASINO BEST PROGRESSIVE SLOTS CASINO WHERE YOU FEEL LUCKIEST BEST PENNY SLOTS BEST QUARTER SLOTS BEST $5+ SLOTS BEST VARIETY OF SLOTS BEST HIGH-END SLOT AREA BEST SLOT CLUB BEST SLOT CLUB PROMOTIONS BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE BEST VIP SERVICES FRIENDLIEST CASINO BEST CASINO COCKTAIL SERVICE WEWON

cincinnati

MUST BE 2 1 OR OLDER TO GAMBLE . GAMBL I NG PROBLEM? CALL 1 - 800 - 5 89 - 9966 .

Jump Into the Thrill The newest addition to the Bally’s family is the Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Resort

E xperience one or all of 15 Bally’s casinos and resorts with the newest being Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Resort. Set on the famed four corners of the LasVegas Strip,Tropicana LasVegas boasts stylish rooms, suites and luxury villas, as well as a 50,000 square-foot casino floor. Surround yourself with total comfort thanks to the well-appointed hotel rooms and suites atTropicana LasVegas. Modern amenities fill every room and suite at Tropicana, and the elite-level hotel services will have you wanting to extend your stay.The oversized pool invites big splashes and cool swims.GLOW offers a fitness center to help you maintain your workout routine, and a Spa & Salon for pampering and looking your best.You can even easily book local attractions using the virtual concierge. Make your stay complete by dining at one of Tropicana’s ac claimed restaurants. Top picks include: ROBERT IRVINE’S PUBLIC HOUSE - Boasting nearly 9,000 square feet, the restaurant features a 275-seat dining room complete with a wrap around bar, open kitchen design, private dining room and views of the Strip.Robert Irvine’s Public House offers a range of comfort food options inspired by Chef Irvine’s culinary travels from around the world, all in a pub-like atmosphere.The menu is full of one-of-a-kind food items created by Chef Irvine himself and is like nothing you can get now on the Strip.

Tropicana Las Vegas offers visitors a true resort experience with a world-class casino, an array of delectable dining options and some of the Strip’s top entertainment.

TRAGO LOUNGE - Just steps away from the Legends in ConcertTheater, the newTrago Lounge offers a touch of classic elegance with an air of refined modern style. It features a world-class selection of spirits, as well as talented craftspeople who can create a host of inventive cocktails.Trago Lounge offers an extensive bar menu including wine, classic cocktails with a twist, scotch, cognac, bourbon,whiskey, and draft and craft beers.

20 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

That’s Entertainment During your visit, be sure to sample the premier entertainment options including: MJ LIVE Michael Jackson tribute concert, Wed.–Sat. at 5:30 p.m. ELVIS BACK IN THE BUILDING A fi rst-ever Elvis-themed production with “Back in the Building” at the Legends in Concert Theater. The all new show highlights the music of Elvis Presley as seen through the eyes of super-fans that became renowned tribute artists. The show will feature not only several of the world’s greatest tribute artists, but a live band, magni fi cent costumes, and much more. PURPLE REIGN The Prince Tribute Show on Wed.–Sat. at 9:30 p.m. LAUGH FACTORY COMEDY CLUB - Nightly

MURRAY THE MAGICIAN Thurs.–Sun. at 4:30 p.m.

Gold,Buffalo Link,Rakin’ Bacon Deluxe and Crazy RichAsians, to name just a few. Tropicana knows there’s a thrill that you only get when you place your chips on a gaming table in Las Vegas. The moment you enter the Tropicana casino, you will notice the dealers are

OAKVILLE TUSCAN GRILL - Oakville Tuscan Grill features a selection of char-grilled steaks along with a variety of delicious pasta dishes, sides and desserts. Its wine list features over 100 labels, specializing in Caber net Sauvignon from the Oakville Napa Valley Region and was a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner in 2019. RED LOTUS ASIAN KITCHEN - Take your pick of eat-in and grab-and-go options at Red Lotus Asian Kitchen.Red Lotus puts unexpectedWestern twists on

warm and friendly,which makes all the difference in your gaming expe rience. Table games include craps, blackjack, double zero and triple zero roulette, Mini Baccarat, Fortune Pai Gow Poker,Three Card Poker and Heads Up Hold’em. And if you’re like most gamblers,you’ll want a private high-limit area that is not only comfortable and beautifully appointed,but also offers your favorite high-limit slots and table games.The Tropicana high-limit area, located off the main casino, is exactly what you’re looking for. To learn more about rewards,entertainment,dining or to book your stay, visit www.troplv.com. For more information on all that Bally’s has to offer, visit www.ballys.com.

traditional Asian cuisine.Pair your lunch and dinner choices with a selec tion from the unique offering of sodas,teas,beers,sake and wine that per fectly complement the menu. Now part of the Bally’s family,Tropicana Las Vegas has more offers, more value and more rewards.With five tiers of rewards for all gaming lovers, the Tropicana rewards program is the most exciting one on the Vegas Strip.Depending on what you play—from slots to table games—you can earn incredible rewards and perks you won’t believe! Tropicana Las Vegas offers more than 650 of the hottest slots, from single and multi-line video poker to a variety of your favorite reel and video reel slots.Try your luck at favorite games like Lightning Link,Buffalo

www.casinocenter.com ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ DECEMBER 2022 21

Hot Slots & Plenty Of Sunshine Head to Hialeah Park for slots that pay out

exclusively from natural products using only high-quality ingredients, without any use of flavor enhancers.Therefore, the food offered is fresh and all pastries and breads have the taste of real home baking. Offering a variety of superb services and mouth-watering menus,La Veranda Cafe & Bar is one of today’s leading voices in the contemporary cooking industry. Taste your way through the delicious and handcrafted menu,carefully curated with your taste buds in mind.LaVeranda, located in the poker room, is the place where great cooking and fantastic vibes meet. Sample a grilled hibachi shrimp and churrasco, grilled salmon plate or

H ialeah 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 has earned the loosest slots on the East Coast.That’s quite a boon for gamblers and that much-needed trip to Florida can certainly turn into a winner beyond just getting some relaxation. Step back in time to an era of grand celebrations,manicured grounds with picturesque gardens, and 16th Century French Mediterranean... experience Hialeah Park! A South Florida mainstay for over 90 years, Hialeah Park has 200 acres of lush landscape and historic architecture. Known simply as“TheWorld’s Most Beautiful Horse Race Course,”Hialeah Park is eternal, magnificent and iconic, while holding the distinction of being anAudubon Bird Sanctuary with flamingos on site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those heading indoors are 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. The future of this historic property is even more exciting. Plans are underway for a comprehensive development that supports the rich tradition and revitalization of Hialeah Park.The complete restoration of existing amenities and buildings and the development of new entertainment experiences includes a full-service hotel, a movie theater and the creation of an outlet shopping village.The vision is to return“The Grand Dame”to her prior glory and, in the process,create a city center for both South Florida residents and visitors from all across the world. Visitors have some excellent eateries to choose fromwhile exploring the property. Check out Junior’s Bistro in the casino, offering a unique culinary experience.All the meals offered at Junior’s Bistro are prepared

gourmet hamburger—all in a great atmosphere. Adina Cafe is a premier and authentic restaurant that has been proudly serving the Hialeah area and beyond.The mission is to provide high-quality food for all those that wish to combine fun and enjoyable ambiance with skillful cooking into one extraordinary dining experience. The menu features a selection of dishes cooked in-house with some of the most delicious combinations of ingredients.There is something for everyone to enjoy including a DJ, dancing and entertainment every weekend. 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. And the players’ club offers a lucrative reward system. Unlike many properties, all points and rewards can even be converted to free play at the machines or points can also be used for food and beverage. Hialeah Park has become one of South Florida’s most successful poker rooms, featuring all the popular games and stakes. Visitors can choose fromTexas Hold’em,7 Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo.Gaming is just one leg of the tour, as dining and entertainment play a big role in the Hialeah Park experience. For more information on all that Hialeah Park has to offer, visit www.hialeahparkcasino.com. THE WINNING CONTINUES Speaking of jackpots, Hialeah Park received 10 Best Of Slots Awards for 2022. Awards include Best Progressive Slots, Casino Where You Feel Luckiest, Best Quarter Slots, Best Slot Club Promotions, Best Casino Cocktail Service, Best Overall Casino, Best Reel Slots, Best Penny Slots, Best Variety of Slots and Friendliest Casino.

22 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

Thank you for voting Grand Sierra Resort Best Overall Casino in Reno 9 Years in a Row!

15 awards including Best Variety of Slots and Best Comps

RENO

www.GrandSierraResort.com

SPINNING REELS BY SEAN CHAFFIN

Harry Reid International Airport’s slot machines have made over $1 billion.

FLIGHTS OF FORTUNE? Seeing those reels line up just right is a thrilling experience

T his month’s“Spinning Reels”features three players seeing some massive jackpots headed their way,a look at the slot business at the LasVegas airport,one of the first NFL slots, and much more. It seems many gamblers are tempted by the bright lights of those slots at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport—whether just arriving into Sin City or for a few last shots at a jackpot before leaving town.That led to a milestone for the airport’s slot operator in October. Michael Gaughan’s Airport Slot Concession (MGASC) operates the machines and announced that the games had reached $1 billion in revenue since the games launched in 1986. According to the company, those terminal slot machines have generated almost $40 million in gross revenue annually.That equates to an average of $34.4 million in revenue for the airport, which helps to keep airport operating costs down and, in turn, plane ticket prices low, MGASC officials note. “We are happy that the slot machines located inside Harry Reid International Airport not only provide Las Vegas visitors the opportunity to spend a fewminutes at one of our slot machines while they wait for their flight,”MGASC General Manager Patricia Ross said, “but that the revenue generated also helps lower the operating costs for airlines at the airport and those lower rates trickle down to tourists who plan on visiting Las Vegas.”

The company operates more than 1,430 slot machines in all the airport’s terminals and has 245 employees. Reid, along with Reno Tahoe International, are the only two airports in the entire country that offer visitors one last shot at that major jackpot before getting back to the real world.

CLASSIC SLOTS LANDS JACKPOT SALE

C lassic slot machines and gambling memorabilia have become popular collectibles for those with a few extra bucks to spend. One collector certainly had more than a few bucks to spend in mid-November. A Caille Bros. Five-Cent Roulette floor-model slot machine dating back to 1904 sold for $246,000 as part of a sale by MorphyAuctions. The machine may not have the latest in 4K high definition and every bonus

24 DECEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

JACKPOTS OF THE MONTH

LIONS DELUXE KICKS OFF AT BETMGM A s“Spinning Reels”readers may remember, the NFL recently launched into agreements for franchise themed slot games to soon make their way to the casino floor.One of the first of those gridiron games, Lions Deluxe, actually recently debuted online via the BetMGM betting platform in Michigan.The company became the team’s first official sports betting partner in September 2020. The agreement includes co-branding efforts on programming, digital marketing and in-stadium promotions and signage.With the expansion of sports betting, the NFL has been more accepting of gambling-related marketing efforts. “We are thrilled to continue to expand our relationship with the Detroit Lions as we bring another great title to our list of Lions branded games,”BetMGM Director of Gaming Oliver Bartlett said.“BetMGM continues to set the standard for casino games in the state of Michigan and we are excited to continue to develop great games for players in the state.” Lions Deluxe extends BetMGM’s partnership with digital slot designer Everi Digital.The Lions game features a classic three-reel virtual slot machine with a built-in“nudge” feature to provide the potential for players to win more spins or one of four separate jackpot prizes. It may have been over six decades since Detroit has won an NFL championship, but no doubt many Lions fans will be hoping to rack up plenty of their own wins with a bit more regularity than their hometown team. game imaginable, but certainly packs a punch with collectors.The machine was designed to function similar to a roulette wheel and features a rich oak cabinet with some amazingly crafted decorative nickel-plated iron castings.Those looking for some gambling action would deposit nickels into any of the seven coin slots and pull a lever to spin the wheel. Just as at a roulette table, a ball would bounce around the wheel under the glass, ultimately determining the payout.The machine comes with a bit of Sin City history.The vintage game was housed in the Las Vegas Club in the 1970s. “This is the finest original Caille Roulette we have seen and deserves a second or third look by collectors,”MorphyAuctions noted in its sales catalog. “Original machines of this caliber do not come to auction often, and this example is truly entitled to the ‘best of the best’ distinction.”

Talking Stick & Winning Big The massively popular game Wheel of Fortune once again lived up to its name on Nov. 11.A player atTalking Stick Resort in Scottsdale,AZ,

cashed in for more than $1.3 million.Wheel games have

paid more than 1,100 million-dollar jackpots.

“It’s incredibly exciting to give away a jackpot of this size,”said Ramon Martinez, director of public relations forTalking Stick Resort.“We are all thrilled for the winner and also honor their request to remain anonymous.We wish them all the best as they celebrate their win privately.” Seven Figures at 7 Cedars Another player cracked $1.2 million on Dancing Drums Explosion.The win came via the Million Degrees Progressive Link on a $5.88 bet. Light &Wonder’s Dancing Drums Explosion features imagery from the original Asian-themed game restored with a gold explosion. Money on the Menu Another slot player had to settle for a lower sum on a trip to Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in Carlsbad, CA.A resident of Madera cashed in for a bit more than $600,000 on a $7 spin of the reels onTimberWolf Diamond.No doubt it was a nice night for winner JonathanA. The jackpot winner works as a sous chef and planned to invest some of his winnings back into his family business.A few desserts were probably in order for the chef and family as well. “Every win for our Chukchansi guests is a win for us, too,” the casino’s Marketing Director Deann Kamalani said.“Our guests are like family, and when they hit it big,we celebrate right along with them.” seven figures in recording a jackpot in November. At 7 Cedars Hotel & Casino in Sequim Bay,WA, the player found a massive payday of

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and senior writer for Casino Player and Strictly Slots magazines. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions or email him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net for story assignments.

www.casinocenter.com ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ DECEMBER 2022 25