Arizona‘s new We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort has officially opened its doors, unveiling a contemporary ambiance and visitor-centric experience that sets out to raise the bar for Valley casinos. 

In addition to offering a full complement of slot machines, tables, bingo and gaming amenities, the elegant new casino features a wide variety of dining establishments, event venues, Native American design elements and other attributes designed to maximize visitor comfort, safety and enjoyment. 

Gaming options include 850 state-of-the-art slot machines; a 400-seat smoke-free bingo hall with 50-inch monitors; 22 action-packed blackjack tables, and a spacious poker room featuring five tables with live games and tournaments.

All gaming areas, hotel rooms and public spaces, dining outlets and entertainment venues are 100% smoke-free while in addition, the venue adheres to full compliance with all mandated COVID-19 precautions including taking patrons’ temperatures, requiring masks, providing ample sanitation stations, encouraging social distancing, and limiting elevator and outlet occupancy.

The sophisticated new 166,341-square-foot casino replaces the original Fort McDowell Casino that initially opened in 1984 as a bingo hall. Eight years later, the Yavapai Nation  successfully held off the attempts of federal agents to seize their slot machines, protecting their right to operate a casino on their reservation and provide livelihoods for their tribal members.

“We’re proud that we were Arizona’s first casino and are now the state’s newest casino,” said Bernadine Burnette, president of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. “Gaming has been a part of our tribal community for the past three decades and has allowed us to provide financial security for our members and employees.  

“Our upscale new casino will allow us to take gaming to an entirely new level while keeping a Native American look and feel – with design elements of earth, water, fire and basket-weaving that are so important to our culture.”