The casino features video pokerand slot machines, as well as blackjack, keno, the only World Series of Pokerroom in Arizona and a newly renovated bingohall, the only one in the Caesars Entertainmentorganization. In July 2011, the casino underwent a $20 million expansion, with addition of a new 152-room hotel tower that doubled its capacity.

1. Harrah's Bingo Event Nov 2016 Calendar
2. Harrah's Rincon Bingo
3. List Of All Harrah's Casinos

Bingo This is a nice place to play Bingo and get away from Harrah's casino for a while. There is a non-smoking section and a decent snack bar. In 1937, Bill Harrah opened a small bingo parlor at 124 North Center Street in downtown Reno, Nevada where gaming was legal. Harrah's Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is the center-Strip resort where the only thing you need to worry about is having fun. Come out and play! Harrah's Ak-Chin - Fun Bus Reservations; Quickly log in or create an account using an existing service. What will happen: When you click on this button you will be taken to Yahoo. Once you log in, Yahoo will verify you and send you back here where you'll be logged in!

William Fisk Harrah (September 2, 1911 – June 30, 1978) was an American businessman and the founder of Harrah's Hotel and Casinos, now part of Caesars Entertainment.

Early years and education[edit]

Harrah was born in South Pasadena, California, the son of attorney and politician, John Harrah.

Harrah studied mechanical engineering at UCLA where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^{[citation needed]} Harrah was forced to drop out when the Great Depression of the late 1920s hit. He worked at various family businesses including a pool hall, a hot dog stand, a shooting gallery, and a bingo-style operation called the 'Circle' or 'Reno Game.'^{[citation needed]}

Gaming beginnings[edit]

Bingo was illegal in California, but games of skill based on bingo were legal.^{[citation needed]} The Reno Game (later called the Circle Game) involved rolling a ball down a board where it would register a card suit and number. If one of the 33 players seated in a circle around the board matched a four-card sequence, he or she won, unless they were a shill and, working for the house. (The use of shills to fill the games upset players, but John Harrah felt they were necessary.)^{[citation needed]}

The Reno Game was shut down several times by local authorities, but each time, lawyer John Harrah would get his permit reinstated.^{[citation needed]} Still, the cost of doing business was high. When twenty-year-old Bill told his father he should get rid of the shills and put more money into the business, John challenged him to run the operation by himself. Bill said, 'Dad, that would suit me just fine,' and paid his father $500 for the business. He then headed down to the pier and fired the shills.^{[citation needed]}

In the course of just three years Harrah made the $100-a-week game into a $25,000 per year business.^{[citation needed]} However, Harrah grew tired of fighting the politicians and wanted to expand his operations into Reno.^{[citation needed]} On October 29, 1937, he opened his first club at 124 North Center Street, called Harrah's Club Bingo. The location was two blocks from the Bank Club and Palace Club that had dominated gaming in Reno.

Building the business[edit]

As the locals expected, his tiny Tango bingo parlor closed-up fast, lasting only until November the 15th.^[1] In July 1938 Harrah opened another bingo parlor, this time closer to the action, called Harrah's Plaza Tango. Virgil Smith was the main financier and a partner in the operation, and also in the club that opened in 1938, called the Plaza Tango at 14 East Commercial Row. Two months later Harrah found a better location at 242 North Virginia Street, close to Harolds Club, called Ed Howe's Tango Club.^{[citation needed]}

After a meeting with Nick Abelman, Bill Graham, and Jim McKay, Harrah waited to be accepted into the Reno gaming fraternity.^{[citation needed]} Eventually, Cal Custer, a respected ex-bootlegger and a long-time confidant of John Harrah, stood up for Bill. His new business ventures were given the green light, after a cash payment was made.^{[citation needed]}

Ed Howe wanted $25,000 for his Tango Club, but accepted just $1,000 from Harrah now that he was a part of Bill Graham's group.^{[citation needed]} Over time, Harrah tried other locations and expanded his casino on Virginia Street several times. A hotel tower opened in 1969.^{[citation needed]}

At Lake Tahoe, Harrah purchased George's Gateway Club in 1955 to expanded his empire. Harrah-owned properties included the Lake Club on the lake side of highway 50, Harrah's Tahoe, on the mountain side at the old Stateline Country Club.^{[citation needed]} The hotel tower opened in 1973. Harrah also owned the Zephyr Cove restaurant past Cave Rock which offered slots and blackjack.^{[citation needed]}

Harrah expanded to Las Vegas in 1973 by purchasing the Holiday Casino on the Las Vegas Strip from Shelby and Claudine Williams. The property was close to the successful Sands Casino and across from where the Mirage now stands.

Influence[edit]

Harrah used his influence to create the Nevada Gaming Control Board in 1955, an organization designed to regulate gaming in Nevada.^{[citation needed]} In 1959, Harrah helped create an even stronger Gaming Commission to rid the state's casinos of corruption.^{[citation needed]}

Harrah was known for his relations with both his customers and employees.^[2] The main theater in Harrah's Reno was named Sammy's Showroom after entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. (whose Duesenberg replica now resides in the museum that bears Harrah's name),^[3] and actor-comedian Bill Cosby recalls Harrah as a good friend.^[4]

Personal life[edit]

Harrah was married seven times to six women, including a four-month marriage to the singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry in 1969; the sugar baby relationship was alluded to in Gentry's fictionalized account of her life, 'Fancy,' in which a 'benevolent man' (Harrah) takes in an impoverished Southern prostitute (Gentry).

With ex-wife Scherry (whom he married twice), he adopted two boys named John and Tony. He had one natural child, Jeanie Eiliene Sexton Harrah with Marvel Tudor in 1953. ^[5] His widow, Verna, worked as a film producer on such features as Anaconda.

Death[edit]

Harrah died at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 66, during a cardiac surgery operation to repair an aortic aneurysm.^[6] He left an estate valued at $138 million which was split into two trusts; one for his wife Verna and one for his sons.^[7]

Legacy[edit]

The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which opened in 1967, was renamed in his honor in 1989, in recognition of a $5 million gift from his widow.^[8]

When the car his father bought him was stolen and stripped, Harrah vowed to his sister that one day he would own a duplicate of every automobile the family had ever owned.

Harrah had an extensive collection of cars. Many of his cars enjoyed 'best' or 'one-of-a kind' status.^{[citation needed]} Some notable items of his collection were the two Bugatti Type 41s, a Phantom Corsair, two Ferraris and a pair of Jerrari Wagoneers. In 1966 his Bugatti Type 41 Coupe de Ville won Best of Show at Pebble Beach.^{[citation needed]}

After Bill Harrah's death, Holiday Inn acquired Harrah's, including the car collection. The bulk of the collection was sold at several auctions between 1984-1986, garnering more than $100 million.^{[citation needed]} An outcry by the people of Reno and Sparks led to Holiday Inn donating 175 vehicles to establish the William F. Harrah Automobile Museum in downtown Reno, Nevada. Some of the cars were donated to form the Imperial Palace Auto Collection in Las Vegas.^{[citation needed]}

Harrah also used the sport of Unlimited hydroplane racing to promote his businesses. In 1962, he purchased Maverick, a champion boat, and renamed it Harrah's Tahow Miss. In 1966, Bill's third Tahoe Miss won five races, including the APBA Gold Cup, and was the national champion, driven by the late pilot Mira Slovak. In 1968, the boat's name was changed to Harrah's Club to further promote his casino holdings.

References[edit]

1. ^Moe, Albert Woods (2001). Nevada's Golden Age of Gambling. Puget Sound Books. p. 84. ISBN0-9715019-0-4.
2. ^Kling, Dwayne (2010). The Rise of the Biggest Little City. University of Nevada Press. pp. 71–73. ISBN978-0874178296.
3. ^'Is $10 million too expensive for a used car?'. Nevada Appeal. July 24, 2015.
4. ^'Reno's Gaming Leader Dies'. Reno Gazette-Journal. July 1, 1978.
5. ^Oliver, Myrna (September 20, 2000). 'Scherry Harrah; Helped Casino Tycoon Husband in His Ventures'. Los Angeles Times.
6. ^'William F. Harrah, 67, Is Dead; Was a Casino Pioneer in Nevada'. The New York Times. United Press International. July 2, 1978. p. 18.
7. ^'Bill Harrah Left $138-Mil Estate'. Variety. July 26, 1978. p. 2.
8. ^UNLV History: William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration (accessed 2014-03-25).

Further reading[edit]

• Mendel, Leon (1982). William Fisk Harrah : The Life and Times of a Gambling Magnate. Doubleday. ISBN0-385-15513-1.
• Moe, Albert Woods (2013). Mob City Reno. Amazon. ISBN978-1493556922.
• Kling, Dwayne; King, R. T.; Larson, Mary, eds. (1999). Every Light Was on: Bill Harrah and His Clubs Remembered. University of Nevada Oral History. ISBN978-1564753755.

External links[edit]

• William F. Harrah at Find a Grave

Nation Tribe: Ak-Chin Indian Community (Harrah operated)

15406 North Maricopa Road
Maricopa, Arizona 85239-2819

(480) 802-5000
800) 427-7247
(800) HARRAHS

Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino is a Native American casino located 40 miles south of Phoenix in Maricopa, Arizona. The casino is owned by the Ak-Chin Indians, who contracted with Harrahs to manage its operation. Harrah's is a management brand of Caesars Entertainment.

The Ak-Chin Casino first opened its doors for business on Dec. 27, 1994. A 152-room hotel tower was added in 2011.

In July 2016 Ak-Chin began construction on a major expansion project to add a hotel, a luxury spa, additional gaming space, a conference center, additional restaurants and a parking garage. The project was totally completed in 2019.

News Headlines

Expansion Projects 2016-2019

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Gaming

Open 24 hours daily
40,000 square foot casino

1,135 Slot Machines and video poker - get pennies to $25

28 Game Tables - includes Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Mississippi Stud Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold'em

Bingo - played Tue thru Sun. Call the Bingo Hotline at 480-802-5058.

Keno

Restaurants

Agave's Southwestern Restaurant - Breakfast, Lunch (Reopened Jan 2020. See Details

Copper Cactus Grill

Oak & Fork - wine bar and small plate restaurant

The Harvest Buffet- Breakfast, lunch and dinner

The Range - Steak & seafood dinners

Entertainment

Hotel

529 guest rooms and suites
Hotel is connected to the casino

The Spa at Harrah's Ak-Chin
3,000-square-foot spa
Open Sunday - Thursday 9am - 6pm, Friday - Saturday 9am - 7pm
Reservations (480) 802-3340

Directions

From Phoenix
I-10 East to Queen Creek Road (Exit 164), right 16 miles to Maricopa, 1 more mile to casino.

From Tucson
I-10 West to Exit 198, west on Highway 84 to Maricopa Road 12 mi.
Tucson I-10 West to Exit 198, west on Highway 84 to Maricopa Road 12 mi.
Tucson I-10 West to Exit 198, west on Highway 84 to Maricopa Road 12 mi.

News Articles

Harrah's Ak-Chin reopens today May 15

May 15, 2020

Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino in Maricopa is returning to limited operations today since closing for COVID-19 on March 17. The casino opens at 9 AM and the hotel opens for guest stays tonight.

A press statement released by Robert Livingston, general manager of Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, reads:

'Over the past several weeks the Tribal Council, along with Caesars management, have been monitoring the situation here in Arizona and across the country, making sure we had the best and most accurate information needed to reopen the casino.'

'We look forward to welcoming back our casino guests in the coming days.'

To ensure social distancing all slot machines are adequately spaced apart and the blackjack tables will have limited seating. The poker room, keno and bingo remain closed at this time.

The open food and beverage venues are Dunkin Donuts, Copper Cactus, Chop Block & Brew and Agaves. The others are closed.

The events and conference center, spa and fitness center will remain closed until further notice.

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Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino reopens Agave's Restaurant

January 26, 2020

Harrah's Ak-Chin Resort and Casino has reopened Agave's Restaurant after a 4-month renovation and modernization. The new restaurant completes the 3-year, multimillion dollar expansion project at the resort and highlights the celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Agave's Restaurant is open every day from 7AM to 2PM serving breakfast and lunch. Breakfast items include Sonoran-style breakfasts with machaca con huevos and a chorizo con queso omelets, as well as traditional American eggs and pancakes. Lunch includes tacos and burritos you build yourself as well as hamburgers, sandwiches and salads.

Robert Livingston, Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino's general manager, spoke at the restaurant's grand reopening:

The re-opening of Agave's Restaurant is the final chapter of our multimillion-dollar expansion project that touched practically every inch of the Harrah's Ak-Chin property. Now that we have completed the expansion and celebrated our 25th anniversary, we will continue our 'play for all' philosophy into the coming year.'

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Ak-Chin Completes 3-Year, Multimillion-Dollar Expansion - A Summary Report

April 14, 2019

Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino has expanded from a casino into a resort with the completion of its three-year construction and renovation project.

The following is a summary report of all the new features that have been added to the Ak-Chin Resort and Casino.

HOTEL TOWER - A new 12-story hotel tower has added 229 guest rooms to Ak-Chin. There are now a total of 529 hotel rooms. The expansion also included The Pool at Harrah's Ak-Chin and a pool-side bar.

SPA - The Spa at Harrah's Ak-Chin is a 3,000 square-foot luxury spa with four elegant treatment rooms including a couple's room.

Harrah's Bingo Event Nov 2016 Calendar

NEW LOBBY - A new lobby portrays the upgrade and elegance intended in the new design of the casino. It is a central entrance to the casino and to the hotel.

GAMING SPACE - The total gaming space at Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino has been expanded to 40,000 square feet.

NEW BINGO HALL - The bingo room has 430 seats and offers 200 electronic bingo handheld devices. The location is near the main casino and the entrance to the parkiing garage.

NEW RESTAURANTS - Oak & Fork is a new restaurant that specializes in pairing sharable small plates with select wines, beers or cocktails.

Chop, Block & Brew is another new restaurant and features a wood-burning mesquite grill for serving gourmet burgers, steaks and prime rib. This is a large restaurant with 3,450 square feet and 159 seating capacity.

The Buffet has been totally renovated and offers American, Mexican, Asian, pizza and pasta dishes. Another 7,607-square-feet have been added to this restaurant.

EVENT CENTER - The Event Center at Harrah's Ak-Chin has scheduled live concerts and other special events. It has seating for 2,000.

SKYBRIDGE - The Skybridge is a 180-feet long, covered walkway that connects the casino to the adjacent Ultra Star Family Entertainment Center, where guest can vist a bowling alley, movie theater, and dining.

PARKING GARAGE - The new parking garage is a multi-level structure with parking spaces for 730 vehicles.

AK-CHIN HISTORY - The history and culture of the Ak-Chin Indians are woven into the design of the Ak-Chin casino, and the Ak-Chin History Center inside the casino displays important events and tribal members.

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Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino completes 12-story hotel tower, expanded casino, new parking garage

November 10, 2018

Construction on some projects are being finalized for Harrah's AK-Chin Casino. The casino is located in Maricopa and owned by the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Harrah's was contracted by the tribe to manage the property.

Some recent completion of projects are the parking garage and hotel tower. The garage offers parking for 730 vehicles. The hotel is 12 stories tall and offers 230 guest rooms.

A bridge that guests can walk on will connect the Ultra Star Family Entertainment Center to the casino. The entertainment center offers families activities for all ages. Including a bowling alley, movie theater, and dining.

Next for completion will be renovations to the ballroom, new resort rooms, and a new pool area.

200 direct jobs have been created with the expansion project.

April or May of next year is when the project should be completely finished.

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Ak-Chin opens new pedestrian bridge to UltraStar Center

March 27, 2018

The new Ak-Chin Circle Pedestrian Bridge opened today. The walkway provides a comfortable way for guests to move between the Ak-Chin Casino and the UltraStar Multi-Tainment Center.

Before the walkway was built, guests would need to either ride a shuttle bus between the properties or walk across the parking lot.

The pedestrian bridge will make visiting the properties more convenient for guests. It is enclosed and offers air conditioning. While guests walk along the bridge they will also have a view of the Ak-Chin Community. The new walkway is 180 feet long.

This is not the only project for the Ak-Chin Casino. The property is currently undergoing the second phase of the expansion. The hotel is adding an additional tower with 200 guest rooms. When completed there will be over 500 rooms available at the hotel. There will also be a new parking garage with several parking floors. A larger conference and event center offering a ballroom space. A new fitness center and spa. Also a new dining venue that will be named Chop Block & Brew restaurant. Many of these projects are expected to be completed by sometime this summer.

The walkway was designed to make it easier for guests to visit both the casino and the entertainment venue easily.

Located in Maricopa, Arizona the casino has been open for 23 years. This is the first and only Native American owned casino that also has a partner for management that is overseas.

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