"We are known for unveiling the newest and best games: the top slot games of 2024 all premiered at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino"

Last week, Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel, California, held the world premiere of Aristocrat Gaming's Phoenix Link slot machine. Far from being Yaamava's first global slot debut, the event confirmed the property's status as a favorite among vendors for first-to-market launches, with 14 such events held in the last two years. It's also a source of pride for a resort that's no stranger to industry recognition, having won Property of the Year - North America at the 2024 Global Gaming Awards last month.

To learn more about these milestones and why manufacturers and players alike choose Yaamava' as their casino of choice, Yogonet held an exclusive interview with Yaamava's General Manager, Kenji Hall.

Yaamava' was selected as the world premiere venue for Phoenix Link, which debuted last week. What can you tell us about this milestone and being chosen as the property for this long-awaited game's launch? What was the premiere day like?

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel works diligently to develop our strategic partnerships so that we’re offering the best games to our guests and the best product presentation for our vendors. Previous iterations, Lighting Link and Dragon Link, have been hugely popular with our guests, so when Aristocrat Gaming hosted a preview of Phoenix Link in July 2024, we knew we could host an unveiling worthy of the game. Aristocrat Gaming doesn’t grant world premieres often, so we are grateful to their team for trusting us to launch the product with the attention it deserves.

Premiere day was filled with excitement. Nearly 300 Club Serrano members lined up to get to be among the first-ever Phoenix Link players. To celebrate, we hosted an event complete with an elaborate kabuki curtain drop, artisan coffee, a live drumline, photo ops, and even a cake. Then, we got to see our guests win big! Almost immediately, a player won a jackpot of over $5,000! It was an exciting celebration of this highly anticipated game.

The momentum hasn’t stopped. We’ve had several jackpots on Phoenix Link games already. 

Phoenix Link's global debut at Yaamava'

What will players find in Phoenix Link and what has the early reception been like? What is the gaming experience like, and how does it complement Yaamava's existing offerings?

This game is fun! Guests are enjoying the exceptional graphics, sounds, and game-play mechanics. The bonus frequency is especially exciting for the gaming experience. It also offers a diverse array of bet options with a staggering 90 total combinations! This makes it suitable for all levels of players. It’s a game we’re proud to have on our gaming floor.

Phoenix Link is a great addition to Yaamava’s gaming floor. It’s an appealing game in every way. We already have 20 units live on the floor, and I’m certain we will add more soon. Once guests start to play it, they look for it the next time they come in, so we want to make sure we have enough units to allow our guests to enjoy their favorites. It definitely stands out on the floor. The cabinet is also appealing with the tiered top, so it’s all-around complementary. 

Yaamava' has become a major gaming destination for premiere events. This year, the casino has hosted the worldwide debut of titles such as Konami's Unwooly Riches and IGT’s Whitney Houston Slots. What's the secret behind this success? 

Yaamava’ has hosted six world premieres this year with six different vendors. Actually, in the last two years, we’ve hosted 14 world premieres and six state or continental first-to-market unveilings. We are proud that we’re able to have such good relationships with our vendors that they trust us to properly introduce their products. Each of our vendors brings unique products. Our Slot Operations team is exceptional at working with vendors to identify the next big games so we have a good formula that will appeal to our diverse visitors.

I think we are known for unveiling the newest and best games. The top slot games of 2024 all premiered at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino. We started the year with SegaSammy’s Railroad Riches in January, then Konami Gaming’s Unwooly Riches in February followed by Bluberi’s Devil’s Lock – All-In in April. During the summer, we hosted two world premieres: IGT’s Whitney Houston Slots, and Light and Wonder’s Squid Game Slots.

We don’t take these opportunities lightly. Again, our Slot and Gaming operations teams are committed to developing relationships with our vendors. It's a privilege to partner with world-class innovators who develop captivating games. This is the secret to providing our guests with the unique, luxury gaming experience that is only available at Yaamava’. 

Konami's Unwooly Riches debut at Yaamava' in February

Yaamava' claimed the coveted title of Property of the Year - North America at the 2024 Global Gaming Awards last month. What can you tell us about this milestone? What are the key factors driving this success? 

Our amenities, both gaming and non-gaming, are exclusive and appealing to every visitor. We truly have something for everyone. From our Club Serrano loyalty membership to the variety of slots and live entertainment, Yaamava’ is a cut above the rest. Our Serrano Spa is a Forbes Travel Guide five-star spa. We have five high-limit rooms, 150 table games, and 432 luxury accommodations with carefully curated furnishings. There are so many reasons why Yaamava’ is an extraordinary property.

Being named Property of the Year – North America was a proud moment for us at Yaamava’, but it really speaks to the leadership of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. It is the Tribe through its values that sets the standard for excellence in hospitality. They go to great lengths to ensure exceptional service to Yaamava’ guests.

We also credit our amazing team for this recognition. They are hands down the best in the industry. There are too many contributors to list individually, but sincerely, every one of our team members make Yaamava’ Resort & Casino the gold standard. 

As we approach the end of the year, what's your balance for 2024 for Yaamava'? How does the casino plan to keep up the momentum in the next year?

The momentum of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino persists. There are many celebrations still to come in the remaining weeks of 2024. On December 16, one lucky Club Serrano member will walk away with $1 million cash. We also have top-tier performers coming to Yaamava’ Theater including John Legend, Pepe Aguilar, Boys II Men, and Gladys Knight.

Our entire team, over 7,000 team members, works hard to make every guest experience exceptional, so the momentum, the excitement will continue through every promotion, dining experience, resort stay, concert/show, and every big win.

Yaamava’ is ever-evolving and continuing to raise the bar. In 2025, we will continue to unveil new games, host exciting promotions, and bring the best musical talent to our theater. Our Club Serrano members get the very best from us every day, and we look forward to giving them the best yet in 2025!