Arizona's Gila River celebrates rebranding and $180M expansion at Wild Horse Pass

Gila River Hotels & Casinos, which has now become Gila River Resorts & Casinos after 27 years of existence, is celebrating its new look and amenities with an event on Friday and Saturday, January 21-22, at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona, after the completion of its $180 million expansion and opening of the new Sunrise tower. 

The event will feature a sold-out Ludacris concert. The Spotlight Lounge will also have its own party with Live 101.5 from 10 p.m. to midnight. Saturday will see 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 watch the NFL Division games that day at the new BetMGM Sportsbook. 

Gila River Resorts & Casinos is here and we’re showing you how to #OwnYourMoment. pic.twitter.com/xgOO5A9Rsr

— Gila River Resorts & Casinos (@PlayAtGila) January 17, 2022

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 special guest DJ, and a drone show at 6:30 p.m., which can be seen best from Prime’s rooftop lounge.

In an official press release, Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos, spoke about the new rebranding and new experiences at all its properties including Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte in Chandler, Vee Quiva in West Valley, and Santan Mountain in the Southeast Valley, its fourth casino that is expected to open in 2023. 

“We are truly excited to introduce ourselves as Gila River Resorts & Casinos," Manuel said. "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. 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.”

We’ll see you this upcoming weekend for live entertainment, a chance to win $1,000 every hour, viewings of the Pro Football Division games at our new BetMGM Sportsbook, enjoy Las Vegas-style live table games, drinks, and a spectacular drone show.

— Gila River Resorts & Casinos (@PlayAtGila) January 17, 2022

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, and it features 205 new guest rooms and suites for a total of 447 rooms at the resort. 

Guests arriving at Wild Horse Pass will notice a renovated lobby entrance, which features a chandelier atop the bucking horse sculpture as the centerpiece, as well as diverse art lining the walls from Gila River Indian Community artists. 

The resort has also built 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 glass elevator brings guests up to the rooftop to Prime Shula’s Steak House. Guests can indulge in a new dining experience at the East Valley’s new premier steak house destination with stunning views of the Estrella Mountains. After dinner, the venue transitions to 11ven at Prime, a place where crafted cocktails and live DJs pair with a view of the Valley.