Slower Economy creates New Options for Casino Players
A slower economy is obviously a way for land casinos to create new options for casino players and offers players more fun at playing casino games in times of stress and economic downturn.
The club Casino Arizona, for example, expects to get busier in coming years with an expansion that includes a 15-story, 240,000-square-foot casino and resort with a rooftop spa. The expansion will help their transition from a club brand to a resort brand. Jon Jenkins, president and chief executive officer said that the club casino’s new resort facility is planned to open in 2010 and that Casino Arizona is already marketing the hotel coast to coast.
Jenkins said he and his staff have been working longer and harder this year to come up with ways to bring in new gamers for Casino Arizona in the slower economy.
One new program that will launch by the end 2008 is an expanded rewards perks program for frequent players that will feature a new “VIP lounge” where the most prolific players can relax.
Cliff Castle Casino, which is a Yavapai-Apache Nation’s development off Interstate 17 near Camp Verde, has 656 slot machines, eight poker tables and 10 blackjack tables, plus a bowling alley that welcomes families with kids.
Cliff Castle Casino says that they haven’t seen much of a slowdown and their Chief Executive Officer Trudy Clark, says that her staff continues to come up with innovations to keep regulars and new gamers coming in. The casino has increased free bus service between the Valley and casino. Their staffers also recently designed and had built a bank of 16 slot machines that are unique to Cliff Castle. “Monsoon Money” machines have a red rocks theme and are popular because a deposit of any amount can generate a surprise jackpot.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino has also stepped up local poker and blackjack tournaments. This month, for instance, the casino is promoting a free “Rainbow Shuffle Poker Tournament” for gay and lesbian gamers. And slots players who sign up for Total Rewards and lose up to $100 in the machines are getting reimbursed with coupons for free gaming.
Most recently, Sol Casinos - which belongs to the Pascua Yaquis tribe in Arizona, has been cultivating the Tucson area’s frequent gamers with an expanded player-rewards club, which offers perks ranging from food discounts to free concert tickets. The Pascua Yaquis were among the first to open high-stakes bingo halls in the 1980s.