Pechanga and Bally Set World's Largest Slot Machine Tournament Record With 2,885 Players

TEMECULA, Calif., Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A Guinness World Records® adjudicator verified that the World's Largest Slot Machine Tournament happened at Pechanga Resort & Casino on February 11, 2012. Bally Technologies' casino-wide network software was used to power approximately 1,100 slot machines for each frenzied round of the tournament, which resulted in a total of 2,885 players, setting the new world record. Three rounds were played. The record stipulates the most number of unique slot tournament players in one venue in a 24-hour period.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120212/LA51941 ) 

"It was a wonderful thing to see 2,885 people take part in a free slot tournament and become a part of a world record," said  Kimberly Partrick, Guinness World Records® Adjudicator for the event. "The room was electrified during each round and the excitement did not diminish throughout the day."

The event was free and open to everyone over 21 years of age. The top 300 players won $100,000 in cash and EasyPlay. Julio L. from Murrieta won the tournament, to take home $30,000 cash.

"We are thrilled that 2,885 guests joined us for this history-making experience, and we congratulate Julio for winning this extraordinary event," said Joaquin Fletcher, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation.  "Outside of opening day in 2002, I would say that this is the single most exciting thing that has ever happened at the Pechanga Resort & Casino."

Having one of the world's most technologically advanced casino floors allowed Pechanga to do what no other casino could:  More than 1,100 slot machines, from five different manufacturers, on Pechanga's floor used Bally Technologies' unique iVIEW Display Manager (DM) with Elite Bonusing Suite to turn them into tournament machines for the event. This allowed players the excitement of competing head-to-head, each round, with 1,100 other players at the exact same time.  Most slot tournaments feature only a few dozen machines dedicated solely for tournament use. Prior to using the Bally technology, Pechanga's tournament area had 78 dedicated machines and was one of the largest anywhere.  

"This event has changed all expectations of what a slot tournament can do," said Pechanga General Manager Rudy Prieto. "In my 30 years in the casino business, nothing else comes close to 2,885 players in one tournament.  I think this record will stand for quite some time."

As the largest casino in the Western USA, Pechanga offers an all-inclusive AAA Four-Diamond luxury resort in the heart of Southern California's Wine Country of the Temecula Valley. With more than 3,800 slots, 130+ table games, and a 54-table poker room, the resort boasts the soaring elevation changes of the Journey at Pechanga course, ranked as the 4th "Best New Course You Can Play" by GOLF Magazine in 2009. The 445-acre resort also includes a full-service spa, featuring a couple's massage suite; nine award-winning restaurants and a 24-hour food court; superstar concerts in its theater, a comedy club; world title boxing events; and three clubs and lounges, including Silk, the largest nightclub in Southern California. 

SOURCE Pechanga Resort & Casino