Vote for G&D’s Readers’ Choice Awards for a Chance to Win Big!
What casinos have the Best Slots? Table Games? Comps? Amenities? We want to hear from you! It’s that time of year again to vote for your favorite casinos in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Once again, we are giving one lucky voter the Ultimate Gambling Getaway to the Casino of their choice that includes overnight accommodations, gambling money, dining and travel money to get there…Good luck!
Voters also receive a special $10 Subscription Special for Southern & Midwest Gaming Magazine…so don’t delay…vote today!
CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
2023 Breeders’ Cup Preview: Our Top Picks
In the world of thoroughbred horse racing, the Triple Crown Series (and its protracted string of “qualifying races”) takes center stage from late February to early June. However, when the scorching heat finally gives way to Autumn’s wintery preamble, every horse player worth their salt starts to pine over an impending occasion known as the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. Scheduled to unfold on November 3rd & 4th at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA, this year’s 14 race Breeders’ Cup card will ultimately confer a whopping $31 million dollars in combined purse money!
Chef Spotlight: Jackson Reichel – Executive Chef – Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort – D’Iberville, Mississippi
Some of the most treasured beaches in the country are those stretched along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and just a few minutes from those beaches lies gem of its own at Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort. The property offers stunning views, awesome accommodations and, of course, an array of dining options to appease any guest.
Whether you are looking for a fine dining experience at Scarlet’s Steaks & Seafood, a little more international flair with ChopSTX Noodle Bar or Ami Pizza for Italian favorites, or Southern charm at Under the Oak, you will find plenty of options to explore on every visit.
We recently caught up with chef Jackson Reichel, the room chef at Scarlet’s Steaks & Seafood at Scarlet Pearl to hear more about his culinary influences and background, what makes Scarlet’s so special and why you should visit on your next gambling getaway to the coast.
Listen to the full interview:
Chef Spotlight: Josh Marling – Executive Chef – Southland Casino Hotel (West Memphis, Arkansas)
Located less than an hour from Tunica, Mississippi is one of the South’s hottest casino properties, Southland Casino Hotel. From what was once a greyhound track, the property has been completely transformed into what is today a luxurious casino resort with a 300-room hotel and plenty of dining options to enjoy.
We had the opportunity to catch up with executive chef, Josh Marling, to hear more about what he and his team do to deliver great dining experiences time and time again.
Listen to the full interview:
Southland Casino Hotel Raises $20,637 for the Special Olympics
On July 6, 2023, Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, Arkansas presented a big check for $20,637 to the Special Olympics Greater Memphis, TN. Through training and competitions in Olympic-style sports, the Special Olympics Greater Memphis’s nonprofit organization spreads the message that people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed when given the opportunity. The campaign is part of parent company Delaware North’s “Game Changer” initiative across its gaming properties in the United States, with the goal of making a positive change in those local communities.
A Tribute to Doyle Brunson: The Godfather of Poker
On May 14, 2023, we lost one of the biggest icons of the poker and gambling world. Doyle Brunson, the Godfather of poker, better known as “Texas Dolly,” passed away at the age of 90. Brunson, a two-time World Series of Poker Main Event champion and ten-time winner of other WSOP events, was a Texas native and worked the poker scene for years running with some of the biggest names in the business including Benny and Jack Binion, Johnny Moss and other gambling greats. He was also a Poker Hall of Fame inductee, the author of many instructional books about poker and gambling, including his famous Super System series that was considered the poker bible by many and overall, a great individual that will be missed by many, but certainly not forgotten.
We had the opportunity to interview the poker legend back in 2009 about his autobiography The Godfather of Poker and felt it was appropriate to share it with everyone in this issue.
Triple Crown Trivia: Fun Facts About Horse Racing’s Elite
Inside the world of thoroughbred horse racing, there is a title that transcends all other turf trophies combined. Conferred only on those extraordinary occasions when an equine manages to maneuver their way through a next to impossible gauntlet known as the “Triple Crown Series”, the moniker of “Triple Crown Champion” is accordingly rarer than 18kt gold “hen’s teeth”. Correspondingly, it’s worth mentioning that over the last 150 years; only 13 thoroughbreds have managed to successfully scale the “Sport of Kings’” most challenging mountain.
Bourbon & Beyond Returns to Louisville, KY Sept. 14-17 with All-Star Line-up
Cherokee Nation Businesses Completes Acquisition of Gold Strike Casino Resort
TUNICA, Miss. – CNE Gaming Holdings LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Cherokee Nation Businesses, officially assumed operations of Gold Strike Casino Resort after receiving approval from the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
“This is a historic day of growth for our hospitality portfolio as we enter the commercial gaming industry, and we welcome the wonderful team at Gold Strike to the family,” said Mark Fulton, president and chief operating officer of Cherokee Nation Entertainment. “For years, we’ve set the standard of excellence in gaming. We are excited to invest in this beautiful property and bring our three decades of industry experience to guests in the Mid-South market.”
CNE Gaming Holdings LLC purchased the operating company from Mandalay Resort Group LLC, a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM), for approximately $450 million in cash. The Mississippi Gaming Commission issued its determination of suitability and approval of the acquisition in January. Concurrent with the purchase, the operating entity entered into a long-term lease agreement with GSCR Propco LLC, a subsidiary of VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE: VICI), which owns the real property associated with Gold Strike Casino Resort.
Slot Spotlight: Bull Blitz by Konami Gaming
Konami Gaming has a new All Aboard-style game that’s hitting casinos with an even more potentially lucrative prize feature. This amped-up version of All Aboard—voted “Best Video Slot” and “Best Progressive Slot”—takes credit collection bonuses to ultra-high heights of reward potential through a new Xtra Hit feature.
Similar to All Aboard, this linked progressive slot series awards the credit prize feature with any 6 or more golden Bull Blitz symbols, where there’s a chance at random credit prizes, bonus awards, and progressive jackpots. If all 15 positions are filled, the big progressive Grand Jackpot is awarded.
