You step off a plane and into the terminal, to the smell of fresh-baked Auntie Anne's pretzels and the bing-bing-bing sounds of slot machines. Where are you—Las Vegas, right? If it's a few years from now, that answer could be Chicago-O'Hare instead. The Illinois House of Representatives approved a bill on Monday (yes, they were working on Memorial Day!) to bring casinos to Chicago. The idea is for the casinos to open not just anywhere in Chicago, but in heavily touristed places like the lakefront and both O'Hare and Midway Airports.

Guess who's totally down with the new casinos plan? Chicago's fresh-faced mayor Rahm Emanuel, who supports the development of gambling establishments within Chi-city limits for the all-American goals of job creation and raking in more moolah. How much more moolah will Chicago casinos bring in to the state, exactly? Oh, just a billion dollars a year. Maybe they'll even take some of those zeros and make O'Hare less of a giant suckfest.]]> JetSetCD 2011-06-02T08:30:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/2/4/122927/4614

Little known fact about Las Vegas's McCarran Airport: it was founded by George Crockett, a descendant of Davy Crockett, who originally named it Alamo Airport in his ancestor's honor. Other little known fact about LAS: it's the only airport where we've ever seen someone get turned away at the gate for being too drunk to board a plane—and that's happened twice.

Drinking is as much a part of the modern commercial aviation experience as ignoring the flight attendant's safety instructions, because your only job as a passenger is to get to your seat and pass out. Imagine being too drunk for that. In the morning.

So naturally we were thrilled to learn that they're opening liquor stores on the premises, adding to the elegant ethos already provided by the 1,000+ slot machines scattered around the terminals. It's a little weird to think of gambling in an airport when there are casinos within a couple minutes' drive. But we suppose that there's always one more quarter that could be left behind, since the money you bring to Vegas stays in Vegas.]]> Omri 2011-02-04T13:26:38-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/11/18/162836/79

Forget Dubai. Even forget Las Vegas. The place that all the clubs and hotels and tourists in the mood to spend big money want to be is Macau. We've been and loved it; the former Portuguese colony tucked under China is only a hour's hydrofoil ride from Hong Kong, and since gambling has been legal these since the 1850s, it's got a fully developed reputation as a destination for good times. This continues to today, as the Playboy Club Macao is due to open atop the Sands Resort on Saturday.

It will be 12,000 square-feet of dining, entertainment and gambling, but of course all complimented by the Playboy bunnies who will be outfitted in the usual minimal costume, although specially designed with an "Asian flair" for this club. ]]> JetSetCD 2010-11-18T17:04:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/12/22/16152/349

Miami International Airport is in a financial tight spot. For reasons beyond our understanding they chose to undertake a massive construction project, not only shoring up but expanding the airport. Above the price tag of the project itself, the airport's operating costs will almost triple over the next half-decade. Right now it costs $600 million per year to run MIA. By 2015 it will cost $1.5 billion/year.

Here's where the catch comes in. It turns out that civilian aviation is experiencing something of a slump, leaving very few ways to make up the shortfall. Airport managers hoped to ride a pro-gambling wave that's sweeping the area and add slot machines beyond the security checkpoints. Citing the airport's incompetence, plus several other concerns, Florida state regulators gave the airport a very firm NO. Local media outlets had a bit more to say, however:]]> Omri 2009-12-22T16:42:33-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/24/121246/487

The impending arrival of warmer temperatures and sunny days on the east coast combined with the people's need to budget vacations better this summer means that previously underestimated destinations like Atlantic City may be getting some answers to their recession prayers.

Luckily for the struggling casinos and massive hotels that dot the boardwalk, the first wave of relief will arrive on June 11 when AirTran Airways begins direct service between Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Atlantic City International twice daily. As the 59th destination for the carrier, AC will now have all kinds of options for budget airline connections, including the option to make it a blowout week by flying between Las Vegas and Atlantic City via Atlanta, if your slots finger stays sharp.

With AC desperate to funnel anyone with some jingling pocket change into their casinos, the AirTran introductory fares on this route begin at a suggestive $69 each way. Pair this with a cheap room at one of the older casinos and don't loose too many Benjamins, and you've got the cost of a vacation in Vegas beat by a couple hundred dollars. Good old AirTran—always flying to the sunniest spots with the flashiest coin.

Related Stories:
· Airtran rolls the dice on Atlantic City [Today in the Sky]
· AirTran Airways Hits the Jackpot with New Service in Atlantic City, N.J. [FOX Business]
· New Routes Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: gTarded]]]> JetSetCD 2009-03-24T12:47:29-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/16/111923/559

While it might be hard to justify staying away from the action of the Strip in Las Vegas, the just-opened M Resort (about 15 minutes from the Strip) boasts a mobile gaming network.

This means that you can play games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker on mobile hand-held devices throughout the resort. Also now that March Madness is here, you can watch your bracket picks win or lose in the hotel's sportsbook all the while gambling to (hopefully) raise more funds for those sports bets. ]]> juliana 2009-03-19T12:18:38-05:00 36.0680320 -115.17224 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/11/194553/808

As we mentioned this weekend, Atlantic City hasn't been breaking any attendance records lately. We have to say, there's one good reason why Vegas-on-the-turnpike has never really turned that corner from senior citizens long weekend getaway to A-list resort town: There's just no great, affordable way to get there.

But East Coasters looking for a gambling fix can kiss the Greyhound goodbye, as AC is set to finally introduce regular train service to and from New York.

The town has had train service to New York before--but never any that made a profit and stuck around. Starting February 6, the new train will offer round-trip service between New York's Penn Station and AC for the pretty reasonable price of $50 each way. First-class tickets go for $75, and the Borgata, Caesars and Harrah's will each offer shuttle service from the train stop.

It's a long-awaited upgrade for sure, but is it enough to make anyone actually go?

Related Stories:
· By rail from NYC to Atlantic City [Detroit Free Press]
· Atlantic City in Freefall: How to Get People Gambling Again [Jaunted]
· Atlantic City Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: oliverN5]]]> BS 2009-01-12T16:30:47-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/