Oct

New Wild Horse Pass Casino is sophisticated addition to AZ gaming scene

A glimpse of the gaming floor at the new Wild Horse Pass Casino in Arizona.

More than 1,000 slot and video poker machines, 46 table games and 25 poker tables will greet guests as the Gila River Indian Community unveils its striking new Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino to the public on Friday, October 30 at 9 p.m. Called an “overall entertainment package” by CEO Harold Baugus, the new casino resort offers much more than just gaming with its wide assortment of dining venues, five bars and lounges, a Vegas-style nightclub (opening in November) plus the new Ovations LIVE! 1400-seat entertainment venue.

Amid the bustle of last-minute construction touches, casino staffers and management were on hand this week to give members of the media a first-hand look at the stunning new property. Punctuated by soaring ceilings in the main gaming area, the casino design features the use of gorgeous natural materials plus striking design elements such as sparkling hand-blown glass lighting sculptures.

Players will no doubt enjoy the wide array of gaming machines including 600 of the newest slots such as the smokin’ hot “Wizard of Oz” and interactive “Star Trek” (both from WMS Gaming) plus 400 popular games brought over from the former location. Card players will be pleased as well with the new poker room’s spacious design and posh décor. High-limit gaming is available in a separate section of the casino with $5-and-up slot machines plus table games currently offering $25 – $500 limits. (Look for possible higher limits in the future.)

Shula's American Steakhouse at Wild Horse Pass features photos of the '74 Super Bowl champs.

Guests hungering for more than gaming will have their needs satisfied in style with the resort’s new restaurants including the first Arizona outlet of “Shula’s American Steak House.” With its dark wood floors and tables elegantly outfitted in white linens, this tribute to the famous coach’s ’74 Super Bowl champs features a high-end menu of corn-fed beef, seafood entrees and traditional sides such as creamed spinach and a variety of spud preparations. For a more casual meal, the downstairs “Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar & Grill” will offer the chain’s menu of oriental specialties with a contemporary bent. (We’ve been to the restaurant’s Shea Boulevard location and are big fans of the Asian Pear Martini, the Lemon Chicken and the Buddha’s Feast with Chicken!) Other dining spots include a food court with a Fatburger, a Boar’s Head Deli and more plus the casino’s own Café 24/7 with its delectable selection of baked goods.

Adjoining the casino is the resort’s 242-room hotel which features 39 suites along with a spa and pool. The hotel also offers 12,000 square-feet of meeting space.

We’ll be posting more info here in coming days so check back for updates. Also, visit the Wild Horse Pass Casino website for opening details.