Gila River Resorts & Casinos Celebrates Wild Horse Pass $180 Million Expansion

Newly Rebranded Gila River Resorts & Casinos Celebrates Completion of Wild Horse Pass $180 Million Expansion Jan. 21-22 

  Grand-Opening party features Ludacris, a spectacular drone show, fine dining at the new rooftop restaurant, Prime, and DJ James Kennedy at the lounge, 11ven at Prime

 New resorts designation brings an elevated guest experience comparable to Las Vegas at Gila River’s Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva properties

(PRESS RELEASE) – Gila River Hotels & Casinos is celebrating its new prestigious resorts designation as Gila River Resorts & Casinos in a grand way. After 27 years, the enterprise is unveiling its new look and amenities with a big bash Friday and Saturday, January 21-22, at Wild Horse Pass to celebrate the completion of its $180 million expansion and opening of the new Sunrise tower. 

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,” 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.”

Join the Celebration!
To celebrate this commemorative milestone, Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass will host multiple events on Friday and Saturday, January 21 & 22. The fun-packed weekend will kick off Friday with a sold-out Ludacris concert, and resort guests can also party with  Live 101.5 in the Spotlight Lounge from 10 p.m. to midnight.  

The fun continues on Saturday at Wild Horse Pass with several events and promotions. Guests who are enrolled in Gila River’s loyalty program, THE Card®, are eligible to win $1,000 every hour between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Football fans are encouraged to come to watch the NFL Division games that day at the new BetMGM Sportsbook.  

Guests are also invited to celebrate the grand opening of the new rooftop restaurant and lounge Prime and 11ven at Prime. The exclusive Saturday night event will feature DJ James Kennedy as a special guest DJ. 

Saturday’s party also features a spectacular drone show at 6:30 p.m., which can be seen best from Prime’s rooftop lounge.  

Wild Horse Pass Resort: A Premier Destination 
Partnering with Sundt Construction, Inc., TynanGroup and Friedmutter Group, Gila River broke ground on the $180 million 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 lively DJs pair effortlessly with a fabulous perspective of the Valley. 

Casino Resort Gaming is Comparable to Las Vegas 
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.

About Gila Rivers Resorts & Casinos: Gila River Resorts & Casinos currently operates three locations in Arizona, all owned by the Gila River Indian Community: Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte, and Vee Quiva. The resorts at Wild Horse Pass and Vee Quiva are Four Diamond accredited. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all three casinos offer a combination of slots, live table games, poker, and other fun games, with BetMGM sportsbooks opening in November. A fourth casino, Santan Mountain, is under construction and is expected to open in 18 to 24 months. Additional information is available at 1-800-946-4452 or at PlayAtGila.com.