written and last updated by
Sam Smith at
28 Feb 2024
Journalist, Editorial Department
An anonymous influencer from Arizona, known on social media as Clue Heywood, visited 26 tribal casinos in the state over the course of 48 hours. He announced his plans to his followers on X (formerly Twitter) on February 23, 2024.
Heywood, who has gained popularity for his challenges, commentary, and recommendations, covered a distance of 2,635 kilometers during the weekend. Along the way, he placed at least one bet at each casino he visited. He described his endeavor as a fun and silly challenge. Back in January, he had tweeted that he was bored and could visit all the casinos in Arizona.
Joining him on this adventure was author and journalist Tom Zellner, who recently published a book titled "Rim to River" about his journey along the Arizona Trail. Zellner noted that a trip to the casinos could provide another exciting story, which is exactly what Heywood was looking for. The influencer admitted that he had read Tom's book and enjoyed it, but he also planned to acknowledge its many shortcomings.
The duo set off after six weeks of planning their route. As they visited the casinos, Heywood left brief reviews. For instance, he praised the dining options at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, while describing the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino near Flagstaff as elegant and quiet, with friendly staff and excellent service. However, he found the overwhelming lights and sounds in the casinos to be quite irritating.
The operation of tribal casinos in Arizona is regulated by the Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA), which was established in 1994. The 26 gaming establishments are managed by 16 tribes, with a combined annual revenue estimated at $2 billion, making Arizona the fifth-largest tribal gaming market in the U.S.
In the state, casinos are only permitted on Native American lands. Each tribe has a compact with the state, which stipulates that the gaming establishments must allocate a portion of their revenue for the benefit of the region. These funds are used to support public programs in Arizona.
In related news, the Great Canadian Casino Resort will host a leg of the World Series of Poker for the first time in Toronto.
