New Gila River casino close to opening

The new Lone Butte Casino in the Gila River Indian Community south of Chandler is not smoke-free, but the air will be cleaner than most gambling casinos in Arizona, according to operators.

That's because the 120,000-square-foot gambling hallhas an air filtering system designed to control tobacco smoke.

"The new system will help dissipate the smoke, and there will be a different aroma when you walk into our casino," said Jeff Martin, general manager of Gila River Gaming Enterprises, corporate parent of the tribe's three casinos. He and others on Thursday led a tour of the casino near Loop 202 and Kyrene Road. It opens in two weeks and will provide more than 700 jobs.

The filtering system is 2 feet under the floor of the entire casino and pushes fresh air upward through hundreds of vents. The air spirals upward and carries the smoke-tainted air to the ceiling, where it is filtered through vents and sent outdoors.

One other Valley casino, Casino Arizona, has a similar system, but it's only in a small part of the facility, Martin said.

More than $500,000 was invested in reducing the tobacco stench at Lone Butte Casino because of growing complaints from nonsmokers, said Harold Baugus Jr., chief executive officer of Gila River Casinos.

"This system is among several other new, high-tech services our customers will enjoy," Baugus said. "All of our (slot) machines are the latest in technical advances."

The casino will feature 850 slot machines, 24 blackjack tables and a 750-seat bingo hall. There also is a game named after the auction site eBay with a large screen that allows rows of players to play at the same time, a term calledcommunity gambling. It's the first of its kind in Arizona, Baugus said.

A large kiosk in the main lobby entrance will offer visitors a large screen where they can take a finger-touch tour of the casino.

Lone Butte also has a separate high-limit gambling room where players can wager from $25 to $500 at blackjack or drop $5 or more in a slot machine.

The casino has three entrances, each with a different theme - water, earth and fire.

"The themes are partly an expression of our culture," Baugus said. "They're also an example of creative architecture."

Other features include an outdoor courtyard, entertainment areas and six eating places, as well as a full-service bar.

Other casinos owned by the Gila River community are Wild Horse Pass Casino off Interstate 10 at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard and Vee Quiva Casino, south of I-10 on51st Avenue.

The official opening of Lone Butte begins at noon Nov. 20 with a ceremonial dance. Doors will open for business at 3 p.m.