CHICAGO GAMBLING MAP |
MIDWEST CASINO GUIDE
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WIRE
Horse Racing
Chicago is home to two major thoroughbred tracks.
Arlington Park
is the more well-known of the two, and hosts the Arlington Million
each August. The track is located in Arlington Heights, 28 miles
northwest of downtown Chicago. Racing is from June through
October, with simulcast wagering available year-round.
Sportsman's
Park/Hawthorne
Race Course, located in Cicero a few miles west of downtown, is the same
facility as
Chicago Motor Speedway. Horse racing runs from March through
May and November through January, with simulcast wagering available all year.
There is also a harness meet in the summer.
There are two harness tracks in Chicago as well,
Maywood Park
and Balmoral
Park.
Casinos
The Chicago area boasts many casinos, although all
are at least 20 miles from downtown; click
here for a map. All are
riverboats, but cruising rules vary by state. Indiana casinos
are required to cruise, with cruises lasting for one hour; Illinois
riverboats are not required to leave the dock.
The closest casinos to Chicago are actually located
in Indiana.
Harrah's East Chicago Casino is docked in East Chicago, 20 miles
southeast of Chicago. The
Horseshoe Casino is located in Hammond, 22
miles from Chicago. The Majestic Star Casino and Trump Casino,
both docked in Gary, Indiana, are 23 miles from Chicago.
Since the Indiana boats are required to cruise, many
find it more convenient to travel the extra distance to the Illinois
casinos.
Joliet, located 38 miles southwest of Chicago,
boasts two twin riverboats, the Empress I and II, which offer numerous
table games and slots, as well as an award-winning steakhouse.
The boats are docked at all times, so there are no boarding times
required. Empress was Chicagoland's first casino, and one of its
best.
Harrah's Casino is a land-based casino located on the riverfront
in Joliet. The casino is a huge complex with restaurants and a
hotel as well.
The
Grand
Victoria Casino, 41 miles northwest of Chicago in Elgin, keeps a
regular cruise schedule, and reservations are recommended.
Contact the casino through their
website
or at 847-888-1000 for schedules and reservations.
The Hollywood Casino in Aurora is located 42 miles
west of Chicago. The casino features two permanently-docked
riverboats.
