Page 25 - June 2016 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Victor Rocha Named Indian Gaming Tradeshow Conference Chair
ictor Rocha will oversee the development and educational content for the National Indian Gaming Association’s (NIGA) Indian Gaming Tradeshow team as Urban Expositions conference chair. Urban Expositions is an event-planning rm
that produces and manages a portfolio of 36 events. Rocha will lead the production of educational programming for NIGA’s annual tradeshow and its mid-year conference, according to a press release.
Well-known as a trusted voice in Indian gaming, Rocha, the owner and publisher of Pechanga.net, is an active advocate of tribal gaming in the U.S. since
1998. He has earned numerous accolades including the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 2015 Tribal GamingVisionary Award, the American Gaming Association’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award for Gaming Communications, and the National Indian Gaming Association’s 2002 Outstanding Contribution to Indian Country.
Entering its 32nd year in April 2017, NIGA’s Annual Trade Show and Convention is the country’s
largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in the Indian gaming industry, showcasing the newest product and service innovations and the latest industry trends. e convention o ers a comprehensive schedule of workshops and numerous networking events, while promoting tribal sovereignty and celebrating Native culture throughout.
National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. noted Rocha’s longtime involvement in NIGA conferences and his positive impact on the industry. “Victor Rocha is not only
an advocate for the community but a dear friend. He has his nger on the pulse of the industry and will ensure that the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention continues to lead the way for education in the industry,” he said.
“As the voice for the tribal gaming industry, Victor Rocha is extremely well-positioned to immediately impact the educational programming for the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention,” said Courtney Muller, Executive Vice President of Urban Expositions.“His passion for excellence and his innovative approach will take the conference program to a new level at the events.”
e 2017 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention will take place in San Diego, April 13–17, 2017. For more information, visit indiangamingtradeshow.com.
Pala Casino Resort Spa Can Add 500 Slot Machines Under New
GIaming Compact
n mid-May, Governor Jerry Brown announced the signing of an updated state gaming compact with the Pala Band of Mission Indians in San Diego County. e agreement, which sets terms under which the Tribe can operate Pala Casino Resort
Spa, supersedes a contract signed a dozen years ago.
and healthcare facilities that provide a mutual bene t to the Tribe and the local community. e Pala Band will also continue to share revenue with tribes that don’t operate casinos.
According to City News Service, the governor’s o ce said the agreement is consistent with recent compacts reached with other casino-operating tribes, the professionalism of the tribe’s regulators, and their constructive relationship with state gaming regulators.
winners. e elements of speed and concentration are vital factors required for a good slot tournament strategy.
It is also important to concentrate on what you are doing and not let other players distract you. While you may want to see and compare your points to other players’, don’t. It wastes time. Wait until your session time is completed to see your score. And turn o your cell phone! Don’t let anything disturb you from your goal: pressing that spin button and racking up points!
Join the slot tournament party at a Southern California casino, and who knows? You just may end up being the best slot tournament player!
e agreement authorizes the Tribe to operate 2,500 slot machines, an increase of 500 over the prior agreement. Provisions in the compact include revenue sharing with and mutual support of local jurisdictions for re, emergency medical services, law enforcement, public transit, infrastructure
improvements, education and other services that serve the needs of the community, according to the governor’s o ce.
It also includes terms to stimulate investments in renewable energy, recycling or water conservation projects, non-gaming-related economic development
Slot Tournament Basics Continued from Page 24...
you have a 1 in 4 chance of at least winning something. You have a 1 in 200 chance of winning the top prize.
Slot Tournament Winning Ways
What can you do to increase your chances of winning? Luck plays a big part in winning a slot tournament. However, speed and concentration are the two most important skills you will need. Since you must play within a certain time period, you must play fast. Each winning spin increases your total score.
e TournEvent system has the added feature of on-screen bonuses where players can press an image to receive big bonus points.
All tournaments have a time limit, and to have a chance of winning, you need to play the maximum
amount of spins. is means you have to keep pressing the spin button as soon as the tournament session begins until it stops. One way to maintain speed is to keep your ngers on the spin button and continue tapping it to spin the reels. A few seconds of delayed hit on the spin button can create a big di erence of earning more credits.
Don’t waste time counting credits, and don’t waste time getting annoyed on near-miss spins. Keep tapping the spin button, and don’t let anything distract you. Some players often cheer when they hit a big win, but each second of lost time will allow other players to gain on your scores. Every fraction of a second can add a few more points.
It’s not unusual in slot tournaments that only a few points can separate rst and second place
JUNE 2016
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
PAGE 25
June 2016 Tribes in the News