In spring 2021, Arizona’s tribal-state gaming compact was amended, which permits tribal casinos to add new table games and more gaming machines to their floors. This includes the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s two casinos, Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort. 

Each casino will be adding about 80 new slot machines, to make a total of 1,400 slot machines at each location. Both properties have added new table games including roulette, baccarat and craps. Casino Arizona has also added sportsbook betting. 

The addition of more table games and slot machines opened up the opportunity to create new space for the Poker Arena at Talking Stick Resort and the Bingo Hall at Casino Arizona. However, until the new spaces are ready, these two games have moved into temporary tents located on each of the properties. 

In early August, the Poker Arena moved into its temporary tent located in front of the casino’s front entrance.

“[This] temporary poker room is a little larger. We were able to add 10 more tables for a total of 59 tables,” said Casino Arizona Director of Public Relations Ramon Martinez. 

The temporary Poker Arena has a bar and restaurant located inside the tent, along with a self-service station where patrons can get soft drinks and coffee. 

“We opened up the sportsbook in July,” said Martinez. “It is located in the Sports Bar at Casino Arizona. It closes at 11 p.m., but guests are welcome to continue to bet at the kiosks, where they can bet on all sports 24/7.”

The temporary Bingo Hall space at Casino Arizona is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in November. 

Other things to look forward to in the future are the addition of two new pools, cabanas and a bar on the west side of the Talking Stick Resort hotel tower. The former Bingo Hall at Casino Arizona will add a new dining option along with more slot machines. 

For more information about Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort, visit www.casinoarizona.com or www.talkingstickresort.com.