Page 19 - February 2016 • Southern California Gaming Guide

It’s been 14 years this month since we began publishing the Southern California Gaming GuideTM. In February 2002, the rst issue of the Gaming Guide was published. Two years before, in March 2000, California voters had passed Proposition 1A that amended the California Constitution to permit casino-style gaming on Indian land, and within two years, Southern California had 15 operating casinos.
First published as e San Diego Gaming GuideTM, the Gaming Guide included the same content as it does today: casino listings, slot news, entertainment, bingo, tournament and poker news, players club promotions, big winners, players’ tips and more. Six issues later in July 2002, as a result of overwhelming reader and advertiser requests, the Gaming Guide was expanded to include all of Southern California Indian casinos, and renamed the Southern California Gaming GuideTM. Since then, we’ve been Southern California’s only casino player publication with over 400,000 readers each month. And starting this month, we've changed to a magazine-style format.
Over the past 14 years in 168 issues we’ve reported over $1.5 billion of Southern California casino jackpot winnings, detailed numerous Southern California casino openings and expansions, introduced thousands of new slots, presented over 540 Best of Southern California GamingTM Readers Choice Awards, and delivered Southern California Indian casino news to hundreds of thousands casino player readers each month. From the beginning, our goal has been to promote gaming as entertainment, and promote responsible gaming.
A lot has changed in the Southern California casino world since 2002. Many Southern California casinos have expanded to casino resorts. In 2002 there were 19 casinos and only 4 were casino resorts in Southern California. In 2016, there are 22 casinos and 13 are casino resorts. Plus, there have been amazing changes in the games we play at casinos, and we’ve kept readers current on the latest new slots and table games. From celebrity and television show favorites to blockbuster lm franchise themed slots, in 3d and hd, we’ve featured many.
Since 2003, we have delivered the results of our annual Reader’s Choice poll. Every year, readers have a chance to voice their opinion that determines the Best Casinos and Best Slots in the annual Best of Southern California GamingTM Readers Choice Awards.
From our rst issue in February 2002, the Gaming Guide has been online, in a page-by-page digital publication. And that will never change. Our web site, TheGamingGuide.com, in addition to Southern California casinos, features all California Indian casinos, along with maps and directions. Special sections on new slot games and Southern California Gaming Guide Featured Casinos are online reader favorites. And in coming months we will add more features, contests and exciting new online games. Take a tour through our Past Issues online to see the evolution of the Gaming Guide.
ank you for helping to make us 14 years old. We’re betting on many more years!
FEBRUARY 2016
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
PAGE 19