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More than a few gamblers have hit lucky streaks at Paradise Casino Arizona in the decade since it opened, but they're not the only ones who have profited from the slot machines. The casino has generated revenue that has allowed the Quechan Tribe to invest in a variety of quality of life projects on the reservation which straddles the border between Arizona and California.
And as the Arizona casino marks its 10th anniversary on Tuesday, Quechan President Mike Jackson is optimistic that life will get better still for the tribe, the owner and operator of the casino and the California casino.
"With revenue from the casinos, we are bracing for the future, and education is one of the most important steps," said Jackson, the tribal president for the past 12 years. "We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go for our Quechan Nation people."
Tribal members will be treated to a dinner and music by The Temptations Monday at the casino for the anniversary.
The public will be treated to a celebration the following day, Jackson said. Doors open at 7 p.m., for Tuesday's celebration, followed at 7:30 by free music by Soul Solutions, a Phoenix band, and a free concert by Kool & the Gang at 9 p.m.
"(Tuesday's) celebration will be similar to the one held on July 31, 1996, the evening before Paradise Casino Arizona was officially opened to the public," said Jackson.
Among the area residents who have been patrons of the Arizona casino since its opening are TJ White and his wife, Kathy.
"We go often, and the customer service is superb," said Kathy. "The employees always recognize us, and if we happen to miss a few times, we're greeted with 'We've missed you!'
"We play a lot of the video keno, and I like to play the dime slots," she added. "We eat many meals there, and so do my mom and dad. It's a good place to go for enjoyment.
Jackson said the tribal council is pleased with the progress accomplished since the Arizona casino was opened.
"Since the opening of the casino on the Yuma side, we have made great progress (and were) able to grow in leaps and bounds with these resources. There's a new education complex, and we'll be having a grand opening soon. We're building our infrastructure, and now have a police department and tribal court, and there are social services for tribal members with problems. The Quechan Walking Park is being improved and maintained. This is open to the public," said Jackson.
The Quechans not only invest casino receipts on the reservation, but share revenue with the city of Yuma, Imperial County and area social service organizations and, under a gambling compact, with the state.
"Our management meets weekly to go over requests from different agencies and groups requesting assistance," Jackson said. "The casino money has been used to purchase animals sold at auction during the Yuma County Fair, and help has been given to different school projects. We've helped the Yuma police and fire departments, Amberly's Place and the Yuma Community Food Bank. More homes for our tribal members will be built through casino revenue."
Jackson said the tribe is looking forward to fruits of the revenue from the
combined establishments.
"Our tribe has always been known as conservative, and we're working to make every dollar count. One of the educational projects is to have a vocational training school where our young tribal members can learn a trade. Goals are to build a new senior nutrition center for the elderly where they can have meals and socialize. We're improving the irrigation system on our agriculture lands," Jackson said.
"More tribal plans are the construction of a fire station, a library and water treatment plant," he said. "A new hospital is to be built by the Indian Health Services, and the Quechans will be contributing to it financially and with labor."
"It's really great the way the Quechans are helping their own people," White said. "Paradise Casinos have been good to the community."
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