Operator News
US – Gila unveils Wild Horse Pass expansion and announces name change
By Phil - 17 January 2022
Gila River Hotels & Casinos is coinciding the unveiling its newly expanded resort destination Wild Horse Pass in Arizona with a change of name to Gila River Resorts & Casinos.
Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos, said guests can expect an elevated experience with the new brand at all Gila River properties; Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte in Chandler, Vee Quiva in the West Valley, and Santan Mountain, in the Southeast Valley, which is slated to open in 2023.
“We are truly excited to introduce ourselves as Gila River Resorts & Casinos. Throughout the past several years, we have been creating a destination packed with thrilling entertainment and new ways to play so that guests can come as they are and own their moment,” mr. Manuel said. “From our new Las Vegas-style live table games, exciting nightlife, and the addition of our BetMGM Sportsbooks to new fine dining options, spacious rooms, and a variety of serene and secluded pools, Gila River Resorts & Casinos provides guests with a casino resort experience like no other.”
Partnering with Sundt Construction, Inc., TynanGroup and Friedmutter Group, Gila River broke ground on the $180m resort property expansion in August 2020. It was the first expansion project since the property opened in 2009.
The new 11-story Sunrise tower, connected to the Sunset tower, rises 150 feet over the desert landscape. The Sunrise tower features 205 new guest rooms and suites for a total of 447 rooms at the resort.
Resort guests arriving at Wild Horse Pass will notice a newly renovated lobby entrance, which features a stunning chandelier atop the iconic bucking horse sculpture as a centerpiece as well as diverse art lining the walls from Gila River Indian Community artists. The resort has also enhanced its pool experience with two new pools, the Oasis Pool and the Serenity Adult Pool. In addition, the resort now features 18,000 square feet of indoor meeting space and 7,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space.
Dining and nightlife were key considerations when planning the newly rebranded resort. A stunning glass elevator brings guests up to the rooftop, where Prime Shula’s Steak House serves up a fresh twist on classic steakhouse dishes crafted by celebrity chef Demetrio Zavala. Guests can indulge in a new fine dining experience at the East Valley’s new premier steak house destination that offers exceptional flavor combinations, modern decor, grand ambiance, stunning views of the Estrella Mountains, and breathtaking Arizona sunsets. After dinner, the venue transitions to 11ven at Prime, a place where crafted cocktails and live DJs pair effortlessly with a fabulous perspective of the Valley.
Guests can enjoy Las Vegas-style live table games at all three Gila River properties, including roulette, baccarat, craps, roulette, poker, and slots. As a result, players can partake in a unique and elevated experience while paying lower and more approachable minimums to create fewer barriers for entry to play than Las Vegas. In addition, Gila River Resorts & Casinos offers one of the most robust loyalty programs in the market, allowing guests to play at all three properties while earning on the same card.
As “Arizona’s Official Sports Headquarters,” Gila River Resorts & Casinos has also recently opened BetMGM Sportsbooks at all three properties, where resort guests can view and bet on games from all major U.S. leagues and international sporting events. During the 2021 NFL playoffs, Cardinals and all football fans can enjoy the thrill of the sportsbooks during the NFL Wild Card, Division, and Conference games.
