Expansion of Casino Del Sol to Open

13 June 2003

"Casino Del Sol exemplifies the best in gaming design to offer customers an overall entertainment experience; as a result, we are well positioned to expand our presence in Arizona," said Doug Lentz, chief executive officer of Casino Del Sol. "The beauty of the Tuscan Village motif, unique architecture and amazing desert backdrop of the Casino is significantly raising the bar for gaming destinations throughout Arizona and the country."

According to an economic impact study conducted for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in January 2002 by the Udall Center and Native Nations Institute at University of Arizona, the Tribe provides an economic impact of more than $100 million per year to the Southern Arizona economy. This impact includes dozens of local vendors and contractors hired in the building of the expansion, food and beverage distributor contracts, community donations of more than $300,000 per year to Southern Arizona nonprofit organizations and more than 1,500 jobs created to operate the casino once the expansion is complete.

"The additional jobs created by the Casino Del Sol expansion is significant for the community," said Robert Valencia, chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. "The mission of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is to provide new employment opportunities that offer higher wages and improve the standard of living for tribal members and all Southern Arizonans. New jobs created by the expansion include entry-level positions, executive management, blackjack and poker dealers, shift supervisors and food and beverage positions, all of which will help the Tribe attain this goal."

Designed by Leo A Daly, Casino Del Sol will showcase a remarkable Tuscan Village motif, complete with streetscapes, a gaming piazza and traditional Mediterranean-style decor highlighted in deep purple, bronze and sandstone. A key feature of Casino Del Sol is the magnificent "Mediterranean Sky," a 40,000-square foot mural suspended from the casino's ceiling. The Mediterranean sky peaks 46 feet above the gaming floor and is able to simulate a vibrant sunrise or sunset.

"The design and development of a property of this scale, complexity and quality is a rare opportunity, and we are honored to have been a part of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's team in this venture to build Casino Del Sol," said Kristina Ennis Robinson, principal and director of Native American Gaming for Leo A Daly. "This landmark facility breaks the boundaries of the typical casino 'box': it has both intimate and grand spaces, incorporates cutting-edge technologies, yet has a warmth that will appeal to many and entice the guest with new discoveries on each visit."

Since the signing of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's gaming compact by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano in January, Casino Del Sol is allowed to expand gaming operations to include an additional 670 gaming devices and Vegas-style blackjack. The new machines will all be housed at Casino Del Sol along with 46 blackjack tables. The casino also will provide a bingo hall for its many bingo enthusiasts. Seating more than 600 players, the hall will offer seven games daily beginning at 10 a.m., and bingo guests will have the luxury of a private restroom facility in the bingo area plus a deli-style restaurant exclusively for players' use.

"Now the largest and most unique entertainment destination in the state, Casino Del Sol has something for everyone," added Lentz. "Exciting slots, Vegas-style blackjack and poker and an all-inclusive bingo hall making it the premiere destination for gaming enthusiasts."

Under the direction of Executive Chef Jesus Lorenzo, four new eateries will let casino customers sample cuisine from different regions of the globe. Lorenzo has been certified by the American Culinary Federation as Master Chef and is newly inducted into The Chaine des Rotisseurs, a world-renowned organization of culinary professionals. His expertise and culinary excellence has provided him with the opportunity to cook for three United States presidents as well as the queen of England.

The new restaurants range from quick, take-out food to world-class full-service dining. They include Bellissimo Ristorante, a full-service Tuscan-style restaurant; The Tequila Factory, a traditional Mexican village-style restaurant featuring a private dining room modeled after a greenhouse; Slice, an Italian pizzeria offering players the freshest pizza ingredients on hand-tossed dough; and Abuelitas Taqueria, a taco shop-style eatery giving players a wide variety of authentic Mexican fare including burritos, chimichangas, tacos and enchiladas.

"I have created menu items using the most authentic flavors from Mexico and Italy to entice casino guests with the very best each region has to offer," said Lorenzo. "Each restaurant will use the freshest ingredients prepared by a highly trained culinary staff all working to serve world-class food to the members of our community."

The casino also will house a full-service bar area called Zebo'z. Situated in the center of the main gaming floor and modeled after a garden gazebo, casino guests will be offered a wide selection of specialty drinks and a large variety of premium libations.

The second of two casinos owned by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Casino Del Sol is the most unique gaming complex in Arizona. With remarkable architecture fashioned after a Mediterranean resort, the Casino includes more than 900 slot machines, as well as the 4,650-seat Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater (AVA). The Casino includes 46 blackjack tables, a 12-table live poker room, a bingo hall seating more than 600 players, Club Sol Players Club, two full-service bars and five restaurants.