Perfect Pairs is an exciting new way to win on our Double-and Multi-Deck Blackjack tables.

The game begins with a player making the Perfect Pairs wager prior to the cards being dealt. From that point on, sit back and watch your money grow when you receive a Pair of cards in the initial two cards dealt.

Receive a Mixed Pair — a pair consisting of 1 red card and 1 black card — and get 5x your bet. Receive a Colored Pair — which is a pair consisting of same colored cards — and win 10x your bet. And if that isn’t enough, receive the Perfect Pair — a pair of the exact same suit — and you’ll win 30 to 1!

Your chances of winning have never been better at Barona.

Check out the fresh new flavors at the Ranch House Buffet at our American BBQ, Seafood, Dim Sum, and Omelet/Crepe stations! And, our award-winning buffet is now open 10am to 10pm Sunday through Thursday, and 10am to Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for one price of $20.99, all day!

When you visit the Ranch House Buffet Monday through Friday between 10am and 4pm, you'll automatically receive $5 in myFREEPLAY loaded onto your Club Barona Card.

Not a Club Barona member? Click here to join and take advantage of a fabulous discount that only membership can bring.


$5 myFREEPLAY available with paid meal only.

Swipe your Card. Earn prizes. It’s that simple. Over 3,000 winners expected every week…and you could be one!

Earn 250 myPOINTS in one day and swipe your Club Barona Card at a Barona Football Bingo kiosk to earn one bingo card featuring 25 spots, including a FREE spot in the middle. You don’t even have to follow football to do it!

You can qualify for up to seven Barona Football Bingo cards per week to increase your chances to win! Each time one of your teams wins, you'll receive a stamp for your chance to win... all the way up to $10,000!

EXAMPLES OF WINNING BINGO COMBINATIONS AND PRIZES:

SINGLE BINGO Five in a row, including the FREE space Prize: Hot Dog		SINGLE BINGO (hard way) Five in a row, not including the FREE space Prize: $5 myFREEPLAY		DOUBLE BINGO Five in a row on two different lines, including the FREE space Prize: $20 myFREEPLAY
DOUBLE BINGO (hard way) Five in a row on two different lines, not including the FREE space Prize: $50 myFREEPLAY		TRIPLE BINGO Five in a row on three different lines (with or without the FREE space) Prize: up to $10,000 cash!

Play once a day every Monday from 10am – 7pm on the Casino Floor.

Club Barona members can participate in a FREE slot tournament for a chance to win!

Be here every Monday in November from 10am to 7pm to play in a FREE 5 minute slot tournament for a share of $75,000 in CASH! Play every Monday and receive a bonus $100 myFREEPLAY offer! 

Join Club Barona and start playing one of our best casino promotions this November!  Sign up now »

Is it your Birthday? Do you know someone whose birthday is coming up?  Celebrate with us at Barona for and receive $25 in myFREEPLAY!

All you have to do is visit Club Barona on the day of your Birthday to receive your special offers!

Want to join Club Barona and take advantage of this special offer? Click here.

Arrowhead is a four piece rock band that originated in the summer of 2000 and is based out of Ramona, Ca. Arrowheadís musical influences include artists from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and today's dance rock. The four musicians who comprise Arrowhead are dedicated to ensure everyone has a great time during their performances. Since 2000, Arrowhead has performed venues such as Barona Resort & Casino, Santa Ysabel Casino, Golden Acorn Casino, La Posta Casino, many bars, clubs, and private parties and still going strong.

During the POWER HOURS of 6pm to Midnight, ten random Club Barona members will win $250 myFREEPLAY every ten minutes just by playing their favorite slots with their Club Barona Card inserted.

It’s just another way for Club Barona members to win BIG at Barona Resort & Casino.

Not a Club Barona member? Join our free players Club, Club Barona for your chance to win a share of $180,000!   Sign up now »

7 to 10 piece band specializing in 'Old School' R&B. Makai has been entertaining throughout Southern California for over 20 years and there's still nobody better at bringing you Old School the way it was meant to be played.

For music samples and more visit http://www.makaiband.com/

Six eclectic musicians, each with their own musical influences, come together to create a one-of-a-kind sound.  Coyote puts their spin on songs by everyone from The Beatles to Johnny Cash.  A unique blend of country, blues, rock, and pop will leave you wondering what song they might play next.

MICHAEL CHAIN has hit the charts again this year with more songs off his Hard Ten Records CDs.  No stranger to the music scene (he was the lead singer for the original KNACK on Capitol records) L.A. Times critic Robert Hilburn listed his band as one of the top 10 greatest concert groups of all time.  Michael has played everywhere from honky tonks to the Hollywood Bowl and shared stages with everyone from Led Zeppelin to Frank Sinatra.

A gifted writer of both words and music, Michael’s songs are played on Country, Rock, R&B, Hot AC, Americana, Easy Listening, Blues, and Jazz radio stations across the US and all over the world.  His songs have been recorded by B.J. Thomas, Vicki Lawrence, Wayne Newton, the Knack, John Davidson, Claudine Longet,  Leroy Van Dyke, Cheryl Ladd, Eric Anderson, the Mills Brothers, and international stars like Manoella Torres, Bella Erny, Martha Caramelo, and Laura Alegria to name a few.

Michael is also an Emmy nominated television writer (Rambo, Punky Brewster, Police Academy, Chuck Norris Show) and a top voiceover artist.  You’ve heard him as the voice of McDonalds’ Chicken McNuggets, the Transformers, and on countless TV and radio commercials from Budweiser to Sears.  As a  comedy writer/performer Michael worked with Milton Berle, Robin Williams, John Ritter, Joey Bishop, Bob Hope, Fred Willard, Phil Foster, Rodney Dangerfield, Kenneth Mars, and Harvey Korman. 
           
Michael’s band is creating quite a buzz in music circles – they are all top studio pickers and seasoned concert performers.  You’ve heard them on hits by Bob Seager, Ricky Nelson, Tina Turner, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Tim Morgan, Paul Anka, Danny O’ Keefe, Kim Karnes, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, J. D. Souther, the Knack, the Association, the Champs...the list goes on and on.  You gotta catch these guys live.  This band don’t suck!

Arrowhead is a four piece rock band that originated in the summer of 2000 and is based out of Ramona, Ca. Arrowheadís musical influences include artists from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and today's dance rock. The four musicians who comprise Arrowhead are dedicated to ensure everyone has a great time during their performances. Since 2000, Arrowhead has performed venues such as Barona Resort & Casino, Santa Ysabel Casino, Golden Acorn Casino, La Posta Casino, many bars, clubs, and private parties and still going strong.

Is your Birthday in November? Then this is your lucky month! 

Join us at the casino for the FREE Birthday Slot Tournament from 10:00am to 7:00pm each day. The top scoring daily player wins $1,000, with $500 for second and third place! Play every day during the promotion for even more chances to win.

Must be a Club Barona member to play. Get your free membership to Club Barona here. Membership is fast, FREE, and easy!

Must be 18 years or older to participate.

Environmentally Friendly Buses Save Fuel, Lower Emissions and Reduce Congestion

Barona Resort & Casino is rolling out a new line of “green” shuttle buses that offer guests and staff a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly way to travel to the award-winning gaming, golf and entertainment destination in the scenic Barona Valley just northeast of downtown San Diego.

Free shuttle service aboard the expanded fleet of low-emission eco-friendly luxury motorcoach buses is available daily from early morning to late evening from six locations throughout San Diego County, including El Cajon, Lakeside, Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, Chula Vista and National City. In addition, all of the buses are equipped with a handicap lift.

The new fleet of Barona buses are “good for the environment, save wear on roads and reduce traffic congestion,” explained Jay Bart, director of safety, health and environment at Barona Resort & Casino.

In recent years, he said there’s been a huge attitude shift away from private vehicles and toward more eco-smart bus transportation. “With fuel prices skyrocketing and concerns about traffic congestion and global warming ever increasing, the demand from our guests and staff for greener alternatives has been very strong.”

Motorcoaches are the most fuel-efficient mode of transportation and significantly reduce carbon emissions. Barona’s new biodiesel-fueled motorcoaches provides 206.6 passenger miles per gallon of fuel – more than double the second most fuel-efficient sector of commuter rail. They also emit the least carbon dioxide per passenger mile when compared to other vehicles and are on average seven times more energy and fuel efficient than single occupancy automobiles.

“It is always encouraging to see that Barona – an early adopter of green technology continues to raise the bar for environmental performance,” said Gary Goodson, Executive Director of the United States Green Building Council - San Diego Chapter. “Since biodiesel is a fuel made from plant crops like soybeans or recycled fryer oil from restaurants, it burns cleaner and is more of a renewable resource than diesel made from oil pulled from the ground.”

“When you go by Barona bus, you go green,” said Bart, noting that each shuttle bus has the potential of removing 56 autos from the local roads and busy highways. “That’s millions of cars not driven, saving fuel, cutting emissions and reducing congestion,” he said. "And that’s not mentioning lowered transportation costs and stress levels as well as other positive health benefits for both staff and guests who instead of driving simply “sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Barona Valley on their way to work or to play,” said Bart.

The green shuttle buses are just part of Barona’s environmental sustainability program and wide reaching eco-friendly mission.

With a proven track record for environmental stewardship, Barona has received numerous honors and accolades for its green practices. It has received SANDAG RideLink Diamond Awards for its transportation management program that has provided shuttle and vanpool services to more than 500,000 riders in recent years.

In addition, Barona has been recognized with the 2007 United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act Recognition Award, the 2006 San Diego Earthworks Earth Award for water resource management and the 2009 U.S. EPA Energy Star Award for superior energy efficiency.

“We’re proud of our environmental record and think our guests and employees appreciate our eco-friendly efforts,” said Bart. “We plan to continue to expand the greening of Barona by adding additional shuttle buses and other carbon footprint shrinking programs.”

For casino shuttle service information and schedules, visit www.barona.com and click on directions or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

For two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, Barona Resort & Casino has won the J.D. Power and Associates Award for the "Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Casino Gaming Experience" in the J.D. Power and Associates Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study.

Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego's most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego's leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, 11 award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine.

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Indian Gaming Casino StudiesSM – Southern California Region. The 2009 study, which only surveys casinos with a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, is based on 4,452 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2008 and May 2009. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

For Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

You can also join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace at: www.barona.com/facebook, www.barona.com/twitter and www.barona.com/myspace.

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You don’t have to know about the blitz, bomb or bump-and-run plays to catch the excitement of Football Bingo, a new easy-to-play game kicking off at Barona Resort & Casino.

From the NFL season opener in September through the last game of the regular season on January 2, 2010, Club Barona members are eligible to play Football Bingo and win up to $10,000 in cash prizes each week.

The game plan for football fun is simple. Show up at the casino, accumulate 250 Club Barona points, swipe your membership card at one of the specially marked kiosks and earn one bingo card featuring the 24 NFL teams. Guests can qualify for up to seven unique Football Bingo cards each week.

Every Tuesday after the completion of the final NFL game of the week, participants can review their results at a kiosk and print reward coupons based on the prizes they have won, including Triple Bingo payoffs from $250 to $10,000.

“Football Bingo is a great way for everyone – gridiron enthusiasts and non-fans alike – to be part of the upcoming sports season,” said Kari Stout-Smith, director of casino marketing for Barona Resort & Casino. “We encourage new and existing Club Barona members to get into the game weekly and score big points and exciting prizes.”

Joining Club Barona is fast, easy and free, giving players an opportunity to earn prizes ranging from cash back and restaurant discounts to complimentary hotel stays and merchandise. Sign up at the Club Barona booth in the casino or online at www.barona.com.

For two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, Barona Resort & Casino has won the J.D. Power and Associates Award for the “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Casino Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study.

Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, ten award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rdbest resort course in California by Golfweek magazine.

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Indian Gaming Casino Studies SM-Southern California Region. The 2009 study, which only surveys casinos with a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, is based on 4,452 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2008 and May 2009. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

For Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

You can also join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace at:

www.barona.com/facebook      www.barona.com/twitter      and www.barona.com/myspace.

Barona Resort & Casino has been honored in 25 different categories in the 2009 “Best of Gaming” reader’s survey in the July issue of Casino Player magazine. Barona received eight first place titles including Best Over-All Hotel Casino.

“We are honored to receive these awards that come directly from our guests and peers,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Resort & Casino. “Our team has once again shown that they are tops in every aspect of the industry from our casino floor, to our restaurants and golf course.”

Readers selected Barona with first place votes for Best Over-All Hotel Casino, Best Blackjack, Best Video Poker, Best Cashback, Best Comps, Best Hosts, and Best Steakhouse Restaurant (Barona Oaks Steakhouse) and Best Casino Golf Course (Barona Creek Golf Club).

Barona also received 10 second-place honors for Best Casino, Best Hometown Casino, Best Rooms, Best Spa (AmBience Day Spa), Best Live Poker, Best Players Club, Best Service, Luckiest Casino, Best Chinese (Ho Wan Noodle Shop) and Best Buffet (Ranch House Buffet).

Third place honors included Best Hotel, Best Pool, Best Reel Shots, Best Video Slots, Best Promotions, Best Dealers and Best Coffee Shop (Sage Café).

For two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, Barona Resort & Casino has won the J.D. Power and Associates Award for the “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Casino Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study. Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, ten award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Indian Gaming Casino StudiesSM—Southern California Region.  The 2009 study, which only surveys casinos with a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, is based on 4,452 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2008 and May 2009.  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May, 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.
http://www.barona.com/facebook
http://www.barona.com/twitter
http://www.barona.com/myspace

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For the second consecutive year, Barona Resort & Casino ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Casino Gaming Experience” by J.D. Power and Associates. 

“We are extremely honored to be recognized once again by J.D. Power and Associates for offering our guests the ultimate gaming experience,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Resort & Casino. “Our staff at Barona is constantly striving to raise the bar for our guests every day and in every area of operations from the casino to dining to our golf course. And, in today’s economic climate this is more important than ever. This prestigious award belongs to everyone at Barona who goes above and beyond to create memorable moments for our guests.”

The J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM explored casino players’ entire gaming experience including gaming; facility; cage/cashier and ticket redemption machine; arrival and parking; and beverage service.

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Indian Gaming Casino StudiesSM—Southern California Region. The 2009 study, which only surveys casinos with a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, is based on 2,005 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2008 and May 2009.  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May, 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

About Barona Resort & Casino
Blending the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas, Barona Resort & Casino is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, an award-winning casino, ten world-class restaurants, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.

http://www.barona.com/facebook | http://www.barona.com/twitter | http://www.barona.com/myspace

J.D Power and Associates Ranks Barona Highest in Southern California

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

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Barona Resort & Casino today announced the opening of a new Italian Cucina. This marks the first phase of several new restaurants planned for Barona. Later this month, a new Seafood Plaza will debut completing the second phase. Barona has filled nearly 100 positions to staff the new restaurants.

“While many businesses and casinos are forced to cut back due to the economy, we continue to enhance the services we provide our guests at Barona,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Resort & Casino. “We are very excited to unveil the new restaurants to our guests and the San Diego community.”

The Italian Cucina, designed by Solana Beach based W. Morris Architects, Ltd., exudes warmth with vibrant colors, reminiscent of an Italian Piazza. A highlight of the new restaurant is its 3,800 pound ceramic wood stove hearth oven, which will produce delicious pizzas, calzones and pasta dishes. Live kitchen cameras will capture and broadcast chefs in action on plasma screens over the hot-line so guests can enjoy watching their food preparation. Overlooking Barona’s newest garden, complete with a decorative labyrinth and water fountain, the Italian Cucina can accommodate up to 175 guests and also features a private dining room that can accommodate up to 20 for special events or meetings.

While the featured entrees in the Italian Cucina will be traditional Italian classics including Spaghetti with Homemade Italian Sausage, Meatballs and Lasagna, the expansive menu also features numerous appetizers and soups including Minestrone, Porcini Mushroom Risotto, Bruschetta, Crispy Fried Calamari and Hearth-Roasted Stuffed Mushrooms and Cannellini Beans, all ranging from $4.50 to $12.95. The Italian Cucina will also offer Ricotta Gnocchi Ragu, Spaghetti Carbonara and Hand-Cut Pasta Bolognese. Additionally, the menu features Italian specialties such as Mediterranean Sea Bass with Basil-Parsley Butter, “Chianti Braised” Beef Short Ribs, as well as individual pizzas and calzones. All entrées are available from $5.95 to $19.95 and include an all-you-can-eat Caesar Salad.

In the near future, a new Seafood Plaza restaurant will open next to the Italian Cucina and Barona’s acclaimed Culinary Institute. The casual-fare and value-oriented restaurant offers a variety of seafood options starting from $6.95 including Classic New England Clam Chowder in a Bread Boule, Barona’s Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Chilled Alaskan King Crab Jumbo Leg in a Cucumber-Mint Salsa  and Mediterranean-Style Shrimp Ceviche with Tomato, Onion Cucumber, Parlsey, Lime and Feta. The Seafood Plaza also boasts a selection of grilled menu items from its Char Grill ranging from $6.95 to $12.95 such as the BBQ Seafood Skewer with Grilled Halibut, Shrimp, Pineapple and Chipotle Glaze, Butcher Sausage Skewer with Three House-Made Sausages and Pesto Drizzle ($6.95) and Classic Clams “Casino.” Guests will also be able to enjoy oysters from the Raw Bar and selections of Barona Signature Rolls from the Sushi-Sashimi Bar.

“Our culinary team has been hard at work creating the concepts and planning the menus,” added Salinas. “We think guests will be just as excited about our new winning dining experiences as they are about hitting a jackpot on our loose machines.”

The new restaurants will join Barona’s award-winning collection of dining options including the Ranch House Buffet, Sage Café and Ho Wan, as well as its Food Court. Recently, Barona Resort & Casino was honored with a 2009 Gold Medallion Award for Best Casino Dining by the California Restaurant Association (CRA), San Diego Chapter. Additional accolades include the CRA Gold Medallion Awards for “Best Casino Restaurant” and “Best Casino Buffet”; “Best Restaurants”, “Best Buffet” and “Best Brunch” from Southern California Gaming Guide; “Best Traditional Cuisine” from Santé magazine; and “Best Gourmet Restaurant”, “Best Buffet” and “Best Steakhouse” by Strictly Slots magazine.

For two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, Barona Resort & Casino has won the J.D. Power and Associates Award for the “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Casino Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study. Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, ten award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Indian Gaming Casino StudiesSM—Southern California Region.  The 2009 study, which only surveys casinos with a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, is based on 4,452 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2008 and May 2009.  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May, 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.
http://www.barona.com/facebook
http://www.barona.com/twitter
http://www.barona.com/myspace

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(SAN DIEGO) -- Barona Resort & Casino has long been a top destination for humans who want to enjoy San Diego’s most exciting gaming action.

Now, it’s getting even better for the guests who want to treat their dog to a getaway that they’ll drool over.

Barona has just declared Plush Puppies Kennel and Daycare Center in El Cajon the resort’s “official doggie concierge,” which means guests who are traveling with their dogs can give their best friends a relaxing vacation on their own.

Located a short distance away from Barona in a beautifully tranquil spot in eastern San Diego, Plush Puppies has many amenities that are the cat’s meow for dogs including a “doggie limo service” from the resort and a 5000-square-foot area where dogs can run free with their fellow canines.

At Plush Puppies, dogs receive the same excellent handling, attention and loving care their owners receive at Barona. After a brief on-site pre-screening, all the dogs play together in a fenced area, unless they are busy eating or relaxing in the sun.

It’s a perfect way for a dog to spend the dog days of summer – or any other time of the year – and that’s one reason why Rick Messura, Barona’s Senior Vice President of Development, decided to make Plush Puppies part of the Barona family.

“We know that many of our guests are dog lovers who want to enjoy their stay knowing their beloved pet is in good hands,” Messura said. “Having Plush Puppies as our official doggie concierge ensures that our guests are able to fully relax, knowing that their dogs are safe, happy and comfortable.”

Catz Plush, who has owned and operated Plush Puppies since 2002, is thrilled by the honor of being Barona’s official doggie concierge.

“This new partnership is a natural,” Plush said. “Barona offers humans some of the finest food, accommodations and gaming and we do the same for their animal friends so everyone comes out a winner.”

About Barona Resort & Casino
For two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, Barona Resort & Casino has won the J.D. Power and Associates Award for the “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Casino Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study. Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, ten award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Indian Gaming Casino StudiesSM—Southern California Region.  The 2009 study, which only surveys casinos with a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, is based on 4,452 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2008 and May 2009.  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May, 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.

http://www.barona.com/facebook  http://www.barona.com/twitter  http://www.barona.com/myspace

About Plush Puppies Kennel and Day Care Center
Plush Puppies Kennel and Day Care Center is located at 14863 Quail Valley Way El Cajon, CA 92021, in a beautifully tranquil spot among the beautiful hills in eastern San Diego. Amenities include a 5000-square-foot area where dogs can run free with their fellow canines, a “doggie limo” service, and daily obedience training.

For more information, call 619-561-4299 or log on to http://www.plushkennel.com. To arrange an interview with Catz Plush, please call David Moye 619.858.0322 or e-mail him at david@altstrategies.com.

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J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
Among Indian Gaming Casinos in California, Barona Resort & Casino and Red Hawk Casino Rank Highest in Customer Satisfaction

Having the Right Games Available at the Right Time is Critical to Gaming Customer Satisfaction

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 24 June 2009 —Barona Resort & Casino ranks highest for a second consecutive year in gaming customer satisfaction among casinos in Southern California, while Red Hawk Casino ranks highest in Northern California, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM released today.

The study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in five key measures (listed in order of importance): gaming; facility; cage cashier/ticket redemption machine; arriving/parking; and beverage service.

“The highest-ranking Indian gaming casinos combine Las-Vegas-style excitement with the convenience of being local,” said Michael Drago, director of the global hospitality and travel practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “In the current economic climate, where ‘staycations’ are increasingly popular, Indian gaming casinos are a particularly satisfying entertainment option.”

Northern California Region Rankings
Red Hawk Casino (located in Placerville, Calif.) ranks highest in the Northern California region with a score of 769 on a 1,000-point scale and performs particularly well in all five measures driving satisfaction. Following in the regional rankings are Chukchansi Gold Resort Casino (744), located in Coarsegold, and Black Oak Casino (736), located in Tuolumne.

Southern California Region Rankings
Barona Resort & Casino (located in Lakeside) ranks highest in the Southern California region for a second consecutive year with a score of 787. Barona Resort & Casino performs particularly well in three of five factors: gaming; facility; and arriving/parking. Following in the rankings are Valley View Casino (764), located in Valley Center, and Viejas Casino (760), located in Alpine. Valley View Casino performs particularly well in the beverage service measure, while Viejas Casino performs particularly well in the cage cashier/ticket redemption measure.

Additional Northern and Southern California Casino Findings
Overall, the gaming experience makes a substantial contribution to satisfaction. Within this measure, slot and other machine games are approximately three times as important as table games.

“Although other aspects of the casino experience are important, customer satisfaction with gaming continues to grow in importance and is the key differentiator in this highly competitive market,” said Drago.

The study finds that satisfaction with the gaming measure declines considerably—by more than 40 points—when customers are unable to play the games they want, when they want, and at their preferred denomination.

“Regardless of the type of game a player is seeking, the availability of that specific game at the desired denomination is paramount to the player’s experience,” said Drago. “When players are denied the opportunity to wager, they keep the money in their pocket—which represents lost potential revenue for the casino.”

The 2009 Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study measures customer satisfaction of gaming players of Indian casinos in Northern California, Southern California. To be included in the study, casinos in the Southern California region must have a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, while casinos in Northern California must have a minimum of 800 slot machines. The study is based on a total of more than 1,250 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Northern California and more than 2,000 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian Casino in Southern California between December 2008 and May 2009. The study was fielded in May 2009. The study was also conducted in Southern Arizona.

For more information, read an article or view Northern California, Southern California or Southern Arizona Indian gaming casino ratings at JDPower.com.

KTLA5 News Clip:

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts:
John Tews; Troy, Mich.; (248) 312-4119; media.relations@jdpa.com

Syvetril Perryman; Westlake Village, Calif.; (805) 418-8103; media.relations@jdpa.com

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates. www.jdpower.com/corporate

Father’s Day Specials Served June 21 at the Ranch House Buffet

(SAN DIEGO) June 12, 2009 – Make dad feel like a big winner by treating him to lunch or dinner at the Ranch House Buffet at Barona Resort & Casino. A robust Father’s Day Buffet will be served 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 21.

Among the all-American male meals available at the all-you-can enjoy buffet are Braised Pork Shoulder in Apple Cider, Smoked Texas Beef Brisket, Prime Rib of Beef, Beer Bash Chicken, Butcher-Smoked Bratwurst Sausage in Tabasco-Honey Glaze and Twice Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Sour Cream.

 There will be bold Italian dishes as well, including Ranch House’s Classic Bolognaise with Penne, Handcrafted 10-layer Ricotta Lasagna, Spicy Pasta with Clams, White Wine, Garlic and Herb Broth. Additional father’s favorites from Morning Omelets, Poached Salmon and Seafood and generous portions of Antipasti will also be prepared to perfection.

Tell dad to save room for the decadent desserts ranging from Cherries Jubilee over Vanilla Ice Cream and Double Chocolate Macadamia Cookies to Turtle Cheesecake and Almond Biscotti.

The all-you-can-eat Father’s Day Buffet at the Ranch House Buffet is priced at $29.95 per person and will be offered Sunday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
 
Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning restaurants, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

135 Grants Totaling $680,000 Have Been Awarded Since Program Launch

(SAN DIEGO) – June 11, 2009 – Today, staff and students of Riverview Elementary School located in Lakeside, Calif. accepted a $5,000 grant from members of the Barona Tribal Council on behalf of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

As schools across the state wrestle with the reality of budget cuts, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has quietly been helping lessen the blow with its Barona Education Grant Program. Since 2006, Barona has awarded more than $680,000 to over 135 schools statewide.

“Our goal is to help ease the burden of budget cuts to schools in our backyard, such as the Riverview Elementary School and across California,” said Edwin “Thorpe” Romero, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. “We are honored to help schools and educators with crucial funding through our education grant program.”

The school was selected as a recipient based on an application process and endorsement by Assemblyman Joel Anderson. Riverview Elementary will use the grant money to purchase Spanish test books for its Spanish immersion program.

The Barona Education Grant Program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, which operates under a continuous improvement model.

Schools throughout California can apply for educational grants from Barona to purchase much-needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000. Applications can be downloaded at http://barona-nsn.gov/education/education.html

The Barona Band of Mission Indians has lived in Southern California for over 5,000 years and the Barona Indian Reservation since 1932. The Tribe was once a semi-nomadic band that traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. It is now a sovereign government operating Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego’s premier luxury resort and casino.

# # #

(SAN DIEGO) – April X, 2009 – In an effort to encourage local students to create a sustainable future in San Diego, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has introduced the Barona Sustainable Environment Scholarship.  The scholarship is the latest initiative as part of the Barona Valley Environmental Sustainability Program on the reservation and at Barona Resort & Casino.  The program includes a state-of-the-art water reclamation plant, water recovery program, landscaping and wildlife preservation, golf course turf reduction, resort conservation programs – carpooling, recycling and energy efficient practices – and community outreach to increase awareness of eco-friendly events and awards.

The scholarship is available to college students with a passion for the environment who are pursuing careers in horticulture, turf grass management, natural resources, or environmental sciences industries. The Tribe will award four finalists $1,000 and one of the four finalists will receive an additional $1,000, based on a personal interview. The scholarship funds can be used to supplement costs incurred through tuition, books and living expenses. The application deadline is July 15 and the winners will be announced on August 1.

“Our respect for the environment is an important part of our Tribe’s heritage,” said Edwin “Thorpe” Romero, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. “This scholarship was created to inspire future generations of San Diegans to help protect our region’s precious resources.”

In order to be eligible to apply for the scholarship, applicants must be studying a field related to horticulture studies, turf grass management, natural resources management or environmental sciences at a two or more year accredited college and university. In addition, applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester units, with a minimum of 15 semester units of coursework from a field of study related to the environment. Applicants must be a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credits per semester and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For additional information and to download the application, please visit communityrelations.barona.com. Applications must be postmarked by July 15 and mailed to:

Barona Resort & Casino
c/o Barona Sustainable Environment Scholarship Program
Scholarship Selection Committee
1932 Wildcat Canyon Road
Lakeside, CA 92040

The scholarships will be awarded based on the student’s application, references and recommendations. All applications will be reviewed by the Barona Scholarship Selection Committee consisting of representatives from the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Barona Resort & Casino.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932.  Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation, established in 1875 by the federal government.  Long before, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign government is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region.  For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.

First of its Kind Progressive Jackpot Only at Barona

(San Diego, CA) April 14, 2009 – The holiday weekend proved lucky at Barona Resort & Casino as two big winners hit the right beat playing one of Barona’s most popular games featuring an exciting new way to win even bigger jackpots – Blackjack Bad Beat Progressive Jackpot.  Barona is the only casino in the country to offer a progressive Bad Beat jackpot on high-end blackjack games.

On Saturday, April 11, Lisa L. of Ramona was playing Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot, when it hit at $33,058. Eight other lucky players who were in Barona’s Parlor 32 high-limit area when the progressive hit each won $500 for a total of $37,058. Lisa was the first player to win a major jackpot so far on the new progressive jackpot which debuted only two weeks ago at Barona. Then, less than 24 hours later, on Sunday, April 12, Henry T. of San Diego was playing the same game when the progressive jackpot hit $25,157 and 10 other players in the high-limit area also won $500 each for a total of $30,157.

“We’re excited to add Lisa and Henry to our list of jackpot winners at Barona,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Resort & Casino. “We are always looking for new and exciting ways to provide more opportunities for our players to win at Barona and that is how we created the Bad Beat progressive jackpot.  While we just barely introduced this new progressive jackpot  on our casino floor we already have two big winners!  It is great to see that a new twist on an old favorite can create even more winning moments for our guests.”

Barona’s Blackjack Bad Beat Progressive Jackpot debuted earlier this month in addition to several other exciting games including Rapid Baccarat, Video Craps, and Perfect Pairs Blackjack.

While playing Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot, guests have a chance to win even if the dealer gets 21. Adapted from the concept of Bad Beat Jackpot in poker, Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot is available in Barona’s Parlor 32 high-limit area with the one-of-a-kind progressive bonus that does not even require an additional side wager.  The Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot starts at $25,000 and grows about $275 a day until it is hit.

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit www.jdpower.com. 

8825 Aero Drive #200, San Diego, CA 92123
858-541-2277 / www.burninstitute.org    
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2009    
                 
SAN DIEGO -- On Thursday, April 16, 2009, support local firefighters as they take to the streets for the annual Barona Firefighter Boot Drive, to be held throughout San Diego County.

What began 10 years ago as a grassroots effort backed by the fire service, the Boot Drive has become a hallmark fundraiser for the Burn Institute, raising more than $215,000 for the organization in 2008.

Each year, hundreds of uniformed firefighters from fire departments all over San Diego County come together for a common goal, hopping aboard their engines to meet at intersections within their communities to collect donations in their boots during the morning and evening commutes. And each year passing motorists generously help to fill those boots with their spare change -- ones, fives, twenties – even $100 bills.

Sponsored by Barona and backed by the San Diego–Imperial County Fire Fighters Advisory Council to the Burn Institute and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association, the event is not only the agency’s largest one-day fundraiser, but it illustrates the close partnership between the Burn Institute and the fire service.

“The Boot Drive has become one of the Institute’s most successful events,” said James Floros, Burn Institute Executive Director/CEO, adding that the past success can be attributed to the energy and support from local fire service. “It really makes me proud to see that synergy between various agencies and ourselves,” said Floros. “The fire service really is the backbone of this organization; as a team we can do great things for the community.”

Proceeds benefit Burn Institute fire and burn prevention education programs and burn survivor support programs such as Camp Beyond The Scars for burn-injured children. All of the money raised through the Boot Drive stays in San Diego County.

“Barona is honored to be the first ever sponsor of this extremely worthwhile fundraising event,” said Chief Randy Sandoval of the Barona Fire Department. “Our fire department on the Barona Indian Reservation works in cooperation with fire departments throughout the county. We have seen first hand the good works of the Burn Institute and want to do our share to provide additional resources to help burn survivors through the recovery process.”

Last year more than 30 departments participated in the fundraiser, which was the agency’s best ever. As always, the top fire department in each region will win the agency’s highly-coveted bronze boot trophy.

Note: Find a list of locations at www.burninstitute.org; Continual updates through April 16, 2009.

Barona is First California Casino to Launch Integrated Online Viral Networking Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(SAN DIEGO) April 6, 2009 – In a marketing first for a California casino, Barona Resort & Casino is launching an exciting new social networking campaign encouraging people from across the country to create a video that captures the magic of gambling. Called the Barona Video Contest, Hollywood hopefuls have between now and May 29, 2009, to share stories about what they love about casinos – the sights, the sounds, the games and the thrill of winning. The creator of the highest rated video will win a total cash prize of $5,000 while the finalists and even online voters will share a total of $17,000 in additional cash prizes. 

“Barona’s Video Contest is intended to open new doors of awareness for our property through a combination of online, social, viral, traditional and in-house media,” said Troy Simpson, senior vice president of innovation at Barona Resort & Casino. “While we have been integrating social media into our marketing for quite a while, this is our first major foray into the space. We are excited to tap new audiences and gain insight into the mind of our customers.”

The premise of the contest is easy: demonstrate, in up to two minutes, what you love most about casinos. Is it poker, blackjack, slot games, casino movies, gambling as a sport? Is it the thrill of winning? A casino promotion? The atmosphere? The food? The entertainment? Do you have a winning moment at Barona to share? Or, what do you love most about Barona Resort & Casino?

“In recent focus groups and research, we’ve discovered that our guests just love to share their experiences and opinions about Barona,” continued Simpson. “We thought this would be a great way for them to visually express what they love best and share their favorite gaming moments with the world. We expect that we’ll get some very creative entries!”

 Videos can be uploaded at www.baronavideocontest.com and submissions will be accepted through May, 29, 2009. The top five finalists, selected by Barona judges, will be voted online from June 5 through June 25. The finalist to receive the most online votes will be announced live at Barona on June 26, 2009.

 Official rules, conditions and the prize chart are available at www.baronavideocontest.com.  

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

 Join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.

http://www.barona.com/facebook | http://www.barona.com/twitter | http://www.barona.com/myspace

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


(Lakeside, Calif.) March 4, 2009 – Barona Resort & Casino has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) prestigious Energy Star, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. Commercial buildings, including hotels and resorts, that rate in the top 25 percent of facilities in the nation for energy efficiency may qualify for the Energy Star. Barona was one of only 85 hotels in the state of California to receive this recognition.

“Barona is pleased to accept an Energy Star in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Jay Bart, director of safety, health and environment at Barona Resort & Casino. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship and lowering our carbon emissions.”

Commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Barona has prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used from approximately 180 households for a year.  

“Whether you are running a grocery store, a school, or an office building, getting the most out of your energy dollars – while reducing your carbon footprint – just makes sense,” said EPA administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

Barona achieved an Energy Star rating due to its energy efficient equipment and diligent training of staff members. The resort property features a highly efficient HVAC, a system that heats, ventilates and air-conditions each room throughout the hotel and casino. Also, Barona’s staff have been trained to turn-off lights and set thermostats to unoccupied mode when guests are not in the room. Additionally, Barona has replaced all incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents throughout the entire hotel.

EPA’s national energy performance rating system provides a 1-100 scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the Energy Star. Commercial buildings that can earn the Energy Star include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retailers, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories and warehouses.

About Energy Star

Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the Energy Star designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2006, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved about $16 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles. For more information about Energy Star, visit www.energystar.gov.

About Barona Resort & Casino

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).
 
Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
 

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 Voluntary, pro-active effort saves water and reduces carbon footprint

(SAN DIEGO) February 23, 2009 – In a voluntary, pro-active approach to water conservation and environmental stewardship, Barona Creek Golf Club, recipient of the Bronze Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International, today announced an ambitious turf reduction project that will lower irrigation and maintenance needs to enhance its conservation of natural resources.

Don King, Barona Creek’s executive director of golf operations, says the project will eliminate alternate tee boxes and convert 10 to 12 acres of out-of-play turf to waste bunkers or more natural landscape. These measures will address several important environmental issues ranging from reduced fuel and energy consumption to the use of fewer fertilizers and chemicals used for maintenance.

“Barona’s commitment to protecting and preserving the environment has always been at the forefront of the golf industry, and moving forward with this turf reduction initiative our goal is to further reduce our carbon footprint,” he says.

The multi-phased project also calls for limiting over-seeding to tees and roughs, lowering maintenance requirements by an additional 10 to 15 percent.

King adds, “What makes this program even more important, especially in a dry, drought-prone region like San Diego, is the water savings that could run as high as 100 percent in those turf areas that will be eliminated or returned to native plantings.”

In the face of continued drought conditions in the Desert Southwest, governments in California, Arizona and Nevada are requesting voluntary water use restrictions and limited acreage requirements on new construction and new golf course developments. The Barona Band of Mission Indians is addressing the issue with an innovative and proactive approach that could result in a new trend for the golf industry.

“The Barona Tribe has made a legacy commitment to preserving the natural resources on our reservation,” said Edwin “Thorpe” Romero, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. “It is our hope that the innovative environmental practices we have implemented at the Barona Creek Golf Club will serve as a model for the golf industry. And, as we watch the global climate changes, we also feel a responsibility to our Tribal members, the guests of our resort and our neighbors to do everything we can to conserve all natural resources. ”

The PGA TOUR has also acknowledged Barona Creek for its conservation efforts.

“Barona Creek Golf Club should be applauded for taking a very proactive approach in their turf reduction plans,” said Cal Roth, Senior Vice President Agronomy for the PGA TOUR agronomist. “Golf courses throughout the world need to look at their environmental issues and plan accordingly to ensure their courses meet their maintenance and conditioning goals. It is very admirable how Barona Creek has become a leader in improving both their sustainable landscape and carbon dioxide footprint.”

According to Sandy Clark, the club’s golf course superintendent, Barona Creek already is leading the industry in water conservation with its advanced water reclamation plant, computerized irrigation system, sophisticated weather monitoring program and sustainable landscape plan.

“This turf reduction plan will further reduce our water usage,” says Clark. “These water-saving innovations at Barona Creek are about more than self-preservation. They are also helping the environment and hopefully influencing the golf community-at-large.”

The upshot for golfers, continued Clark, is that the golf course will remain open during the turf reduction and reseeding process and when completed in late spring, will result in even better course playing quality with enhanced natural surroundings.

“Being more environmentally friendly and aesthetically appealing are not mutually exclusive terms. We will still be green and gorgeous,” says Clark who was awarded the 2004 Environmental Leader of the Year by the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America and Golf Digest Magazine.

Opened in 2001, the championship-caliber course was originally designed by Todd Eckenrode of Gary Roger Baird Design International. Eckenrode now leads all design for Origins Golf Design and provided assistance for Barona’s turf reduction project.

Located adjacent to the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, Barona Creek is a 7,448-yard par 72 golf course with more than 100 multi-fingered bunkers and a series of lakes and ponds connected to the area’s naturally fed streams. The course offers multiple sets of tees to accommodate players of all abilities. It features more than 170 mature native oak trees transplanted from other regions of the Barona Indian Reservation.

In 2008, Golfweek magazine named Barona Creek Golf Club one of the best golf courses in the state and nation in multiple categories: fifth best course in California; third best resort course in California; 28th best resort property nationwide; and fifth best casino golf course in the country.

The course has also been recognized for its environmental efforts by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and San Diego Earthworks. Barona’s state-of-the art water reclamation and wastewater treatment facilities allow the Tribe to save and reuse nearly every drop of water runoff at its Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino and Barona Creek Golf Club. The property currently uses 100 percent of the reclaimed water to irrigate the golf course and surrounding landscape. The course has also won the prestigious Bronze Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International for its conservation, environmental quality and land management efforts.

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine.

For current progressive amounts and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

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(SAN DIEGO) January 22, 2009 – Recognizing Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino’s achievements in environmental stewardship and community contributions, the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) has awarded Barona with two Lodging Property Achievement Awards. Barona received the Good Earthkeeping award for the second year in a row, as well as the Community Service award for a large property. The awards were presented at the CH&LA’s annual 2008 Stars of the Industry Awards dinner in Anaheim, Calif.

“Winning these awards is a real testament to our amazing staff and demonstrates the commitment of the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino to two very important causes – the environment and the community,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. “We are honored to be recognized by the California Hotel and Lodging Association, as we continue the traditions of protecting and cultivating Barona’s beautiful landscape and surrounding valley and giving back to the San Diego community.”

The Good Earthkeeping Award recognizes lodging properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices that improve daily operations while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. The program must demonstrate success in one or more of the following areas: energy conservation, solid waste reduction, effluents and emissions, water conservation, purchasing and business issues.

Some of Barona’s award-winning features for this award include its commuter programs, use of natural light throughout the hotel and office spaces and green cleaning efforts. Barona also has a state-of-the-art water conservation program and on-site water treatment facility, which saves and reuses nearly every drop of water run-off at the hotel and Barona Creek Golf Club.

The CH&LA Good Earthkeeping Award adds to a long list of prestigious awards that Barona has received for its environmental programs, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s 2007 National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards, the San Diego Earthworks Earth Award and two SANDAG Diamond Awards. Barona Creek Golf Club has also received an Audubon International Bronze Signature Sanctuary Certification, as well as the Environmental Leaders in Golf Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and Golf Digest.
The Community Service Award from the CH&LA recognizes hotels and resorts that are responsive to the local community by helping local or national service organizations, charities and community groups to benefit the area. Barona has always placed great importance on positively impacting the community and through the years, has donated millions of dollars to charitable organizations in the San Diego region and has also contributed countless hours of services and volunteer support. In 2008, Barona was a major sponsor of several high profile community events including Balboa Parks December Nights, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots, Epilepsy Foundation’s Gingerbread City and Foundation for Women.

As a winner of the CH&LA Good Earthkeeping and Community Service Awards, Barona’s nomination will automatically be entered in the national Stars of the Industry Awards competition, presented at the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Summer Summit in Chicago on June 24, 2009.
Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

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Video Poker Expert Finds the Area's Loosest Video Poker Machines At Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino

(SAN DIEGO) Dec. 15, 2008 – America’s premier video poker player, writer and teacher, Bob Dancer, has officially certified Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino as offering the “Best Video Poker in San Diego.” The certification was determined through an extensive review of the video poker options at Barona and nine other area casinos. Dancer’s expertise has been highly regarded in the gaming industry since he began his professional gambling career in 1994 and subsequently authored Million Dollar Video Poker to recount and share his winning secrets.

“After completing a thorough analysis of San Diego’s casinos, I have determined that Barona has the best video poker in the area,” said Dancer. “Barona’s casino consistently provides players with excellent chances of winning and a wide variety of gaming options for all levels of play from 25 cents to $1 to high limit machines.”

Barona features over 250 video poker machines with more than 120 multi-hand video poker machines, including Triple Play, Five Play, Ten Play, Multi Strike Poker, Fifty Play and One Hundred Play Poker. These machines include the following popular video poker games: Deuces Wild, Double Double Bonus Poker, Jokers Wild, Double Bonus Poker, All Star Poker, Jacks or Better, Aces$ Bonus Poker, Joker Poker and Deuces Wild Bonus Poker.

To summarize his analysis of video poker games in greater San Diego, Dancer categorized the casinos based on the number and type of video poker games offered and divided the games into three categories based on the monetary denomination needed for game play: “Less than $1,” “$1” and “Greater than $1.” The casinos then received ratings of “Excellent,” “Very Good,” “Good,” “Decent” or “Not Good” in each category. Based on this methodology, Barona achieved a first place ranking among the reviewed casinos and was the only casino noted for its “Excellent” liberal offerings in all three categories.

“We have always strived to enrich our players’ experiences with quality games and great odds,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. “We are pleased to receive Dancer’s official video poker endorsement, adding to the high level of satisfaction our players have come to expect at Barona.”

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on responses from 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

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Course Earns Top Rankings in Best California, Best Resort, Best Casino Course Categories

(SAN DIEGO) Nov. 30, 2008 – For the fourth straight year, Golfweek magazine named Barona Creek Golf Club as one of the best golf courses in the state and nation in multiple categories: fifth best course in California; third best resort course in California; 28th best resort property nationwide; and fifth best casino golf course in the country. Barona Creek is part of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino in San Diego.

“Through the guidance and support of The Barona Band of Mission Indians we work to improve Barona Creek every day, and our frequent rankings as a top course in California and the nation demonstrate our commitment to delivering an exceptional golf experience,” said Don King, executive director of golf operations at Barona Creek. “From hosting top golfers from around the world to being the site of last year’s Nationwide Tour Championship, our course continues to have tremendous national appeal. We’re honored to be in the company of such elite courses as part of Golfweek’s best golf course lists.”

Notably, Barona Creek maintained its ranking as the number five golf course in California, directly behind landmark properties Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Pasatiempo and Rustic Canyon. The golf course was also awarded with the number three ranking in California for resort courses and earned a spot on the national list as the 28th best resort property. Barona Creek was the highest ranked course of the three Southern California properties listed on the 100 best national courses list. In addition, with a fifth place ranking, Barona Creek is the only casino golf course in California on Golfweek’s casino course list.

Golfweek’s course raters are comprised of a nationwide team of more than 450 evaluators who have surveyed over 500 Classic and 1,200 Modern nominated courses. Judgments are rendered on the basis of 10 standards of evaluation: routing, quality of shaping, overall land plan, greens and surrounds, tree and landscape management, conditioning and a “walk in the park” test, as well as the variety and memorability of par-3s, par-4s and par-5s.

Barona Creek Golf Club is a par 72 course that was recently extended to 7,448 yards, with more than 100 multi-fingered bunkers and a series of lakes and ponds that are connected to the area’s naturally fed streams. The golf course also has more than 170 mature native oak trees transplanted from other regions of the Barona Indian Reservation. Making use of the subtly undulating terrain, prominent rock outcroppings and gentle elevation changes preserve the lands’ unique characteristics. The combination of both natural and strategic elements of the design make Barona Creek Golf Club one of the most challenging and thought provoking golf courses in San Diego.

The course has also been recognized for its environmental efforts by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and San Diego Earthworks. Barona’s state-of-the art water reclamation and wastewater treatment facilities allows the Tribe to save and reuse nearly every drop of water run off at its Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino and Barona Creek. The property currently uses 100 percent of the reclaimed water to irrigate the golf course and surrounding landscape. The course has also won the prestigious Bronze Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International for its conservation, environmental quality and land management efforts.

Barona Creek Golf Club is located at 1932 Wildcat Canyon Road. To schedule a tee time please call 888-7-BARONA. Additional course information is also available at www.barona.com.

Official Certifications Ensure Best Odds of Winning

(SAN DIEGO) Nov. 7, 2008 – Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino announced today that it has been certified as having the loosest blackjack and the loosest roulette in California. The Blackjack Hall of Fame, which consists of the 18 most revered blackjack experts, authors and professional players in history has certified Barona as having the most liberal games. Michael Shackleford, A.S.A. a professional actuary and owner of WizardofOdds.com, has also certified that Barona has the loosest roulette in California and the loosest blackjack in the San Diego area.

"We designed our games to give our players the best odds possible," said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. "But we are now excited to receive third party confirmation of our great odds. Our blackjack and roulette games are two examples of winning moments players can experience at Barona.”

The Blackjack Hall of Fame honorees who certified Barona’s blackjack as the loosest in the California included Max Rubin, a former casino executive, professional blackjack player and best-selling author; James Grosjean, computer analyst and professional player; and Stanford Wong, author and inventor of the “Wonging” strategy and publisher of “Current Blackjack News.” Barona features 21 tables, offering Single- or Double-deck Blackjack with Surrender.

“If you play Blackjack and Roulette to win, then Barona is the place to play,” said Rubin. “In my business, I’ve played in almost all of the casinos across the nation. As a result, in addition to offering the best odds and the loosest games, I have found that Barona has the friendliest dealers and the best overall customer service of any casino in America.”

According to WizardofOdds.com, the single zero roulette is the only one in California, which significantly improves the players odds. In addition, Barona has the best blackjack rules anywhere in California for high-limit play. The low-limit tables have the best rules in the San Diego area.

“The goal of my Web site and my work, in general, is to increase players’ wins and minimize their losses,” said Shackleford. “After analyzing Barona’s blackjack and roulette table games, I have verified that Barona has the most liberal rules in California. Players have a real chance of winning here.”

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on responses from 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary.  Visit jdpower.com.

WMS Gaming Jackpots Total $18 Million in 2008

(WAUKEGAN, Ill.) October 30, 2008 – WMS Gaming Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE:WMS), announced a nearly half-million dollar winner on one of its MONOPOLY™ themed slot machines. Truman Thompson was playing a WMS MONOPOLY JACKPOT STATION slot machine at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino in San Diego. His win is the 24th jackpot so far this year on a WMS wide area progressive slot machine.

Thompson collected a grand total of $465,826 after hitting the top wide area progressive jackpot on the nickel slot machine. Including his winnings, players have won nearly $18 million this year in major jackpots on WMS wide area progressive slot machines. Recent jackpots have included a $1.9 million payout at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee in September, and a $1.8 million prize at the Fiesta Rancho Casino in Las Vegas in late July.

"The MONOPOLY name, Mr. Monopoly and Scotty the Dog have been player magnets since day one on the casino floor. We are proud to leverage these all-American icons to deliver true entertainment value to players and casino operators,” said Ron DiNola, vice president of gaming operations. “And with our WMS wide area progressive jackpots, the payouts can be even more impressive.”

Thompson, an accountant from the Spring Valley/Chula Vista area of San Diego, was playing WMS MONOPOLY JACKPOT STATION when he hit the jackpot. A Diamond Club member of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, Thompson says playing at this casino is his favorite pastime, as he enjoys the core group of people that the casino attracts. He favorably compares this resort to many Las Vegas venues and says he was drawn to the WMS MONOPOLY JACKPOT STATION because he had never played the game before.

“We’re excited to add Mr. Thompson’s win to our list of jackpot winners at Barona,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. “From first-time players to Diamond Club members, such as Mr. Thompson, we invite everyone to experience winning moments at Barona.

In addition to a large wide area progressive jackpot, the popular WMS MONOPOLY JACKPOT STATION slot machine combines five mechanical reels with a transmissive video overlay to enhance the gaming experience and offers multiple player options. This combination creates an exciting new dimension of game play and virtually unlimited bonus opportunities. Following the verification of the winning, the wide area top progressive jackpot is reset for continued play.

In total, WMS has paid more than $18 million in total jackpots in 2008.

Other large WMS jackpot awards this year include:

    * $1.9 million on Powerball Free Spin Maximus® at Potawatomi Bingo Casino in September
    * $2.8 million on Top Gun™ Sensory Immersion at Harrah's Prairie Band Casino in July
    * $1.2 million on MONOPOLY™ Super Money Grab ® at Grand Biloxi in Mississippi in April
    * $1.3 million on DOUBLE POWERBALL® at Monte Carlo in Las Vegas in January
    * $1.1 million on POWERBALL® IT’S AMERICA’S GAME® at Grand Biloxi in Mississippi in January

About WMS

WMS is engaged in serving the gaming industry worldwide by designing, manufacturing and marketing video and reel-spinning gaming machines, video lottery terminals, and in gaming operations, which consists of the placement of leased participation gaming machines in legal gaming venues. WMS is headquartered in Waukegan, IL.

MONOPOLY is a trademark of Hasbro. Used with permission. ©2008 Hasbro. All rights reserved.

DOUBLE POWERBALL, IT’S AMERICA’S GAME and POWERBALL are registered trademarks of Multi-State Lottery Association.

MONOPOLY is a trademark of Hasbro. Used with permission. ©2008 Hasbro. All rights reserved.

TOP GUN™ & (C) Paramount Pictures Corporation

Bigger Bang Big Event is a registered trademark of WMS Gaming Inc. All rights reserved.

CONTACT:

Kathryn Green
Access Communications for WMS Gaming
415-844-6219
kgreen@accesspr.com

(SAN DIEGO) Sept. 5, 2008 – Continuing Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino’s status as a leading provider of cutting-edge casino innovation in San Diego, Barona has debuted a Three Card Poker Progressive™ Table, which is only the game’s second installation in North America and the first outside of Las Vegas. Offered by Barona in conjunction with DEQ Systems Corp. and Shuffle Master Inc., this progressive table game includes a unique electronic side bet feature, allowing players to wager on possible outcomes without chips.

“We’re pleased that we were selected to introduce Three Card Poker Progressive,” said Michael Patterson, director of table games for Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. “We are constantly striving to enhance the casino experience for our players. And this game gives table players in particular an added level of excitement.”

Using the G3TM system, the progressive’s electronic betting mechanism includes an LCD screen table display with payout charts, rules of the game, game logos and prize animation, a personal bet manager interface for each player position at the table, a dealer interface and a central game server computer. The G3 automates the process of the wager and the outcome, as well as provides more accurate accounting of the side bet features.

The game allows for an optional $1 progressive wager, along with head-to-head play against the dealer and a Pair Plus bonus bet. The $1 side bet wins when players receive a three-of-a-kind or higher, with the top payout being an Ace-King-Queen of Spades for a 100 percent progressive jackpot.

Barona also has plans to introduce additional electronic formats for other games in the near future.

Ranked highest in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning restaurants, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

The J.D. Power and Associates SCIGC Study explores casino players’ entire gaming experience, from arrival at the casino to cashing out their chips. The inaugural study provides a single measure to assess the levels of overall player satisfaction among casinos located throughout Southern California.
     
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study SM. Study based on responses from 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary.  Visit jdpower.com.

San Diego Earth Works recognizes programs supporting a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future

(San Diego, CA) – The Barona Band of Mission Indians announced today that it has been awarded a 2006 Environmental Achievement Earth Award by San Diego Earth Works.

"The San Diego EARTH Awards are a great opportunity to recognize businesses such as the Barona Band of Mission Indians for their water recycling program and conservation efforts," said San Diego City Councilmember Donna Frye and EARTH Awards presenter.  "The tribe's water resources management plan is impressive and shows a commitment to environmental best practices," said Frye.

The Environmental Achievement Earth Award recognizes businesses, clubs, organizations and/or individuals that work on behalf of a clean, healthy environment.  The competition provides the public with the opportunity to acknowledge entities implementing environmentally responsible operations and conservation efforts throughout the region.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians was recognized for implementing an innovative and extensive conservation program.  This program focuses on key strategies including water conservation, resource management and careful use of renewable and sustainable materials in all areas including lighting, heating and ventilation.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award from San Diego Earth Works,” said Rhonda Welch-Scalco, Chairwoman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. “Our tribe has an historic legacy of protecting and living in harmony with nature and the environment,” she said.  “As an industry leader in all areas of the business, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has been pro-active in developing and implementing a comprehensive water resource management plan,” she said.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians has lived in Southern California for over 5,000 years and the Barona Indian Reservation since 1932.  The Tribe was once a semi-nomadic band that traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided.  It is now a sovereign government operating Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, San Diego’s premier luxury resort and casino.

Donation of 4,000 gallon tanker of gas helps deliver food to seniors

(San Diego, CA) August 19, 2008 – The ripple effect of escalating gas prices has had a dramatic impact on San Diego’s Meals on Wheels, which relies on volunteers to deliver nutritious meals to seniors throughout San Diego County. Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino provided some relief today, in the form of a 4,000 gallon tanker of gas given to Meals on Wheels, kicking off the Barona Tanker-A-Day Great Gas Giveaway promotion.

“The work that Meals on Wheels does for seniors in our community is really inspiring,” said Barona Tribal Vice Chairman Charles “Beaver” Curo as Barona’s gas tanker rolled up to Meals on Wheels’ Old Town headquarters. “So when we realized how much they were being impacted by the rising gas prices, it was natural for Barona to donate this first tanker of gas to Meals on Wheels.”

Tanker-A-Day won’t create convoys of trucks rumbling in and out of the serene Barona Valley. But from September 1 through September 27 shouts of joy will be heard as Barona gives a lucky winner 4,000 gallons of gas each day. And in addition to the Tanker-A-Day promotion, the Great Gas Game will give players, via daily drawings, the chance to win $50 gas cards, $250 gas cards or even a year’s worth of free gasoline (valued at $200 per month for 12 months).

Barona expects to give away more than 160,000 gallons, over $800,000 worth of gas, as part of the Tanker-A-Day Great Gas Giveaway promotion. But today’s donation, the equivalent of $20,000 worth of gas, was especially gratifying for Barona because it will allow Meals on Wheels to deliver over 72,000 meals into the homes of San Diego seniors in need.

“Quote Meals on Wheels”

The mission of Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego Inc. is to support the independence and well being of seniors. This mission is accomplished through the delivery of nutritious meals to those who are unable to meet their own daily nutritional needs. The average age of a Meals-on-Wheels recipient is 80 and about 84 percent are considered low-income. Meals-on-Wheels home delivers two meals a day, seven days a week, including special diets, to seniors age 60 and over, throughout San Diego County. For more information, visit www.meals-on-wheels.org.

“The Tanker-A-Day promotion is a fun and exciting way for Barona and our players to deal with rising gas prices,” said Rick Salinas, General Manager of Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino. “But it’s equally as exciting for us to be able to help Meals on Wheels continue to serve the community as they do.”

Ranked highest in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning restaurants, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

The J.D. Power and Associates SCIGC Study explores casino players’ entire gaming experience, from arrival at the casino to cashing out their chips. The inaugural study provides a single measure to assess the levels of overall player satisfaction among casinos located throughout Southern California.
     
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study SM. Study based on responses from 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June 2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary.  Visit jdpower.com.