Chicago-area casinos
Is it just us or does all this gambling expansion talk make you want to blow your paycheck on a riverboat? Last week, the Illinois House and Senate passed a bill that would allow four more casinos in the state—including one in Chicago—and slot machines at racetracks as well as O’Hare and Midway airports. As of press time, Gov. Pat Quinn is still waffling as to whether he’ll sign off, but if you want to roll the dice right now, here’s where to do it.
1. Potawatomi Bingo Casino (1721 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI; 414-645-6888)
From Chicago 90 miles
Worth the trip cuz a pack of Lucky Strikes is your lucky charm. Wisconsin’s statewide smoking ban doesn’t apply to Indian-owned casinos, so light up at will.
2. Horseshoe Casino Hammond (777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond, IN; 219-473-7000)
From Chicago 18 miles
Worth the trip because it’s free. There are dozens of Chicago pick-up points and times to board a complimentary casino shuttle bus (go to horseshoehammond.com for details), but on Fridays and Saturdays you can catch a gratis luxury limo bus at State Street between Bellevue Place and Cedar Street.
3. Ameristar East Chicago (777 Ameristar Blvd, East Chicago, IN; 219-378-3000)
From Chicago 25 miles
Worth the trip since, let’s be honest, you’re not a high roller. Good news, cheapskate: More than 50 percent of Ameristar’s slots are penny games.
4. Majestic Star Casino (1 Buffington Harbor Dr, Gary, IN; 888-225-8259)
From Chicago 26 miles
Worth the trip if you’re a newbie. Majestic first-timers signing up for a rewards card get a free buffet pass, a $49.99 hotel stay and $20 of play.
5. Harrah’s Joliet (151 N Joliet St, Joliet; 800-427-7247)
From Chicago 40 miles
Worth the trip if you have pro ambitions. The casino’s month-old upscale poker room hosts occasional tourneys. In May, a bluffer won a trip to Las Vegas and a seat at the World Series of Poker.
6. Hollywood Casino Joliet (2300 Hollywood Ln, Joliet; 888-436-7737)
From Chicago 40 miles
Worth the trip if you thought the former Empress casino on this site was a dump. In December 2010, following a fire, the casino dropped its old Egyptian theme and remodeled, adding restaurants, a sports bar and a piano bar.
7. Hollywood Casino (1 W New York St Bridge, Aurora; 630-801-1234)
From Chicago 42 miles
Worth the trip if you kinda miss Planet Hollywood. Among the casino’s movie memorabilia collection is Robert Townsend’s superhero suit from The Meteor Man and a small boat from Titanic.
8. Grand Victoria in Elgin (250 S Grove Ave, Elgin; 888-508-1900)
From Chicago 40 miles
Worth the trip because you’re for gambling—just not in your own backyard. Show your support for Elgin’s leaders who see Illinois casino expansion—including a Chicago gambling den—as a detriment to Elgin’s economy.
It's okay to be a show-off.
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