Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel achieved new heights in 2024, delivering on its commitment to offer bigger and better gaming experiences. The year was marked by the introduction of six world premiere games, celebrity-driven events, and exclusive VIP experiences, along with the amenities that customers regularly enjoy at the property.
The property also earned multiple prestigious accolades, including Newsweek’s Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas, Best Native American Casino, and the Global Gaming Awards’ Property of the Year – North America, further solidifying its status as a leading force in the casino industry.
In an interview with Yogonet, Allen Schultz, Director of Slot Performance at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, discusses key industry trends from 2024 and shares Yaamava’s 2025 vision, which includes investments in seamless rewards integration, player-facing enhancements, and the arrival of more cutting-edge slot games and immersive hardware innovations.
Looking back at 2024, how would you assess the year for Yaamava’? What are some of the major takeaways/highlights, achievements, or lessons learned over the past year?
Each year, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino sets ambitious goals to deliver bigger and better gaming experiences for our Club Serrano members, and 2024 has exceeded all expectations. With six world-premiere games, including IGT’s Whitney Houston, Light & Wonder’s Squid Game, and Aristocrat’s Phoenix Link, our casino has solidified its reputation across the industry and Southern California as the premier gaming destination.
In June, Yaamava’ hosted its first celebrity blackjack tournament, benefiting the Television Academy Foundation and introducing Hollywood to the luxury gaming experience Yaamava’ offers. Additionally, the property has earned incredible recognition in 2024, including Newsweek’s Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas, Best Native American Casino, USA Today’s 10Best Casino Outside of Las Vegas, and the Global Gaming Awards’ Property of the Year – North America.
Beyond these remarkable accolades, the Yaamava’ Promotions team went above and beyond, curating an exceptional lineup of experiences and opportunities to win—both here in Southern California and at our sister property, Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Standout moments included a Ferrari Portofino giveaway hosted by Jay Leno, an exclusive VIP experience for Club Serrano members at the F1 Vegas Grand Prix, and intimate, invite-only dinners with sports legends like Magic Johnson and Mario Andretti.
This year, we also expanded our gaming floor to exceed 7,400 slot machines, giving our guests even more options and greater opportunities to win. As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited to build on our dynamic gaming and promotions offerings, delivering an unparalleled, and diverse experience for Club Serrano members at their favorite entertainment destination.
Yaamava' hosted world-premiere events for six games in 2024
Which issues and trends would you say dominated the conversation this year in the casino industry?
On the slots side, we’ve noticed a growing player appetite for the newest and most exciting games, as well as cutting-edge machine hardware. Players are drawn to brighter screens, bigger sounds, enhanced graphics, and engaging game mechanics—preferences that are shifting away from purely nostalgic games. That said, those classics still have a place on our floor, and we remain committed to offering something for every Club Serrano player.
The casino industry is rapidly evolving, with a growing emphasis on offering a comprehensive entertainment experience that extends beyond traditional gaming. Yaamava’ Resort & Casino has raised the bar by blending world-class gaming with opulent rooms, an award-winning spa, and fine dining and top-tier entertainment. With its focus on luxury and immersive experiences, Yaamava’ is redefining the modern casino and ushering in a new era of hospitality.
What can we expect from Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in 2025? Are there any specific trends or technologies that you believe will drive change in 2025?
In 2025, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino is poised to continue elevating the guest experience with several exciting innovations. One major trend we’re embracing is cashless gaming, which will streamline the gaming experience and make transactions more convenient and secure for players.
We’re also focusing on integrating rewards more seamlessly into the gaming experience, allowing Club Serrano members to enjoy personalized offers and incentives with greater ease.
In addition to these advancements, we’re investing in player-facing enhancements and quality-of-life improvements, ensuring that guests have a smoother, more enjoyable time on the casino floor. Whether it’s through user-friendly interfaces or faster, more efficient systems, we want to make every interaction as seamless as possible.
Finally, we’re excited about the cutting-edge games and hardware that our valued slot partners are bringing to the table. Expect even more thrilling, immersive experiences with state-of-the-art graphics, engaging mechanics, and innovative machine designs. These advancements will help keep Yaamava’ at the forefront of the industry, ensuring that our guests continue to have the very best in entertainment and technology.
