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Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Kim Brown
Roll ’em big for a weekend in Wheeling, West Virginia, at the Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino and Racetrack, and discover why it’s one of the largest tourist attractions in the state. Glitz, Press Your Luck, Dean Martin and Hot Hot Super Jackpot are just a few of the 2,000 slot machines located alongside 15 multi-state progressive CA$HOLA slots and a high-limit room. The Jim Beam® Poker Room features Texas Hold’em Bad Beat Jackpot, Seven Card Stud and Omaha games. If pit games are more your style, you’ll f...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
Paying homage to the heritage of the Native American Pokagon Band through its unique interior decor, the Four Winds Casino Resort is conveniently located on a beautiful landscape just off of I-94 in New Buffalo, Michigan. Offering 130,000 square feet of gaming space, a 165-room hotel, five restaurants, entertainment, bars and retail — this casino resort has it all. Each room in the suite hotel includes such luxuries as granite counter tops, leather wrapped headboards, 14-inch deep pillow-top mattre...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Katie Morell
Located just 30 miles southeast of downtown Chicago, Gary, Indiana, is known for far more than being the birthplace of the “King of Pop.” Although it is fashionable to stop and take photos of Michael Jackson’s childhood abode, most people come to Gary in search of fortune at its Vegas-style casinos. With sparkling gaming properties around almost every corner, Gary and the surrounding area is arguably the gaming capital of the Midwest. Starting with Gary’s Majestic Star Casino & Hotel, visitors are in...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2010
Author(s): Amy S. Eckert
Pittsburgh’s North Shore and games just seem to go together. Spread along the Steel City’s Allegheny River bank are PNC Park, where the Pirates play baseball, Heinz Field, where the Steelers play football; and the Carnegie Science Center, where visitors play with laser beams and computers. In August 2009, the new Rivers Casino added gaming to Pittsburgh’s list of riverside amusements. Located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, Rivers Casino overlooks Pittsburgh’s gleaming g...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2010
Author(s): Gerald Bartell
Mountain air isn’t all the Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort has to offer. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains in Chester, West Virginia , the Mountaineer may keep you indoors during your entire visit. The blackjack, craps and roulette tables in the casino go 24/7 and a 40-table poker room keeps devotees inside with Omaha and 7-Card Stud. Novices can take a chance, as it were, on $2–$4 Texas Hold ’em or warm up to gaming at the penny and dime slots. The rooms and suites at Mountaineer’s Grande Ho...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2009
Author(s): Jane Ammeson
Designed to make a bold statement, the Blue Chip Casino’s new Spa Blu Tower can be considered a mission accomplished. The $130 million structure rises above the windswept dunes near the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Indiana . To replicate a ship in full sail, the exterior of the 22-story tower is done in gradations of blue glass, delineated by LED light bands on every other floor. Inside, the first floor pulsates with energy. Dining options include It’s Vegas Baby!, a contemporary homage to t...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2009
Author(s): Gerald Bartell
It’s possible to visit the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel and never roll the dice, cut a deck or pull a slot lever — yet still have a full weekend. Since the property stands just blocks from New York’s Niagara Falls , visitors can enjoy simply watching the Niagara River thunder over its famous cliffs. That’s if Seneca’s inviting hotel rooms don’t bring out the inner wallflower who wants to watch high-def TV, catch up on Facebook or read a romance novel while lounging on a pillow-top bed. Want to resist ...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Susan R. Pollack
You don’t have to be a high roller to enjoy a weekend getaway in downtown Detroit’s liveliest neighborhood. The new Greektown Casino-Hotel opened its doors in mid-February and has been buzzing since, thanks to affordable rates, glitzy decor and a sizzling urban vibe. A 30-story tower of gleaming blue glass, the long-awaited hotel wows guests with an airy, multi-story lobby, dramatic purple and gold furnishings andhand-blown glass chandelier. Four hundred contemporary rooms, including 29 suites, fea...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Ed Condran
You’re not taking much of a gamble when you visit Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino — at least not until you hit the gaming hall, featuring myriad slot machines and a plethora of gaming tables. For those not risking cash, it’s a safe bet to indulge in the Windsor, Ontario , resort’s many amenities. There are a number of fine-dining options at Caesars Windsor, set on the banks of the Detroit River. Nero’s Steakhouse offers a variety of excellent cuts along with an excellent view of the panoramic Detroit...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Jenny Pavlasek
For lots of gamesters, Vegas just isn’t in the budget this year. But don’t let your poker face turn into a pout. Chicagoland’s Grand Victoria Casino , just 40 miles west of the Windy City in Elgin, Illinois , could be the place to catch a lucky break without breaking the bank. The massive pavilion and riverboat complex guarantees visitors three of a kind — free parking, free admission and a smoke-free environment. Add to that the pro-football-field-like dimensions and 16-foot ceilings that give this rive...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Sherri Telenko
Casino Rama’s name is a bit misleading. After all, with visitors to the gambling mecca in Rama, Ontario , able to check into a 300-room all-suite hotel, dine in any of 10 restaurants, indulge in spa treatments and shop at a Native-American art gallery, this destination is much more than a mere gaming spot. Casino Rama’s luxurious, log-home decor and faux-rock walls — as well as the hotel’s blend of wood, granite, copper and water accents — aim to reflect the picturesque landscape outside. (A two-h...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Jenny Pavlasek
It’s not just the bridge that leads to Wheeling Island that has visitors in suspense. At West Virginia’s Wheeling Island Race Track & Gaming Center , a full-fledged casino resort in the eastern bend of the Ohio River, early birds and night owls alike revel in high-stakes, nonstop gaming action 24/7. Granted, the Mountain State isn’t your traditional island getaway. But the tropical-themed resort offers all the amenities gamers need for a weekend-long adventure close to home. Try your hand at t...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Amy S. Eckert
When Turtle Creek Casino in Williamsburg, Michigan , opened its doors this summer following a $116 million renovation, guests were shocked. Where was the North Woods decor? And what’s that growing on the roof? That was precisely the reaction casino owners hoped for. Set just outside Traverse City, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians’ new Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel rejected the customary, northern lodge decor, opting instead for multicolored lighting effects, a 30-foot indoor waterf...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Amy S. Eckert
Don’t worry if gamers seem a tad distracted from their winning hands at casinos around the Midwest. It’s likely the casino enthusiasts have their eyes on central Indiana. Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana , completed a $100 million expansion this summer, adding an additional 54,000 square feet of casino space. Now, visitors can tempt Lady Luck at more than 2,000 new electronic slot machines and a wealth of table games, while more serious thrill seekers can test their skills at Hoosier Park’s High Limit ...
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Issue: Bonus Online Content Summer 2008
Author(s): Jenny Pavlasek
On my list of preferred vices, gambling doesn’t even break the top ten. So, I was a little out of my element when I checked into the Caesars Windsor hotel: a half-new, half-transitioned complex overlooking three miles of walking paths along the Detroit River. They say that in the age of the “new” casino, you don’t need to be a gambler to have a good time; that the fine dining, glamorous shows and occasional bout with the nickel slots combine to give you a Vegas-style experience without having to hop on ...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Miriam Carey
Don’t be alarmed by the rhythmic ringing and dinging sounds that emanate from a bend in the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana . It’s just the sound of gamers at play aboard the floating Casino Aztar riverboat, where more than 1,200 slot machines stand sentinel along with 50 gaming tables, allowing visitors to try their hand at everything from blackjack and craps to roulette and seven-card stud. Plus, Casino Aztar gives you a way to put all those coins clogging up your piggy bank to fun use: Not only do ...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Jennifer Haliburton
You’re a risk taker, so you’re more than willing to take a chance at the gaming tables. However, when it comes to a casino’s lodging, nightlife or the quality of its restaurants, no one wants to take a gamble. Thankfully, the new $800 million MGM Grand Detroit spared no expense in creating a lush playground for travelers, providing plenty of both risk and reward. The MGM’s 18-story hotel tower looms large on Motown’s horizon, offering a striking introduction to the 400 meticulously designed guest rooms ...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): John Patrick Pullen, Photo coutesy of Oneida Indian Nation Department of Communications
From bingo to blackjack, Turning Stone Resort & Casino brings big gaming excitement to Verona, New York . With more than 80 table games, 2,400 slots, the state’s largest bingo hall and a swank little keno lounge, it’s enough to keep even the best players engaged. But much like Las Vegas, gambling is only part of the draw. With accommodations ranging from the four-diamond Lodge at Turning Stone to the serene Villages at Turning Stone RV Park, there’s a place for everyone to stay. Plus, the resort pac...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): Susan R. Pollack
In modern times, basketball superstar Larry Bird put his southern Indiana hometown on the map when he became known as "the hick from French Lick." Decades before that, from the early 20th century through the Roaring Twenties, the hamlet in southern Indiana's rolling hills flourished, drawing celebrities and infamous guests — from Groucho Marx and Bing Crosby to John Dillinger and Al Capone — to its mineral waters that flowed from the region's natural springs and to the illegal gambling halls that ...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): John Pullen
When most people think of casinos, they envision the lights of Las Vegas, the boardwalk of Atlantic City, or the convenience and culture of a Native American-owned gaming resort. But when card sharks want to shake the crowds, they head north to Windsor, Ontario , home to Casino Windsor , a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning resort located just across the border from Detroit. The casino's six restaurants and assorted nightlife are nearly as exciting as its slot machines and gaming tables. High rollers can do...
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Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): Tracy Teo
Many visitors come to Mount Pleasant, Michigan , for the area’s well-manicured championship golf courses. After playing a few rounds, however, some are convinced they would do better in a game of chance than a game of skill. That’s when they head to Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort , the largest land-based casino in the Midwest. Guests are greeted by more than 4,400 slot machines, 38 blackjack tables and high-stakes bingo, not to mention a vibe of excitement from all the players hoping to court lady luck...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Bob Beasley
In 2006, Detroi t was at the center of the sports universe with the hometown Tigers in the World Series and Ford Field serving as the host site of Super Bowl XL. But even without those big-ticket events, the Motor City offers plenty of reasons for you to roll into town this spring and summer. In the heart of Detroit, you'll find Greektown, a downtown district that always seems to offer a festival-like atmosphere. Filled with a nice variety of restaurants and pubs, it's safe to say you'll have no problem...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Gerald Bartell
Guests at Casino Niagara are rewarded for crossing the border with plenty of good games, exciting entertainment and fabulous food. The 95,000-square-foot Canadian casino offers 80 tables and some contests that go 'round the clock. You can vie with extraterrestrials on Alien Video slots or with the Sphinx on Cleopatra slots. For something exotic, roll Sic Bo, a Chinese dice game. Or play a hand of Caribbean stud poker. Traditionalists enjoy blackjack, roulette and poker, the latter going 24 hours a day. ...
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Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Bob Beasley
Driving along the Ohio River as it bends its way to form the border between Kentucky and Indiana, the small-town images evoked by the music of native Hoosier John Mellencamp hold mostly true. That is, until you see a giant structure in the distance looking as if it somehow made a wrong turn on its way to Vegas or Atlantic City. Belterra Casino Resort and Spa in Belterra, Indiana is a welcome site for road-weary travelers in search of some well-deserved R&R. Along with the expected offerings of...
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