New Casino Opens in Pinal County

San Tan Valley, get ready for the grand opening of the newest gem in Pinal County! The Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Santan Mountain Casino, located at 7101 Gilbert Road, Chandler, is set to have its grand opening on June 30 and July 1, 2023, promising an exciting gaming experience unlike any other. Just a short, 20-minute drive from the heart of San Tan Valley, the Santan Mountain Casino is perfectly positioned for locals and tourists alike.

This game-changing spot takes a fresh detour from what you'd usually expect from a casino – it's got a whole different vibe and look! Large, floor-to-ceiling windows put the gorgeous San Tan Mountains on full display. These aren't your ordinary windows - they automatically tint just like transitional eyeglass lenses. So, they tone down the sun's glare and heat during the day, while at night, they clear up for those breathtaking starry views, setting up a perfect mood anytime.

The casino's modern decor complements its advanced gaming floor, filled with state-of-the-art slots and table games. Additionally, the casino is making history by debuting the first-ever white roulette wheel in the United States, an exciting divergence from the traditional black wheel.

Adding a buzz to the beverage offerings is the casino's signature drink, the Busy Bee. This unique cocktail is a carefully crafted blend of vodka, lemongrass simple syrup, ginger beer, and lemon juice. However, it's the garnish that takes this drink to a whole new level. The Busy Bee is topped off with a native edible flower known as the Buzz Button. Before taking the first sip of the cocktail, guests are encouraged to chew on this intriguing garnish. The Buzz Button flower presents an interesting sensory experience, causing a mild numbing and tingling sensation in the mouth, heightening the anticipation and making the subsequent sips of the Busy Bee even more delightful.

Visitors to the casino will be thrilled with the abundance of options available to them. With four distinct culinary experiences, two welcoming lounges, and an expansive 7,000-square-foot ballroom there's something for everyone to enjoy.

The groundbreaking for this $180 million project occurred on October 18, 2021, and has since seen an intense construction period of 20 months. The grand opening festivities are a culmination of this project, designed and built by Steelman Partners, PENTA Building Group, and Tynan Group, bringing more than 700 new jobs to the east valley.

The celebrations on June 30 and July 1 promise a spectacle with live performances by country music star Gabby Barrett, Las Vegas-style showgirls, aerial drone shows, and giveaways. The first 150 guests to visit the Magic Lamp slot machines on July 2 can place three max bets for free and keep any earnings. Also, guests will receive a commemorative t-shirt.

The casino is a result of the updated Indian gaming compacts signed by Governor Doug Ducey in April 2021, which facilitated the inclusion of sports betting and the expansion of gaming facilities for tribal casinos.

Santan Mountain Casino is the fourth casino owned by the Gila River Indian Community, joining the ranks of Lone Butte Casino, Vee Quiva Casino, and Wild Horse Pass Casino. The design of the casino pays homage to the culture of the Gila River Indian Community with art pieces from local artists and various elements representing places on the tribe's reservation.

In addition to a vast array of gaming options, the casino offers a variety of amenities to enhance the visitor experience. The 7,000 square-foot BetMGM sportsbook features both booth and individual seating and includes an Upper Deck Deli counter. The high-limit area hosts a unique indoor/outdoor space called Premia, which opens to a scenic garden. For event and celebration needs, there's a bookable event lawn and ballroom with seating capacity for large gatherings and weddings.

The main bar, Hive, boasts 20 beers on tap and surrounds an art installation with colored lights called the Tree of Life. The casino also includes an exclusive restaurant, Honey and Vine, that features locally sourced ingredients from the Gila River Indian Community.

A standout feature of the Santan Mountain Casino, as highlighted by Dominic Orozco, the President and Chief Marketing Officer of Gila River Resorts & Casinos and a 21-year veteran of the company, is its commitment to a smoke-free environment. Diverging from the norm in most casinos, Santan Mountain Casino allows smoking only in specified outdoor areas. Orozco points out that this decision isn't solely for the comfort of patrons, but it also significantly contributes to the health and well-being of their employees.

While there is no onsite hotel currently, future plans might see the inclusion of a luxury accommodation facility, further enhancing the all-inclusive entertainment experience at the Santan Mountain Casino.